2011-2012 Boston Bruins (Offseason)

[BDL]

THANK YOU KESSEL (cla, clap, clap clap clap)! THANK YOU KESSEL (cla, clap, clap clap clap)! THANK YOU KESSEL (cla, clap, clap clap clap)! THANK YOU KESSEL (cla, clap, clap clap clap)!

Oh, sorry. I was just getting ready for tonight's game. It does always seem that Seguin steps up his game (4+2=6, +4 in 2 gms) and Kessel seems to be kept in check (0+0=0, -2 in 2 gms) when these teams have met this year. Now I give Kessel some credit. From being the laughing stock of last year's all-star draft to being the lead vote getter this year is an accomplishment. Also leading the league in points and goals is a feat in itself. Which makes the head to head stats have that much more weight.

But hockey is a team sport. And the Leafs have the #1 team in the Northeast Division right now. With the helpers from Lupul and Gustavsson stepping in admirably for Reimer. And Gustavsson is getting lots of help. There are 6 Leafs with over 30 blocks (B's by comparison have 3). So I think it will be a hard fought game.

Prediction:

Leafs - 1

Bruins - 17 (3 Bruins with hat tricks)

 

[MickeySP]

Yes, as sad as it is, the 10 game winning streak ended at just that, 10 games. The B's lost in a shootout. It was a game of ebb and flow. Highs and lows. But when you allow the Red Wings break aways that the Bruins forced Tuukka to deal with, you can't hold him responsible, much less expect to win.

Luckily, for the B's, they have 1 of the fastest players in the league in Daniel Paille and 1 of the top 2-way centers in the league in Patrice Beregeron, who due to their strengths, allowed the Bruins to push the game to sudden death.

What's done is done. The winning streak is halted at 10 games...

BUT...

The points streak is up to 12 games now; thanks to the OTL against the Red Wings and the win against the Thras... Uhh, I mean, the Jets. It didn't look good at the beginning though. The Jets took an early lead by scoring 2 goals 40sec apart from each other, in the 1st per. They were scored by my favorite players when they were the Thrashers, Evander Kane (cuz he did what the Bruins failed to do with Matt Cooke) and Dustin Byfuglien (cuz I just love seeing people trying to sound out his name). Z finally got the Bruins on the board with 3:30 left in the 1st.

The 2nd period was all Chris Kelly. The away game alternate captain really stepped up and put the team on his back. It is amazing how Kelly and Peverly, even from the trade deadline last year have been able to find each other on the ice. Especially, since, last year at this time they were on different teams and then were brought to Boston. Though Timmy looked incredible except for that 1 minute span of time. Pavelec did an impressive job in net. The guy was practically under seige for 2 periods.

In closing, I just got a question... Anyone can answer. Does anyone know if the 911 call centers were overloaded in Pittsburgh or Montreal on Saturday? Just asking...[/QUOTE]

I don't think so but I am wondering when the 9 months investigation will begin

This is gonna be interesting few days, hopefully when it settles we have the solo lead.

I am thinking maybe 16 -1 We even decided it will be so much fun we are staying at the HI Boston Garden just to celebrate

 

[BDL]

What a November. A whole month without a regulation loss (thanks Detroit ) and a 10 game win streak. 12-0-1 is an incredible feat after an AWFUL October. The only thing I can think off is that everyone on the team keeps their lip hair and Timmy keeps that mask.

Mo-vember was capped off by a 6-3 win against the (then) 1st place Leafs. The B's HAVE TO stop giving up the break-aways and 2 on 1's. Even in defeat, the Leafs were able to notch a glimmer of good news. Kessel got his 1st point against the Bruins this year. However, he was on the ice for 4 of the Bruins goals. Bringing his 2011-12 head to head totals to 0-1=1 -5.

The Bruins, on the other hand, had another game where double digit Bruins got points (11). Also, there was only 1 player that was in the minus. Poor Darth Quaider didn't have the Force with him that night with his -2. But he was able to apply force by leading the team in hits.

