Bruins Witness Lightning Strike in Third, Lose 5-3

 

 Well that certainly didn't end the way we all wanted it to did it? As I said in the preview yesterday, before the game, It would take a full 60, timely saves, and staying out of the box to keep Tampa at bay (see what I did there?). Instead we got a full 20 minutes in the second, penalties galore, and poor defensive play. 

     

      Before I get into the quick pro's and cons of the Bruins in that game, let me just say this. Tampa Bay is GOOD! Not just "ya you know they're pretty good, should be fun in the playoffs." No, this team is filthy good. I needed a shower after watching that come back in the third. The depth of the Bolts just can't be touched by any team in NHL at this point in time. Stamkos making Ovi look like a peewee b player, Kucherov just absolutely sniping and flying all over the ice he'd give Boris Mikhailov nightmares. The Bruins just had no answer for the onslaught the witnessed 15 minutes left in the third last night. Despite the loss, there were some things I did like from the Bruins play last night.

 Pros

• Brandon Carlo had an excellent game. Despite back checking on one goal, he did put the Bruins on the board with an absolute rip. He looks good going into playoffs.
• Charlie Coyle looks like hes getting more comfortable each game with the B's and that goal last night is all the proof we need.
• The Bruins can hang with Tampa Bay: Plain and simple, the Bruins play they way they did in the 2nd, their in the win column today. 
• Bruins PK: The PK was excellent last night, holding the high powered Tampa Bay power play to just 6 shots is pretty damn good.  

    Cons

• Defensive Collapse: The defense 100% did not show up in the third period. Stupid errors all over the place, and a complete lack of back checking ability was the ultimate down fall last night. 
• Injuries: The Bruins lost yet another top defensemen John Moore. He took a hit from behind from Connecticut native Adam Erne that would knock him out of the game. Sources close to the team said he left the arena in an arm sling. NOT GOOD!! This team needs to stay healthy
• Timely Saves: No one loves Tuukka Rask more than I do trust me on that. However, he has to make those big saves when it counts. He did make some big ones, but we has to be able to steal one here and there. Not his fault, but something to think about for playoffs. 

     So overall how should we feel about this game? Honestly the defensive lapse in the third sucks. It's like being one number away from winning the lottery. Gut punch knowing they were right there, but the Bruins shouldn't hang their heads. A lot to take out of that game to be positive about, and many lessons to be learned. This team has been known all year to learn from their bad losses and take each game in stride. It was a good sign in the room after the game that most players were aware of their mistakes, and mental breakdowns. This team can fight and has a lot of heart. Tampa is a great team, but every great team has a weakness. I trust in this team and this coach to find those weaknesses and bring them to light in a hopeful/fun second round series if it comes to that. The Bs return home tomorrow night to face off against the New York Rangers.

Back to home ice. Back to the win column

GO BRUINS!

Quick Pregame Thoughts: Bruins vs Lightning

     Well I’m back everyone! Sorry for the short hiatus last week. I was active on Twitter but not so much with posting, but we’re back to regular posting. Tonight’s a big one down in Tampa Bay and most likely another preview (if all goes well) of the second round playoff match up. Let’s touch on a few quick points prior to tonight’s game.

     For starters the Bruins have played an outstanding road trip thus far winning 4 straight and clinching the playoffs Saturday night against the Panthers. The team doesn’t seem to be slowing down. However, the injuries are continuing to haunt the Bs as they get ready for the march towards Lord Stanley’s Cup. Sean Kuraly suffered a fractured left hand and is out for at least a month, which puts his estimated return time just after or during the 1st round. On paper this is some one the Bruins can afford to lose, but the reality is it’s a huge loss for that 4th line. A line that’s been extremely effective through out the entire season. Hopefully Bruce Cassidy can continue to install that next man up mentality until Kuraly returns. Also, quickly wanted to touch on the other injured bruins. Marcus Johansson could be a game time decision tonight. Torey Krug out skating with the team but non contact only. Kevan Miller continues to have a mysterious upper body injury with no forseable time table of return. Finally Matt Gryzlyk should be returning this week if not next. Overall great signs for the Bruins becoming a healthy well oiled machine in the weeks to come.

