tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23426656227510904362024-03-19T00:03:32.001-04:00Caveman Strong: A Boston Bruins BlogProviding occasionally insightful, often offensive, and compulsively homerish Boston Bruins commentary.The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-15008353533130655832010-01-15T08:20:00.006-05:002010-01-15T09:02:42.999-05:00West Coast Trip - Win One Lose OneTwo games out of three are out of the way on the Bruins west coast swing. All things considered, I'll take the results and I'm betting Claude Julien would agree.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />On Wednesday the Bruins fell 4-3 to the surging Anaheim Mighty Ducks (I still call them that, fuck Disney). Then, in what has to be one of the worst scheduling breaks of the season for any team, the banged up Bruins had to hop up to San Jose last night for a tilt against the NHL's best team (they finished the night tied with Chicago for the points lead). Oh yea, for those east coasters out there, SJ isn't a 45 minute flight from LA, its a real plane ride.<br /><br />The Bruins somehow managed to withstand a 42 shot barrage from the Sharks and thanks to Timmy and a flurry of good forechecking by, well...I don't know what the hell line they are anymore but - by the Whitfield-Paille-Thornton line, the Bruins snuck into a shootout where Chara bombed a slapshot 5 hole on Nabokov for the 2-1 win.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZbdmlBRsD40EHr5Qb-WWGiBfUCDI96khS2X45R5DpNRsBde67ls8it3agirqKs1qORWIoOCNab4WaTk1q5Q6Rxoj5sj1h-voknv69cGZyXclmt5paiqd5-_pcvnUIiRJgbKe9lgiO9M/s1600-h/chara+shootout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZbdmlBRsD40EHr5Qb-WWGiBfUCDI96khS2X45R5DpNRsBde67ls8it3agirqKs1qORWIoOCNab4WaTk1q5Q6Rxoj5sj1h-voknv69cGZyXclmt5paiqd5-_pcvnUIiRJgbKe9lgiO9M/s320/chara+shootout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426964279117855410" border="0" /></a><br />Chara logged something like 27 minutes of icetime last night and frankly, i don't know how he's going to be upright after the Olympics at this rate. I can't believe i'm saying this, but we need Mark Stuart like <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">Haiti needs purified water right now</a>. Fortunately, both appear to be on their way to their respective destinations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduVyYC1IR37F1zQ2ngm1ft0FEI8AsHD0leE2p1u2zN2WMHXQN7aWfYJxbuCqUIwaieRFP1O8iBxLwCKqasetHPbA8bCjxC0DohM9j3EQWQOmLLZpeiBx8BXs2uP9mPjqeMSZccchVHvI/s1600-h/Snake1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduVyYC1IR37F1zQ2ngm1ft0FEI8AsHD0leE2p1u2zN2WMHXQN7aWfYJxbuCqUIwaieRFP1O8iBxLwCKqasetHPbA8bCjxC0DohM9j3EQWQOmLLZpeiBx8BXs2uP9mPjqeMSZccchVHvI/s200/Snake1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426963135067701682" border="0" /></a><br />If the Bruins pull a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116225/">Kurt Russel</a> and snake their way out of LA on Saturday, they'll have managed 4 out of 6 points against 3 very solid teams in 4 days, all with a blatantly depleted roster.<br /><br />Paging Mr. Chiarelli - trade deadline is less than 6 weeks away. More thoughts on that later, especially since NESN seems to think the B's brass has interest in an aging <a href="http://twitter.com/MurphysLaw74/status/7597884545">PP specialist</a> with no PP goals this year (no, i'm not talking about Sergei Gonchar, we did that once). James Murphy...why the blank would we want an overpaid Sheldon Souray (3-9-12 in 30 games and no PPG)?<br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-87012868548100636682010-01-10T12:35:00.006-05:002010-01-10T14:12:05.720-05:00Bruins Flat - Handled by Rangers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3rpxilyWTk4SksAtLuCcl2vATGm3GZccSfksAHOie1Z33WSkhQLgLWe594ElYnq8dE1QMKnK6t4mHq5dVSJvT1RIwLlWJw-8VU_0sqYzZ_I8oIk_IlLwQHOsdoUHBH8xQPczj9M5bbs/s1600-h/Sturm.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3rpxilyWTk4SksAtLuCcl2vATGm3GZccSfksAHOie1Z33WSkhQLgLWe594ElYnq8dE1QMKnK6t4mHq5dVSJvT1RIwLlWJw-8VU_0sqYzZ_I8oIk_IlLwQHOsdoUHBH8xQPczj9M5bbs/s320/Sturm.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425190172056194066" border="0" /></a>As I watched the Ranger fans rise in excitement towards the end of the first period yesterday, it was instantly clear to me the Bruins were already on the ropes. Marco Sturm's missed penalty shot was the chance the young Bruins team had to grab momentum in this game - a chance that went right by the wayside. Despite only being down 1-0 at that point and outshooting the Rangers through the end of one period, the Bruins were a team on the ropes from the first faceoff yesterday and this will remain the case against most teams for the next few weeks.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Offense is key, and no doubt the absence of Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron is going to be front and center with every broadcast of a B's game over the next 2-4 weeks. The bigger problem this team faces though, is the lack of depth on the blueline. Last year, when Andrew Ference, Aaron Ward and Dennis Wideman missed extended periods of time, the Bruins were able to tap into a plethera of defensive reserves chomping at the bit down route 95 in Providence. Guys like Matt Hunwick stepped up and showed how deep the organization was in young, talented defenseman. This year? Not the case.<br /><br />As I witnessed firsthand yesterday, there is no Matt Hunwick or Matt Lashoff waiting in the wings this season to step up. All three goals in the Bruins 3-1 loss to the boys from NYC were a result of defensive lapses that can be specifically pinpointed to a young, inexperienced defensive corps. I'm betting if I told you at the start of the season that the Bruins' momentum in mid-season would be most jeopardized by the loss of Mark Stuart and Andrew Ference, you'd have laughed it off. But let's take a look at the replacements for these guys...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKae-NutbcCRciy_T5JdDKZjbpzHpXJyfj88j018zCGSigVr5_allF71jsAmPIFXdbYEGKHbj1rr3_MDWqLMELljDIjgzAEcEPi9lEyXElL5WJ1B2p1t_Gk-iMoFiweaVvqN0QXf_vi4/s1600-h/goal.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKae-NutbcCRciy_T5JdDKZjbpzHpXJyfj88j018zCGSigVr5_allF71jsAmPIFXdbYEGKHbj1rr3_MDWqLMELljDIjgzAEcEPi9lEyXElL5WJ1B2p1t_Gk-iMoFiweaVvqN0QXf_vi4/s200/goal.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425190922895331138" border="0" /></a><br />Johnny Boychuk - 24 career games played and personally responsible for the second goal last night. He made a number of mental mistakes giving up the puck in his own end or at the opposing blueline. Worst of all was his overreaction to a bump from Brandon Dubinsky in the second that led to Dubinsky scoring the second NY goal.<br /><br />Adam McQuaid - 5 career games played. McQuaid looked amazingly slow to the puck last night (worse than Mark Stuart, believe it or not) and is a -4 in these first 5 games.<br /><br />Now granted, Boychuk is promising offensively and set a franchise record with 66 points from the blueline for the P Bruins last year, but he's basically a bigger, slower Dennis Wideman with a harder shot. Good for offense, not so good for a team that is built on keeping the puck out of the net.<br /><br />Finally, when a pretty good team loses top players like Savard and Bergy, the other top players have to be playing at their peak, and guys like Chara simply were not yesterday. Z made a really poor decision pinching up on the first Ranger goal yesterday which left a 3 on 1 behind him down in the slot. This kind of breakdown kills a team that's already on the ropes.<br /><br />The Bruins need to weather the storm out west for a week or so now. How much water they take on is going to depend on these young d-men.</div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-23457758050662182632010-01-06T12:07:00.002-05:002010-01-07T19:20:43.265-05:00GNH: Bruins Impeach Senators<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hSIlvKmZPPosRjw0pJKNwAGFJBYGhClPBysN3j8UKWDXX076gZS8JGQ9HqpkJTnC76qJlUxCvnQwONjWtLK-bXj2m8bDRD8WpsnsB8t0FP15Ex387dmAd6F7441J4J6s8qd01j4R-_2E/s1600-h/Godless+killing+machine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hSIlvKmZPPosRjw0pJKNwAGFJBYGhClPBysN3j8UKWDXX076gZS8JGQ9HqpkJTnC76qJlUxCvnQwONjWtLK-bXj2m8bDRD8WpsnsB8t0FP15Ex387dmAd6F7441J4J6s8qd01j4R-_2E/s320/Godless+killing+machine.