Bruins Blowout

The Bruins head West with confidence, beating the Leafs 8-0 at the Garden last night. (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

Last night the Boston Bruins took on the Toronto Maple Leafs for their last regular season match-up looking to sweep the series for the first time. They came out strong and ready to go as they jumped to an early lead by what appeared to be an easy, yet skillful goal scored by Chris Kelly. Not long after Gregory Campbell would be the lone Bruin to spot a loose puck behind the Leafs netminder and manage to get a wrap around shot to give the B’s a 2-0 lead just 5:40 in.  The tempo of the game was one that fans are more accustomed to seeing with speed and precision passing, a sense of togetherness. Milan Lucic provided us with some entertainment as well as he took on former Canadien buddy Mike Komisarek, clearly having the upper hand. Throughout the first they provided a stellar dynamic as a team and had ten players with at least one point in twenty minutes of play, much different from their last handful of games where they were lucky to get three players on the score card throughout sixty. Benoit Pouliot and Brad Marchand would also notch a couple of mid way goals, giving the Bruins a 4-0 lead at the end of one with a 7-0 scoring chance advantage.

“Now that we’re at home and Toronto is a good team, but once we got skating and playing the way we’re supposed to we’ll be fine the whole game.”-Benoit Pouliot (via Intermission Report with Naoko Funayama)

The second period provided much of the same action, with the Leafs only managing 7 shots on goal. The line in the limelight tonight would be Benoit Pouliot,Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston as they would manage to score three more goals in the second period giving them a 7-0 edge after two. Brian Rolston managed 4 points in the two periods combined(1 goal, 3 assists) and Pouliot had two goals. With the third line stepping up and all of the lines dominating offensively, the Bruins appeared to be back and ready to take down anything set in their path.

It wouldn’t be until the first few minutes in the third that the Leafs would finally hit their ten shots on goal mark, if this gives you any indication as to the dominance Boston provided. While they wouldn’t score until 18:29, with a goal from Tyler Seguin,(Thank you Kessel) they kept the pressure and came out on top.

It will be interesting to see if the blow-out win will instill some confidence in the team and Thomas especially. They are now heading out west to take on the San Jose Sharks at 10:30pm EST Thursday night. Hopefully the Bruins can come out on top and teach former Bruins Joe Thornton a thing or two.

Holding on by a Point

The Bruins need to find their focus ASAP (Credit: Slidingsideways/Flickr)

Last night was the fourth loss in a row for the Boston Bruins who are now 1 point ahead of the Ottawa Senators in the Northeast division. The team they lost too in a 6-2 game, the Florida Panthers, are now 2 points below them in the Eastern conference. The Bruins are frustrated,  injured, and tired but those are excuses. Teams have slumps sure, but this slump has been going on since January. Last night was no exception. It was once again a game that started with the other team scoring the first two goals of the game. In the past two games, the other team has scored 12 goals to the Bruins scoring 3. It seems to be a repeating trend of the opposing team turning up the energy while the B’s sit back and let it happen.

“It was basically a whole team collapse tonight,” said Julien in a sentence that could sum up the last two months. “We do have some guys that are tired, and we have some guys that aren’t playing up to par. We’ve got lots of games and we have to fight our way through it. You can’t throw your arms up in the air. You’ve got to fight through it.”(Via CSNNE)

So what needs to change in order for the team to get back on track? Well for starters WHERE IS OUR DEFENSE? There is only so much of the blame that can be put on the lack luster goal tending but if our D was doing it’s job the other team shouldn’t have as many shots on net. The energy on this team is just not there. The physicality on the team is just not there. Everyone should be getting shots on net, not just one line of players. At this point, watching the games feels like I’m watching a completely different team.

I do have one positive and that is that the lone two goals last night came from Joe Corvo and Brian Rolston, yeah you read that right. Those names are usually ones that are referenced with goal scoring but it’s good to see some people attempting to pick up the slack.

