GAME 7 GAME 7 GAME 7

Showing the resiliency they've showed all season, the Bruins battled back 3 times in the 3rd period to beat the Scabs 5-4 in Boston, forcing Game 7 in Montreal on Monday.

Think there's a BIT of pressure on Montreal now? That's 10 goals in 2 games given up by Price... his shoulders seem to be a bit stooped right now, I wonder why...

The move to bench Kessel is looking like pure genius at this point, with 3 goals in his past 2 games. And that first goal..... oh my damn. Oh. My. Damn. Welcome back to the playoffs, Francis.

Sturm has turned it up as well, don't get me wrong. And also great to see Sobotka continuing to impress as well. Lucic.... yeah. He's a player.

Tough to see the B's giving up goals at bad times, but it was great to see them continuing to battle back.

Oh man, I can't wait to read the articles coming out of Canada tomorrow morning... this'll be fun.

Seriously - Game 7, the pressure is ALL ON Montreal. The Bruins weren't even supposed to be IN the playoffs, and after Game 1 it appeared that they naysayers were right. I'll even admit to feeling defeated after that game. And we all know how supposed "real" writers like KPD felt after that game. Anyone notice that without a player to attack from behind his keyboard, he went after Sinden this time? Too bad the Boston media can't make it a 2-fer and show KPD the door along with Lobel.

Monday. Game 7. Win or lose, it's going to be good.

Non-revamped B's spank Sens 4-0, get Paddock fired

Yes, I know there are a LOT of issues that got John Paddock fired in Ottawa, but it sounds nice to think that the B's had a big hand in it.

Solid play from the 4th line was a key item in the game last night, as the grind line started the game and set the tone early, and ended up scoring the first goal (and technically, the only goal needed) with about 3 minutes gone in the first period on a nice backhand from Thornton after being fed by Sobotka doing the dirty work in the corner.

Krecji finally got the official regulation goal monkey off his back shortly thereafter, and Ottawa was never really in the game at all. Chara scored a PP goal later on and iced it with a shorthanded empty net goal.

Chiarelli showed he had faith in the current team by not overpaying for Hossa - word is he offered Kessel, Stuart, and a 1st, the whole deal contingent on Hossa signing an extension. Waddell countered with wanting Kessel, either Lucic or Rask, and a 1st, and would NOT allow PC to talk extension with Hossa. PC wisely walked at that point, and I think in the VERY near future, B's fans will be very happy with that move.

B's beat Tampa Bay, take 9 of 10 road points

Good game last night in Tampa Bay as the B's beat the Lightning 5-3 on the strength of 2 Glen Murray goals and a late shortie by PJ.

The only real blemish on the game (IMO) would be Auld giving up the late softie to Prospal on the power play; luckily it didn't come back to bite them as PJ's goal (all set up by the hard work of Metro) assured them of the win.

I'll get on Muzz's case all day long about his lazy penalties, but that late call was just weak. He had his hand on the guy's back, yet that's holding? Lame.

Nice work by Kessel and Lucic on Cheech's goal earlier in the game. If the young 'uns can play like that headed out into the playoffs, PC will look like a genius for saying yesterday he didn't want to make any big deals as he thought playoff experience for the kids would be huge for the team.

B's score 5 in a row, beat Thrashers

First of all, Happy New Year!

Second of all, the B's once again had to battle back from a deficit, but made it count as they scored 5 in a row to beat the Thrashers yesterday 5-2.

Kind of neat to see Colin Stuart score his first NHL goal for Atlanta, then younger brother Mark answer for the B's later on. Also it was VERY nice to see Kessel continue to play hard and pot another goal. The PP was en fuego, going 3-4. Offense like that WILL win games.

Hopefully they can continue to play the way they did in the 2nd and 3rd periods in the coming games. They got away from the tight, hard hitting style when they started losing. I'd like to see the slide be over and done with, so the next 2 games will show if they've rebounded.

Future trivia answer is Dennis Wideman. The question is "who scored the 18,000th goal in B's history?"

I still think they've been overachieving, but if they can keep doing so, more power to 'em.