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424157259425083186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">B's score early, often</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wheeler stops being a bitch</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sens still can't beat Tim </div><div> </div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-62747794416256522982010-01-04T11:05:00.003-05:002010-01-04T11:13:19.941-05:00Winter Classic Photo's<div style="text-align: justify;">I want to tell you all about the Winter Classic (what i remember of it) but for now, i only have time to show you some pictures.<br /><br />I was in section 37, row 7, seat 17. Here's what it looked like just before the puck dropped. Now go ahead and imagine watching the game from there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEjS10LqfCB-cgt9666CosLEvaXgF1DT7T3l0oxOGdx70Y3tDkBRIYkoPCItSdQzyv6wOGCMkldZoqm0XVOol4FjyRQv7mobQ_gDl4U3UmkS6YOaXkDYEmoCqLZqbJ6uucFEF5UYIU0M/s1600-h/vantage+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEjS10LqfCB-cgt9666CosLEvaXgF1DT7T3l0oxOGdx70Y3tDkBRIYkoPCItSdQzyv6wOGCMkldZoqm0XVOol4FjyRQv7mobQ_gDl4U3UmkS6YOaXkDYEmoCqLZqbJ6uucFEF5UYIU0M/s320/vantage+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422918069130719458" border="0" /></a>Here's me and the fiance after the first period (we weren't losing yet)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSp5aSRAjLwh7q0qaPn56P14p-7POXYRpd9apg7mg4q1p6trYpImYI8on-3B02MQ6vfb6qzr23_QKD0q4_WpuejHuOQRkplotOzVDa0OkOa4fSFY2U0Phv69oYkuTYuBVvicaMCyU08U/s1600-h/classic+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSp5aSRAjLwh7q0qaPn56P14p-7POXYRpd9apg7mg4q1p6trYpImYI8on-3B02MQ6vfb6qzr23_QKD0q4_WpuejHuOQRkplotOzVDa0OkOa4fSFY2U0Phv69oYkuTYuBVvicaMCyU08U/s320/classic+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422918073406122754" border="0" /></a>More to come later!<br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-7257361769803298852010-01-01T10:52:00.005-05:002010-01-01T11:14:37.419-05:00Atlanta Brings the JV Goalie, Loses 4-0<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13dnYjyTPFn25aELxgvcTzJ8ze2_-UBZhUP1SQZIbSvf_mRKssSisRrvNnyLHC4WwhNKAeJ1fetZHXtJYuJXqNiU79oFdc3Mwc8VLQC6U6_T1GaWMDtX3rSpoPBUfZ6ThFp6f0G9Q-jMx/s1600-h/Pavelec.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13dnYjyTPFn25aELxgvcTzJ8ze2_-UBZhUP1SQZIbSvf_mRKssSisRrvNnyLHC4WwhNKAeJ1fetZHXtJYuJXqNiU79oFdc3Mwc8VLQC6U6_T1GaWMDtX3rSpoPBUfZ6ThFp6f0G9Q-jMx/s400/Pavelec.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421805420698121074" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">B's fire up scoring</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Chase Pavelec once again</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tuuk leads the boys home </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-48063953545662318542009-12-22T10:50:00.002-05:002009-12-22T11:30:42.450-05:00B's Salvage .500 Road Trip<div style="text-align: justify;">Technically, the Bruins come home .500 on this latest road trip, having gone 1-1-1. The recent trip is easy to see-saw on. On one hand, you had a decent showing against the best team in the Western Conference on the road and lost on a night where the defense was hampered by injury playing back-back games. Then to rebound, they corrected their mistakes (better neutral zone play, capitalized on scoring chances) and beat a divisional foe that was ahead of them in the standings 2-0. Not bad. <br /><br />The flip side is that you went 0-2-2 before the Ottawa win last night and continue to show a lack of offense against weaker foes (2 goals combined against TOR/OTT makes NO sense at all). <br /><br />Bergeron and Krejci are practically carrying the team at this point and that's NOT a good sign when you look at their half decent numbers: <br /><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bergeron 9-18-27 +5; Krejci 7-12-19 -1. </span><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those aren't blowing anyone's hair back...and they are first and third respectively in team scoring. So we need what we've needed since day one this year: More production from the top 6 forwards. The Bruins have scored just 90 goals this year (only the Hurricanes have fewer) and last night, Marco Sturm netted his 10th of the year to become the first Bruin with double digits in the goal column. So how are we six games over .500? We've allowed the 5th fewest goals, as well. Despite Thomas' struggles, we're a +3 in goal differential. <br /><br />I'm not breaking any new ground here, i recognize, but it goes to the heart of the matter to note that this Boston team is capable of bigger things. Are they a cup contender as comprised right now? No. But can they compete for the division and remain a top 6 team through to the deadline in February? Absolutely, so long as the offense comes around. <br /><br />Up next: 3 straight against the Southeast (Atlanta, tomorrow at 7pm is up first). <br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-5788860685482033562009-12-12T17:26:00.002-05:002009-12-13T18:55:08.547-05:00Guest Spot - First Quarter Awards<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwheMHgzNragIQ4HZGXxDTgdlczD2MFCrQvv-gMOSVtqvzDYif_76KyjvtRDIzd0GAMa7sGJtTsHbz1m_nMnKnFOse2PFr2j_8NPmHbRAfrTVaAyl9B0ube7_uWZWKj1W1l9HnE2T2cJq/s1600-h/trophy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwheMHgzNragIQ4HZGXxDTgdlczD2MFCrQvv-gMOSVtqvzDYif_76KyjvtRDIzd0GAMa7sGJtTsHbz1m_nMnKnFOse2PFr2j_8NPmHbRAfrTVaAyl9B0ube7_uWZWKj1W1l9HnE2T2cJq/s320/trophy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414869323878462386" /></a><div style="margin: 1ex;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Guest writer Tony Cappuccino gives us a quarter-post awards and prediction column, below...</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">The Boston Bruins swept through the NHL Awards Banquet in Las Vegas last summer: Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara and Claude Julien all took home hardware (as well as a Jennings Trophy that the slightly-less deserving Manny Fernandez also had a share of). Just beyond the quarter post of the 2009-2010 NHL Season, Caveman takes a look at how that awards ceremony would unfold were it held this evening. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender): Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres</b></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA8l3EFxixsOI6U69_36T7mxkQeKoZF-aQOZYqao2ZXQ0fkXkH3S2e0Yby6emHxdAnPcPFFZ2u1JBMMGzW08Y7xtryJBTajjiwUpWgwTs61gtnO9QSJ53v8gFiBUp8xjo323xIV4GNbgC/s200/BuffaloLogo+with+sabre.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 169px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414873514294042034" /> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While</span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Marty Brodeur’s pursuit of every mark in the goaltending record book has taken center stage </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">this season, Ryan Miller has quietly pieced together a masterful first quarter to the 2009-2010 campaign. He is currently first in save percentage (.935) and goals against average (1.90), second in shutouts (3) and third in wins (16). All of this while 10</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> among goalies in Time Played, and little defensive help. Miller has single-handedly led the Sabres to a Northeast Division lead for much of the first few months of the season, and is surely giving all USA Hockey fans some excited jitters in what is proving to be an exceptional run up to the Olympics in February. Ryan Miller is the clear winner of the quarter-pole Vezina</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></span></span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">Finalists: Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes (17-8-1, 1.99GAA, .925 Save percentage; Responsible for backstopping the rise of the Coyotes), Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (Setting records on a weekly basis with no signs of slowing; 18 wins are first in the NHL. 2.11GAA, .922 save percentage, and pacing the Devils to first place in the NHL-best Atlantic Division).