No sooner did Krejci notch his 3 pt night (should be 4 but he missed an empty netter) did we find out that he had been extended for 3yrs. Some people have siad that in was in appreciation for his clucth play. Others think that it was done to make him more tradable. Me, I just say, sit back and enjoy the ride, because 1 way or another, things just got a little more interesting. Looks like the log jam at center will be there for a couple more years for Seguin.

The Bruins have the 2nd 1/2 of their home & home series against the Leafs on Saturday. I wonder how the league's leading scorer will play? Then on Monday, the B's face the resurrected demi-god Sid Crosby.

I'll give you a minute while the theme music the plays, any time his name is uttered, finishes...

Ok.

Should be a challenge for the B's. The Pens were impressive before Mr. The Kid returned. The 1 saving grace is the Flower (M-A. F., not the skunk from Bambi) has been slipping of late and Johnson, not any better. So if the B's can get the puck through the nuetral zone, unscathed, it should be a good game.

 

[Ryan1989]

14-0-1!
I feel like this game truly validated this point streak. It was against a legit contender in the Pens and the Bruins simply dominated!
AND not only was it the Penguins, but it was the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin in the new Igloo!

 

[midas]

Thomas was unbelievable. Pens threw 45 shots at him and he made it look easy. Not getting any powerplay goals on the 2 - 5 on 3's was the game.

Bruins look really good right now.

 

[BDL]

Fear swept across the land. The people of Pittsburgh called out "LORD (Stanley)!!! We have seen the schedule. There are beasts from the north that shall travel to conquer us." And the Lord (Stanley) replied "Fear not all ye citzens of Pittsburgh. For, a fortnight before the beast shall be upon you, I will send unto you a savior. For he, and he alone will have the speed to evade the brutish men (11, 17, 22, 63) and have the skills to let fly the slings and arrows to fell the giant Zden-oliath." With that, the citizens of Pittsburgh did cheer out. When the prophesy came to pass, the citizens of Pittsburgh rejoiced. The savior and his acolytes had vanquished many a fierce opponent, and it was good. When the beasts from the north had decended upon Pittsburgh, the citizens had faith that their mighty Penguins shall not only defeat the Bruins of Boston, but with the Lord (Stanley) on their side, and their savior in full form, the citizens knew that the beasts will not only be turned away, but never to be heard from again.

When word of this confidence had reached the beasts, the response was unanimous...



"I don't friggin' think so!"



Here endeth the lesson...

But seriously, what a game. Staving off 2 5-on-3's and having scores from 3 out 4 of the lines. There are just so many highlights to choose from. There was Seidenberg's save. There was Shawn Thornton skating around Malkin like his skates were glued to the ice. Benoit Pouliot coming up with another big goal. And, of course, the Campbell/Vitale fight (by the way, why was Vitale's left glove still on?). But my favorite part was when Kennedy tried to jump on the pile on Thomas, right before the fight, he jumped up, and in mid-air, Chara chested him with 1 hand. Re-introducing the young man to gravity.

It was a great win, all around (except the fact that Cooke, of all people, broke up the shutout). But tonight has all the makings of a trap game. Tired team, cross-country trip facing a scrappy team that has very little to lose. But a Thornton/Kane fight could be amazing to watch.

 

[mickeyboat]

BDL - wish I could "like" your post. Awesome post, awesome game.

DH noticed Vitale's glove, too.

Our family just started watching the Bruins last season, and DH and I never played hockey, so we are not up to speed on all the rules and strategy. I have to ask - why do the refs allow them to fight like that? I am always a little taken aback when a fight begins, and even more taken aback when the announcers show the fighters' height and weight and give a blow by blow account of the fight. Finally the penalties for fighting seem pretty mild.

Do the refs just not want to step in and get hurt themselves? Is it just a part of the game and that's the way it is? Are there rules or ettiquette for fights? I am certainly not advocating for no fighting in hockey, but having played and watched lots of other sports, it surprises and confuses me that it is allowed.

