Posted by Gayle Simone, Sun Staff
Wow, I miss talking about hockey! Did you guys miss me?
My focus has been completely on the Bruins, who returned home from their best February road trip (4-0-1) since 1996 to shut out the Division leading Ottawa Senators 4-0 on trade deadline day.
The Bruins stood "pat" and did not make a move on the final day trades were allowed in the NHL - but for me, I'm okay with that. I like what this team has to offer. While I don't think they are perfect and still have small holes, I just don't think giving up a lot of the youth and future would have been worth it. From what I understand Atlanta was asking way too much for the rental of Marian Hossa and let's be honest did anyone think that Brad Richards would waive his no-trade clause to come to Beantown? Nope, didn't think so.
I like the core, youth and coaching staff of this team. Youngsters Milan Lucic, David Krecji, Vladimir Sobotka and Mark Stuart have all chipped in during the team's many injuries and continue to make their presence known on the ice. Whether they were winning face offs, scoring goals, blocking shots, laying out some big hits and even clinching victories with shoot out goals, each one of them has contributed in some way.
How about Glen Metropolit? Was there anyone in Boston that thought the center would be contributing as much as he has with 11 goals and 16 assists? But more importantly it's been the penalty kill of Metropolit and PJ Axelsson that helps put the duo on the map. You want proof? Just look at the highlights from the Tampa Bay game on Feb. 23. On the penalty kill, Metropolit intercepted the puck at his own blue line and broke into the offensive zone while being hooked all the way to the net and not only did he have the presence of mind to drop the puck back, but Axelsson picked up the puck and slapped a goal past Johan Holmqvist to secure Boston's 5-3 win to end the road trip.
From Marc Savard, Zdeno Chara and Marco Sturm to Chuck Kobasew, Aaron Ward and Phil Kessel the Bruins have shown they can battle back from tough losses. In fact the longest losing streak was 6 games dating back to Dec. 18 - 29, which during that time it wasn't until the games on Dec. 22 and 23 that the Black and Gold suffered their first back-to-back regulation losses on the season. At that time in the season the Bruins were the only team to yet lose back-to-back games in regulation. Boston is currently riding a four game winning streak and look to extend it to five when they host the "new look" Penguins on Saturday for the matinee match up.
I may have blinders on when I look at this team, but the way the Bruins completed the road trip and dismantled the Senators Tuesday night, I have faith in this team. The defensemen were throwing their bodies in front of the net trying to capture the loose pucks and prevent Ottawa's powerhouse offense from getting good looks on second attempts - that's playoff hockey, not regular season hockey.
With 20 games left to play, I think this team knows what's at stake and they are not ready to collapse like they did last year. I honestly think this team has too much pride, desire and chemistry to allow that to happen.
Adding to the excitement of the recent successful road trip, good news came out of the Bruins practice facility - Patrice Bergeron had started skating on Sunday. Granted it was only for 10 minutes, but seeing the center on the ice for the first time since he suffered a Grade 3 concussion on Oct. 27, just the tenth game of the season, was such a great sight for this Bruins fan. Bergeron has upped his ice time to 20 minutes and looks forward to making it to 30 in the near future.
While no timeline has been given for Bergeron or even Andrew Alberts, also out with a concussion, to return to the team; both players have been on the ice recently and are making strides. As a fan, I want Bergeron and Alberts to take their time and not rush their rehabilitation. The team needs Bergeron no doubt, but they have been holding their own and sticking around in the playoff hunt. But honestly, what a big boost it would be for this team to have Bergeron return in time for the playoffs.
Told you I missed talking about hockey! What do you guys think? Should the Bruins have made a move at the trade deadline? Do they have what it takes to make the playoffs? If they do, how far will they go? Com'on I know you missed me ... let's talk some hockey!
Comments (5)
The B's are on a nice little run now which, I think, has put them in a good spot for making the postseason.
However, I think a guy like Marian Hossa is exactly what the team needed and the fact that Pittsburgh got him makes it tough for the B's to play in that class of teams - (Devils, Penguins, and probably Senators are the class of the East- everyone else is sort of lumped together).
The main problem I see with the B's (lack of goal scoring is #2) is the lack of a real shutdown playoff goalie. I like Thomas a lot but he's just not going to get the job done in a playoff series against someone like Brodeur, Cam Ward, Ryan Miller, Henrik Lundqvist, or even either of the two Ottawa goalies. Whomever the Pens put in net is also at least an equal of Thomas. Had they been able to go out and get Hossa or some other big gun I could see the goalie problem as a lot less of a problem. In the playoffs teams with a single scoring line tend to have very short runs...
In short- I could see them possibly winning a first-round series depending on who they have to play (I think they'd lose to Carolina if they had to play them in Rd 1 with the Canes having home ice).
As they can't beat Montreal the B's need to hope that the Habs don't beat out Ottawa for 1st in the division as that would be a NIGHTMARE round 1 opponent. I see them hanging with just about any team in rd 1 but unless they get the right matchup I think they'd lose in a fairly long series...
Posted by dboisver | February 28, 2008 11:01 AM
Posted on February 28, 2008 11:01
"Pride, Desire and Chemistry. Is it Enough?"
Is Jacobs still the owner? Then the answer is NO.
Posted by Legend Killer | February 28, 2008 4:37 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 16:37
Gayle I'm back to put my two cents in about the Bruins. Again while I may not be the biggest Hockey fan, it has been every enjoyable to watch the Bruins have the season that we have waited and hoped for! They have had good defense and Solid goaltending, but now their Offense are finally coming together with big wins over Ottawa and now the Penguins. Theres no telling how far the Black N Gold will take it this year. It's slowly becming NOT Just a three sport town again. Gayle I am gladly jumping on the Bruins bandwagon go B's...
Posted by Shappy | March 1, 2008 12:17 AM
Posted on March 1, 2008 00:17
It's all dependant on winning a playoff series. Do that, and the year's a success. Lose, or fail to qualify in the first place, and they're going to get ripped (rightfully so) for doing nothing at the trade deadline.
Would they have had more flexibility to get something done if they didn't have $4-mil tied up in Manny "Bad-Knee" Fernandez?
Posted by Teddy P. | March 1, 2008 2:31 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 14:31
Gotta give them their props for the big win vs the Pens although that game just goes to prove how BRUTAL a goalie Conklin is. Methinks Fleury just earned his job back just based on that game...
If they weren't going to go after a big name I would have liked to have seen a character veteran come in to allow them to sit guys like Reich out or send him to Providence- I don't see that guys like him add anything to the club.
I still don't see why they didn't use the salary exemption on Fernandez and/or Bergeron... Manny is obviously done and I can't see Patrice making it back before training camp...
Posted by dboisver | March 1, 2008 2:52 PM
Posted on March 1, 2008 14:52