IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?

Well I won't sleep for the next 48 hours. Last year, the Bruins beat the Flyers 4-1 to take a 3-0 lead in the series. It was May 5th. And we know what followed.

However, last night we saw some of what makes the 2010-11 Bruins different from the 2009-10 team that choked so badly. Here are those differences:

#1 Tim Thomas:
Timmy has stopped 80 of the last 81 shots he's faced. He extended Game 2 for the Bruins, allowing them to win, even though they weren't the best team on the ice. Rask allowed 14 goals in the last 4 games of the series last year. He wasn't awful, though he wasn't that good. And he was nowhere near Tim Thomas' level.

#2 Health:
Last year, Seidenberg was out. So was Krejci. And Lucic was nursing an injury. This year, the Flyers are hurt much more. Without Pronger, they're a different team. I'd be shocked if Pronger doesn't play in Game 4, but how effective can he be? The Bruins have the good fortune of health at the moment.

#3 Marchand and Horton:
Horton has 2 goals and 3 assists in this series. Marchand has 2 goals and 2 assists. Last year, Marchand was a healthy scratch on the extended Bruins' playoff roster. Horton was golfing in Florida. This is the first postseason for both of them, and it doesn't show.

#4 Chara is Playing Like Chara
He's healthy. Whatever dehydrated him against Montreal has left his system. And so far, he looks much better than he did against the Flyers last year. His goal last night was classic Chara. Versteeg doesn't position himself right, Chara slips into the gap vacated, and fires a bullet over Boucher's shoulder.

But, we haven't seen the Flyers at their best yet. The 3-0 series lead is much closer than it suggests. One fortunate bounce for the Flyers on Monday and it's a 2-1 series lead. And at times on Saturday and last night, the Flyers looked listless and out of focus. Their 1st period last night was a joke.

History suggests that facing elimination, they'll bring their best effort. And we've yet to see how the Bruins will face serious adversity in this series. Rebounding from bad luck and bad games was what the B's failed to do last year.

And how will the Bruins deal with the inevitable pressure Philly will put on them. Last year, they relaxed. Will guys like Chara bungle a few plays? He did last year. It's up to the Bruins to execute, and truly put last year's collapse behind them.

Game 4 Friday night in Boston, on NESN.

Photo Credits:
AP Photo

BRUINS ANSWER WAKE UP CALL

There were a lot of things to like about how the Bruins played this game. The Power Play looked good all night and finally broke through with a goal. The B's adjusted to New Jersey's forechecking. Marchand and Kaberle skated their brains out. Seguin and Peverley are clicking. Thomas had an excellent rebound game. Lucic returned to scoring form.

The three players who have carried this team (Thomas, Chara, and Lucic) all had bad games in Toronto. They all had great games last night. Thomas with 30 saves, including 15 tough ones in the 1st period. Chara with a goal and two assists. Lucic with a goal and an assist. These three guys are the foundation of this team. Without them, this team is doomed.

Now let's not go nuts. We've seen this team answer wake-up calls before. Too many times. The real questions are: why were they asleep at all? And why will they fall asleep again? I've said it before; over the course of a season, this team requires more wake-up calls than a hotel hosting a narcolepsy convention.

And this game wasn't all roses either. The Penalty Kill allowed yet another goal. And it was thanks to Gregory Campbell, who saw Kovalchuk drifting behind him, and did nothing to get in the shooting lane. Instead, he tried to cover a forward that Boychuk had contained. On the Penalty Kill, you have to make compromises, and you will allow shots. But one of those compromises doesn't have to be letting Ilya freaking Kovalchuk have half the ice to shoot from.

If I have to watch Michael Ryder screw up anymore, I'm going to have an aneurysm.

He and Krejci had golden scoring opportunities, ruined by poor judgment. Both failed to position themselves in a shooting stance as they drove toward the net. Each received passes that were just inches off the mark. But instead of shooting a backhander anyway, they tried to get the puck to their forehand. When in the slot in front of the net there are two things you don't have much of: time and space.