 

[BDL]

Our family just started watching the Bruins last season, and DH and I never played hockey, so we are not up to speed on all the rules and strategy. I have to ask - why do the refs allow them to fight like that? I am always a little taken aback when a fight begins, and even more taken aback when the announcers show the fighters' height and weight and give a blow by blow account of the fight. Finally the penalties for fighting seem pretty mild.

Do the refs just not want to step in and get hurt themselves? Is it just a part of the game and that's the way it is? Are there rules or ettiquette for fights? I am certainly not advocating for no fighting in hockey, but having played and watched lots of other sports, it surprises and confuses me that it is allowed.

Don't worry MB. There are a lot of newcomers to hockey that are a little taken aback by the fact that fighting is a part of the game. And yes, there are unwritten rules and an ettiquette to hockey fights. The 1 rule that is almost NEVER ignored is that when the other guy has had enough or if he might be hurt, it's time to stop. There are other rules that are just as important. If 2 players are engaged in a fight, you can't jump in. If there is a scrum, it's same # vs same # (that's why Timmy and Price got into a fight last yr). If you are going to fight for fighting's sake, you tend to go after your counterpart on the other team (fighter vs. fighter/ skater vs. skater/ rat vs. rat). Also, if you have been let off with a light sentence (2 min for running on the goalie) there will be someone waiting for you when you get out of the box.

As for the refs... That is a completely subjective area. Some refs will let anything go. Some step in before anything can happen. Some will let it go for too long. Some will realize, they've been lacking in their duties and that the fights are their fault.


In the case of the campbell fight last night, the Bruins were letting the penguins know (as well as any other team in the nhl since all this stuff becomes common knowledge) that they will not stand for anyone trying to attack their goalie.

 

[kimblebee]

And the streak is OVER!

Good game though.

 

[metalis4ever]

Good game last night, too bad the B's lost....When did Mark Stuart become a beast on D? I liked him when he was with the B's but I don't remember him being that much of a presence. Pavelec was an animal last night as well, oh well can't win them all. I was dissapointed that Chris Mason wasn't in net for the Jets, he has the best Goalie Mask in all of Hockey!!! Maiden Rules!!!

 

[BDL]

ALARM CLOCK-GATE: Day 3

I think it's safe to say, that this issue has run it's course. Best case scenario, he slept through his alarm, like all of us have done at 1 point or another. Worst case scenario, he found a puck-bunny and wasn't in his room when he was supposed to be. Either case, it was brough to the press, Seguin was embarrassed (especially when they showed him in the press box during the game) and it's done with. Let's get back to the matter at hand, HOCKEY!

The B's welcome the SHOCKING, division leading, 3rd-highest-points in the conference having, Florida Panthers into the Garden tonight. Am I alone in the shock and awe associated with their standings right now. As a previous poster noted, Toronto may have sprints, but always revert to their level. But seeing Florida playing Bruins style hockey and playing it well, is a real coup. Tough defense. Consistent fore- and back- checking. And a group mentality that really helps to gel a team. Sounds really familiar.

If there was a game that the B's needed to show a little more flash than crash, it would be this one. You go crash vs. crash with 2 teams this similar and games have a habit of being decided by a random dirty goal. Another reason the B's should go for flash over crash, their leading scorer. Seguin has a history of stepping up after being forced to watch the game from the press box. Need proof? Go to your DVR's and watch the B's/Bolts playoff series last year.

In either case, tonight could be a landmark night. I believe that if Theodore plays tonight, it will be his 600th game. Congrats Jose.

 

[BDL]

There are times that I really hate being prophetic. This week being 1 of them. I predicted the trap game against the Jets. I predicted that if the B's try to go "crash vs crash" the game could be decided by a greasy goal. I'm playing the lottery tonight.

But about the game last night... Could the B's have hit the post any more times and still not have scored? Like Jack said last night "Get out the conspiracy theorists. There's a magnet in the puck." I heard "ding" and "clang" so many times, I thought I was watching the old Hershey Kiss Christmas commercial when the kisses chime out to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." And someone... ANYONE!!! Tell the guys on the 1st line to quit pulling the puck back to set up for the perfect shot on an emptry net. Just nudge the puck in the net. I don't care. That red light goes off whether you roof it or if it trickles in. But kudos to Florida. 1). They gave notice to the league that they are not gonna turtle by kicking open the door and yelling "We're HERE!" with the way the hung 0-0 for 57 min with the Stanley Cup Champs, and then putting them away. 2). How cool was it that Theodore had his 600th game and it was a shutout. Being a former Hab, I got to see him a lot. The highs and the lows.