Tomorrow the Bruins face off against the Philadelphia Flyers in a game that I am hoping will not be a fifth straight loss. The day off today I hope is serving the team well. B’s fans I guess all we can do right now is pray that Ottawa and Florida find themselves in slumps…

Bruins Bounce Back Against Buffalo

Seguin registered one point tonight against the Sabres with an assist on David Krejci's goal mid-way through the third period. (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

The Bruins took on the Buffalo Sabres tonight for the fifth of six match-ups this season at the TD Garden. Despite having back up goaltender Marty Turco suited up, Tim Thomas got the nod between the pipes with Coach Claude Julien stating:

“Turco is our backup. If he has to go in, he has to go in,” said Claude Julien. “He’s not new to this league. But there’s no doubt I’m talking about making him a starter. I’ll play it by ear.”(CSNNE.com)

Tonight marked Thomas’ seventh straight start in net sporting a  3.69 goals against average and .856 save percentage during the month of March. In a post-game interview Thomas was asked of his high-energy style wearing him down after long stretches of play:

“Let me ask you; Did I look tired in Game 7?”

Tonight Thomas proved to be a strong force, allowing Buffalo to score one goal out of twenty shots faced providing the Bruins with two consecutive wins. Something the Bruins haven’t been able to achieve since mid-January( Jets 1/10 and Canadiens 1/13).

In the first twenty minutes of play the Bruins sported some great tempo and had lots of great two-on-one opportunities. They supported each other in the offensive zone and didn’t have a lot of long passes that they dished in, they only gave each other about eight to ten feet before they would pass giving them a lot more scoring opportunities on Enroth, leading to a 13-6 edge in shots ending the first. However, with just 3:21 remaining, the Bruins would have a bad turnover to which Captain Jason Pominville would capitalize. Chara essentially thought the opportunity was a two-on-one and allowed Pominville some space giving him just enough room to get the shot off short-side high over Thomas’ glove.

During the first intermission, Naoko Funayama of NESN interviewed forward Brian Rolston who stated:

“We’re pretty good on the forecheck, I think we had a lot of good shots and could get more traffic, but we played a pretty good period.”

Heading into the second period, the Bruins would fail to show energy or control like they had in the first period. They allowed themselves to get sloppy in the neutral zone and fall a victim to the neutral zone trap that Buffalo creates. Fortunately for the Bruins, Thomas was ready and brought his A-game tonight, allowing only the Pominville goal through forty minutes of play. The turning point for the Bruins and their fans would come from the newly acquainted Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Tyler Seguin line. Seguin would get a breakaway, spreading from the Buffalo defense and using his speed to his advantage. Between the kid’s speed, Lucic bringing an aggressive game and Krejci setting up plays, they were arguably the best line on the ice tonight. However, the goal that would make the difference in the second would be from the one and only ‘Merlot line,’ as Gregory Campbell got a Hodgson turnover and gave it to a wide open Shawn Thornton who blasted it from just inside the blue line. Campbell got the tip on it and after review it was ruled a good goal, tying the game at one with 1:51 remaining in the second period.

“We gave up 1 or 2 chances in the first period and unfortunately one of them ended up in a goal. . . We weren’t quite playing a perfect game and needed to adjust. This is one of those games that is close and is going to come down to the wire…need to focus on the little things.” -Gregory Campbell (intermission interview with Naoko Funayama)

Early on in the third again, there wouldn’t be much flow, similar to the first two periods.  Tim Thomas would come up with a nice save off of Ellis who ripped a quick shot off at the net to which Seguin answers with a blast off the cross bar. The closer the teams would get to their goal, the more careful they would play. The two points tonight was big for both teams as Buffalo was fighting for a playoff position and the Bruins are looking to hold their lead in the Conference over the Ottawa Senators. At 12:56 a forty game goal-less streak would be broken as Johnny Boychuk blasted a shot from the circle that soared short-side over Enroth’s glove, giving the Bruins their first lead of the game. Less than three minutes later Zdeno Chara would create a play from behind Thomas, sending the puck up to Seguin, who was playing deep, onto Lucic who carried it up ice only to pass it across to Krejci to finish off with a perfect finish, giving the Bruins a two-goal advantage. Under the coaching of Claude Julien the Bruins are 30-0-0 when leading by two goals at any point in a game and after tonight, those numbers climb to 31 as Thomas and the rest of his team held on for the 2-points and first consecutive win streak since January 13.

