Tag: Boston Bruins

Magical.

On Tuesday evening the Boston Bruins traveled down to Raleigh, N.C. to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. What happened was absolutely magical, and this team just has IT.

Generally, I’m not too inclined to watch the Carolina Hurricanes. I got stuck watching this limp dick franchise for four years in College, so enough is enough. Any-who….the Bruins looked brutal for 50 of the 60 minutes played in this one, but managed to steal a 6-4 victory. How’d it all play out?

It was a sloppy sloppy game to start out, but the Bruins managed to score first. Brad Marchand netted his 30th goal of the season. The third season in a row he’s reached this clip. Brad Marchand has turned himself into an elite goal scorer in the NHL simply overnight. Seen as a nice complimentary piece before, he now carries the team on his back.

What an absolute saucy dish from Pastrnak on this opening goal, and just abysmal goaltending from Cam Ward. Gotta hug that post, man. Things would only get worse from the Bruins from this point to about the 10 minute mark of the third period.

Early in the second period, Sebastian Aho ripped a blocker side snap shot over Tuukka Rask to tie the game at 1.

Later, Teuvo Teravainen fired a one timer over the shoulder of Rask to make it 2-1 Hurricanes.  This coming on a 5-3 power play.  Almost unstoppable for Rask.

At the end of the second period Justin Williams made it 3-1 Hurricanes.  To make matters even worse just 51 seconds into the third Brock McGinn made it 4-1 Hurricanes.  Our jolly Beat Writer, Joe Haggerty decided it was time for the Bruins to throw in the towel.

To be fair to Jolly Saint Haggs, it certainly seemed like the game was over.  The team had taken a shit ton of penalties, had coughed the puck up all night, and their number 1 tendy was playing like dog-shit again.

The Bruins were dead men walking.  Some weren’t even walking, as at Jake DeBrusk, Zdeno Chara, and Tory Krug had all left the game at this point.  It does not matter.  Countless times you think the 2017-2018 Boston Bruins are going to fold like Claude Julien’s handkerchief, but Butchy simply does not allow it.  Once the fourth goal went in, the Bruins really pressed the Canes all over the ice.  They were starting to force more turnovers, and create scoring chances when finally at the 10:04 mark of the 3rd period Matt Grzelyck fired home a snapshot passed Cam Ward.  4-2 canes with half of the third period remaining.

Just a minute later, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand completed a beauty of a give-and-go along the right wing hash marks.  Pastrnak ripped a snap-shot over the glove of Cam Ward.  Ward looked like a dingleberry waving his glove at it, he had absolutely no shot.  With close to 8 minutes left, the Bruins cut the lead to 4-3.

With all of the momentum it was only a matter of time before the Bruins tied the game.   The Bruins wasted no time, as just 21 seconds after Pastrnak’s goal, David Krejci slid a cross ice dish for Danton Heinen to re-direct home.  4-4 with 8 minutes to go in the third period.   The Hurricanes have every right to be furious this goal counted.  Back in the Boston Defensive zone David Krejci caught the puck in mid-air, took a stride to avoid contact, and dropped the puck.  This should have been ruled a hand pass, and the play whistled dead.  Instead it was a tie game.

On the powerplay with 3 minutes left to go David Pastrnak added his second goal of the game, and the Bruins finally took the lead.  He would also add an empty netter to ice the win, and hat-trick.

What an absolutely fantastic game.  One of those nights that makes you feel like something special is happening with this team.  They’re not playing with any pressure, even when they were down 3.  Teams that have fun out there generally don’t have to dig as deep as some late in the third period.  Minus three guys the Black and Gold still had better legs in the third.  They were absolutely buzzing.  Lets hope the injuries to Chara, DeBrusk, and Krug are all minor.  Bruce Cassidy confirmed this morning that Krug will be a game-time decision tonight against Florida, but Chara and DeBrusk will be out tonight.

Au Revoir.

The Montreal Canadiens travelled to TD Garden last night for the final time in 2018. The teams played three times in 8 days in mid-January, which the Bruins took all 3 games. The Canadiens are just horrible. Each game they play the Bruins, it’s just listless. This one was not much different. Tuukka Rask took a seat on the pine omg for this one, and Carey Price sat for Antti Niemi.

The story of this one came just 37 seconds into the game:

Rookie Defenseman, Charlie McAvoy left the game after getting tripped up. This would be a huge loss if he misses extended time. Not going to speculate what the injury is, but it’s definitely a foot, ankle, leg issue. Unfortunate play, and hope to god the franchise is ok.

Much like the majority of the Bruins vs. Habs matchups this season, this one was a snoozer. With half of the first period gone, Kevan Miller saw his pass intercepted by Brendan Gallagher of the Canadiens. Gallagher walked in, and fired a shot past Anton Khudobin. 1-0 Canadiens.

After this point, the Canadiens stopped playing. The Bruins completed dominated, creating prime scoring chances left and right. Antti Niemi made a staggering 48 saves. Without him, this would have been an ugly scoreline.

Finally, 17 minutes into the third period, Jake Debrusk re-directed a slap pass from Defenseman Nick Holden past Niemi. It was finally a 1-1 game.

