To Open Free Agency, B's Were Very Active But Did They Get Anyone That Will Make A Big Difference?

 

    When free agency opens in any professional sport, most fans just want to see their favorite team be active and engaged. When NHL free agency officially started today at noon, the Bruins were certainly as busy as any club in the league but when you run through all the names of guys that they signed, you are left wondering if any of them will have any type of major impact for Boston. Leaving out the four players that will most likely be stuck in Providence for most of (if not all of) next season, B's GM Don Sweeney brought in six legitimate NHL veterans. The most notable names are goaltender Linus Ullmark (formerly of the Sabres) and forward and former Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno. In addition, depth forwards Erik Haula and Tomas Nosek are here too along with defensemen Derek Forbort and Mike Reilly (who was traded to the Bruins before the trade deadline last season).

    Haha is that it? For a team that likes to think of themselves as true Stanley Cup contenders every season, it sure feels like Sweeney was trying to shop at The Dollar Store to get what he needs rather than spending a little more to get some better players. Jaroslav Halak signed with Vancouver and free agent Tuukka Rask is out for awhile following hip surgery so the B's needed a veteran goalie to work with promising young netminder Jeremy Swayman. That's fine and Ullmark had actually put up respectable numbers somehow on the worst team in the league in 2021: 9-6-3 w/.917 save percentage and a 2.63 goals against average. He's only 27 years old but did he really need a four-year contract with an annual cap hit of $5 million (faints)?

    Foligno feels a little bit like David Backes light and we all know how that went for the B's. A well-respected leader and dependable player that at 33 is definitely on the back end of his career after being traded to Toronto last season and not making many contributions to that loser franchise. In 49 games last season between the two teams, he had 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists). The former first-round pick (28th overall in 2006) got a two-year deal with an annual cap hit of $3.8 million. Haula is truthfully a journeyman since this will be his sixth NHL team but he is coming off a pretty nice little season in Nashville: eight goals, 10 assists & plus-21. For that, the 30-year-old earned a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $2.375 million. Finally for the forwards, Nosek put up eight goals and 10 assists with a plus-seven rating for the Golden Knights in 38 games. Like Haula, he is 30 and he was signed for two years but with a lower annual cap hit ($1.75 million). Foligno could be insurance if David Krejci doesn't re-sign with Boston while Haula and Nosek should easily replace center Sean Kuraly who signed a four-year contract with his hometown team-the Blue Jackets-earlier today. 

    Reilly was a pleasant surprise in 15 games last season with the black and gold after being obtained from Ottawa as he notched eight assists and was plus-seven. In his first postseason with Boston, he slowed down to four assists and a plus-three rating in 11 games. On a good team (which the Bruins hopefully can still qualify as), he is a third-pair left-shot defenseman that is a solid puck-mover with some offensive ability. The fact that he's 27 is most likely why he signed a three-year deal with an annual cap hit of $3 million. I can't say that I know much about Forbort besides the fact that he's big (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) which is something that Boston really lacks on the back end and he averaged over 20 minutes of ice time last season with Winnipeg. He is 29 and with a three-year deal that carries an annual cap hit of $3 million, I'd guarantee that Sweeney expects him to be much more than Jarred Tinordi who signed with the Rangers this afternoon. 

    It would be dumb to make any sweeping conclusions already about this group since odds are that Sweeney still has some tinkering to do both in terms of additional signings and perhaps a few more trades (for instance, backup goaltender Dan Vladar got flipped to Calgary for a third-round pick this afternoon). You also have to remember that he signed Brandon Carlo, Taylor Hall-and to a much lesser extent Trent Frederic-in the past few weeks, who are likely to be more important moves this offseason in the long run when it's all said and done. I'll just leave this here: Jack Eichel is still on Buffalo and while it is probably a pipe dream that he'll ever be a Bruin, we can choose to hold out hope that Sweeney finds a way to acquire him for basically whatever it takes. Can you imagine your excitement level if Eichel was going to be a Bruin for a long period of time? 

Bruins Won Their Fourth Straight Game & Eliminated The Overmatched Caps In Five Games

 

    So it turns out that there really was no need to fear the overrated Capitals after all. The Bruins dispatched of them in only five games after taking Game 5 by a score of 3-1 tonight at the Capital One Arena in DC. After losing Game 1 in overtime and winning the next two games in overtime, Boston dominated in the final two contests as they outscored Washington by a combined score of 7-2. The B's head to the second round of the playoffs for the fourth season in a row-where they'll meet the Penguins or Islanders who are currently tied 2-2-while the Caps head home for the third consecutive year after a disappointing first round exit. For the Capitals, it must feel like a decade or more since they won that elusive Stanley Cup in 2018.

