It is official, the Bruins are on a bigger roll (in the regular season) than I can ever recall in my lifetime and yes I know this is the third time they've won 10 in a row under Claude Julien. Tonight, Boston (47-17-5) picked up the 10th straight win, 4-2 at Prudential Arena vs. New Jersey (29-27-13). Thanks to their longest win streak since November 2011, the B's are five points ahead of Pittsburgh for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Boston has outscored opponents 41-15 during this particularly dominant run and they are tied with St. Louis for the best goal-differential (+74) in the NHL and they've allowed the second fewest goals (149) in the league with the second most points overall (2 behind the Blues). Their next win will put them over 100 points on the season.
Playing in the second night of a back-to-back, Boston looked fine as they outshot the Devils 15-5 in the first period. The Panthers had something tangible to show for it as well when Patrice Bergeron slipped a backhander past Grandpa Martin Brodeur at 14:33. Bergeron's 20th goal of the season was assisted by Reilly Smith and Andrej Meszaros.
Sensing his team needed any type of spark, Ryane Clowe chose to drop the gloves with Milan Lucic which isn't something you see every day. The Devils responded with the tying goal by Patrick Elias 29 seconds into the second period. That was on a 5-on-3 man advantage for the hosts. Boston responded with a shorthanded goal (his NHL best 5th) by Brad Marchand 54 seconds after Elias, from Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. Just 59 seconds after Boston celebrated that, they were going crazy again as Jarome Iginla beat Brodeur for his team-leading 26th goal of the season from David Krejci and Torey Krug.
As usual, Boston put it away when Chris Kelly finished a pretty one-timer from Carl Soderberg at 7:11 in the third. Kelly's eighth goal of the season was also assisted by Loui Eriksson. The Bruins have done an excellent job of stepping on teams' throats and making their leads virtually insurmountable.
The Bruins defense let Travis Zajac have too much time and space so naturally he fired one past Chad Johnson (22 saves; 15-3-1 overall) at 9:13 that cut it to 4-2 but that's all she wrote.
With this insanely packed March (17 games) and coming off an emotional win, it has to be a good thing that Boston gets the next two days off before they travel to Colorado (44-20-5) to play the Avalanche on Friday (9, NESN) in an ultra rare Friday Night Ice matchup (I just made that up myself!).
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Anyone Want to Give the Bruins a Game?
In case you missed it, the Bruins are racking up wins left and right to the tune of the second longest win streak (9) in the NHL this season-behind Anaheim (10). Tonight the Minnesota Wild were the latest victim as they came into TD Garden, on St. Patrick's Day no less and put up a decent fight but still lost 4-1 (third time in four games that the B's have done that).
Boston's first goal was an indication that everything is currently going their way. Jarome Iginla dumped it in on Darcy Kuemper but he got handcuffed by the puck and subsequently let in one of the softest goals you'll ever see in the NHL at 3:52 in the second period. Iginla's 24th goal of the season was assisted by Matt Bartkowski and Andrej Maszaros. The Bruins showed off their skill in the next goal when Carl Soderberg wrapped around Minnesota's (35-23-10) net and threw a no-look backhand pass right on the money to Loui Eriksson. He didn't have time to react, only to bury it. 2-0 Boston at 11:55 on Eriksson's eighth goal of the season.
During this stretch, Boston is usually kind enough to give their opposition a sliver of hope only to stomp on it and crush their dreams of a comeback. Jason Pominville cut it to 2-1 at 18:34. His stick shattered after he hit the shot so that might have caused Tuukka Rask (33 saves) to be a little off with the puck coming to him.
Everything is awesome, no worries though gang! Reilly Smith broke a 15-game goalless streak to make Boston's lead 3-1 at 7:50 of the third period. Kuemper stopped Patrice Bergeron's turnaround shot but he left a juicy rebound on the doorstep which Smith got to first. Zdeno Chara had the second assist on Smith's 19th goal of the season.
It wasn't the Stanley Cup Final (haha possible preview though?) but Iginla was able to seal it with an empty-netter. That gave him his 14th career 25-goal+ season, he also leads the Bruins in goals which is pretty remarkable for a 36-year-old guy on a new team that went to the Stanley Cup Final last season.
Boston goes for a double-digit win streak tomorrow night (7, NESN) as they visit the Devils (29-26-13) who are led by former Bruin Jaromir Jagr and BC's Cory Schneider.