The Overtime Period saw the Bruins toy with the hapless Canadiens. The Bruins skated, and passed the puck at will. The Habs were dog tired, when Brad Marchand took a tour of the offensive zone with the puck. Finally getting to the high slot, he fired a puck past Niemi to win the game.

The Bruins take the season series from the Canadiens 4-0. Be more pathetic Montreal, you can’t. In all seriousness, there is a very long re-build ahead up there. The leading point getter up there has 40 points. It’s March 4th. Just a complete joke. I hope it’s a long, miserable, painful, sickening, and difficult road back for that decrepit franchise.

Glad the Bruins continued their strong play. This win gives them 3 in a row since getting spanked by Buffalo. Let’s hope Charlie McAvoy is OK, but it seems for the first time in years, the Bruins have depth to deal with an injury god forbid. Next up the Bruins take on the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Another Atlantic Division foe, who is absolutely miserable. Should be another 2 points. As always, let’s go Bruins.

What a Night at TD Garden.

Image result for Chara vs. Oleksiak

Thursday saw the Pittsburgh Penguins invade TD Garden.  The defending Stanley Cup Champions left on the short end of an 8-4 scoreline. Make no mistake about it, this was a statement win from the Bruins.  The past few weeks the red hot pace the team was playing at had cooled a bit, which is to be expected in an 82 game season.  This past Saturday, the Bruins lost a in heartbreaking fashion to Toronto, which saw the leafs take over second place in the Atlantic Division.  The very next day saw the Buffalo Sabres crush the B’s 4-1.  Reeling a bit, the Bruins gutted out a 4-3 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.  Last night saw the Bruins return to their dominant form.

Earlier in the week the Bruins were dealt a dose of bad news.  Number 1 center, Patrice Bergeron was sidelined with a fractured foot.  He will miss 2 weeks minimum, and this has opened the door for some new faces.  Last night against Pittsburgh two players made their Bruins debut.

Image result for Brian Gionta bruins

Nick Holden skated in his first action as a Bruin playing on the third D pair with Kevan Miller.  Holden slotted in for Rookie, Matt Grzelyck who took the game in from the 9th floor as a healthy scratch.

Veteran forward Brian Gionta made his Bruins debut in place of Danton Heinen, who needed to take a game in from the 9th floor as well. Gionta is coming straight from the Olympics, where he impressed enough to earn a pro contract win the Bruins.

It was the Penguins who struck first in this one, Olli Maatta fired a slapshot past Tuukka Rask just .35 seconds into the game.

Brutal start from the Bruins for fucks sake. Four guys caught staring at Evgeni Geno Malkin, who dished a cross-slot feed for Maatta to bury. The warning signs were all there that this would be a long night for the Bruins.

Luckily this years team doesn’t quit, or fall into a funk. The Bruins immediately put the pressure on the Penguins. Just 1:45 into the game Rick Nash stormed down the right wing, and slipped a backhand pass for David Krejci. Krejci was able to get his stick on the puck as he crashed into Pens goalie Casey DeSmith.

This is when the barrage began. David Pastrnak’s one-timer deflected off a casserole nonsense in front of DeSmith. The puck slowly trickled in to make it 2-1. (Boy does DeSmith blow). Riley Nash would be credited with the goal later on.

Just two and a half minutes later Rick Nash deflected a centering pass over the shoulder of DeSmith to make it 3-1. DeSmith was yanked from the game having only played a shade over 5 minutes.

After the Bruins quickly built a 2 goal cushion, Phil Kessel buried a short side goal on Tuukka Rask. Kessel got the puck below the goal line, fired off the back of Rask’s legs, and into the net. Brutal from Rask, who wasn’t covering his post properly.

A few minutes later, Brian Gionta fed David Backes on the Right Wing hashmarks. Backes took the feed and ripped a snap-shot top shelf. 4-2 Bruins with less than half the period remaining.

Tory Krug added a 5th goal with just over 2 minutes left to play in the first. Just when you thought the Bruins were going to get out of the period up 3, Riley Sheahan fired a slap-shot past Tuukka Rask with just 3 seconds remaining in the first. Pathetic goal to give up by Rask. Sheahan is a fourth line center, and should have no business firing a slapped past Rask if he can see it cleanly.

The start of the second period saw the Bruins take over. Bruins newcomer, Nick Holden fed David Krejci in front of the net with a beautiful pass, and Krejci slotted home his second of the night. Later on the power play ole’ yeller, Brian Gionta had the puck in front of Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry (who?). Gionta drew both Penguin defenders, and slid a backhanded no-look pass to a wide-open Krejci, who completed his hat trick.

David Pastrnak and Olli Maatta each added another goal making the score 8-4 Bruins.

In what was a spirited affair the Bruins put a beat down on the Penguins in a statement win. The biggest moment of the game wasn’t any of the barrage of goals scored by the black and gold. The game had gotten a bit chippy in the second period, and the Bruins were on the penalty kill. Zdeno Chara was on the ice for all 2 minutes of the kill, and played an additional 1:05 minutes when Jamie Oleksiak challenged him to a fight:

This is why Zdeno Chara still wears the “C” for the Boston Bruins. At 40 years old he played 3:05 minutes in a row, and tuned up a 6’7, 255 pound Oleksiak. Big Z can still play.