    This was a victory where the Bruins were led by many of their best players: goaltender Tuukka Rask (who was fantastic for the entire series) made 40 saves, captain Patrice Bergeron scored twice and right wing David Pastrnak added a highlight reel goal for the black and gold. This being the NHL playoffs, there was also much lesser known guys like defenseman Jarred Tinordi-he played 19:02 with four hits and three blocked shots in his Bruins playoff debut-who was fantastic in his unexpectedly vital role. It was a weird game as the Capitals outshot the Bruins 41-19 but trailed 2-0 in the third period before they tallied the fastest goal to start a playoff period in franchise history. Rask was not fazed by that and Bergy put it away with another clutch goal in a career full of them. 

    After no goals in the first three games of this series, Pasta is starting to heat up as he had a goal and assist in Game 4 and he matched that production this evening. He made Caps center Nic Dowd look silly when he did a sweet curl-and-drag move around him, drove to the net and wrapped a shot around goaltender Ilya Samsonov (16 saves). Defenseman Mike Reilly had the lone assist on the game's opening goal at 2:28 of the second period. Samsonov would probably want Bergeron's first goal back as it was a snap shot from distance. Reilly and Pastrnak had the assists on Bergy's second goal of the playoffs at 14:05 for a 2-0 Bruins lead. 

    UMass' Conor Sheary provided the lone positive note for Washington in Game 5 when he scored off his own rebound 11 seconds into the third period. He roofed a shot from in close that Rask couldn't react to in time to stop. Center T.J. Oshie and defenseman Dmitry Orlov notched the assists on Sheary's first goal of the postseason. Bergeron's second goal happened at 12:25 and while it was unassisted, he owed plenty of credit for it to Pasta who screened Samsonov at just the right time. 

    In the traditional handshake line after the game, Bergeron and former B's captain Zdeno Chara shared some words and a tight embrace which makes you wonder if that was Z's last NHL game. Boston will be one of the last eight clubs left in the playoffs and you have to acknowledge that they can play with anybody. As far as the Pens and Isles go, I think that besides rooting for a seven-game series, they want to see Pittsburgh (since they completely own them) rather than New York who is less talented but would be a major headache to face in a best-of-seven playoff series. Regardless, they get a few extra days to rest now which is very important if you want to make a serious run to the Cup.

Bruins Beat Islanders 3-2 In Overtime, Lock In Third Seed & First Round Matchup With Capitals

 

    Coming into tonight's regular season home finale vs. the Islanders (32-17-7 overall, 11-13-4 away), all that the Bruins (33-15-7 overall, 18-7-3 home) needed to clinch the third seed in the East Division was a single point. Boston got the job done by winning 3-2 in overtime thanks to a brilliant backhander by left wing Taylor Hall. The Capitals (35-15-5 overall, 16-8-3 home) are the No. 2 seed from the East Division so that's who the B's will face in the first round of the playoffs, starting on Saturday night (7:15, NBC). I don't think that the black and gold could have picked a more difficult opponent to see right off the bat than Washington but here we are. 

    The Bruins completed the regular season series with the Islanders sporting a .500 record of 3-3-2. This evening was another reminder what a complete steal Hall was from the Sabres (15-34-7). He opened the scoring with a sweet one-timer from center David Krejci and left wing Brad Marchand at 19:21 of the first period. Hall's ninth goal of the season was on the power play and it was from a tough angle since he received the pass basically parallel to the goal line. Maine native and BC's Oliver Wahlstrom tied it with a one-timer and power play tally of his own at 1:38 of the second period. His 12th goal of the season was assisted by center Mathew Barzal and defenseman Nick Leddy.

    Boston took a 2-1 lead later in the frame as Marchand re-directed a pass from Krejci at 6:15. His team-leading 29th goal of the season was also assisted by right wing David Pastrnak. Barzal is a great offensive talent that often gets overlooked on a team that generally struggles to put the puck in the net. He tied it with a sweet top shelf wrist shot over Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask's (16 saves, 15-5-2) shoulder at 8:31. His 17th goal of the season was assisted by defenseman Ryan Pulock and left wing Anthony Beauvillier.