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Boston's first goal was an indication that everything is currently going their way. Jarome Iginla dumped it in on Darcy Kuemper but he got handcuffed by the puck and subsequently let in one of the softest goals you'll ever see in the NHL at 3:52 in the second period. Iginla's 24th goal of the season was assisted by Matt Bartkowski and Andrej Maszaros. The Bruins showed off their skill in the next goal when Carl Soderberg wrapped around Minnesota's (35-23-10) net and threw a no-look backhand pass right on the money to Loui Eriksson. He didn't have time to react, only to bury it. 2-0 Boston at 11:55 on Eriksson's eighth goal of the season.
During this stretch, Boston is usually kind enough to give their opposition a sliver of hope only to stomp on it and crush their dreams of a comeback. Jason Pominville cut it to 2-1 at 18:34. His stick shattered after he hit the shot so that might have caused Tuukka Rask (33 saves) to be a little off with the puck coming to him.
Everything is awesome, no worries though gang! Reilly Smith broke a 15-game goalless streak to make Boston's lead 3-1 at 7:50 of the third period. Kuemper stopped Patrice Bergeron's turnaround shot but he left a juicy rebound on the doorstep which Smith got to first. Zdeno Chara had the second assist on Smith's 19th goal of the season.
It wasn't the Stanley Cup Final (haha possible preview though?) but Iginla was able to seal it with an empty-netter. That gave him his 14th career 25-goal+ season, he also leads the Bruins in goals which is pretty remarkable for a 36-year-old guy on a new team that went to the Stanley Cup Final last season.
Boston goes for a double-digit win streak tomorrow night (7, NESN) as they visit the Devils (29-26-13) who are led by former Bruin Jaromir Jagr and BC's Cory Schneider.
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Sunday, March 16, 2014
This Is Getting Too Easy: Bruins Win Their 8th Game In A Row
The win streak hasn't reached double digits yet but it feels like the Bruins haven't lost in about three months. The good times keep rolling and everything is awesome (sorry, had to try that one out) as Boston (45-17-5) beat Carolina (29-29-9) 5-1 this afternoon at TD Garden. Boston's top line combined for eight points: Milan Lucic (1 goal, 2 assists), David Krejci (3 assists) and Jarome Iginla (2 goals) could make a solid case that they are the best forward line in the NHL these days.
Even Chad Johnson (29 saves) is playing out of his mind with a career-best nine-game point streak (8-0-1). The B's continue to bury their rivals in the Atlantic Division-they are 15 points ahead of second-place Toronto-while Pittsburgh has started to slow down a bit allowing Boston to build a three-point lead over them (albeit while the Penguins have a game in hand) for first in the East.
The Hurricanes are supposedly fighting for a playoff spot in the stinky Eastern Conference but you wouldn't know it by the lifeless display they put on. Boston outshot them in each period and Cam Ward made 36 saves which sounds good until you remember that he allowed five goals as well.
Lucic's goal at 15:28 of the first gave Boston a 1-0 lead. His 21st goal of the season (temporarily tying him with Brad Marchand and Iginla for the team lead) was assisted by Krejci who was getting tripped by Eric Staal. For some reason, Ward and his defensemen were way out of position.
Iginla showed off his superb hands and shooting skills in tight quarters with his first goal at 17:24 of the second. His 22nd goal of the season made it 2-0 with assists going to Lucic and Krejci.
The only reason that Johnson didn't earn a shutout is because Alexander Semin's shot deflected off Johnny Boychuk's stick in front. I guess Carolina made it interesting for about nine minutes before the Bruins hit them with two goals in 13 seconds (their fastest pair in 2.5 seasons). Chris Kelly went first, scoring his seventh of the season at 12:49 from Krejci and Dougie Hamilton. Before Ward or the Hurricanes could think to settle down, it was 4-1 and basically over. Somehow Iginla was wide open for about 10 minutes in front of the net so Kevan Miller found him. Lucic had the second assist.
Torey Krug scored the epitome of a garbage time goal as his hard wrist shot from the point sneaked in with less than 10 seconds left in this beating. It was his 14th goal of the season, Carl Soderberg and Gregory Campbell earned the helpers.
Boston hosts Minnesota (35-22-10) on Monday (7:30, NBCSN) aka St. Patrick's Day. Yikes, things could get ugly for the Wild if they get blown out and or puked on by the lovely Bruins fans that will surely have been drinking all day.
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Even Chad Johnson (29 saves) is playing out of his mind with a career-best nine-game point streak (8-0-1). The B's continue to bury their rivals in the Atlantic Division-they are 15 points ahead of second-place Toronto-while Pittsburgh has started to slow down a bit allowing Boston to build a three-point lead over them (albeit while the Penguins have a game in hand) for first in the East.
The Hurricanes are supposedly fighting for a playoff spot in the stinky Eastern Conference but you wouldn't know it by the lifeless display they put on. Boston outshot them in each period and Cam Ward made 36 saves which sounds good until you remember that he allowed five goals as well.