The Bruins have til 7pm tomorrow to get it together. They head to Ohio to face the West's cellar dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets. Wtach this, the Jackets will pick tomorrow to get Nash a hat trick and Mason a shutout.

Hope I'm wrong this time.

 

[BDL]

Those were the 1 & 2 stars last night. Marchand was the #2 star thanks to his 2 goals and his going all out on both sides of the ice. Then Tuukka was channeling his inner nija with some of the pad saves he was making. Then he made a glove save that reminded me of the time Mike Greenwell mis played a line drive, the ball bounces off his glove in the air, he bounces off of the wall and still gets back to the ball to make the catch.

But the highlight for me was in the 3rd period. With about 6+ min to go in the game, the Kings were keeping the puck in the Bruins zone. No matter what the B's did, they could not clear the puck. The Kings kept on passing and shooting non-stop. THEN... Chris Kelly stands up in the bench starts slamming his stick against the wall, hard. Then he yells so loud the whole Garden could hear him "LET'S GO!!!" That certainly got my attention. Just wondering if anyone heard that over the TV?

Tonight the Bruins face Ottawa. They will still be without Z and Soupy. Let's just hope that the B's can compensate.

Just for a chuckle, here's a conversation I had with a random guy as everyone was walking back to their cars. To set the scene, I was in my Santa suit and Bruins sweater, he was in a Leafs cap:

Guy: Hey Santa.
Me: Hey
G: You let me down. All I wanted for Christmas was the Bruins to lose to the Kings.
M: Ohh... You're on the wrong coast. You want the west coast Santa. He's 3hrs behind
(All of the guy's friends start laughing at him)
G: Ohh... Well what I really wanted was the Leafs to beat the Bruins.
M: For that, you'll need Santa Claus: the Next Generation. He'll be around in about 20 yrs.
(Guy's friends laugh even harder at him)
G: I'm just gonna stop talking to you.

 

[BDL]

Here we are. Another winning streak. It's almost scary to think that the B's hadn't had a losing streak (more than 2 in a row) since Oct. 29th. This is a testament to how the team is made up. They realize that they are never as good as when things are going well (everyone stays grounded) nor are they as bad when things aren't going too well (able to recover quickly from losses).

They also keep opponents on their toes just by taking the ice. Is the scoring going to come from the 1st line or the 3rd line? Which of the 2 of the top 3 goalies in the NHL are we going face tonight? If we hit Bruin X on line Y, we can expect to be cracked by Bruin Z. It's the fact that anything can happen on any shift when it comes to the B's. That's what make them a solid team and the games "Must Watch" events. And I know Jack Edwards has been abusing these 2 phrases lately, he's right.

1) "You don't mess with the franchise." - any time a player from an opposing team tries to run on Thomas, he is IMMEDIATELY beseiged by Bruins.

2) "Don't poke the bear" - he says this whenever the B's might be playing flat and someone on the other team mistakes that for weakness or apathy and then decides to get chippy.

During the Senators game, we got to hear both phrases "in succession" (anyone know if the "in succession" girl paid off her debt? ). At the end of the period, the horn sounded and then a few seconds later, 1 of the Sens decided to launch the puck at Thomas. Let's just say that the ice got littered, A LOT.

But like I said earlier, anything can happen on any shift. If anyone told me that Paille was gonna get 2 goals my first thought would be "Wow... The B's must've been short handed all game." My second thought we be "No fricking way." And that wrist shot was a thing of beauty.

Tomorrow, the B's face the Flyers. The B's lost in their 1st meeting. I'm not looking forward to that episode of 24/7 Flyers vs Rangers. Let's hope they can do better here. A nice 8-0 shutout with 14 players with points and a Thornton hat trick would be nice.