Maybe I'm nitpicking. While I'm satisfied with how well the Bruins played last night, their problem has been maintaining such energy and fortitude.

Big game on Thursday as Montreal comes to town. The Habs haven't been too sharp since the Chara incident. This is a chance for the B's to put some distance between them.

THOMAS' STAR SHINES ON IN CAROLINA

Two days after he got the Win in the All-Star Game, Tim Thomas won another game in Raleigh. While 2 goals allowed and 24 saves doesn't sound like a stellar night, Thomas once again was the biggest reason the Bruins won.

A few droughts ended, as Daniel Paille tipped in a Zdeno Chara slapshot, scoring his first goal since April 10th of 2010. He's found a suitable role on the 4th line. That line is more about possession, energy, and being a nuisance. With Marchand moving to the Bergeron line, Paille slots right in with Thornton and Campbell. Similar to those guys, he brings something to the table, namely speed, although he lacks the puck skills to do much with it. He's also an adept shorthanded player. He's this generation's PJ Axelsson.

Horton finally ended his goal drought with a nice backhander that beat Cam Ward up high. Hopefully, the confidence returns, and he starts playing less like Michael Ryder.

The Bruins were clearly the better team, but the last 6 minutes of the game did concern me. Once again, when opposing teams get desperate, the Bruins get sloppy. They're incapable of playing both fast and careful at the same time.

Against teams better than Carolina, that will be a problem. And in playoff games, those desperate minutes will come early in the 3rd period. I'm not sure if the B's are capable of withstanding that much pressure for that amount of time.

The Bruins host Dallas Thursday night.

Photo Credit:
AP Photo

BRUINS GO INTO BREAK WITH A 'W'

It wasn't as easy as it could have been. The Bruins allowed things to get a bit too interesting last night against the Panthers, but thanks to Tim Thomas, and some excellent scrambling in the last minute, they'll go into the break on a positive note.

Lucic scored his 20th goal of the season, his first ever 20 goal campaign and we're only at the All-Star Break. It was probably his prettiest of the 20, as he snapped a shot over Vokoun's blocker side. It was so much different from Lucic as a rookie. Back then, he'd blast shots in the general direction of the goal. This was a snipe, with purpose and intent. And it turned out to be the game-winner.

Tim Thomas was superb. Florida had a few rushes, and every time but once, Timmy came up with the stops. He's turning into something like Pedro Martinez in 2000. You expect a shutout every start, and it's shocking when he gives anything up.

Several Bruins showed dogged determination and ferocious character in the last minute of this game. Bergeron, Campbell, and Ference in particular. They carried the win home and it was truly enjoyable to watch them scrape and claw for the victory.

But not all was positive. Michael Ryder's 13:31 of ice time was horrendous. If this guy doesn't get a perfect tape-to-tape pass, he bungles the puck. He spends half his shifts drifting around, not doing anything. I'm fed up with him. I see guys like Horton struggling, but still making basic plays. Ryder just screws everything up. He's Dennis Wideman as a forward.

It's kind of a moot point with Savard out, but if Julien doesn't trust Seguin to play in the last 8 minutes of a 2-1 game, then maybe Seguin should be playing in Providence. He'd at least be getting the experience in those hectic situations, and then one day he could be a full-time NHL player.

Again, with Savard out, Seguin must remain in Boston. But even without Savard, he played less than 10 minutes last night. He's played about 605 minutes this year. He could easily have 800+ minutes already if he were in Providence. Tough minutes, Power Play minutes, shorthanded minutes, game deciding minutes. Instead, he's learning more about cheering his teammates than playing hockey.

Bruins don't play until Tuesday down in Carolina. With 50 games in the books, they're 4 points up on Montreal in the Division and 3rd in the East. That ain't bad. The All-Star Game is Sunday, but the more interesting Skills Competition is Saturday. Those are also in Carolina.

Photo Credits:
AP Photo

DIFFERENT STORY, SAME ENDING

Typically, I'm more impressed with 3-2 wins than 7-0 blowouts. Let me amend that. I'm not impressed with 3-2 wins against the Islanders, but against playoff caliber teams like Carolina, they're more consequential and important than the 7-0 variety.

This was a grinding game. The Hurricanes played physically, and the Bruins answered. Especially Tim Thomas. If Crosby weren't having such an obscenely good season, Thomas would be my pick for the Hart Trophy (MVP). He made a season high 43 saves in this game. 37 of those came in the 1st and 2nd periods.

The two goals Thomas did allow came after Wheeler failed to clear the puck on a penalty kill, and after some "physical play" (interference) allowed Carolina to retrieve an airborne puck after a strange bounce.

The Recchi-Bergeron-Marchand line has become a dynamic offensive weapon. Not only has Bergeron been red hot, but Marchand scored his 10th, and I think he'll surpass 20 this season. He's a true player. He plays physical, he puts himself in the right place, and he's fundamentally sound. With he and Bergeron finishing well, Recchi's playmaking ability has been allowed to shine. Recchi won the faceoff (after Bergeron was chased) that led to Marchand's goal. And Recchi made a deceptive drive with the puck that set up Lucic's goal.

By the way, that was Lucic's 17th goal of the season, tying his previous career high. He scored it as he's scored most of his goals this year, by putting himself in the right place at the right time. He's a much smarter player than he was as a rookie, and he's applying that newly developed awareness, which is resulting in goals.

It's amazing that the Bruins are playing so well while Horton, Savard, and Krejci are in the middle of cold streaks. It's a testament to the play of Tim Thomas, the defense, and guys like Bergeron and Marchand. By the way, is anyone aching for Andrew Ference to return from his upper body injury? I'm not. The 6 defensemen the Bruins played last night suit me just fine.

The Sabres come to town Thursday night, and it's a good chance to continue this hot streak.

Photo Credit:
AP Photo

BRUINS GO NUTS IN BUFFALO

For the first time in team history, 4 defensemen scored goals. It was part of a 6 goal night for the B's, and they still failed to leave Buffalo with two points.

Most of the blame can be focused on Tuukka Rask, who made some poor decisions trying to play the puck a few times, and also allowed some soft goals. Now, it was his first start in 16 days, so a little rust is excusable. But he flat out didn't have it Saturday night. I'll give Julien some credit for pulling him after the 1st.

Even though they led 3-1 at one point, it wasn't as if the Bruins were dominating the Sabres. They were taking shots from the point that were finding holes through Ryan Miller. Then the well dried up, and Buffalo scored their share of the fortunate goals. Everything was going in.

The Bruins took a 6-5 lead in the 3rd, and how they blew that really pissed me off. For 3 minutes, they were pinned in the defensive zone, icing the puck three times, desperately trying to survive. Then Buffalo pulled their goalie, and playing 5 on 6, both Savard and Recchi attacked the puck carrier at the point. This left 3 Bruins to defend against 5 Sabres.

When games get frantic, and other teams get desperate, the Bruins' positional discipline and situational awareness simply breaks down. Claude Julien receives a great deal of praise for the well organized defense the Bruins play. But maybe there's too much focus on careful and logical play. Maybe the players need to play with more instinct, and less contemplation. At least in those furious moments at the end of a close game.

As this road trip moves north, it's starting to turn south. Buffalo isn't a good team. And neither is Toronto, whom the Bruins play tonight. Anything short of 2 points tonight is inexcusable.

Photo Credit:
AP Photo

RECCHING CREW

While watching the 3rd period, when the Bruins were trailing 2-1, I was going to mention in my recap how Mark Recchi hasn't done much for the offense this year. And how that entire line of Recchi-Bergeron-Wheeler was comprised of non-scorers. And just like every other time I've dared to doubt Recchi, he reminds us that senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose.

Recchi's tip-in goal was the culmination of a well-executed comeback. A comeback that was sparked by a Buffalo turnover of Favre-ish proportions which gave Horton a gift goal, and a comeback made possible by Tim Thomas, who also got a one-punch TKO on Patrick Kaleta.



Thomas caught the charging Kaleta flush with a left jab. He also made 28 Saves, including a ridiculous poke-check in the OT that allowed the game to continue.

Nathan Horton has returned as a goal scoring threat. He's scored twice in the last 2 games, and has 4 points in the last 3. At the start of the season, his quick release, and his best-on-the-team accuracy helped propel the Bruins to an 11-5-1 (8 goals, 10 assists in that period) record. And since his drought began on November 20th, the Bruins went 3-3-2 (1 goal, 1 assist for Horton).

Thursday night, the Bruins host the Islanders, who a firm grip on the NHL's worst record, so hopefully the B's can take advantage. Because after that, there's a tough stretch of games.

Photo Credits:
AP Photo

BRUINS BUILD THE FIRST SNOWMAN OF THE YEAR

I'm going to begin my recap of an 8-1 victory by discussing goaltending and defense. Yes, I really am.

This wasn't one of those "closer than the score" games, the 8-1 fits because the Bruins utterly dominated, and it all started in the defensive zone. Remember, this was a 1-0 game 19 minutes in, and a 3-1 game 37 minutes in.

It's time for me to gushl over Tim Thomas again. He stopped 37 shots tonight. Many of those came early (15 saves in the 1st) before the game was decided. He just sees the puck so well, even in traffic. His puck vision really impresses me. If Whitey Bulger dressed up as a hockey puck, Tim Thomas would find him in 17 minutes.



Now to the defense, who were the real story in this game. Zdeno Chara was on Stamkos like a second jersey. Not only that, his stick-positioning all night was superb, and he cracked a few skulls early on. Seidenberg, Boychuk, and Stuart all had flawless defensive performances. Ference and McQuaid were no slouches either.



The defensive work, along with Thomas, kept it a 0-0 game, then kept it a 1-0 game, then kept it a 2-0 game, then a 3-0 game. A bit of misfortune with a broken-stick turnover allowed it to reach 3-1, then the defense resumed its clamp on Tampa Bay's skill players, and on it went.

When the Bruins got the big lead, the defense didn't yield any easy plays. And that's what allowed the score to inflate up to 8-1.

Marc Savard returned, and although he wasn't on his A-Game, he and Krejci's sudden reappearance must bring some comfort to the team, as players resume their regular duties. Bergeron goes from a #1 center to a #3, and more situational center. Blake Wheeler doesn't have to be a center at all. Seguin can log some time on the wings. Jordan Caron can log some time as a healthy scratch.



Krejci's return has reignited the top line. 3 goals and 6 points from Lucic-Krejci-Horton last night. Both Krejci and Horton were +4. They understand each other so well, it's as if they've been playing together for years, not months.

Speaking of returns, the relatively unheralded return of Johnny Boychuk in mid-November has bolstered the Bruins' defense. He's as physical as Stuart, makes great decisions, is good with the puck, and can really bomb it from the blue-line.

How cool was Seidenberg's goal?



Seven different Bruins scored goals. 12 different Bruins registered points.

Lucic netted his 12th of the season. He's only 5 shy of his career high. Michael Ryder returned to the stat sheet with a nice blocker-side snipe and a pair of assists. Shawn Thornton scored his 5th of the season. His career high is 6. Tim Thomas assisted on the Thornton goal, which gives him 2 on the season, which is a new career high.



And you can say that Thornton's goal was a gift, and it was. And Seidenberg's, although clever, was also a goaltender miscue. Recchi's goal featured some beneficial bounces, and Krejci's second was slightly deflected. Blah blah blah.

The Bruins put themselves in good positions all night. Their defense shut down a prolific Tampa Bay offense, their counter-attack was executed well, and they didn't make many mistakes. Some Lightning errors may have let the score reach 8-1 instead of 3-1 or 4-1, but Tampa Bay NEVER stood a chance in this game after the 1st period. Not even close.

I loved the intensity that the Bruins came out with. Starting the game with the Thornton line was a nice touch.

However, it's difficult to maintain that level of intensity for 82 games. They need to find a middle-ground between last night's sheer ferocity, and some of their lackadaisical efforts in November.

But hey, I'll take it. Bruins play the Leafs in Toronto on Saturday night.



Photo Credits:
AP Photo