Lucic's goal at 15:28 of the first gave Boston a 1-0 lead. His 21st goal of the season (temporarily tying him with Brad Marchand and Iginla for the team lead) was assisted by Krejci who was getting tripped by Eric Staal. For some reason, Ward and his defensemen were way out of position.
Iginla showed off his superb hands and shooting skills in tight quarters with his first goal at 17:24 of the second. His 22nd goal of the season made it 2-0 with assists going to Lucic and Krejci.
The only reason that Johnson didn't earn a shutout is because Alexander Semin's shot deflected off Johnny Boychuk's stick in front. I guess Carolina made it interesting for about nine minutes before the Bruins hit them with two goals in 13 seconds (their fastest pair in 2.5 seasons). Chris Kelly went first, scoring his seventh of the season at 12:49 from Krejci and Dougie Hamilton. Before Ward or the Hurricanes could think to settle down, it was 4-1 and basically over. Somehow Iginla was wide open for about 10 minutes in front of the net so Kevan Miller found him. Lucic had the second assist.
Torey Krug scored the epitome of a garbage time goal as his hard wrist shot from the point sneaked in with less than 10 seconds left in this beating. It was his 14th goal of the season, Carl Soderberg and Gregory Campbell earned the helpers.
Boston hosts Minnesota (35-22-10) on Monday (7:30, NBCSN) aka St. Patrick's Day. Yikes, things could get ugly for the Wild if they get blown out and or puked on by the lovely Bruins fans that will surely have been drinking all day.
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Patriots Start to Remember that Brady Needs People to Throw the Ball to This Season
Some more good news emerged today on the Patriots' free agency front: they re-signed Julian Edelman (terms were not disclosed) and inked fellow wide receiver Brandon LaFell to a three-year deal. This still doesn't solve everything in the passing game, LaFell is big (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) but I'd love to see them get a more proven guy that has similar size. They could also use a better backup tight end than Michael Hoomanawanui because who knows if Gronk will ever stay healthy again.
Edelman made himself very important to New England's success last season as he had a career year with 105 catches, 1056 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Plus he's an excellent punt returner, averaging 10.7 yards per return. 2013 was the first time in five NFL seasons that Edelman played all 16 games. It's amazing what guys can do when they stay on the field. Most Patriots fans (myself included) doubted him but he turned out to be a suitable Wes Welker replacement which was supposed to be Danny Amendola's job. I thought he might go to his hometown Niners when they hosted him for a visit but I guess he realizes that you can't duplicate the chemistry he developed with Tom Brady over the years.
As for LaFell, who the hell knows? Last season was his fourth in the NFL (all in Carolina) and he put up career-highs in catches (49) and receiving touchdowns (5) while also coming close in receiving yards (627). The Panthers run a completely different offense based around Cam Newton's dual threat capabilities so you can't put too much stock into his numbers either way. I guess we'll just have to wait until training camp and hope that he can find comfort with Brady where most free agent receivers in the past have failed. He was a third round pick (78th overall) out of LSU in 2010.
UPDATE 3/18: Edelman's deal is four years for a base value of $17 million with $8 million in bonuses and guarantees and $2 million in incentives.
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Edelman made himself very important to New England's success last season as he had a career year with 105 catches, 1056 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Plus he's an excellent punt returner, averaging 10.7 yards per return. 2013 was the first time in five NFL seasons that Edelman played all 16 games. It's amazing what guys can do when they stay on the field. Most Patriots fans (myself included) doubted him but he turned out to be a suitable Wes Welker replacement which was supposed to be Danny Amendola's job. I thought he might go to his hometown Niners when they hosted him for a visit but I guess he realizes that you can't duplicate the chemistry he developed with Tom Brady over the years.
As for LaFell, who the hell knows? Last season was his fourth in the NFL (all in Carolina) and he put up career-highs in catches (49) and receiving touchdowns (5) while also coming close in receiving yards (627). The Panthers run a completely different offense based around Cam Newton's dual threat capabilities so you can't put too much stock into his numbers either way. I guess we'll just have to wait until training camp and hope that he can find comfort with Brady where most free agent receivers in the past have failed. He was a third round pick (78th overall) out of LSU in 2010.
UPDATE 3/18: Edelman's deal is four years for a base value of $17 million with $8 million in bonuses and guarantees and $2 million in incentives.