After the Flyers, comes a nice Christmas/Chanukah present for all the good little Bruins fans. The Habs come to town. Make sure you show up early to catch the opening montage done to Christmas Eve In Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. AWESOME!!! And don't forget to bring your dive meet scoring numbers. I wonder if Kostitsyn will do a triple Lindy?

 

[BDL]

Twas the Monday before Christmas
And all through the Hub
Bruins nation rejoiced
For the Flyers they did drub

It was 27 seconds before Jack Edwards'
Favorite son scored
Two and a half minutes later
Paille was on the board

4 goals on 16 shots when
The first period was through
Laviolette grunted under his breath
"God, I could really use Giroux"

Not even Giroux could have
Saved the Flyers on this day
Not when the B's score
3 goals on the power play

Timmy had a shutout
Peverley had 3 assists
Z really earned his C
With his Gordie Howe hat trick

But tonight is totally different
The greatest rivalry of all
Tonight the Bruins face
le Canadiens du Montreal

The Habs are now different
Since Martin fell under the ax
Hope is that Cunneyworth
Will stop the losing in its tracks

All of the Hab fans
hated their record, a lot
But the B's fans who live south
of Hab-ville did not

"Now Horton, now Looch and
you too Krejci
It's about time that you 3
Lit the lamp, ALREADY!"

"On Thornton, on Marshy
On Boychuk and McQuaid
Make sure, if there are any cheap shots
They are quickly repaid"

"To the top of the division
To the top of the East
Bash away, crash away
AND KEEP 'EM OUTTA THE CREASE!!!"

And I heard Neely exclaim,
As the final horn sounded...

"I #$%*&^%$ HATE Montreal!!!"

 

[BDL]

I feel robbed. I know the point of the whole show is to make the Rangers and Flyers look like these titans that are on a collision course, but they REALLY spared the feelings of the Flyers fans with this ep. Not only that, but they edited the Hell out of the game.

From what you could see, the Bruins were terrified of Hartnell and Boychuk lost his fight (I'd have called it a draw, but oh well). Lucic is a cheap shot artist and backed down from Simmons and Laviolette is a calm reserved coach.

Is HBO producing this or Peter Jackson?

 

[BDL]

INCREDIBLE game last Friday. Sorry for the delay. Holidays crept up on me.

The crowd was amped for the game. I can't tell you how many people told me that they could hear the "Merry Christmas" chants that were spreading throughout the Garden at different times, on their TV's. Rene' doing his annual Christams Carols during the 2nd intermission and his photo opps the 2 periods before.

That's all gravy. The game itself was an event. The B's scored 4 goals in the 1st period alone again. That goal by Pouliot was a thing of beauty. But the scoring started with a short-handed bid by Marchand. Little did anyone know that Marshy's 1st goal woul be the game winner.

Before 4 minutes into the 2nd period, all 4 lines would have at least 1 goal, when Campbell picked the corner. And even though Florida peppered Tuukka with flurries of shots, he held strong for the shut-out.

But the #1 star of the game was also NHL's #1 star of the week. Marchand finished the game 3-2-5, +5 and he was all over the place. I kind of felt bad for him though. Even though he got the hat trick, with the abundance of people in the stands wearing Santa hats, it was tough getting them onto the ice. They aren't quite as aerodynamic as caps. Luckily, the crowd acted as 1 big cut-off man and relayed the hats onto the ice.

Congrats Brad. And congrats Bruins for finiashing 20-2-1 in the last 23 games.

 

[BDL]

It was a nail biter again. How many people thought that it would be a walk in the park when Krejci scored in 47 seconds (I raise my hand). But before the end of the period, the game would be tied up all the way through regulation. Luckily, Seidenberg happened to be at the right place at the right time and the 7 game win streak is intact.

And what was Raffi Torres thinking? Did he hope that the B's wouldn't remember that he played for Vancouver last season? I give him credit. He "tried" to go toe to toe with McQuaid. But it looked like he was just trying to keep his head down and extending his arm and something that resembles a fist saying to himself "Why aren't the refs stopping this?"