Manny gets the shootout, Kessel gets the win

There's really not much for me to write - whatever Manny and goaltending coach Bob Essensa discussed WORKED. Fernandez got his first shutout as a Bruin, and The Closer worked his usual magic in the shootout helping beat the Rags 1-0 at The New Garden. This was the B's first win against the Rags since 2004.

One thing I *will* say - I liked the hitting yesterday. The B's took every opportunity to belt the Rangers players, especially Jagr. And we all know The Poodle does NOT like to be hit. That gameplan worked, obviously.

Lucic played well again, getting 11 shifts for just under 8 mins of gametime. The decision on him needs to come up soon; based on his play, if he bounces between the 4th and 3rd lines, at this point I'd have to say keep him. He's had a few shifts from hell, but I like that Julien has left him out there and let him learn the game.

Once more about Kessel - holy crap can that kid fly. Wow.

B's get the win, 2 kids get their first tricks

I wouldn't say it was a *good* win last night in LA, but it was a win 8-6 over the Kings. It's like the mid-80's all over again. Well, at least for that one game anyways.

Phil Kessel notched his first hat trick, with the first goal being one of beauty - a quick wrist shot from the left circle just as the PP was expiring. Milan Lucic got his first Gordie Howe hat trick last night - a fight against Ivanans in the first (where Milan got absolutely TAGGED with a right but kept with it), then getting an assist on Ward's goal before finally potting his first NHL goal after a 2-on-1 with Krejci.

Savard was back with a vengeance as well, with 5 points after missing a game with the strained groin.

Fernandez, I think, played better than his 6 goals against indicated, but the defense on this team so far is really looking to be the Achilles Heel this season. Alberts seems to be thinking he's a rookie again, and Ference, after a strong first 2 games, has not looked good at all. He repeatedly muffed passes and clearouts last night, and I noticed him being shaky in Anaheim as well.

Tonight - the Sharks.

B's lose 4-1 in Dallas

I was trying to think of something witty to say in the title, but I couldn't think of anything.

POSITIVES:
-The Kessel/Krejci/Axelsson line was just sick out there. Holy crap were those guys flying all over the place. If they can put the puck in the net a few times...

-Thornton and Lucic stepped up and played their game. Yeah the fights were more of the "goonery" type than the "protecting the team" type, but they showed emotion that was completely lacking last season.

NEGATIVES:
-Fernandez looked shaky at best. Soft goals. Sound familiar?

-Apparently the B's forwards had magnets in their new sweaters that automatically pulled all 3 linemates close together behind the boards. What was with that?

-Defense didn't look so hot, although I thought Mark Stuart did have a good game, just hitting guys and keeping things simple.

-TOO MANY MEN!

At least it wasn't as bad as last year's opening night... on to game 2.

Kalus nets #1 as B's win in Ottawa 3-2

Decent all-around effort by the Bruins last night in getting their first win since March 15th. HUGE congrats to Petr Kalus for getting his first NHL goal to tie the game, just a minute before Chara scored his 11th to pull the B's ahead.

After getting the crap kicked out of them in practice the other day, the B's responded well. Based on their track record this season, in another game or two they'll regress and continue to give up the blue line, the slot, not get in front of the other net, etc. But with little to root for at this point besides a high lottery pick, we'll take Kalus getting his first and Joey MacDonald playing a good game.

Do you think Mac earned another start on Thursday? I'd like to think so, aside from the one bad game he had he's been surprisingly solid since getting picked up, so I say stick with him. Timmay could use the rest. Of course, doing something like that might make sense, so I doubt it'll happen :-)

Bergy had 1G-1A last night, so good to see him still trying. Like CJ said on the podcast, I don't think anyone would be surprised to see him disclose after the season that he's had more than just the one vague injury he's hinted about.

Kessel - another strong game IMO. The kid's going to be a gamer.

B's give up in 3rd, season is done.

Taking over 2 hours to get to Boston and then pay for parking: $20

2 hot dogs, 1 soda for dinner at Garden: $13

Watching the B's give up in the 3rd and give up on the season: &%$^%$^*##*&(@

It was brutally painful to sit in the New Garden last night and watch the Bruins (more specifically, their defense) give up on a 3-1 lead and essentially give up on the season. When it was 3-1, the B's were skating well. All it took was ONE FREAKING GOAL where TT stacked the pads and the rest of the team stood around admiring his work while Plekanic grabbed the rebound and scored from almost behind the net. Their confidence crumbled, their discipline crumbled, and that was that.