The Bruins next game is Saturday afternoon at 1pm EST against the Washington Capitals airing on NESN and NHLNetwork. You can also listen to it live on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

The Rolston that Bruins Fans Know and Love May Still Have Some Gas Left in the Tank

Photo Credit: Heather Creegan, Flickr/hcreegan

Time really flies. Ever since Brian Rolston left the Bruins after the 2003-2004 season, I have missed him and supported him wherever he has gone, always secretly hoping he would come back. I was very excited to hear that the Bruins finally brought him back on trade deadline day last week, but I am a minority in that opinion.

Every Streak Comes to an End…

Shawn Thornton is back to his usual antics (Credit:Slidingsideways/Flickr)

Unfortunately it just had to be against a team that WAS three points behind us in the Northeast Divison (now one point). Until tonight, the last time the Ottawa Senators beat the Boston Bruins was November 13th, 2010. Oh yeah and we were 4-0 against them this season. But things change and streaks need to end and well this game was frustrating. Not only did they lose, but they were shutout by one point. For a play by play account look here but I’m going to break it down by my random thought process.

First and Second Period Sucked:
I’m sorry but they were. Coach Claude Julien agreed and said in a post game interview:

“Those first two periods were painful to watch …picked it up in the third” (Via NHLBruins).

In the first two periods, the Bruins only managed to get 15 shots on net while the Senators had 32. Those first forty minute were just lackluster and to be honest it really didn’t look like there was anything going in any of the players heads. Four of the seven points in the first were from the Bergeron line. If that’s not a clear indication for why the rest of the team needs to step up I’m not sure what is.

Were the New Guys Supposed to Save the Day?
Brian Rolston and Mike Mottau aka our newest players really didn’t make much of an impact despite having a decent amount of playing time. In fact Rolston got a penalty. In his defense it was a pretty lame call by the referees but still. I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one because they are new. However, this benefit will probably only last til the next game because I’m aggravated.

Is Flu Season Over Yet?
Not yet but it is for Shawn Thornton. Thornton skated with his usually aggression which was well needed through out the game. He had a few decent scoring chances in the second and third periods but unfortunately just couldn’t connect. I also really enjoyed watching Thornton have a few words with Kyle Turris. In care you aren’t familiar, Turris is the player Joe Corvo said he was going to fight because of the hit he laid on Corvo last weekend. Which leads me too…

Whimp Out Much?!
Despite Corvo saying he was going to seek revenge upon Turris, the game says other wise. I have never seen someone make so much of an effort to not man up before. I’m wondering if the coaches had anything to do with this. But then again, Corvo really isn’t one to get into a fight. Regardless if there is one thing I hate in life in general is backtrackers. If you say something DO IT! (This could also be me really enjoy hockey fights)

Thank God February is Over!!!
February over all was not a good month to be a Boston Bruins…or a fan of the B’s for that matter. The team finished this month with a 5-8 record and were shut out five times. Injuries, and illness are really just excuses for a team that needs to figure out how to be…wait for it..CONSISTENT!

The Bruins are off tomorrow but return on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. Lets just hope that these kinks get worked out ASAP!

Practice Predictions: New Players, New Lines

Brian Rolston trades in his blue and orange for black and gold (Credit: Robert Kowal/Flickr)

The Boston Bruins had their morning skate this am as they look to return home tonight to face off against the Ottawa Senators. While a few familiar faces are out with injuries, a few new faces have joined after yesterdays trade deadline. Mike Mottau, formerly of the New York Islanders, took to the Bruins ice for the first time today. Another player did too but he’s quite familiar in Boston and on home ice and that’s Brian Rolston. Max Sauve of the Providence Bruins was also on the ice today as he was emergency recalled from Providence today.

