2011-2012 Boston Bruins (Offseason)

[BDL]

What's a hard fought game without a little controversy? Could Lucic have pulled up a little? Probably. Did he deserve the 2min for charging? According to the rules, yes. Should he be suspended? I can see him getting hit with 1 game, if for no other reason the head injury clamour coming from Buffalo. But 1 thing that no one has mentioned yet, is how Miller swung with full force his goalie stick at Lucic. And personally, I don't blame him. Heat of the moment, I'd probably do the same thing. But some of the blame does have to be laid at Miller's feet as well. You come out into no man's land, too far to get back in net and too close to the puck to not try, with 230 lbs of man that was raised on Trevor Linden's style of play bearing down on you at 20-30 mph, you gotta KNOW that an impact is coming. But Miller's post game comments were hilarious. Especially since the Sabres are trying to spin the whole "poor babe in the woods" angle to try to get as much a punishment as possible.

As for the rest of the game, it started off scary. Thomas gives up a garbage goal in the 1st period. The type of goal he never gives up. He let it bounce off his pads and then he kicked it in himself. But that was the end of the Buffalo offense until there was 6:30 left in the game.

The Bruins took the 1st period off and then lit up the Sabres for 3 goals each in the next 2 periods. Seguin capped his #1 star of the week for the NHL with another multi-point game (2-1=3). He and his linemates were both a +3 for the game. There was only 1 Bruin in the negative and that was Caron with a -1. People are questioning where all this team offense is coming from. And the answer is pretty simple. Look at the box score. If you look at the FO% (face-off %) for the B's 4 centers are Krejci-.583, Bergeron-.800, Kelly-.500 and Campbell-.667. If you can count on getting the puck off of the face-off and setting up more than half the time, that's a huge advantage.

In the previous posting, I mentioned the possibility trash talking. With the Devils coming up, I think I'll let Jack do it for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua1GAkiN5Lk

 

[BDL]

Lucic will not receive any further disciplinary action. Shanahan has said that the 2 min for charging was enough.

I just hope some sports radio hosts go on the air waves to demand that the fans call 9-1-1 to have Lucic arrested. We got enough of that last year with Montreal and Chara (btw... That case is still open)

 

[BDL]

An ugly win is still a win

And that's what last night was, an ugly win. I'll admit, I got scared when the Devils scored the first goal. But what scared me most about last night is how often Nathan Horton can hit a post or a cross bar on an open net. The B's should've had a 7-1 by the end of the 2nd period. But it was good seeing the lower 2 lines stepping up and getting the job done when the first 2 lines couldn't.

And I finally... FINALLY got an animated response out of Jack for Pouliot's goal. Let the youtube comparisons begin.

Now to something that a lot of people won't want to discuss. The trade rumors involving 3 of the most prominent RFA's. They are Krejci, Rask and Boychuk. All three are key components to the team and all three would be missed. But which one do you think the B's could possibly trade without up ending the ship and get the most in return?

 

[declansdad]

To leave on an upnote, the Habs lost last night. So even though the B's and Habs have the same points total, the B's are ahead on percentage points.

Take THAT!!! declansdad!

LOL!

Hey as long as:

1. Lucic gets me some points
2. Rask picks up some wins
3. they don't beat the Habs.

I'm good.

 

[MickeySP]

The games have been incredible

Geez Miller it's called hockey! BTW would they be screaming if he had connected with the attempted slash?

Loved the win last night, hopefully they have hit their groove.

On the trade I could see Rask going, too many teams hurting for goalies,

 

[BDL]

I am a man who firmly believes that a team should dictate their own destiny. But tonight is a chance when other teams can actually help out the B's. So, for tonight, I am a NY Islanders fan and a Pittsburgh Penguins fan.

Excuse me for 1 minute...... (bleeecchhhttt! bleeecchhhttt! bleeecchhhttt!)

Ok. Now that I've cleaned up. God, it hurt me to say that. Being from Boston, it's tough to root for New York ANYTHING to win. And I've always hated the Penguins. Even before Ulf Samuelson (that piece of &%#@). But tonight, if those 2 teams beat their competition (the Habs and Bolts respectively) and Bruins beat the Blue Jackets, the B's are officially a playoff contender.

Let's keep our fingers crossed. By the way, Recchi is on 98.5 now giving an interview. He REALLY hates the Canucks.

 

[BDL]

Leave it to Pittsburgh to screw everything up! The Bruins did their job (ugly though). The Islanders did their job (sorry declansdad and mommasita not really ). All the Pens had to do was win.