On the good side.... watching Kessel in person is fantastic. The kid is going to be GOOD. I mean, SCARY good. Especially if the Bruins can get guys to skate with him.

On the bad side... pretty much everything else. PK was pathetic, discipline was pathetic, the Scabs who complained they didn't want to muss up their mascara when Reich and Ference challenged them were pathetic, the fans throwing beers at 12 year olds were pathetic...

That's pretty much that. Time to start calling in those golf times, fellas. And we, the fans, can only hope this umbrella of ineptitude is finally lifted from this team next season.

Lottery pick, here we come!!!

Phil "The Closer" Kessel wins it in the SO 4-3

Gotta hand it to the B's tonight - down 3-0 (after a natural trick for Chris Clark) they stormed back and tied the game, and ended up winning 4-3 in the shootout.

Savvy had another 3 assists on the night, Patrice had 1G-1A in the game and also scored in the SO. And, of course, The Thrill won it in the SO, going last after Ovechkin (MAN CAN THAT GUY PLAY) scored.

Alberts had a fight, it's nice that he likes to go, I just wish he'd actually win a bout for a change.

Also, the powerplay - IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!

So, they got 2 points when they needed it, and they showed some cajones to come back and grab 'em. The points, that is. We'll see how things look at the end of this 4-game stretch with the Scabs and Rags, though.

A night of firsts as B's beat Devils 4-1

Another solid game for the second night in a row, as the B's beat the Devils on the road 4-1. A quick list of firsts:

• First win in net for the B's for Joey MacDonald (I was skeptical of his start, glad I was wrong!)
• First goal for the B's by Aaron Ward (just toss it at the net)
• First win against Brodeur in NJ in nearly THREE YEARS

Kessel had yet ANOTHER 2 point night, and is +5 in his last 2 games. Bochenski scored, again, and Chistov made a great play to set it all up. Glad to see those guys getting the ice time they deserve.

The Bruins D has been looking much better since that crappy Flyers game, and it was good to see everyone play hard. Although, they do get negative points for taking every single B's penalty (the old man York had 2 to hisself).

Ward was a team-high +3, and Chara and Bergy were both +2 (in addition to the entire Kessel line). Good to see those stats finally going up instead of down. Time-wise, Reich was the only B who saw less than 10 minutes of ice time. I still don't see how Mowers gets 22 shifts and Bochenski gets 13, I guess PK time makes the difference.

PODCAST - we'll be online tomorrow night. With the Devils game tonight, when we usually record the show, we figured we'd record tomorrow to be able to recap tonight as well.

BEER - I finally had Arrogant Bastard today. HOLY FRIGGIN' CRAP people, you have not lived until you have had The Bastard. If a Bud Light is your idea of a "good beer", don't waste your time, wuss.

B's & crowd beat Scabs 3-1

I'm going to say this right off the bat - when I make my annual pilgrimage to to Boston later this month for a B's-Scabs game, MAN I hope the crowd and game are like last night!!!

Much better game all around for the D in stifling the small but fast Scabs forwards. Montreal had 32 shots, but not very many of the dangerous "guaranteed goal" kind.

Great game by Kess, bumped up to the first line late in the game from centering the 4th line, he ended up with 2 helpers on the night.

Can someone please explain to me how Bochenski, averaging nearly a PPG since coming over from Chicago, scores a goal last night but still gets LESS ice time than Jeremy Reich??

Nice to see Tenkrat also score, his move up to the second line was another payoff. So there's 2 decent moves by Grady, and one continual stupid one.

Tired B's bomb/Kessel hurt/Toivo's future?

You hate to see the road trip end this way, but the B's were all just exhausted by last night's trouncing by the Panthers. TT was definitely not on his game (anyone else see this coming?) and Hannu finally saw some ice time - probably his last this season. More on that later.

Bergeron probably should've sat this one out too, but with Tenkrat out with an ankle injury, the B's also lost Donovan during the pre-game warmups, which pretty much forced Bergy to give it a go.

Kessel hurt his knee in the 3rd and didn't return. At this point (early Sunday AM) there's no word on any injury, and if there's a tweak, how bad it is.