</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>Calder Trophy (Best Rookie): Jon Tavares, F, New York Islanders</b></span></p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6StPKUdFdUoJ4XvybGTJmHYWSsSUbR15Q_sohXcs6s_DfRSBQElCsEobzolWeLXMjxzSna3M8AG13-toc3iPa9XCohKFW44a8h7b-rmjdyvNMjDyVw8Dd9Jp3ot-9FRrV9N2eF0AsES4/s200/john_tavares.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 195px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414870068731652658" /><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">The number one overall pick in Jon Tavares has more than lived up to his billing on Long Island, easily securing the Calder Trophy at this point in the season. Tavares l</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">eads all rookies in games played, goals, points, and his six power play goals—also first among rookies—have reinvigorated the Islander power play. More importantly, Tavares has injected life and competition into a bottom-dwelling franchise. One could argue that the Islanders are suffering from Penguins disease—pick high enough in the draft for years on end and you’re bound to win a few games eventually—but Tavares is proving to be a very special player who will be the identity of this hockey club for years to come.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">Finalists: James vanRiemsdyk, F, Philadelphia Flyers (Stake rose early with Philadelphia’s success, and Philly’s struggles correspond with his droughts; Leads all rookies with 13 assists), Simeon Varlamov, G, Washington Capitals (Exceptional numbers: 12-1-2, 2.21GAA, .924 Save percentage, but can’t win the award while splitting time with Jose Theodore). </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman): Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks</b></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR8POOg0Gk89pgrF-P_32z6a3TEJEuklJQCezVwfCFPcx4pzY26ptrf0fQ2TAnplgdayvaFpNoRK_HMQLuNNYuTUNN4EC-ZuJKW2p0ex1VWCWK6qrkkvhvpa2cAfyNtUbJadYKB4uj3NO/s200/Duncan+Keith+shot.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414870402023500514" /> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">The Norris Trophy is less of a numbers game than the other awards, and Duncan Keith will be glad for that. Despite not being much of an offensive power—a respectable 5-18—23—Keith is the rock on a defensive corps that </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">was tasked with solidifying shaky goaltending this season. The results have been nothing less than outstanding—command of first place in the Central Division, just 64 goals against in 28 games, and a 13-year contract extension for Keith. In a tight contest, Duncan Keith emerges as the quarter season Norris winner.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">Finalists: Mike Green, Washington Capitals (Defensive lapses becoming fewer; Again excusable for outstanding offensive numbers—5-25—30 in 29 games; Team’s success largely driven by Gre</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">en’s ability to move the puck), Dan Boyle, San Jose (Outstanding defensive player dominates all facets of the game; Leads NHL in TOI (26+ minutes per game), third in points among defensemen (25), best defenseman on the NHL’s best team at this point in the season).</span></p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbGad6Jx83-e2WheHCY_N9uVSx9V5wEIm-nlqx_t0rjKR6YFjHEJTaqB72FLsPB54kVF0WQYSvZouz-FqHSIpDiwxM8Rt2h1RKCXleAKbuK6Wen05nCRRuIKcwmDNNUkCmMVyo3AcgDaO/s200/Joe+Sacco.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414871091891611154" /><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>Jack Adams Trophy (Best Coach): Joe Sacco, Colorado Avalanche</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">First-year coach Joe Sacco has returned the Colorado Avalanche to prominence after a noticeable and embarrassing absence from the upper echelons of the Western Conference. Second only to San Jose at this point in the season, Sacco has made use of young players incredibly well, and has finally extracted performance from his goaltenders—a problem that has plagued the team since the lockout. A familiar set of names prowls the bench alongside Sacco—Sylvain Lefebrve, Adam Deadmarsh, Jocelyn Thibault, and Steve Konowalchuk—and all deserve equal credit in earning Sacco the quarter mark Jack Adams.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">Finalists: Dave Tippett, Phoenix Coyotes (A close second to Sacco; Has led team from off-season</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"> public embarrassment to a playoff seed in the loaded Western Conference; Makes excellent use of talented and young players), Jacques Lemaire, New Jersey Devils (Same face, different year; In the league’s toughest division and again losing star players through free agency, Lemaire oversees a monster of a franchise whose identity comes and goes with Marty Brodeur; First in the Eastern Conference, and a franchise record for consecutive wins on the road (10).)</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP): Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres</b></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSsBiv5kmHnKa9wExMcqr_rxFfv_jqXz5jbhroKNeWmvQeDK1aK9Hc9eTWQz7Y7wYb-njIE9u8Xayj9CiVJvihiLwOxAKkuRkTzPf1q0Ig1D9-BRbvTDWrBNHZiAtcB-PFze9UID7tFLl/s200/miller_ryan_sabres.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414871766440617170" /> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">In my opinion, the MVP trophy too often goes to the league’s best player. Generally, the player makes those around him better, but rarely does the MVP go it alone. In other words, if you could possibly vote for two players on the same team for MVP, then neither is the MVP (see Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, et al). Therefore, for the reasons mentioned above for his Vezina-winning performance, Ryan Miller is the Hart winner at the quarter mark. Miller has little defensive help, and the Sabres are far from an offensive powerhouse (73 goals for is second lowest in the conference in futility on to Carolina). Miller’s contribution to the team’s 62 goals against (second best only to Brodeur’s defensive-minded Devils) is the only reason for the team’s success in the early going.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">Finalists: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings (Leading the resurgent Kings—just four points behind San Jose---by jumping out to an early season NHL-points lead; Since fallen to 7<sup>th</sup> with 14-21—35 numbers, 15 power play points, Ryan Smyth’s 23 points are second on the team.), Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers (The oft-injured Gaborik is the steal of the off-season for the Rangers; 21-17—38 in just 27 games; Second in team time-on-ice, first among forwards; team struggles at defensive end continue, but Gaborik is lone answer to offensive problems).