Overall, it was a massive victory for the Bruins, who still need to show they belong at the top of the standings. The additions Sweeney has made are fitting in beautiful. It should be an awesome stretch run. Let’s go Bruins!

It’s Tommy Wingels World, and We’re all Living it.

Last night the Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime. Rick Nash scored his first goal as a Bruin, and a surprising player shined in the comeback win for the Black and Gold.

Tommy fucking Wingels ladies and gentlemen. Ever heard of him? Doubt it. While the Tampa Bay Lightning were completing a blockbuster for Ryan McDonagh, Donny Sweeney was pulling off a depth trade for the stretch run.

Enter Tommy Big Dick Wingels. Wingels was acquired from the faltering Blackhawks for a 5th round pick. If the Bruins win a round, the pick will turn into a 4th. Not a bad price at all.

The trade immediately reeked dividends for the Bruins. In his first game this past Tuesday, Wingels slotted in on the Bruins third line. He played along side David Backes and Danton Heinen. Boy, did he ever look good on that line too. Wingels posted a goal and assist in the B’s comeback effort.

What a little snipe there from Tommy boy!! In all seriousness, this trade has the potential to be a massive steal for the Bruins. Take away the goal and assist, and I still love what I saw from him. He was buzzing all night. He was relentless on the forecheck, and showed that he could play with speed. If Cassidy needed, Wingels could slot up in the lineup, or he can generate energy on the third line. No matter where he plays, playoff teams need a Tommy Wingels on their roster.

If he can continue to play at the speed he did on Tuesday than this is a fucking steal. For those upset about giving away a draft pick, ask yourself this: What’re the odds that the 5th round pick records a regular season NHL goal? Astronomically low. This is a great depth move by Sweeney for the playoff push.

B’s take on the Penguins tonight at 7pm at TD Garden. Let’s go Bruins!!

Bruins Beat 1/4

The Boston Bruins opened up the 2018 Calendar year in spectacular fashion. The boys would kick the shit out of the Islanders 5-1. Great start to the new year indeed. Like many games recently, this wasn’t much of a contest.

The Islanders came into the game in a playoff position. Given how tough the Metropolitan Division that could change quickly. Once again, this game had scheduled loss written all over it. Random Tuesday night game in Brooklyn. Just didn’t have the feel of Bruins victory.

As they have for most of the season, the Bruins proved me wrong. From the drop of the puck they seemed to have their legs. They applied a relentless forecheck with all 4 lines early. At 8:17 of the first period, Danton Heinen ripped a wrist shot over the glove hand of Jaroslav Halak. The goal came from Riley Nash winning a face-off right back to Heinen, who slotted it home. 1-0 Bruins in the first.

Just over a minute later, the Bruins would be victimized similarly to the Islanders. Off. Brandon Carlo got the puck in front of Tuukka Rask off a defensive zone face-off. Carlo ended up having a car wreck, falling down, and kicking the puck in front of the net. Jordan Eberle hopped on the gift, and put it home

The first period would come to a close at 1-1. Carlo’s blunder had undermined what was a great first period from the Bruins. In the second, the B’s continued to hound the puck. Most notably, the fourth line. Tim Schaller, Noel Acciari, Sean Kuraly. A group of JAGS, but damn good ones. Kuraly in particular due to his speed, and relentlessness. This line made the Islanders look foolish all night. They drew multiple penalties on the Islanders, and 8:28 into the second, Patrice Bergeron batted home a wrap around goal to make it 2-1 Bruins. Perfect Patrice was behind his own net, caught the puck that bounced over the crossbar, put it down, and wrapped home short side. Perfect Patrice strikes again.

The game was 2-1 until mid-way through the third period. David Pastrnak stripped the puck from Cal Clutterbuck in the neutral zone. It created a 2 on 1, which Pasta beautifully sold a shot. Pasta slipped a pass over to Marchand, who ripped the puck home to make it 3-1 Bruins. Tim Schaller, and Noel Acciari would each notch a goal to ice the game. 5-1 win for the Bruins.

Tuesday was a night for the fourth line. They hounded the puck all night, and made life hell for Islander defenders. Each member isn’t afraid to use their body to make a few plays. They can also chip in on the scoresheet. Can’t find a better 4th line in the league right now.

Wednesday saw the Bruins assign forward, Anders Bjork to the Providence Bruins.

Bjork was the odd man out here, as he had been on the 9th floor in street clothes since David Krejci returned to the lineup. This was the right move to make for the kid. Let him go down, and play top minutes at the Dunk. Providence has been instrumental in the development of Debrusk, Heinen, and Pastrnak. Bjork will find his way back to Boston in no time.

Tonight’s game against Atlantic Division foe, Florida Panthers has been cancelled due to the horrid storm. The Boys will get a few extra days of rest, as their next game will see the Carolina Hurricanes come to TD Garden. Puck drop 7:00 pm on Saturday. Let’s go Bruins!!!