The Globe reported this morning that Hannu will be sitting down with Chia to discuss "his future with the organization". Chiarelli is quoted as saying that he hasn't gotten any trade offers for Hannu. As I mentioned yesterday, with the acquisition of MacDonald from Detroit, I hope that Hannu goes back down to Providence and plays every single game. That's most likely the best thing to do at this point, and let MacDonald spell Thomas once in a great while so he doesn't completely break down. I still think that the B's should make a play for Giguere or Biron in the offseason, regardless of how much I love Timmay's competitive fire.

B's beat down TB 6-2

Another solid road game from the Bruins last night in Florida as they took it to the Bolts 6-2 in another game filled with timely offense from some guys who really needed to step it up.

Bochenski and Savard both had 3 point nights, Kessel and Boyes had 2pts each, and Chistov now has a 3 game point streak going.

Another solid game from Jeremy Reich - 4 shots and a fight in just over 12 mins of ice time, and nearly 2 goals on the same shift. Glad to see Chia didn't have to deal a prospect or a pick to start getting that sandpaper up front he wanted.

Kudos also to the defense for their solid play, I thought M-Stu had a decent, if unspectacular game while filling in for Alberts. He and York logged a good amount of time in the 3rd when the game was already well decided which will help keep the top two pairs rested for tonight's game.

Bergeron skated in the warmups, but elected not to play. He *might* go tonight against the Panthers, as Alberts is also a possibility. The Panthers have always been a thorn in the B's side this season (remember opening night?) and a B's win sends them home 5-1 on this road trip, and for sure makes them buyers at the deadline.

I say the B's from office hires all the team's dads as "special consultants" and sends them out on every road trip!

Interesting note - after the game Andre Roy was suspended by the league for 3 games due to abuse of the officials. Apparently he made a gesture or two after he got the roughing penalty with 22 seconds left in the game. So he'll be replaced by another failed Bruin, Kyle Wanvig. Interesting to see Tortorella lambasting the refs last night, so it's not just me who thinks the refs have been crap this season. Although I don't know what he was on about, since the power plays were pretty even.

TBR reader and podcast listener Dave M attended the game last night, and has some photos and a game report on the way. Look for those later on today!!!

B's beat (and beat on) Philly 6-3

Good overall game for the B's, as they fell behind at one point (2-1) but came right back and ended up taking the game 6-3.

Nice little bout between Mara and Richards in the second after some pushing and shoving in the first. Mara hasn't been afraid to defend himself and his teammates all season, boy I sure wish some OTHER defensemen weren't afraid to get physical.

Kudos all around to the B's skaters, including Tenkrat (2G), PJ (1G-1A), Savard (1G-2A), Kessel (2A and a FANTASTIC steal and rush on Tenkrat's second goal), and Sturm (1G, continuing his hot streak).

I thought that Timmy was way weak on the second goal - again with the immediate "drop to the knees" and that didn't allow him sideways movement when the puck went back to his left. But other than that, he was solid.

Dale Arnold on WEEI today said he'd be shocked if Sturm WASN'T traded as a rental. On the upside, he hasn't been hotter this season and his value is definitely high. On the downside, when he's not on a cold streak he's a great 2-way player and I hope that Chia has tried to make inroads to a contract with his agent. If not, then so be it, I hope we just get more for him than we did for Samsonov last year (Reasoner for a month, and the pick that turned into Milan Lucic).

B's lose to them Guylanders 4-1

The Bruins took it to the Guylanders for the most part, but in the 3rd they let NYI outskate and outhustle them, allowing them to score 3 goals in the latter half of the 3d period.

Muzz was back for this game and scored to tie the game at one, but Bergy was out with his "lower body injury" leaving Boyes and Kessel to both take turns at center.

Former Bruin farmhand Randy "Don't Make Fun of My Hair!" Robitaille scored two, including an empty netter. Too funny to see his picture at the end - he's BALD now. That should go as a lesson to you guys - don't frost and highlight your hair. A combination of ghey hair and smirking at guys who make fun of you for being an AHL punk will cause male pattern baldness. I wonder if former B's reject Andy Hilbert is the same.