But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Anyhoo... The B's are just 1pt out of the playoff picture and have won 7 in a row. They are also 1 week and 3 games (including 1 against the Habs) away from the NBC national broadcast of the B's/Red Wings Black Friday matinee (which I will be attending). For those who have not seen the commercial, here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrIRsWVpD28

I think it is hilarious. Does anyone know, does Detroit traditionally play on Black Friday like the B's do? Even though I love that commercial, that is the 2nd least likely of couples ever conceived by man. Here is THE least likely of couples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cr89xbl26g

 

[BDL]

YES!!!!!

After a titanically bad start, followed by an 8 game win streak, the Bruins are finally in the playoff picture (7th 22pts). I legitimately felt bad for the Islanders. They helped out the B's by beating the Habs the game before and the Bruins beat them like a rented goalie. The Isles were 1 of the teams I wanted to keep an eye on all season. Love their energy, their youth and their ability to score from any where. And that 2nd period, they showed that they can play defense and shut teams down. Unfortunately, the 3 goal 1st and 3rd periods, kind of nullified all that.

But this was a game that was a further testament that the Bruins can score on any line and any shift. Once again, there were double digit Bruins with points. And 2 blue liners got goals too. But, as good as a win as that game was. As glad I am that the B's are in the top 8. None of that matters...

WELCOME TO RIVALRY WEEK!!!

It all starts tonight, with the team credited for setting the B's on this winning streak. It has been stated often, that if it were not for the "Home and Home" sweep that the Habs handed the Bruins, there may not have been the "attitude adjustment" that came from on high. It's amazing what a p'ed off Cam Neely can accomplish.

Next, the B's go up to Buffalo, where the Sabres have been beaten mercilessly in the press since Lucic-gate. Is there any doubt that there will be a couple of call-ups for that game? And those call-ups will have more fighting majors than points?

Then on Friday, the nationally broadcasted game of Red Wings/Bruins. There are a few that said, if the Wings hadn't had some key injuries, that they would've won the Western Conference and the B's never would've won the Cup.

Should be a great week for hockey.

 

[BDL]

My compliments to the Canadiens on a very hard fought game. More importantly, on a prett classy game too (I'm sorry but the hooking on Camilleri was embelished and Subban was rubbing his face so hard trying to draw the additional 2min, I thought his hand was gonna catch fire). But there were a lot of scoring chances on both sides and some very hard hits as well. But in the end of a goalie battle between 2 of the top 3 American goalies, Timmy just stood on his head a little better. The end result, the B's were the #1 team of the Northeast Division. Then Toronto had to screw that up by winning last night.

But the Bruins can reclaim the top spot tonight in a game that I have dubbed "Obsenity Fest 2011." If only the refs were mic'd up for tonight's game instead of Friday's. Now, here are the questions that I pose to you...

Will the Sabres try to run on Timmy or Rask?

or

Will a Sabre try to go toe to toe with Lucic ( 6'3" 230 lbs ) ?

If it's the latter, here are their options:

Patrick Kaleta RW 5'11" 200 lbs
Paul Gaustad C 6'4" 230 lbs

Both of these players took a lot of the blame for no one stepping up for Miller. Personally, and I have no official insight to this, I think that Buffalo will call up, from the Rochester Amerks:

Joe Finley D 6'8" 260 lbs and already has 50 PIM in 16 games.

I'll be watching the transaction wires to see if I'm right.

Happy Thanksgiving America!

Have a good Thursday Canada.

 

[topolino]

Finley won't get a call from Buffalo today, as he does not have an NHL contract and can't be called up. If the Sabres were desparate for muscle, they'd call up Zack Kassian, though some say he hasn't played as physically as he could thus far in Rochester.

The Sabres are at a disadvantage in that Tyler Myers and Mike Weber, their two biggest d-men, are out with injuries. The 6 blueliners they are left with don't exactly strike a lot of fear in someone like Lucic. If someone does drop the gloves with him, it'll likely be one of the forwards you mentioned.

As a Sabres fan, instead of hoping for some kind of retribution for last game (though it is merited), I'd rather see them pick up two points in front of their home crowd and break Boston's winning streak.

 

[declansdad]

My compliments to the Canadiens on a very hard fought game. More importantly, on a prett classy game too (I'm sorry but the hooking on Camilleri was embelished and Subban was rubbing his face so hard trying to draw the additional 2min, I thought his hand was gonna catch fire). But there were a lot of scoring chances on both sides and some very hard hits as well. But in the end of a goalie battle between 2 of the top 3 American goalies, Timmy just stood on his head a little better. The end result, the B's were the #1 team of the Northeast Division. Then Toronto had to screw that up by winning last night.