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Saturday, March 15, 2014
Patriots Back Up the PED Truck, Get Brandon Browner
I didn't think we'd be saying this anytime soon but suddenly the Patriots might have the best pair of cornerbacks in the NFL: Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. The latter was signed to a three-year deal tonight worth $17 million. The former Seahawk is suspended for the first four games of the regular season but who cares since as the Pats have proven over the last decade, the AFC East is a joke and almost always a foregone conclusion that they can use as an extended preseason before the playoffs.
Browner played in eight games last season with Seattle (his third in the league) and put up 19 tackles and one interception. He was a Pro Bowler in 2011, his rookie season out of Oregon State where he had 51 solo tackles, six interceptions and two touchdowns. He played in all 16 games that year but received his first drug suspension for performance enhancers in 2012 and then he was hit with the nine-game suspension (last two regular season games, playoffs and four in 2014) for his second offense. He'll be eligible to attend training camp and play in the preseason games.
Like Revis, this is another great move by New England since Browner is clearly trying to rehab his image (no pun intended). He has to prove worthy of a long-term deal and I'm sure the Patriots will have countless clauses and incentives written in his contract should he screw up again. The good news is that the PEDs don't flow quite around here as freely as they do with Pete Carroll's boys in the Pacific Northwest.
Browner turns 30 in August (not sure why he entered the NFL that old) so he's in the prime of his career. His best asset is his size: 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He has to be the biggest cornerback in the NFL but he's not a freak though since he totaled 10 interceptions and 123 combined tackles in just 38 career NFL games. Teams around the league better enjoy Weeks 1-4 vs. New England in 2014 since by Week 5, passing outside is going to be very difficult against these two studs.
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Browner played in eight games last season with Seattle (his third in the league) and put up 19 tackles and one interception. He was a Pro Bowler in 2011, his rookie season out of Oregon State where he had 51 solo tackles, six interceptions and two touchdowns. He played in all 16 games that year but received his first drug suspension for performance enhancers in 2012 and then he was hit with the nine-game suspension (last two regular season games, playoffs and four in 2014) for his second offense. He'll be eligible to attend training camp and play in the preseason games.
Like Revis, this is another great move by New England since Browner is clearly trying to rehab his image (no pun intended). He has to prove worthy of a long-term deal and I'm sure the Patriots will have countless clauses and incentives written in his contract should he screw up again. The good news is that the PEDs don't flow quite around here as freely as they do with Pete Carroll's boys in the Pacific Northwest.
Browner turns 30 in August (not sure why he entered the NFL that old) so he's in the prime of his career. His best asset is his size: 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. He has to be the biggest cornerback in the NFL but he's not a freak though since he totaled 10 interceptions and 123 combined tackles in just 38 career NFL games. Teams around the league better enjoy Weeks 1-4 vs. New England in 2014 since by Week 5, passing outside is going to be very difficult against these two studs.
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Friday, March 14, 2014
Well Look Who the Top Team in the Eastern Conference Is (Hint: they play in Boston)
Has it really reached the point where the Bruins' greatness bores us? Haha I'm just kidding but let's be honest: tonight's 2-1 win by Boston over Phoenix at TD Garden was nice albeit pretty dull. You won't see any Bruins (44-17-5) fans complain though since with their seventh straight win, they once again lead the Eastern Conference (one point ahead of the Penguins) and own the longest current win streak in the NHL after the Kings went down vs. Toronto.
I guess I overrate the Coyotes (31-25-11) because it feels like I have half their team on various fantasy squads. Since Boston played in Montreal last night (always an emotional event) and Phoenix was kicking around Boston yesterday, they had no excuse for not playing better. Oh and they're currently in ninth place in the Western Conference so where was their sense of urgency?
The B's got all the offense they would need in the first period. Zdeno Chara ripped a wrist shot high past Mike Smith (18 saves) at 5:54. The captain's 16th goal of the season was unassisted. Boston's other elder statesman provided the offense as Jarome Iginla tipped Johnny Boychuk's shot from the point for his 21st goal of the season at 17:31. Milan Lucic had the second assist on Iginla's tally, do you realize that now he's tied with Brad Marchand for most goals on Boston?
Phoenix's main reason for losing was their pathetic power play which went 0 for 5. For the second game in a row, Rask's shutout bid was extinguished in the third period but at least he got the victory again and that turned out to be the only goal allowed. His fellow countrymen Lauri Korpikoski tipped Oliver Ekman-Larsson's shot at 8:14 with Shane Doan (playing in his 1300th NHL game) picking up the other assist.
Boston's three-game homestand continues on Saturday afternoon (1, NESN) against Carolina (29-28-9) who are currently six points out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
UPDATE 3/14: The Bruins recalled forward Matt Lindblad from Providence. Also Daniel Paille skated today and it looks like he could play tomorrow vs. the Hurricanes.