     Now I wouldn’t be doing my ammature blogging job if I didn’t touch on the Tampa Bay Lighting. What is really left to say except this team is danger danger. Kucherov and Stamkos are breaking every franchise record ever recorded, the team has clinched the presidents trophy, and they have goaltending to back it all up. Bottom line this team is flat out good. It’s going to take a full 60 effort from the Black and Gold to make some noise down on the Gulf Coast.

     Tuukka starts tonight, going to have to make some timely stops and have his head on straight all game. Full 60, timely stops, smart defensively, and keeping the Bolt’s powerplay on the bench are my  personal keys to the game.

My Prediction 
Bruins: 4
Lightning:3
(Empty net goal)

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Bruins lockdown and shut out Isles 5-0

   Well that was certainly a fun one last night. Here I am thinking hmmm the Bruins are out on Long Island, playing the team who leads the metro division and the NHL in shots on net. It’s going to be a good test for the Bs. WRONG! The test should have been for the Islanders and they would have failed miserably.
   

     The Bruins put together what I can only describe as a defensive lock down of a game. They held the high powered Islanders to just 11 shots on net! Just an insane performance for defensive core who still isn’t 100%. Rask made some timely saves and played well enough to persevere the shut out, but this victory belongs to the defensive layers the Bruins displayed.
   
     Just a few other points I want to touch on. One being the play of Sean Kuraly. Whatever he ate or drank last night needs to be injected into his veins every night of the playoffs. The puck seemed to find him all over the ice, along with scoring two great goals on the night. Second, the sight of the Bergy Marchy Pasta line was a sight for sore eyes. I thought pasta looked great being his first game back shaking the cobwebs off, and of course the lord and savior PB#37 just doing what he does best. Thirdly, Jake Debrusk got back on to the score sheet by scoring a pretty slick breakaway goal out of the box, but as we all know he spoke with the Touched and Rich radio show so the goal was to be expected.

     Last but not least, and well deserving of its own paragraph, Zdeno Chara’s night. Big Z is the other 42 year old athletic freak in town whose really impressed me this year. What is most impressive is how he’s adapt his game to the new speedy style of the NHL, and is not afraid to fight night in and night out. His fight last night with Matt Martin was a tremendous tilt. The twitter world said it best “Fighting Chara is like fighting a tree”. No truer words have ever been spoken. However I would have compared him to someone a little different...

     The Bruins continue their road trip tomorrow night when they will face off against the New Jersey Devils. Looking forward to the team continuing to play hard, and getting healthy down the stretch.

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Quick Pregame Thoughts: Bruins vs Islanders

     Tonight the Bruins are in Long Island facing a very good playoff team in the New York Islanders. This game in a few ways is a pretty big game for the Bs coming off their 2-1 OT win  Saturday against the Blue Jackets.

     First let’s start with the obvious, tonight could be the return of David Pastrnak. I don’t think I need to say much more than that. The team has certainly over achieved during his absence the last couple weeks, but it’s Pasta time once again in Boston.

    

      Some other things to take into account per Bruce Cassidy this morning, Krug was skating at an optional skate this morning with a non contact red jersey. Very little chance we see him tonight, but it’s nice to know he’s progressing nicely. Both Matt Gryzlyk and Marcus Johansson are also possibilities to join the team on this road trip which could help the Bs build on their identity heading into playoffs.

       Tonight’s game is great chance with #40 in net to build off their 2-1 win on Saturday after a disasterous road trip last week. 

      My Prediction 

       Bruins 3

       Islanders 1

The Intro

Hello everyone!

     If by chance you've stumbled upon this amateur Bruins blog, you're probably sick and tired of the main stream sports media not talking about the Bruins. Don't worry my friends, that's why this blog is here. 

    In this blog, a lot of what you're going to read is personal opinion based on facts of the team, and/or what you see game to game. I have no actual media credentials or anything like that.

     Hope you Enjoy!

   Go Bruins!