    Isles head coach Barry Trotz pulled their starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov (25 saves) after the second period supposedly with a minor injury. Hall's overtime goal was another one of those instances where it has to be a very short list of Bruins teammates that could have successfully made a similar type play. He took a nothing drop pass from Krejci at center ice, zoomed by center Casey Cizikas, put the puck through Leddy's legs (!!!) then fired a powerful backhander past backup goalie Ilya Sorokin (10 saves). Defenseman Mike Reilly had the second assist on one of the best goals of the year in the NHL. Holy smokes, if I was B's GM Don Sweeney I would have had a contract extension written up for Hall and placed in his locker by the time he got done with his postgame interviews.

    Just by luck (and of course the pandemic), the last game of the regular season takes Boston to DC tomorrow night (7, NESNplus) where they will take on Washington in a completely meaningless dress rehearsal. The better question is will the Bruins remain there for Games 1 and 2 or return home only to go back again in a few days? We'll have to wait and see about that travel plan which is surely more interesting than what should amount to a preseason game in May with all the healthy scratch and taxi squad guys in the lineups for both clubs. It is also rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman's last chance to impress Boston's head coach Bruce Cassidy, granted I'm pretty certain that he's already won the No. 2 goaltender position for the playoffs.

The Bruins Ended Their Five-Game & Two City Road Trip (3-2-0) With A 3-1 Victory At Pittsburgh

 

    After losing their last two games in regulation, Boston (28-14-6 overall, 14-8-3 away) looked much more like themselves in tonight's road trip finale-a solid 3-1 win at Pittsburgh's (32-15-3 overall, 20-4-2 home) PPG Paints Arena. It was nearly a shutout for goaltender Tuukka Rask (25 saves, 12-4-2) as the Bruins built up a 3-0 lead then gave up a meaningless garbage time goal to the Penguins with less than three minutes left in regulation. The game also served as a fitting last chapter for a regular season series that was won 5-3 by the B's. They now look ahead to the final eight games of the campaign with a real chance to catch the fading Islanders (29-15-5) who are only a point ahead of them for third-place in the East Division while Boston has a game in hand and one head-to-head matchup left. 

    After the Penguins won 1-0 on Sunday afternoon against the Bruins, it felt destined to be another low-scoring affair (hope you took the under!) as neither team scored in the first period and it remained scoreless late into the second period before center David Krejci potted a beautiful goal. On a play started by Rask, defenseman Charlie McAvoy hit Krejci with a breakout pass and the veteran did the rest by going forehand to backhand then beating Pens goalie Tristan Jarry (28 saves, 21-9-3) with a sizzling backhander. Krejci's seventh goal of the season gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at 18:10 and that's where it would stand with 20 minutes remaining.

    After a spirited fight between B's defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and Penguins center Teddy Blueger, Boston scored twice more to put it out of reach. Jarry was forced into an awkward save on right wing David Pastrnak's shot which allowed left wing Brad Marchand to zip to the net and put in the rebound for his team-leading 26th goal of the season. Center Curtis Lazar had the second assist at 9:11. Left wing Taylor Hall turned out the lights on the Pens with a spectacular play that reminded you why he is a former No. 1 overall pick and NHL MVP. He took a pass from Krejci, worked around none other than one of the best players in the world (Sidney Crosby)-like he wasn't even there-then snapped a sizzling shot high blocker side on Jarry. Hall's sixth goal of the season (4th as a Bruin) was also assisted by defenseman Mike Reilly and it came at 12:18.  Center Jeff Carter caught Boston's defense in a messy line change and he blasted a shot off the post and in at 17:39. His 11th goal of the season was assisted by defenseman Kris Letang and right wing Kasperi Kapanen. 

    After more than a week on the road, the black and gold finally get to return home and who else will they see next but the Sabres (13-30-7 overall, 7-14-3 away) for two more games to close out their season series. The worst team in the NHL is at the TD Garden on Thursday (7, NESN+) and Saturday afternoon (1, NESN). After losing to them 6-4 on Friday in Buffalo, you can bet that the Bruins figure to be extra motivated to bank four more points and finish 7-1 against the Sabres in 2021. They have so much left to play for unlike Buffalo so I'd be shocked to see them fall again to that clown show of a hockey club. 