But the Bruins can reclaim the top spot tonight in a game that I have dubbed "Obsenity Fest 2011." If only the refs were mic'd up for tonight's game instead of Friday's. Now, here are the questions that I pose to you...

Will the Sabres try to run on Timmy or Rask?

or

Will a Sabre try to go toe to toe with Lucic ( 6'3" 230 lbs ) ?

If it's the latter, here are their options:

Patrick Kaleta RW 5'11" 200 lbs
Paul Gaustad C 6'4" 230 lbs

Both of these players took a lot of the blame for no one stepping up for Miller. Personally, and I have no official insight to this, I think that Buffalo will call up, from the Rochester Amerks:

Joe Finley D 6'8" 260 lbs and already has 50 PIM in 16 games.

I'll be watching the transaction wires to see if I'm right.

Happy Thanksgiving America!

Have a good Thursday Canada.

I was wondering what the game was like. I didn't see it or any of the highlights.

You are confusing me with this though "But in the end of a goalie battle between 2 of the top 3 American goalies"

 

[BDL]

I was wondering what the game was like. I didn't see it or any of the highlights.

You are confusing me with this though "But in the end of a goalie battle between 2 of the top 3 American goalies"

For me, the top 3 American born goalies in the NHL right now are (in random order) Thomas, Price and Miller.

I probably should've included the word born or citizen. My bad.

 

[declansdad]

For me, the top 3 American born goalies in the NHL right now are (in random order) Thomas, Price and Miller.

I probably should've included the word born or citizen. My bad.

I'll give you Thomas and Miller, two of the best, but Price was born in British Columbia. He did play, however, for the Tri-City Americans.

 

[BDL]

I'll give you Thomas and Miller, two of the best, but Price was born in British Columbia. He did play, however, for the Tri-City Americans.

My apologies. I had thought I read somewhere that he was a transplant. I knew his dad moved around during his career.

You win this round declansdad... But the conflict is no where near over.

 

[topolino]

Finley won't get a call from Buffalo today, as he does not have an NHL contract and can't be called up. If the Sabres were desparate for muscle, they'd call up Zack Kassian, though some say he hasn't played as physically as he could thus far in Rochester.

The Sabres are at a disadvantage in that Tyler Myers and Mike Weber, their two biggest d-men, are out with injuries. The 6 blueliners they are left with don't exactly strike a lot of fear in someone like Lucic. If someone does drop the gloves with him, it'll likely be one of the forwards you mentioned.

As a Sabres fan, instead of hoping for some kind of retribution for last game (though it is merited), I'd rather see them pick up two points in front of their home crowd and break Boston's winning streak.

And now it looks like Buffalo's muscle has been reduced even more, as roughly thirty minutes before puck drop, the Sabres have announced that Patrick Kaleta will not be in the lineup

Again, it doesn't look like anyone will drop the gloves with Lucic (unless it's Gaustad), and in losing Kaleta the Sabres have lost a true agitator who can draw a penalty and deliver a good hit.

Revenge aside, I'd like to see them get the two points. Winning the game is more important than proving to Lucic that they are tough (though making a statement that they won't put up with what happened last time would be nice).

 

[declansdad]

My apologies. I had thought I read somewhere that he was a transplant. I knew his dad moved around during his career.

You win this round declansdad... But the conflict is no where near over.

 

[metalis4ever]

"The Bruins grab the sword out of Buffalo's hands and run 'em through with the sabre!! 10 in a row, they won the fights and they won the game!!" - Jack Edwards

 

[metalis4ever]

Go B's!!!! Stuck at the office today, so I will have to listen to the radio broadcast which means no Jack Edwards for me today

 

[BDL]

And now it looks like Buffalo's muscle has been reduced even more, as roughly thirty minutes before puck drop, the Sabres have announced that Patrick Kaleta will not be in the lineup

Again, it doesn't look like anyone will drop the gloves with Lucic (unless it's Gaustad), and in losing Kaleta the Sabres have lost a true agitator who can draw a penalty and deliver a good hit.

Revenge aside, I'd like to see them get the two points. Winning the game is more important than proving to Lucic that they are tough (though making a statement that they won't put up with what happened last time would be nice).

I give Gaustad credit. He knew what he had to do. Apperently so did the crowd. Buffalo erupted as soon as he and Lucic were opposite each other at the face-off. He knew he was out-classed (when it comes to fighting) and out-sized but still did his job. He made a good showing of it. But it didn't help that he skated right into Looch's left before they could even grapple. But what was Regehr thinking? I've never seen Z's hands move so fast.

In the end, the Sabres managed a point by hanging tough through the end. More important, the MADE a point.

 

[BDL]

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...