</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>If the playoffs started today:</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>1) Washington def. 8) Montreal 1) San Jose def. 8) Dallas</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>2) New Jersey def. 7) Ottawa 2) Colorado def. 7 ) Nashville</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>3) Boston def. 6) Ottawa 3) Chicago def. 6) Phoenix</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>5) Atlanta def. 4) Buffalo 4) Calgary def. 5) Los Angeles</b></span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>1) Washington def. 5) Atlanta 1) San Jose def. 4) Calgary</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>2) New Jersey def. 3) Boston 3) Chicago def. 2) Colorado</b></span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>2) New Jersey def. 1) Washington 1) San Jose def. 3) Chicago</b></span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"><b>1) San Jose def. 2) New Jersey</b></span></p> </div> </div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-63732450831086924782009-12-02T21:30:00.002-05:002009-12-02T21:42:16.289-05:00Bruins Score Early and Often, Take Down Bolts 4-1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_-VDMuWwXRlXL9TLkvTx-ehGOdJI2BNloFI4V9ztraqptScqhrLkYhz38WywFO6xxh5L3S_MzQ7G5z4dRL1ufomYwGEObbvw7D8HvegE3EjZcGYdjkyVJbYm4lb2NOFSx2W4tkbNkYsL/s1600-h/asleepatcomputer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_-VDMuWwXRlXL9TLkvTx-ehGOdJI2BNloFI4V9ztraqptScqhrLkYhz38WywFO6xxh5L3S_MzQ7G5z4dRL1ufomYwGEObbvw7D8HvegE3EjZcGYdjkyVJbYm4lb2NOFSx2W4tkbNkYsL/s400/asleepatcomputer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410834512896399602" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bloggers ignore blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">B's start to play real hockey</div><div style="text-align: center;">lets keep it rolling</div>The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-58107757124390959042009-12-01T11:41:00.002-05:002009-12-01T11:43:31.992-05:00Savvvvvvvvy Move<div style="text-align: center;">In the words of my brother:<br /><br />"Calling all associates: Price check on Ilya Kovalchuk, that's a price check on Ilya Kovalchuk in aisle 'boston playoff push'"!!!<br /><br />Bruins just inked Marc Savard to a 7 year extension averaging 4.2 million a year!!!<br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-17791015240680247762009-11-20T09:05:00.008-05:002009-11-20T09:21:22.423-05:00Three Stars - Bruins slip past Thrashers 4-3 in SOInstead of a Haiku, i'm gonna give a quick "Three Stars" out for last night's game. We won't talk about the fact that i haven't posted in two weeks despite having attended both the Buffalo and Pittsburgh wins, because like David Krejci, I've been swined for the last 5 days.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Third Star - Michael Ryder<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomCXKP212n-nYjaLGPa2AALVoXczNIeu0h3xYuic5h-_TpqzWMJJsKtNHOIRKd6pw_ZS8jRhZ0tMdXoCRzstGrYxlqTumImBSa-7URUkgLh-24KuZC326urMsoviZ8fhdoWzAJYZ0c3I/s1600/ryder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomCXKP212n-nYjaLGPa2AALVoXczNIeu0h3xYuic5h-_TpqzWMJJsKtNHOIRKd6pw_ZS8jRhZ0tMdXoCRzstGrYxlqTumImBSa-7URUkgLh-24KuZC326urMsoviZ8fhdoWzAJYZ0c3I/s200/ryder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406190366514665202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Look, much has been made of Ryder's prowess for not finding twine this year. I think we forget that he started slow last season too. But two goals last night, including a very important bounce back goal at the end of the second that by all rights saved the game for us by virtue of slowing ATL's momentum? That's a good step forward.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Second Star - Daniel Paille<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4xrtrlxx35nwTfRCDwell-7IPJ-tP_ObLStzhJllVOvUyQLXx_jre-woxII6Oqv2Ks6XV0OZzqNTyvC7qQWHmC5_srqry2T0rBPmSgfckC0-XQkr-_mlf2VSvj5lmLBk7g7whDaB_EM/s1600/paille.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4xrtrlxx35nwTfRCDwell-7IPJ-tP_ObLStzhJllVOvUyQLXx_jre-woxII6Oqv2Ks6XV0OZzqNTyvC7qQWHmC5_srqry2T0rBPmSgfckC0-XQkr-_mlf2VSvj5lmLBk7g7whDaB_EM/s200/paille.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406190232133805986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm growing more and more impressed with the younger, cheaper and faster Chuck Kobasew. Props to Chiarelli for seeing that the lack of goal scoring in Buffalo was irrelevant when lined up against this guy's speed and <span style="font-style: italic;">tenaciousness</span>. Yea, i went there. His <span style="font-style: italic;">tenaciousness</span> (oooo) really shines on the PK, where i shit you not, he's played a huge part in the Bruins suddenly having the #3 ranked kill in the league. More of the same last night - every time we broke up a play, it felt like he was there.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First Star - Tuukka Rask<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3epVcYAIEb71G-7khnFMy6M_iLunjpm9waGFTsxx2MtB22TdANu-B52efcnvahVPRofRKhiu6HsQ7qvB17CUIkBXW6m0cJ7sxSSlOaIjBAKlbWzTpKx5f73iuhSXCc-wWLEsK3AsBqs/s1600/rask.jpg.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3epVcYAIEb71G-7khnFMy6M_iLunjpm9waGFTsxx2MtB22TdANu-B52efcnvahVPRofRKhiu6HsQ7qvB17CUIkBXW6m0cJ7sxSSlOaIjBAKlbWzTpKx5f73iuhSXCc-wWLEsK3AsBqs/s200/rask.jpg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406190078137596658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't care that he gave up three goals. The kid has minimal experience starting on the road and turned in a great performance against a hot team and one of the most gifted goal scorers in the NHL. He gave up a tip in, a screen bomb (from Ilya) and a traffic goal to Maxim the Magazine. Anyone gives those up. NOT anyone makes the saves he did in the shootout and NOT anyone makes the glove save he did in the second. Well done.<br /><br />On to first place Buffalo tonight. After tomorrow morning, i'll free up for alot more posting so check back.<br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-33015419059345767202009-11-08T11:22:00.005-05:002009-11-08T11:31:57.939-05:00Bruins knock off 1st place Sabres, 4-2<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm betting the Bruins feel about like DJ Qualls' character once did...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4xpq1fipPyp5HfpjeI0W3-XGOnopCZf63MS1e_rjhGhPs9Z7JmCf-Oq722XSG1_6FbwmcmwmDPIEVTtDt3mC4gZFlJOW-Rp5cQp5COERA8xE1vU4xzXRIfXrJB_JmvOP8x7JIKKUhDw/s1600-h/DJ-Qualls-Road-Trip.4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4xpq1fipPyp5HfpjeI0W3-XGOnopCZf63MS1e_rjhGhPs9Z7JmCf-Oq722XSG1_6FbwmcmwmDPIEVTtDt3mC4gZFlJOW-Rp5cQp5COERA8xE1vU4xzXRIfXrJB_JmvOP8x7JIKKUhDw/s200/DJ-Qualls-Road-Trip.4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401769438594306402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I had sex last night, with a GIRL."<br /></div><br />OK, Congratulations boys. You finally got bounces (literally, in the case of the first goal). The whole idea of quality in addition to quantity came to fruition last night and resulted in a win over a very solid Buffalo team in front of some excellent goal-tending from Tuukka Rask.<br /><br />Let's remember one thing though: the powdered sugar has been wiped off this win by Ryan Miller's absence from the game and the presence of a Horatio Sanz-like Jhonas Enroth in net for the Sabres. When your first real offensive outburst in two weeks comes against a guy who's making his NHL debut and looked clearly to be unnerved by the circumstances, you need to temper your excitement.<br /><br />As a wise man once said, "let's not start sucking each other's dicks just yet".Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-24401166459599617662009-11-05T21:39:00.005-05:002009-11-06T08:41:49.097-05:00Bruins Lose in SO, Narrowly Avoid Historically Bad Shut-Out Streak<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4yphPiZE1bO3hRorDwDyPCBxtivGCh842uB_X6_AVBLuMGDhLkL0lZzabALt0WSClQM-89QXycED2Z8Pmuq4oJMT3Lbdj98picZDh3BJdf1runAeXnjixNUzQU0oqaujJkaIVGjlv4EL/s1600-h/Timmy+Robs+Gionta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400814873157729362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4yphPiZE1bO3hRorDwDyPCBxtivGCh842uB_X6_AVBLuMGDhLkL0lZzabALt0WSClQM-89QXycED2Z8Pmuq4oJMT3Lbdj98picZDh3BJdf1runAeXnjixNUzQU0oqaujJkaIVGjlv4EL/s400/Timmy+Robs+Gionta.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On a night that saw the Boston Bruins dominate the scoring chances department, it was this save that kept the B's in it tonight at a critical moment in the second period. Sure, they lost the game. But is anyone else just happy they scored a fucking goal? The Bruins are in sad state of affairs, to be sure.<br /><br />No one could finish tonight and that proved to be their undoing. The Habs took advantage of the one real bad mistake the Bruins D made at their blue line and sure enough it ends up being enough to get them into a shootout, and eventually the win.<br /><br />So, there's your silver lining: they played better than they have and score A goal. One. That's it. Wheeee.