Halfway Through The Season Series Vs. Sabres, B's Are Unbeaten (4-0) After Last Night's 2-0 Shutout

 

    With the borderline AHL club that the Sabres (12-27-7) are rolling out there this season, it truthfully doesn't take much to beat them. Still, give the Bruins (26-12-6) credit for staying focused while they play the worst team in the league. Last night at the KeyBank Center, Boston blanked Buffalo 2-0 for their fifth straight win thanks to 32 saves by goaltender Tuukka Rask (11-4-2) who earned his first shutout of the season and the 51st of his NHL career. Thanks to a scheduling quirk in a year that's full of them, this was the first of three straight games between the Bruins and Sabres while Boston will also play these bums five times in their next seven contests. Haha what a gift as they try to lock up a playoff spot and move up in the East Division: the B's are now only four points behind the Capitals (29-13-4) and Islanders (29-13-4) plus just three points behind the Penguins (29-14-3) with two games in hand against all of those clubs.

    As you can probably conclude from the final score, this contest was pretty cut and dry. Boston scored a goal in the first period and a goal in the second period and that's more than they needed to beat a punchless group that went 0-for-6 on the power play. Left wing Brad Marchand gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead with a sweet backhander at 8:06 of the first period. Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski (39 saves, 2-6-2) left a juicy rebound then Marchand was able to swoop in and finish a backhander top shelf. Right wing David Pastrnak and defenseman Mike Reilly had the assists on Marchand's team-leading 24th goal of the season. 

    Defenseman Connor Clifton's goal at 3:03 of the second period was a classic goal allowed by an awful team. His shot from the point squeaked through Tokarski's five-hole and then for good measure, he kicked it with his skate which gave it just enough momentum to get over the goal line. It was the first goal of the season for the former Quinnipiac star, assisted by left wing Sean Kuraly and center Curtis Lazar (playing in his first game back in Buffalo). After a day off today, these teams return to the ice in Western NY tomorrow night (7, NESN) followed by a back-to-back on Friday (7, NESN). The Bruins are 4-0 against the Sabres with four matchups left this season and needless to say, those are eight easy points that they need to grab like their lives depend on it.

The Bruins Have Finally Figured Out The Islanders As They Beat Them For The Second Night In A Row

 

    It's amazing what the infusion of a three new quality players can do for a hockey team. Suddenly, the Bruins (24-12-6) have new life and are playing great, blanking the Islanders (27-13-4) 3-0 tonight at the TD Garden for their second win against New York in 24 hours. The B's were 0-3-2 against the Isles this season before Thursday and they totally flipped the script the last few nights by outscoring them 7-1. Rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman (25 saves, 4-1-0) recorded the first shutout of his NHL career and I'm going to venture an educated guess that it won't be his last. Boston scored a goal in each period: including another from left wing Taylor Hall, right wing David Pastrnak snapped his goal drought and center Curtis Lazar's notched his first as a Bruin. 

    Boston's opening goal was a backbreaker as weird as that sounds on the surface because there was 2.4 seconds left in the first period when defenseman Mike Reilly threw a pass in front of the net, on the money to Pasta who roofed it over Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (11-4-1, 25 saves). Pastrnak's 17th goal of the season was also assisted by center Patrice Bergeron. That late momentum shift for the home team clearly carried over to the second period as Hall made it 2-0 47 seconds into that frame. He worked a give-and-go with center David Krejci, ending with Hall going to the net and blowing past New York defenseman Scott Mayfield before redirecting Krejci's pass through Sorokin's five-hole for his fourth goal of the season. Defenseman Steven Kampfer earned the secondary assist on Hall's second goal in black and gold. 

    Boston's penalty kill was outstanding as New York's power play went 0-for-5. Like any good goalie, Swayman was their top penalty killer as he made a bunch of quality stops. Tuukka Rask got the night off after beating the Islanders on Thursday so fellow rookie Dan Vladar served as Swayman's backup instead. It's not hard to picture that duo being Boston's goaltenders of the (near) future if they both keep this up. All three of the newcomers got on the score sheet so an empty-net goal for Lazar seemed like the perfect way to end this impressive performance. His sixth goal of the season was unassisted at 18:48 of the third period. 

    The B's have won their last three games-all since the trade deadline-and they are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. I'm not saying that they are going to catch the three teams in front of them in the East Division-Pittsburgh (57 points), NYI and Washington (60 points)-but at least now that is more than a pipe dream. After getting humbled 8-1 by the Caps (28-12-4) last Sunday on their home ice, Boston gets another crack at them on Sunday afternoon (12, NBC) back at the Garden. Anything can happen but I'll guarantee that the Capitals won't beat them by seven goals this time around.