I would also like to give the Coyotes credit as a whole. Not only did they hang with the reigning champs for the entirety of the game, but they blocked 20 shots as a team in the process. If Nashville showed us anything in last year's playoffs, a gutsy team that plays a tight defense can surprise offensive powers.

In the end, the Bruins are #1 in the Eastern Conference again. Hopefully they can enter the new year that way.

For pure entertainment value, here is Jack Edwards doing his rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas (sorry for the lame ad before the video)

http://www.nesn.com/2011/12/jack-ed...ruins-themed-12-days-of-christmas-jingle.html

Here is the Top 10 list from Puck Daddy for 2011. After viewing the list it really was a year of epic highs and tragic lows.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/pu...=AjGvGe8i_nHciiECqYVOi.N7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp20900

Here is Puck Daddy's mid-season awards. I really liked some of the categories. For those of you, like me, that play fantasy hockey, you should get a chuckle out of it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/pu...2011-12-Midseason-Fantasy-Hoc?urn=nhl-wp20946

Speaking of Puck Daddy, Wyshynski had a great quote the day after Cam Ward was awarded a goal.

Warning: Declansdad and Mommasita, this may sting...

"Cam Ward has more goals than Scott Gomez this season"

I know he's injured, but the quote is just funny.

I hope you all have a healty, safe and happy New Year

Let's Go Bruins!!!

 

[metalis4ever]

McQuaid destroyed Torres' life , it was comical......Is it just me or do those maroon uniforms make Phoenix look gigantic?

 

[BDL]

Unfortuneately, it is not welcome to an 8 game win streak. But thems the breaks. But the B's have 7 in the top 20 in +/- dispite not having 1 player in the top 20 in points. A true testimonial to their team mentality. Not only that, Thomas is in the top 5 in GAA and S%. Tuukka would be too, if he had more games under his belt.

And, just to stem the tide of the "Start Rask" crowd, you can't put that loss completely at Thomas' feet. First, it's a little tough to stop the puck from going in the net when it pops straight up and then rolls down your back. Second, Timmy couldn't help but be rusty. He hadn't played in almost 2 weeks. Anyone would be a little rusty.

But try telling that to the Rask crowd. Now, I have NOTHING against Rask. He is a great goalie. He would start on 75% of the teams in the league. And he has that psycho edge that I love (anyone see the shoot-out meltdown he had in Providence?"). But the ratio they have going right now is serving both goalies pretty well (TT 2/3 TR 1/3). Yes, Tuukka was the #1 net minder 2 yrs ago, but he does have 1 glaring weakness and a weakness that he had, but has been improving on.

What he has been improving on has been his goalie instincts. Right off the bat, you would be hard pressed to find too many flaws with his fundamentals. His vision, speed and leg work are all spot on. And since the Philly series 2 yrs ago, he has made huge strides towards his intincts, his gut reactions and anticipation. He no longer just drops and can't recover on the last second pass for a 1-timer or tip in.

His glaring weakness... WOULD SOMEONE... ANYONE... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! PLEASE SHOW HIM HOW TO PROTECT HIS LEFT SHOULDER PART OF THE NET?!?!?!!!!!

Somebody dust off CuJo. He never let anyone roof it on him. Towards the end, he couldn't stop any shots that stayed low. But that isn't Tuuk's problem.

I am all for Tuukka. I see him getting 30-37 starts this season. But don't overlook the effect a hot, unorthodox goalie can have on a team. Both his own team and opposing team. And as the season(s) progress, and Tuuk's games increase, I hope he doesn't try to shoot his way out of town ala J. Thornton.

And as for you "Start Rask" fanatics (who I will call Rask-als from now on), take it easy on sports talk radio. Tuuk's time is closer than most of us realize. But Thomas is on another plane right now.


Adendum(sp)

I just heard an audio snippet where Henrik Sedin claimed that the Canucks were as tough as anyone and that the reason that they didn't win the Cup was because they couldn't score; not because they got pushed around.


BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA =))