MISTAKES BITE BRUINS

The Bruins did something they haven't done in over a month: lose in regulation. Surprisingly, it came against a Buffalo Sabre team that had lost 5 straight.

A sloppy first period of play allowed Buffalo to take a 2-0 lead. Their first goal came thanks to a David Krejci giveaway right in front of the net. Derek Roy slipped away with the puck and snuck it into the net. In all honesty, I can't remember the last time Krejci gave up possession like that. I don't think it's ever happened.



The Bruins got on the board thanks to rookie defenseman Matt Hunwick, who's replaced the injured Andrew Ference, and done a brilliant job. He's scored a point in 5 straight games, with 3 goals, and 3 assists in that stretch. Not too shabby from the blue-line. Although this latest goal came from crashing the net.

But 0:30 later, the Sabres reclaimed their 2 goal lead. Shorthanded, Germany's Jochen Hecht made a move on Chara, got past him, and flew up the ice. For some reason, Patrice Bergeron gave him room and played the middle of the ice as if it were a 2-on-1 breakaway. It wasn't. It was 1-on-1, with Chara rushing in for support. Thomas probably should have saved the wrist shot, but it got by his glove and into the net.

Phil Kessel made the last 10 minutes interesting, but the Bruins couldn't tie it up.

The B's return home to face the Islanders Friday at noon.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Don Heupel

WHY HAVEN'T THE SOX MADE A MOVE ON SABATHIA?

It's a simple question. Why haven't the Red Sox made a move on the best free agent pitcher out there?

Are they worried they can't afford him? Probably not. They have all that Manny Ramirez money freed up. They traded Coco Crisp's $5 million per season for Ramon Ramirez's $400,000. Maybe they're worried that low cost players like Youkilis, Papelbon, Pedroia, and Lester will be free agents down the line, and money will be needed to pay for them. But by then, wouldn't the hefty contracts of JD Drew, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, and Julio Lugo have expired?

And how good is CC Sabathia? We know him best from his dismal postseason outings. But those always come after he's been abused and overworked in the regular season. He's pitched 494 innings the last two years. But the Red Sox would probably keep him to 200 innings a season, allowing him to save something for the playoffs.

In the last three seasons, he's 48-28, with a 3.03 ERA, 632 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP. He's 28 and in the prime of his career.

Could you imagine the rotation the Sox would possess if they signed this guy? Sabathia, Lester, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Wakefield. That's unstoppable, particularly in the postseason.

If the Sox spend big money on a free agent this off-season, it should be Sabathia. I know the offense was frustratingly inconsistent, but with better pitching that problem doesn't matter. Furthermore, better starters mean fewer innings for subpar relievers, which was a major downfall of the 2008 bullpen.

At the very least, they should try to get him.

Sources:
ESPN.com
Baseball-Reference.com