If you were paying attention to the draft yesterday then you should be wondering where the hell Greg Zanon was for practice. Well, Zanon (formerly of the Minnesota Wild) missed the morning session as he was traveling in from Minnesota. Coach Claude Julien said that Zanon will not play until he skates in a practice with the team (CSNNE).

Shawn Thornton was also on the ice today, and Julien says it’s expected he will play tonight. Mottau took the place of Johnny Boychuk on the defensive pairing and joined Adam McQuaid. Meanwhile, Brian Rolston centered Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron.

Though the Bruins have been plagued with injuries and illness as of late it seems as though things are looking up.

“We’ve run into some injuries lately and it’s been a challenge to keep our lineup going in the right direction. Now there’s some breathing room as far as putting guys in that have been around for a while.”(Via CSNNE)

Mottau and Rolston led the final stretch this AM and it looks as thought Tim Thomas will get the start as he was first off the ice.

 

 

 

Bring ‘Em To Boston

Brian Rolston comes back to Boston (Photo Credit: hcreegan/Flickr)

With Rich Peverley and Nathan Horton being sideline with injuries and Johnny Boychuk now being listed day-to-day with a ‘mild concussion,’ Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli had some shoes to fill coming down to the wire of Monday’s trade deadline.

With the Bruins acquiring Mike Mottau, Brian Rolston and Greg Zonan; Andrew Bodnarchuk and Max Sauve have been sent back down to Providence to make room for the new guys on the roster.

Mike Mottau, formerly of the New York Islanders will be wearing the #27. Mottau is a 6 foot 190lb left-shot defenseman, as well as a Quincy, Massachusetts native. According to Chiarelli, he ” keeps “a good gap” for a player his size.”

“I always said I’d take a puck in the teeth for the Bruins, now I have a chance to do that.” Mottau on coming to Boston.(via @NHLBruins)

Brian Rolston is a former Bruins who will be wearing the jersey associated with #12. Rolston previously played for Boston during the PJ Axelsson era from 2001-2004 registering 86 goals and 131 assists.

“We’ve added some veteran depth to our lineup, specifically on Rolston, he’s a guy most of you are familiar with,” said Chiarelli. “Hasn’t had a great year, but I feel he’s a motivated player…[who] can really skate, and he’ll add to our depth and versatility.”(via Boston Bruins news)

Rolston on playing for the B’s organization again:

“I’m super excited…it shouldn’t take me long to adjust to the way Bruins like to play…Obviously, the Bruins have a few injuries right now. I’m hoping to go in and I’m planning on playing tomorrow night.”(via @NHLBruins)

While Rolston and Mottau came from the New York Islanders, one player came from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Steven Kampfer. In exchange for Kampfer, who only played in a dozen games combined this season between Boston and Providence, the Bruins took on Greg Zanon. Zanon is currently the second ranked blocked shots player in the League and is known for his shot and grit as a player.(Sounds like a Bruin, right?)

“Zanon is a terrific shot blocker, he’s a real gritty competitor. He’s a warrior type defenseman, so now we have eight defensemen in the mix now and we’ve added the forward so we’ve improved our forward [depth]. We’ll wait and see what happens with our two forwards that are currently injured right now.”(via Bruins News)

Zanon, who will be wearing #6, on coming to Boston for the first time:

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Boston Bruins…with where they’re sitting for playoffs and hopefully making another run at the Cup…Any time you can come to an Original Six team in this league it’s a big deal and I’m really honored to have the opportunity to play.”(via @NHLBruins)

All three acquisitions sound excited and ready to suit up for Boston in tomorrow night’s match against the Ottawa Senators.

“They’re excited and they want to win,” said Chiarelli. “They say what I want to hear when I call them when you acquire them in a trade. We won last year and we want to try and win again,” continued the GM. “It’s plain and in it’s in front of them and I feel that they are all motivated.”(via Bruins News)