<br /><br />Oh, and I think Maxim Lapierre has taken over as my most hated player on the Habs. That guy is a douche.The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-28817854244568280902009-11-05T10:54:00.004-05:002009-11-05T11:00:23.034-05:00The Matrix Has Swine Flu<div>Peter Chiarelli announced today that David Krejci has been diagnosed with everyone's favorite new communicable disease, H1N1. I personally know 4 peple who've had it and according to them, is sucks. Let's just say you lose a few pounds and get, eh, dehydrated. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>There is a little bit of news media covering this disease too, so if you need more information make sure to watch any channel, at any point during the day.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Looks like he's out about a week and please for the love of god keep him away from the rest of the team. Just in time for the Habs tonight, too. Excellent!</div><div> </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400649148043326306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72-XJSt-GJBjUDwXDEe1OHQ-z7Lm6amx-1o5t4zrdkdDSUgq8Ss5Ch4lKZXsUwmkrNyQz62QczIYjzaFvKYcS1PnWxRcnOo_OaYzJHVR5IBvuUsMdAb9F5SC2Za6qkkEhtsxDwBwaMZ5j/s320/swine-flu-csi.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-54412587970008398432009-11-03T21:31:00.004-05:002009-11-03T21:54:35.097-05:00Numbers That Make Me Puke<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvpJrA2aP5KycadbyUHGde-RpuCTxRBG2b2EoYZQtTbPhQMOR1yyZwRrhA0Pn9Rg3oIKmAmLzGoXUBKQPC39RoGRkcoLPH_c0LTqGgzWOQXnfMw7aName6AGXbvqCqOey7dUVFqEcqnML/s1600-h/Kill+me+now%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvpJrA2aP5KycadbyUHGde-RpuCTxRBG2b2EoYZQtTbPhQMOR1yyZwRrhA0Pn9Rg3oIKmAmLzGoXUBKQPC39RoGRkcoLPH_c0LTqGgzWOQXnfMw7aName6AGXbvqCqOey7dUVFqEcqnML/s320/Kill+me+now%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400076229792090882" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">02:12:58 - Time played since the last Bruins goal.<br /><br />0.0512 - Power-play conversion over the past 12 games.<br /><br />12 - Times I screamed "Fuuuck!" throughout tonight's game.<br /></div>The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-32491520097467791842009-11-01T17:24:00.004-05:002009-11-01T17:41:52.212-05:00Bruins Lose Right on the Heels of Yet Another 'Maybe They Figured it Out' Win<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvWqQcpkCOs6VNn7AiXFpzPecREEbpJLJn8wZCciI9ZMDUA632XfZtcEFH7PPdTAhJKONK_MYUCDjt-Ga6bfG757YKk1IC-uSFnV_eRginzXaFjVzeA5UhvcNtFyrOhItQhq8Zdbbn0sk/s1600-h/MotivationalPoster-+See-saw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvWqQcpkCOs6VNn7AiXFpzPecREEbpJLJn8wZCciI9ZMDUA632XfZtcEFH7PPdTAhJKONK_MYUCDjt-Ga6bfG757YKk1IC-uSFnV_eRginzXaFjVzeA5UhvcNtFyrOhItQhq8Zdbbn0sk/s400/MotivationalPoster-+See-saw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399266460104288626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAe8C6Z342BT4jTgGxbccBZQJSeiQmbYRElxenuRIvQB9NIcQlYUiGwPwLsEThMrGkH3CHewcH9FdwA3UL9A0UOxLXaVXfe5-LtRgX76GydV6QSwCaugvBcTQImGFgYyVZwWY_0hp0Km3/s1600-h/MotivationalPoster-+See-saw.jpg"><br /></a>The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-74288146820378854962009-11-01T11:25:00.004-05:002009-11-01T14:25:47.238-05:00Game Notes Haiku: On the Upswing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrwEfsQSiBqe1_7qzzKW_UoiWp_KwlLjtrchyV26mEXtEsYtopSkKhsNpehF8SHMJyf9HThjlQZySSI7gPVjO9Jur25CjoCMvfYtJTBynB2nUARSDXSYXHJf3qODr26-PpFgVeyhavapt/s1600-h/oilers+game+celebration.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 443px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrwEfsQSiBqe1_7qzzKW_UoiWp_KwlLjtrchyV26mEXtEsYtopSkKhsNpehF8SHMJyf9HThjlQZySSI7gPVjO9Jur25CjoCMvfYtJTBynB2nUARSDXSYXHJf3qODr26-PpFgVeyhavapt/s320/oilers+game+celebration.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399218551028575250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Depth begins to show<br />The boys are becoming men<br />Tuukka does the rest<br /><br /><br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-30505344784587830912009-10-30T11:22:00.007-04:002009-10-30T12:06:15.248-04:00Next! The Hated Oilers of my childhood<div style="text-align: justify;">Who here remembers 1990? I do. That was the all time most memorable season of Bruins hockey in my lifetime. I remember individual games from that year like people their kid's Christenings. Not to mention the fact that the whole season was burned into my brain over and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hC8hJnJwYldcDbxsRI1ixPQLPH4BSHinL761UtKjJ3VLLVygMFyZZSV9bHZgGQuPEc5FNFH9_Ca5pAZsw_dtEe9-buPnhOlzyAbGGuCqcibTPnR9MWuDBdSguuUx4aYGpzRp4bmgo_Y/s1600-h/petrklima2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hC8hJnJwYldcDbxsRI1ixPQLPH4BSHinL761UtKjJ3VLLVygMFyZZSV9bHZgGQuPEc5FNFH9_Ca5pAZsw_dtEe9-buPnhOlzyAbGGuCqcibTPnR9MWuDBdSguuUx4aYGpzRp4bmgo_Y/s200/petrklima2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398420060758093618" border="0" /></a>over again by the immortal <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170499/">"Reach for the Stars"</a> video, narrated by the one and only Michael J Fox (yes, i mention this at least three times a season). That season was ended by a sweep in the cup finals at the hands of the then Gretzky-less Edmonton Oilers and highlighted by one of the most heartbreaking finishes to a game in Boston sports history. Petr Klima's triple OT winner will forever stain my brain like a lemon party.<br /><br />So, let's get past last night's loss to a team that's 6-0 on the road this year (gulp) and move on to tomorrow's Halloween tilt with a team that i hate as much as my cohort hates the Devils (we've been over that recently).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BMEFWS1KTNCt4piTXsZ1x9Ne2Ict2BrHY6YT-5VnEMvSw4TMWTYY8LsptP85rJgVBc2YjPMFm7MdvxLaegfiWip88IrfCr4YAFtpbhZ7NDQMDsAAGTikDs6ech5oiXAtB_2l1LG2Css/s1600-h/ea-sports-nhl-10-zack-stortini.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BMEFWS1KTNCt4piTXsZ1x9Ne2Ict2BrHY6YT-5VnEMvSw4TMWTYY8LsptP85rJgVBc2YjPMFm7MdvxLaegfiWip88IrfCr4YAFtpbhZ7NDQMDsAAGTikDs6ech5oiXAtB_2l1LG2Css/s200/ea-sports-nhl-10-zack-stortini.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398419421750454258" border="0" /></a><br />The Oilers come in to town on the heels of a 6-5 SO win over the Red Wings last night, at home, in which they led 5-1 in the second period. Let's just note - this team can be scored on. Also fun is the inclusion of Zach Stortini (pictured, right, in a rendering from NHL '10) who is single-handedly helping them average over 14 PIM per outing. I hope Shawn-O takes a few knuckles to his face tomorrow.<br /><br />The more i think about it, the more i love the way we played last night. Guys like Sobotka and Bitz really played good hockey consistently throughout the night. Sometimes the puck just doesn't go in for you.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Finally, a special treat, courtesy of my brother, is the below Jack-O-Lantern (in honor of Jack Edwards, of course). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF34nFOHpMZhY4l3boNYTQ4qddw0ntzCx0gMIZYP3MRXRK-mmZWYFhvLFiTS8EWyE4q90fjQ17JlWqJlPwgmfNGRWuAChgQ8v-RID_VtskazvE0YxPzg7oFOmmmGpZipC3BwpfSkxkWw/s1600-h/pumpkin+B.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF34nFOHpMZhY4l3boNYTQ4qddw0ntzCx0gMIZYP3MRXRK-mmZWYFhvLFiTS8EWyE4q90fjQ17JlWqJlPwgmfNGRWuAChgQ8v-RID_VtskazvE0YxPzg7oFOmmmGpZipC3BwpfSkxkWw/s200/pumpkin+B.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398424642284890898" border="0" /></a></div></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-89522921802875578152009-10-29T19:37:00.006-04:002009-10-29T21:23:45.371-04:00In Game: Bruins/Devils<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcj3ekcGhNXXnunuacaBYhf29gH3KVbJZsPJd9chLlTlJMmvta4figpeM5pZqWKbquLztaP2Hb5DiH1dcNLgRKNBE_E-LueKqIiU4EmExQM1uRgD7g5eD4Co0wPrNJRDsuP-MKd9IQwo8/s1600-h/devils_suck.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcj3ekcGhNXXnunuacaBYhf29gH3KVbJZsPJd9chLlTlJMmvta4figpeM5pZqWKbquLztaP2Hb5DiH1dcNLgRKNBE_E-LueKqIiU4EmExQM1uRgD7g5eD4Co0wPrNJRDsuP-MKd9IQwo8/s320/devils_suck.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398179794801951234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I feel like giving some end-of-period, in game thoughts tonight, so you are the beneficiary of those.