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I guess I overrate the Coyotes (31-25-11) because it feels like I have half their team on various fantasy squads. Since Boston played in Montreal last night (always an emotional event) and Phoenix was kicking around Boston yesterday, they had no excuse for not playing better. Oh and they're currently in ninth place in the Western Conference so where was their sense of urgency?
The B's got all the offense they would need in the first period. Zdeno Chara ripped a wrist shot high past Mike Smith (18 saves) at 5:54. The captain's 16th goal of the season was unassisted. Boston's other elder statesman provided the offense as Jarome Iginla tipped Johnny Boychuk's shot from the point for his 21st goal of the season at 17:31. Milan Lucic had the second assist on Iginla's tally, do you realize that now he's tied with Brad Marchand for most goals on Boston?
Phoenix's main reason for losing was their pathetic power play which went 0 for 5. For the second game in a row, Rask's shutout bid was extinguished in the third period but at least he got the victory again and that turned out to be the only goal allowed. His fellow countrymen Lauri Korpikoski tipped Oliver Ekman-Larsson's shot at 8:14 with Shane Doan (playing in his 1300th NHL game) picking up the other assist.
Boston's three-game homestand continues on Saturday afternoon (1, NESN) against Carolina (29-28-9) who are currently six points out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
UPDATE 3/14: The Bruins recalled forward Matt Lindblad from Providence. Also Daniel Paille skated today and it looks like he could play tomorrow vs. the Hurricanes.
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Thursday, March 13, 2014
Bruins Snap 5-Game Losing Streak vs. Canadiens Thanks to 4-1 Win in Montreal
This season, the Bruins are a better team than the Canadiens. That much cannot be debated either since Boston (43-17-5) now has 14 more points than Montreal (35-25-7) after a complete 4-1 victory at Bell Centre. It represented more than the usual two points since the B's had dropped five straight vs. the Habs dating back to last season. These teams will meet one more time-March 24-at TD Garden before the playoffs begin. Don't be surprised to see them play then as well.
Oh by the way, Boston is currently riding a six-game win streak. Tuukka Rask (35 saves) was excellent when his teammates started slowly, allowing the Canadiens to outshoot them 14-6 in the first scoreless period. The Bruins put this away with a fantastic second that produced three goals. Carl Soderberg scored an unassisted goal (his 12th of the season) 1:33 into the frame. The springy Montreal boards should have received an assist since the puck went right off it to him in front.
Patrice Bergeron made it 2-0 at 9:25 of the second thanks to perfect passing with linemate Brad Marchand with Matt Bartkowski starting it all. The tap in was his 19th goal of the season. Montreal was done after Milan Lucic beat Peter Budaj with not the greatest shot at 18:32. His 20th goal of the season (3rd time he's done that) was assisted by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci.
The Canadiens officially gave up when Zdeno Chara casually followed his rebound for his 15th goal of the season 23 seconds into the third. Bergeron and Marchand had the helpers. David Desharnais scored a garbage time goal for the Canadiens and that served as their only highlight.
Boston finishes off another back-to-back tomorrow night (7, NESN) at the Garden vs. Phoenix (31-24-11). I'm just excited because I think the Coyotes are underrated plus we never get to see them and they have some intriguing players like Milton, MA native and skilled defenseman Keith Yandle (still want him on the B's).
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Oh by the way, Boston is currently riding a six-game win streak. Tuukka Rask (35 saves) was excellent when his teammates started slowly, allowing the Canadiens to outshoot them 14-6 in the first scoreless period. The Bruins put this away with a fantastic second that produced three goals. Carl Soderberg scored an unassisted goal (his 12th of the season) 1:33 into the frame. The springy Montreal boards should have received an assist since the puck went right off it to him in front.
Patrice Bergeron made it 2-0 at 9:25 of the second thanks to perfect passing with linemate Brad Marchand with Matt Bartkowski starting it all. The tap in was his 19th goal of the season. Montreal was done after Milan Lucic beat Peter Budaj with not the greatest shot at 18:32. His 20th goal of the season (3rd time he's done that) was assisted by Jarome Iginla and David Krejci.
The Canadiens officially gave up when Zdeno Chara casually followed his rebound for his 15th goal of the season 23 seconds into the third. Bergeron and Marchand had the helpers. David Desharnais scored a garbage time goal for the Canadiens and that served as their only highlight.
Boston finishes off another back-to-back tomorrow night (7, NESN) at the Garden vs. Phoenix (31-24-11). I'm just excited because I think the Coyotes are underrated plus we never get to see them and they have some intriguing players like Milton, MA native and skilled defenseman Keith Yandle (still want him on the B's).
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