It Only Took Them Six Tries But Thanks To Taylor Hall, The B's Finally Beat The Isles This Season

 

    Thanks to the return of goaltender Tuukka Rask (22 saves, 9-4-2) who missed the past 11 games, two goals from left wing Brad Marchand and a highlight reel first goal as a Bruin for left wing Taylor Hall, Boston (23-12-6) was finally able to beat the Islanders (27-12-4) this evening at the TD Garden. Far more than any other club in the East Division, the Islanders had given the Bruins fits this season before tonight: beating them three times in regulation, once in overtime and once in a shootout. The B's were determined to change that narrative as they had an awesome first period by outshooting New York 23-7 (their most shots on goal in a frame this season) and building a 2-0 lead then never looking back. 

    The importance of getting their No. 1 goalie on the ice can't be overlooked as Rask happened to pick up his 300th career NHL win in the process. Rookie Jeremy Swayman (3-1-0) has been a great story but if the Black and Gold are going anywhere this season, their best chance is with a healthy and motivated Rask in net. This is the 10th time in Marchand's NHL career (and 8th in a row) where he has scored 20+ goals. He made it 1-0 just 1:49 into the contest when center Patrice Bergeron's wild shot deflected off his linemate's back and past Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (41 saves, 16-9-3). Another one of the three newest Bruins-defenseman Mike Reilly picked up his first point with Boston by grabbing the secondary assist there. Right wing Craig Smith doubled Boston's lead with a power play goal at 17:55. He was in Bergy's famous bumper position and was able to one-time a shot through traffic for the tally. Center David Krejci and defenseman Charlie McAvoy had the assists on that key strike.

    Center Travis Zajac scored his first goal as an Islander to cut it to 2-1 early in the second period at 2:56. New York's star left winger Mathew Barzal and right wing Jordan Eberle had the assists on the eighth goal of the season for the former Devil who was acquired at the trade deadline. Barzal changed directions behind the net and used a nifty pass to find Zajac in front for the one-timer that he got all of. Hall's goal was definitely a wow moment and a refresher for why he was once the No. 1 pick (in 2010) and the NHL MVP (in 2017). Right wing David Pastrnak sprung him for a partial breakaway and he sealed off his defender before firing a perfect low shot by Varlamov for his third goal of the season at 1:52 of the third period. I don't think it's hyperbole to say that there are only a few guys on the Bruins that could have pulled that move off and most importantly, had it result in a goal. Marchand wrapped up the huge two points with an empty-netter at 18:24 from Pastrnak. 

    In a true 2021 scheduling quirk, these same clubs meet again tomorrow night (7, NESN) at the Garden. The only thing about the game that I can say with any certainty right now is that I'm sure Swayman will face the Islanders backup goalie Ilya Sorokin (11-3-1). New York still has a nice cushion of six points separating themselves from Boston but if the Bruins can win on Friday, they would make it especially interesting because they still have two games in hand over the Isles with one final meeting left to go. It should be a grind and both teams don't shy away from fighting so don't be surprised if you see a few guys drop the gloves. 

The Bruins Earned Two Points The Hard Way: With A Gross Shootout Win Over The Hapless Sabres

 

    Typically beating the worst team in a given sport isn't a cause for celebration. However, I will grant the Bruins (22-12-6 overall, 11-6-3 home) a little slack since they need as many points as possible in their current situation therefore a 3-2 shootout win against the lowly Sabres (10-25-7 overall, 6-12-3 away) tonight at the TD Garden will have to suffice. All three of Boston's trade deadline acquisitions were in the lineup for their Bruins debuts: left wing Taylor Hall, center Curtis Lazar and defenseman Mike Reilly are all legitimate NHL players which is more than you can say for some of the scrubs that have been forced into action lately with all the injuries and Covid-19 issues for the B's. 

    Rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman (21 saves) improved to 3-1 as he stopped both Buffalo shooters (Victor Olofsson and Tage Thompson) in the shootout while each Boston shooter-center Charlie Coyle and left wing Jake DeBrusk-found back of the net behind Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski (29 saves, 0-4-2) who relieved starter Linus Ullmark (3 saves) after he suffered an unknown injury less than five minutes into the game. Buffalo led 1-0 at 1:52 of the first period as former Bruin Colin Miller fired a bomb from the point for his fourth goal of the season. Center Dylan Cozens and left wing Anders Bjork (obtained from Boston in the Hall trade) had the assists on Miller's tally. Bruins center David Krejci tied it at one at 13:20 of the first period as Tokarski left a rebound in a dangerous spot and Krejci swept in a backhander for his third goal of the season with defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and right wing Craig Smith notching the helpers. 