(yes that was mean spirited, but I just HATE NY teams. All of them. Even the Giants now. Can't like a team with Eli Manning and Jeremy Shockey. But that's for another blog)

With the Scabs in free-fall mode (and losing Huet to injury) the Bruins NEED POINTS on this road trip if they think they can make a run at the #8 seed. Being out-worked for an entire period isn't going to cut it.

Phil "The Secret Weapon" Kessel ends it in the SO 3-2

Once again, the rookie wins the game in the SO on a fantastic backhand as the last shooter. Think he's got his legs and confidence since coming back? Awwwwwwwwww yeah.

Bochenski made Chiarelli look like a Hahvid wicked smahtie last night, scoring in an almost mirror image of the guy he was replacing in the lineup (Murray) with a nice shot from the slot. He also made a fantastic move in the SO, but *just* got the crossbar. Of course, let's temper our enthusiasm - Chistov and Tenkrat looked like absolute nuggets in their first games, too...

Kudos to Reich (who's name is apparently pronounced like "reach", not "rike" as I thought, thus ruining my nickname for him) for playing a smart, solid, head's up game in the corners, and taking on Ben Clymer and pounding on him. Solid, gritty player who can fight when needed, but can skate 7-8 minutes and not hurt the team? Yeah I'll take that.

Also kudos to Savard for his 2 assists. Keep 'em coming!

Inside Grady Lewis' mind....

Hey I've got some ideas, I betcha they'll be great. First of all, I'm going to dump Phil Kessel back to the fourth line. I know he's got a bunch of goals recently, and he's got a lot more jump in his step, so I think putting him on the 4th line and skating him 3 shifts per period will really help the team!!

I'm also not going to skate Milan Jurcina at all, so when he *does* get the rare shift, he's going to grip the stick so tight he's not going to be able to clear the puck. So this way, I can bench him again!

One other thing I'm thinking about, is if we're down a goal late in the game, and we pull Timmay and then get a power play for a 6-on-4, I'm going to put out guys who really don't score, like Donovan and Primeau. I'm totally confident they won't give away the puck and ruin any chances of setting up in their zone for a goal.

Yup, this is a guaranteed sure fire way to win!!!

(posted after yet another loss to the Sens, 3-1 this time)

The Thrill wins it in the SO, 5-4 over the Pens

When the first period ended, with the way Hannu was playing I figured the game was over. Luckily, he made some big stops when they were needed (making MORE stops and not letting in a freaking soft goal or two every game wouldn't hurt either) and the B's kept clawing back for the win.

Does everyone else agree that Kessel has kicked cancer in the ass, called it a dirty bitch, and sent it west having forgotten the face of it's father? I swear, if Grady Lewis drops him back to 4th line minutes I shall scream. 2G last game, an assist on the final tying goal tonight and the SO goal to win it all. Masterson Award winner right there.

Again, is Marc Savard slick or what? I'm still gunning for him as the better pickup over Chara, and to some, he might be this year's 7th Player. We all figured he was going to put up points, but did we think he was going to be THIS GOOD??

What's up with no Alberts or Jurcina in the 3rd? I didn't think they were bad, although I really don't think Milan is getting any better. Bobby Allen, if he can keep up this play, I think has earned the right to stay over Jason York.

And just for you select few who kept getting on my case about Sean Burke... he was claimed by the LA Kings today. So he's off the list :-)

It was like a car wreck

You know what I mean.... the carnage happens so fast you don't know what happened... and then before you can look away, you just start staring, and this tiny, sick part way deep inside of you wants to see *everything*.

Yeah, that was what tonight's 23-2 drubbing from the Leafs was like.

OK, so it was ONLY 10-2. That doesn't look so bad in comparison, does it?

Apparently the Bruins finally started listening when Grady Lewis kept getting on their cases about not skating for the last 20 minutes. Now, they're not skating for the last 40 minutes!!

I'll be here all week folks, try the veal, remember to tip your server.

Phil Kessel practiced with the team again. That is the only good news today.

Wow. I think I'm still shellshocked. They couldn't backcheck well, they couldn't pass, the PP was back to the PPPP, man they couldn't even start a fight out fo frustration when the game was out of hand. What was up with Jason York trying to attempt to fight someone who's old enough to be his youngest son? Sheesh.

Beer me. NOW.