<br /><br />After a period of play the Devils hold a 1-0 lead which, frankly, doesnt at all represent the way play went in that first 20 minutes. Outside of the last 60 seconds, it really felt like the Bruins took a lot of aggressive and smart play to the Devils, keeping the puck in the NJ end for most of the game so far. Unfortunately, a bad decision by Shawn Thornton who was covering for a step up by Andrew Ference led to a three on one and a goal for the Devils.<br /><br />What was really encouraging was our fore check and puck control in the offensive zone both even strength and on the PP. The Devils play a collapsing form of defense and this places the oweness on the offense to have awareness of open areas and quickly move the puck there to capitalize on excess space left by collapsing defenders. If you can also join this with a physical puck control style, you're in good shape to counter the Devils style of play. Overall, we did a great job of this, but none of the bounces went our way.<br /><br />Props to Byron Bitz who looked like a dervish out there. It's too bad he got stuck with a minus one as the fourth line gave up the goal, because he played as well as anyone on the ice, particularly on a couple of shifts with his own possession displays down low (tiring out the Devils defenders).<br /><br />One last thought on the first: Our PP may be turning a corner. Granted, when you're 2 for 27 in an 8 game stretch, calling a turnaround in that trend is the same thing as predicting that a pitcher will throw a strike on a 3-0 count (it's bound to happen eventually). Now that you're past that, let's see if the B's carry over the differences that they seemed to apply in their first man-advantage tonight to the next. For weeks they've been stuck in a rut, not willing to move away from the wing to D pass on the high point and playing a far-too-predictable drawn up play with no movement away from the puck. Tonight, they moved away from the puck, and were willing to drop passes down low opening up the high slot alot more. Let's hope this is a sign that practice is helping (otherwise, i'm gonna start blaming the coaching staff).<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuA9c-vMYXyHICf399QcOkqmFSOYNcBl0S7foe9stm7n-tR1TvtyJnJrPqOPFfnQdVoDRjy95cCL7PrMNt9ijXjZZ7Gasn1H0O_9cz49CylfTIcM3gZNa0ry08yVcAedLtxllMDs84oU/s1600-h/devils+suck+jersey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuA9c-vMYXyHICf399QcOkqmFSOYNcBl0S7foe9stm7n-tR1TvtyJnJrPqOPFfnQdVoDRjy95cCL7PrMNt9ijXjZZ7Gasn1H0O_9cz49CylfTIcM3gZNa0ry08yVcAedLtxllMDs84oU/s200/devils+suck+jersey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398182649202899362" border="0" /></a><br />End of Second Period: Tied at 1 a piece.<br /><br />You can see I'm running a diary of "Devils Suck" photos tonight. It really soothes the soul. Another very good period of hockey. A bit more even, but ironically, the Bruins get a goal back following another decent powerplay with Bergeron scoring his fourth of the year. Thomas is looking very good tonight, and necessarily so, of course. It goes without saying that they need him to be on top of his game for the next 4-6 weeks until Savvy and Looch return.<br /><br />The B's outshot the Devils 13-10 that period and its 25-23 overall now. For a game between these two teams, that is a helluva good dip, er, i mean a helluva lot of offense. Speaking of offense, the three Bruin forwards on the ice for the goal were Ryder, Bergeron and Sturm. I'm sure i'm not alone in saying i really like that line and would think that we could benefit from seeing them together alot more in even strength situations.<br /><br />One other though, Bob Sweeney just made Kathryn Tappen look retarded, twice. The first time, he hadn't even spoken yet. I'm pretty sure she took that granny outfit off for him before the game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WUyUhuqV7Z1MMdbZl9jCwR0jlSPp4GG5CgXGSNaF2cx-rHvc52RtUn5ZnhuOMbzNTWeuM5jycEKvaqsKl0Sk8uGTL6UVANq8UYLQDlQLdEzB1YBsIwsZbt74X7-koZJrL7dXc7aqfHs/s1600-h/crazy+devils+fan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WUyUhuqV7Z1MMdbZl9jCwR0jlSPp4GG5CgXGSNaF2cx-rHvc52RtUn5ZnhuOMbzNTWeuM5jycEKvaqsKl0Sk8uGTL6UVANq8UYLQDlQLdEzB1YBsIwsZbt74X7-koZJrL7dXc7aqfHs/s200/crazy+devils+fan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398188102847273746" border="0" /></a><br />After Game Thoughts: That guy up there really sucks. Yikes. Can you imagine what his kids look like?<br /><br />Just a tough loss. I thought we outplayed NJ all night. Sometimes that's not enough. We just missed a number of opportunities, none closer than Chara's deflection that rang off the cross bar with about 40 seconds to play. Forget about the fact that the Linesman just blew a call like he was trying hard to get into an amatuer porn. I won't even begin to say that we'd have scored, but it's a kick when you're down, nonetheless.<br /><br />This is a team coming together though. Remember, coming out of October last year we were 5-3-3 and then went on a tear. I don't think they're about to do the same, but there's signs of hope.<br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-46689859594711775542009-10-29T09:55:00.007-04:002009-10-29T10:37:19.884-04:00Reasons I Hate The New Jersey Devils<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRYvFDbfD_pZDQo4QeD5V_BN5mmljIB8fre____pxVQXvbfilgvbp5uO4xdl2ew8rbMMTkIrcL8gm78uWAmLsjlKtCiO0dzQT769GUZQw6A8-05aj14Zepv2B5grG5VQ4bCnIMIYWgIEB/s1600-h/animal_angryBear.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398028432650630754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRYvFDbfD_pZDQo4QeD5V_BN5mmljIB8fre____pxVQXvbfilgvbp5uO4xdl2ew8rbMMTkIrcL8gm78uWAmLsjlKtCiO0dzQT769GUZQw6A8-05aj14Zepv2B5grG5VQ4bCnIMIYWgIEB/s320/animal_angryBear.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We all have teams that we hate. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Some are universal: Red Wings, Yankees, anyone who employs Mike Ribiero. Some are more obscure: Canucks (seriously, that old-school sweater looks like what <a href="http://ladybunny.net/blog/uploaded_images/POOP%20SHOOT-796595.jpg">this kid is about to crawl into</a>), Panthers (ridiculously stupid stadium growling noise - NHL & NFL), Hurricanes (the in-excusable discontinuance of the Brass Bonanza).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hate the New Jersey Devils for a varierty of reasons. Some pretty obvious, some less so. Allow me to elaborate ...</div><br /><div>1.) Ruining offensive hockey and creating the lock-out (maybe). Ask anyone to name reasons that hockey was no fun to watch for a good portion of the pre-lockout years and they will will say "not enough scoring". Some of that can be attributed to the clutch/grab stuff but more of it can be attributed to the pervasive <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_zone_trap">neutral-zone trap</a>. Who brought that into the limelight? The Devils. It's easy to do, doesn't require skilled players, and chokes the shit out the offense. </div><div></div><br /><div>2.) I drafted Patrik Elias in my fantasy league in the fall of 2005. Immediately after making the pick I was informed that he contracted Hepatitis A while playing in Russia, thus making him a perfect waste of space for the majority of the season, and making me the target of many a joke. Thanks, Patrik.</div><div><br /></div><div>3.) The team is named after <a href="http://www.uttyler.edu/faculty/jplacyk/images/jersey-devil.jpg">this thing</a>. Yes, people think it's real - and maybe it is. But more likely they're just idiots. For comparison's sake, the Bruins are named after a bear. An actual animal, and according to trusted national news agencies, <a href="http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/colbert-bears-threatdown.jpg">the animal we really need to be worried about</a>.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>4.) My good friend, and scribe of <a href="http://mikesciosciastragicillness.com/">Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness</a>, used to beat me a little more often that I beat him in NHL 00 back when we were in college. His weapon of choice? The Devils. Nothing can make a man more irate than having his best players injured after the whistle by an out of control Scott Stevens. He contends that this is allowed for within the rules of such a contest - we disagree to this day.