    Speaking of Smitty-who was playing in his 700th NHL game-he gave the Black and Gold a 2-1 lead early in the second period at 5:29. The puck had rolled off of Hall's stick when he tried to make a backhand pass but this being Buffalo, they failed to clear it and instead sent the puck right to Smith who fired in his ninth goal of the season. The second period was also notable for a pair of fights: Nick Ritchie took on UMass' Matt Irwin (another former Bruin) before Smith's go-ahead goal and later, Kevan Miller absolutely destroyed poor Tage Thompson. 

    2-1 is an unlikely way to win, even when you're playing Buffalo. The Sabres hung around long enough to tie it at two in the third period on defenseman Rasmus Dahlin's screened shot from the point. Defenseman Henri Jokiharju and left wing Jeff Skinner registered the assists on Dahlin's fourth goal of the season where he found himself wide open before shooting through traffic. Bjork of all people had a great chance to end it in overtime but after making a beautiful move to deke Swayman, he ran out of room and skated past the net because of course he did. The Bruins are 3-0 vs. the Sabres with the gift of five more meetings this season including three in four days next week. 

    Needless to say, the B's will have to be way better if they hope to finally solve the riddle that has been the Islanders (27-11-4 overall, 9-9-2 away) for them in 2021. Boston has lost three times in regulation, once in overtime and once in a shootout against the Isles. They get three more chances to beat them in the regular season starting with a rare back-to-back (against the same club) at the Garden on Thursday (7, NESN) and Friday (7, NESN). New York is eight points ahead of Boston (B's have 2 games in hand though) and in second-place in the East Division. I certainly don't think it'll happen given how the first five contests have turned out but if the Bruins can somehow sweep them this week, that would make the playoff race much tighter all around them.

On The Eve Of The NHL Trade Deadline, B's GM Don Sweeney Rescues Taylor Hall From Buffalo

 

    Thank God for the NHL Trade Deadline because I certainly did not want to write about a depressing 8-1 meltdown by the Bruins (21-12-6) tonight at the TD Garden against the Capitals (27-11-4) anymore than you wanted to read that drivel. Boston's top two goaltenders were out along with their four best defensemen, oh and they were playing their fifth game in seven days so honestly, what did you expect them to do vs. one of the best teams in the league? Nope, the real story came a few hours after that nightmare ended as Boston made two trades: first GM Don Sweeney flipped a third-round draft pick to Ottawa (13-25-4) for a defenseman named Mike Reilly (19 assists in 40 games this season) then he dealt winger Anders Bjork and a second-round pick to Buffalo (10-25-6) for left wing Taylor Hall and forward Curtis Lazar (5 goals, 4 assists in 33 games this season).

    Everybody knew that Hall-the former No. 1 pick by Edmonton in the 2010 Draft (one spot ahead of Boston who selected Tyler Seguin) two-time All Star and MVP in 2017-18 was going to be moved by tomorrow, the question was to which desperate team? This is a guy with all the talent in the world but the Bruins will be his fifth NHL club before he's turned 30 and his fourth (Devils, Coyotes, Sabres, Bruins) in the last two seasons alone. His first and only season in Buffalo was nothing short of a complete disaster since in 37 games he had two goals and 17 assists. How much is that a product of being stuck in a hopeless situation or is it more about him checking out mentally which would be a troubling sign?

    Whatever the case, this is a risk worth taking if you are the Bruins since how many more playoff berths will they have left with goaltender Tuukka Rask, left wing Brad Marchand and centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci among others? It feels like they are on borrowed time at this point so at least this bold move shows the players on the team that they are trying to go for it this season but at the same time not sacrificing much at all off of their current roster or mortgaging their future. Bjork had no real place here with two goals and three assists in 30 games this year so you probably won't even notice that he's gone. 

        Ultimately this comes down to Hall. Does he want to salvage his once very promising career and experience more of the playoffs (he has only appeared in 14 postseason games in his entire career) or keep burning bridges and becoming an NHL vagabond? Boston desperately needs secondary scoring and Krejci hasn't had a good winger to go with him in what feels like ages. It's silly to expect things to go smoothly right away but looking at the upcoming schedule, four of Boston's next seven games are against Buffalo including on Tuesday (7, NESN) at the Garden and six of their next 11 overall. How funny would it be to see Hall destroy the Sabres right away and the Black and Gold to go on a run sparked by him? That's probably wishful thinking but hell, I did not expect to have any hope after watching the B's get embarrassed on their home ice earlier this evening.