</div><br /><div></div>Enjoy the game, everyone. I'll have my Elias voodoo doll on hand, so when he goes down in the 2nd holding his groin for no apparent reason you only have me to thank.<br /><br />GO B's!The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-87157102753374147562009-10-25T09:20:00.011-04:002009-10-25T12:45:52.236-04:0010 Games Deep: Report Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfIfAogH5dtt7x_qUqSl0ulR_VTRdRfzdqFi18-uNs4i2k5yfZ9l3dcKI9E8siSR9nvZ2sEkJHU5JhZdF32NOoChxXgJFqhAcJCkOjGgQfBY40pA-gty0pX12NSdHMKrIVgYy6QmaZWHd/s1600-h/evil+monkey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfIfAogH5dtt7x_qUqSl0ulR_VTRdRfzdqFi18-uNs4i2k5yfZ9l3dcKI9E8siSR9nvZ2sEkJHU5JhZdF32NOoChxXgJFqhAcJCkOjGgQfBY40pA-gty0pX12NSdHMKrIVgYy6QmaZWHd/s320/evil+monkey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396577194607615586" border="0" /></a><br />Peter Chiarelli, I hope you get home before Mom does because you're going to need to take this report card out of the mailbox. You've been a bad monkey.<br /><br />10 games in and, the final minute of last night's game not withstanding, the Bruins have a lot of work to do. In grading this year's team I'm trying not to take into account the high expectations that we all had (have) for the team. Let's try and take a step back and look at numbers instead of just acting off of shear emotion. Mmm-kay?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">-------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5PRC97iTfEMXaOuhBQzgL9Waf0EqBPFUhY2fBApBnt6SKns452g0tvkS-fzgYoOmFoc1fAzD1Og0mzcKPddwhOs1M_OGMw1l6TURiRyYK3ZR9lR7LrHrueTJ8Lu2P2x_VZECWmUWBktR/s1600-h/Parking+cones.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5PRC97iTfEMXaOuhBQzgL9Waf0EqBPFUhY2fBApBnt6SKns452g0tvkS-fzgYoOmFoc1fAzD1Og0mzcKPddwhOs1M_OGMw1l6TURiRyYK3ZR9lR7LrHrueTJ8Lu2P2x_VZECWmUWBktR/s320/Parking+cones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396577715380326610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Forwards:</span> So far we haven't seen a consistent effort from these forwards with respect to offensive zone pressure or the 2-man fore-check we all heard so much about. We've heard forwards tell Naoko in between periods about 'getting too cute', and needing to 'getting pucks to the net'. What that tells me is that these attackers seem to think they have the midas touch and that defenses will simply pull the parking cone defense, let them skate past (we haven't played against Hal Gill YET) and score the goal they apparently earned through virtue of a good record last year. Yes, you still have to TRY, guys. I know it's hard, we'll get through this together. Try cycling the puck once in a while, good things will happen.<br /><br />We're averaging 2.8 goals per game and 29.1 shots per game, good for 17th and 21st in the league respectively. So, way to get those pucks to the net, fellas! The Bruins are winning 49.4% of their face-offs, also good for 17th in the league. A little bit less than average across the board. Very Meh.<br /><br />Everyone needs to look at Steve Begin - he's one of our best guys thus far. Injuries happen, so I'm not being lenient just because of Savard and Looch. Suck it up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grade: C</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Defensemen:</span> So far these guys have likely been our best players - even with all the moving parts and new personnel. Derek Morris is looking like the guy that we thought he was and Chara has been the leader that we need him to be. Shit, he's tied for the points lead on the team (7 points) with a guy who has a broken foot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdODO4NkPBSABTMC6DkLa1of-nwxczMCnNXfFs9B8L7gRSEOV4AyV17pA-BhowOH1Uj-6fLVt5PE_MYVcNCDlcZW14QtW8FeU3WhU9rbhMdVDy1NxvUPR65w4i4cwEXCLFXJpsnFTF-W7C/s1600-h/Ward+-+super+trooper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdODO4NkPBSABTMC6DkLa1of-nwxczMCnNXfFs9B8L7gRSEOV4AyV17pA-BhowOH1Uj-6fLVt5PE_MYVcNCDlcZW14QtW8FeU3WhU9rbhMdVDy1NxvUPR65w4i4cwEXCLFXJpsnFTF-W7C/s200/Ward+-+super+trooper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396578832253539522" border="0" /></a><br />The team as a whole is allowing 31.3 shots per game, good for 21st in the league. Not good. Blocked shots? Well, Morris is our best player there too - tied for 35 in the league with 18. No one else is even close (Ferrence is next at tied for 44th). His predecessor, Aaron Ward? Oh, he's tied for 11th with 24. I'm just saying, it's interesting, ok?<br /><br />There have been breakdowns, but they haven't been completely terrible. I've seen a couple of bad pinches, but overall I think they've been better than the offensive counterparts. But not by much.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grade: C+</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Goaltending: </span>Look<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>we all like Timmy, but last night not withstanding - he's been suspect. GAA is 2.97 with a .902 save percentage. Tuuka, for all that we love to hype him, hasn't been lights out either, posting a 3.17 and .899. They both had some great saves (Tim last night, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovv6LchSCHE">absolutely filthy stop against Alfredsson</a>). But no one has been consistent yet, which is what they need to be. I heard Kluzac say last night that Tim would go 20 games without a stink-bomb last year and so far he's thrown up 2, maybe three.<br /><br />Small sample size? Yes. But that's why we speculate, because what else would I be doing on a Sunday morning? Are they good now? Not really, will they play better - almost definitely.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grade: C</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrtIklr2XdYmqVUVKnT7uU01CF8o_Qi9ylxVvthKcejjtycUDrfXjLaNaFBnPqDT5aSfZ0-sP0ttP7UQn6qri844TRZvFjiyi3eWEZlJA_HEZ5nIhW_uznj16oOTwe9ilonSG0cgD7N67/s1600-h/ralph-wiggum.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrtIklr2XdYmqVUVKnT7uU01CF8o_Qi9ylxVvthKcejjtycUDrfXjLaNaFBnPqDT5aSfZ0-sP0ttP7UQn6qri844TRZvFjiyi3eWEZlJA_HEZ5nIhW_uznj16oOTwe9ilonSG0cgD7N67/s200/ralph-wiggum.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396576804260045074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Special Teams: </span>Oh, they've been special all right. How special you might ask? Think 'Ralph Wiggum in English class' bad. How about killing power plays at 83% and scoring on them at nice even 15%. Those are both shitty. Very shitty. 24th and 27th in the league shitty.<br /><br />And, oh by the way, they have 3 short-handed goals on their watch too. Where does that land in the old statistics pool? NUMBER-FUCKING-ONE!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grade: F-</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Team Grade: C</span><br /><br />I just re-read what I wrote and I've decided that we're pretty goddamned lucky to be 5-4-1. Given the injury situation,the poor to mediocre performances by the front and back lines, not to mention to complete disaster that has been the power-play - I'm feeling good. Not like George Jung in the 70s good, but good.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_4QxJxMEwNAL5_3lNTIBKGfpna1LHLKx0gMsA5FiirP1fsj6zWCw7nb4lsjTOH-zF1KkYsZiwSGV_HUwkvbrLpGsAWSw5JRA349yCf8Lp2aVEEaoAvGwS_E8S5fT_361ynH8xGWRwyJ5/s1600-h/johnny_depp_penelope_cruz_blow_002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_4QxJxMEwNAL5_3lNTIBKGfpna1LHLKx0gMsA5FiirP1fsj6zWCw7nb4lsjTOH-zF1KkYsZiwSGV_HUwkvbrLpGsAWSw5JRA349yCf8Lp2aVEEaoAvGwS_E8S5fT_361ynH8xGWRwyJ5/s320/johnny_depp_penelope_cruz_blow_002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396573070650755890" border="0" /></a><br />If there is something to be excited about it's that they have a lot of room for improvement and they seem to be coping alright without Lucic and Savard. No doubt they responded well to the adversity of the injury bug, but we hope that this doesn't start to fade as they move forward.<br /><br />Marchand looks like a guy who can really skate and move the puck. No question, he is making all the rookie mistakes but this kid looks to be a regular contributor down the road.<br /><br />Lastly, if anything could be a springboard for building some identity and momentum it was last night's game. As my co-conspirator already wrote this morning, they turned it around in about 1 minute thanks to timely goals and great goal tending.<br /><br />OK, it's football time. I'm starting Michael Crabtree - that's how bad my receivers are. FML.The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-87137822698512868622009-10-25T08:45:00.004-04:002009-10-25T09:01:32.705-04:00Recipe for win: 58.5 minutes of sloppy hockey + Tim Thomas<div style="text-align: justify;">How did the Bruins manage to escape Scotia Bank Place with 2 points you ask? I am asking the same question this morning. Let's face it, we some some terrible individual performances last night and while i enjoy watching the home town 23 skate every day, I'm damn glad the next 5 days will be practices under coach Julien's supervision.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavEbQ58yUHUmanZrTWOvc8fUj3KudXOZ-1ou7p09qlyQE8JuTY-i4RCAs2diyvBxoFS_NJdD6J2Wnloj6mOpvOBEGGIdq5gPnqAvynxJvh_zT9p8qBFpJ4Y5yoYAedKI0kUvB0zStLNA/s1600-h/ROCKFALL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavEbQ58yUHUmanZrTWOvc8fUj3KudXOZ-1ou7p09qlyQE8JuTY-i4RCAs2diyvBxoFS_NJdD6J2Wnloj6mOpvOBEGGIdq5gPnqAvynxJvh_zT9p8qBFpJ4Y5yoYAedKI0kUvB0zStLNA/s200/ROCKFALL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396519190797088162" border="0" /></a><br />After fifty eight and a half minutes of terrible hockey, overall (Wheeler's goal was a brief bright spot), the Bruins looked like they were this guy:<br /><br />Tim Thomas had singlehan- <span style="font-style: italic;">alright, Chara played very well</span> -dedly kept Boston within two goals. All this after the third Ottawa goal went in off one of Thomas' teammates. Dennis Wideman and Derek Morris both played the game as though they were skating in mud or simply didn't want to be there (i was SCREAMING at Wideman to get motivated, i don't think he won a single one on one battle to the puck and YES i saw his helmet come off - he still sucked). <br /><br />To make matters worse, our coaching staff apparently is more comfortable with a 6 on 5 than they are with a 5 on 4 (more on this in a second). Every Bruins power play was the same predictable pattern. 3 guys stand still down low, while Bergeron and Morris play catch and turn the puck over in a small space at the blue line. We really don't seem comfortable using motion to create space (something we're highly vulnerable of on the PK, so you think we'd have come to recognize it by now!). I can't say enough about how baffled I am that we had so good a PP last year and so bad a PP now. I may have to go research this and then eat a shotgun barrel.<br /><br />So that brings us to the 6 on 5. Improbably, we spent the last 96 seconds of the game skating as though our lives depended on it and won every conceivable battle to the puck in that timeframe. Derek Morris (previously noted for NOT being a puck moving defenseman) suddenly assumed the form he was advertised to possess and before I knew what was happening, we were tied. <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NOTE: with 8 minutes to play, i turned my XBOX on. Something, and i don't know what, kept me from turning off the game though. Between this game and the Islanders game, if we're down 2 goals, i'm not changing the channel. They're reaching '04 Red Sox status in my head right now.</span></span><br />A solid overtime period and more heroics from Timmy (who had the save of the year in the second period - i'll post it later today) and a patient shootout goal from Bergy equaled the 2 points. <br /><br />Phew.<br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-7630909664442330422009-10-22T18:32:00.005-04:002009-10-22T22:10:50.569-04:00Bruins Lose a Tough One, 4-3 SO Loss to Philly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOgubsfum3Q8zP-SEljygWCccxfQaFiH5Cq5eKHPog1Bh9HLr8ti8k2TTE40xts3SZhNKSSj_YboErL2RQrVBtQjNZefv41oWUcUjF4ZUPGHDtW9OMm2qHvZHn_GnnKZEE8YuLrs_4aWo/s1600-h/lewis_black.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOgubsfum3Q8zP-SEljygWCccxfQaFiH5Cq5eKHPog1Bh9HLr8ti8k2TTE40xts3SZhNKSSj_YboErL2RQrVBtQjNZefv41oWUcUjF4ZUPGHDtW9OMm2qHvZHn_GnnKZEE8YuLrs_4aWo/s320/lewis_black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395608664018478994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"What, the FUCK, was that ABOUT?!"<br />-Lewis Black<br /></div><br /><br />I realize that this game earned us a point. I know this. I should be happy, after all the B's were on the road playing in the second of back-to-back games against a team that, at least for now, appears legit.<br /><br />I am not happy, and too angry to write anything worth reading. Check back tomorrow for something more worth your time.The Cavemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350235584698867433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-9457969689121852009-10-21T10:08:00.001-04:002009-10-21T10:10:19.003-04:00Injury Update - Savard Out 4-6 weeksSavard was placed on long term IR (means he has to miss 24 days or ten games, minimum) with a broken left foot. 4-6 weeks is the expected timetable for return. Great. We're officially snake-bitten this year with the injury bug. <span dir="ltr" id=":52"></span>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-32041861870727843462009-10-20T18:20:00.005-04:002009-10-20T18:31:34.434-04:00Trade News: Bruins Acquire Daniel Paille<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNlqhyphenhyphenzM6jSHyZWhSSDV-HKZQWACgcZ5jBpY4oLIqBkHXhmEfmH8_s8-wMSVynipsDwW72yV8yIyr1SOSVd7LQ4xtT-qCtRaFAxAuZZMsdNjzxDzM8CTm9f34ctuowPUHI38jTm0W_wU/s1600-h/cujogoal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNlqhyphenhyphenzM6jSHyZWhSSDV-HKZQWACgcZ5jBpY4oLIqBkHXhmEfmH8_s8-wMSVynipsDwW72yV8yIyr1SOSVd7LQ4xtT-qCtRaFAxAuZZMsdNjzxDzM8CTm9f34ctuowPUHI38jTm0W_wU/s200/cujogoal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394812026992067138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This news just hit my text inbox. The B's have dealt a pair of draft picks (3rd in 2010 and conditional 4th in 2010) to Buffalo for 25 year old forward, Daniel Paille. Paille has 35 goals and 42 assists in 195 career NHL games, all with the Sabres. The 20th overall pick in 2002, Paielle did most of the above damage in the last two seasons and has only played in 2 games this year (i'm not yet sure why) but was a second liner in Buffalo and figures to take Kobasew's slot on the third line in Boston at first glance.<br /><br />Interestingly enough, bostonbruins.com reports that this is the first trade EVER between the division rivals. <br /><br />More to come...<br /><br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2342665622751090436.post-42244865212428523682009-10-20T15:11:00.003-04:002009-10-20T15:19:48.590-04:00Goon It Up Tuesdays<div style="text-align: justify;">Welcome to a new segment dedicated to the day of the week on which the Bruins play the least hockey games (i think). Since we never seem to have anything to write about on Tuesdays, except the occasional night game, we're starting a segment dedicated to highlighting the Goons of the NHL.<br /><br />Each Tuesday we'll provide highlight reel (usually courtesy of HockeyFights.com) of one of the previous weekend's top bouts. Feel free to submit ideas in case you think you're better at tracking these down than us. Or just video tape yourselves helmet boxing drunk and send that in too. At the end of the first half and second half of the season, we'll vote on the best, if you're well behaved.<br /><br />This weekend's submission is Rick Rypien (Canucks) and Zach Stortini (Oilers). Rypien clearly wins this one. Enjoy.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-xp8V4_Q9pU&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-xp8V4_Q9pU&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div>Bonesawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18262135903290863339noreply@blogger.com1