NOUS POSSÉDONS MONTRÉAL

(that's French for "we own Montreal")




Last year, the Bruins lost 10 straight to Montreal. After yesterday's 3-1 victory, they're 4-0-1 against the Canadiens, clinching the season series with 9 points out of a possible 10.

The Canadiens were wearing hideous throwback jerseys that looked more like standard prison issue than hockey sweaters. But I'll give Carey Price props for sporting dingy looking old school brown pads.

The Canadiens also honored their history of cheap shots, dives, and soccer-style hockey with their play on the ice. Thankfully, their power play is an impotent unit. The Bruins killed a 4:30 stretch of penalties in the 2nd, including extensive 5 on 3 play. Saku Koivu's embellishment helped earn one of those 5 on 3s.



It's amazing how often Tom Kostopoulos was allowed to hack at Tim Thomas's glove as he covered the puck. It's amazing that Ryan O'Byrne elbowed Chuck Kobasew in the head with 4.9 seconds left in the 3rd, and he'll only get the minor penalty for it.



There's nothing to like or respect about the Twatreal Canadiens.

But there's a great deal to love about the Bruins. Shawn Thornton started the game with a fight and wound up with the winning goal. Guys like Byron Bitz and Stephan Yelle contributed with an assist each. Zdeno Chara was +2. He's +4 against Montreal this season. Savard's empty netter was his 20th of the season. He had 15 last year.



The Bruins travel to Philadelphia Wednesday night. The Flyers are the only Eastern Conference team the Bruins haven't beaten. They're also the only Eastern Conference team the Bruins haven't played.

The Bruins have an 18 point lead over Montreal in the Northeast Division. The Bruins are the first NHL team reach the 80 point mark. And the icing on the cake, Guy Carbanneau benched Alexei Kovalev early in the 3rd period for not being a team player. God I hate Kovalev.





Sources:
ESPN.com
Winnipeg Free Press

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes

2009 BEANPOT PREVIEW

First Monday of February = Beanpot. It's that simple.

Game 1:

5:00 PM - #2 Boston University vs. Harvard

For anyone who thinks 4-11-3 Harvard is a pushover, ask last year's Northeastern team, who fell to the Crimson in the opening round. BU won't make the same mistake. The Terriers dominate, even though the scoreboard won't really reflect it. 3-1 BU win.

Game 2:

8:00 PM - #3 Northeastern vs. #11 Boston College

NU barely beat BC in a close 4-3 contest back in October. The Huskies have an impressive record at 17-5-2, and an exciting team, but they have yet to convince me. They lost 3-0 to #2 BU, lost 5-3 to #9 Princeton, lost 3-2 to #5 Minnesota, split two home games with #6 Vermont, and went 1-1-1 against #13 UNH. They're the Ohio State football team of college hockey. They beat everybody but the top teams. I think BC takes this one late, possible in OT. 4-3 Eagles.

Championship Prediction:

#2 Boston University vs. #11 Boston College

The classic battle. The Duke-UNC of hockey. The Battle of Comm Ave. The Green Line Rivalry. Of the 56 Beanpots awarded, BU has half (28), and BC has a quarter (14). BU and BC tied 1-1 in their first meeting, but the Terriers have had the edge in their other two, winning 3-1 on Chestnut Hill and 5-2 in Agganis Arena. BU has also beaten #3 Northeastern, #12 North Dakota, #8 Michigan, and #13 UNH (twice). BU 4, BC 2.

Sources:

Hockey East
FoxLocks.com

SO DID THE BRUINS STEAL A POINT OR DROP ONE?

Down 2-0 against an airtight defense with 20 minutes to go, the Bruins' hopes of victory were small. Three even-strengthed goals by Kobasew, Savard, and Wideman, and now the Bruins are on the road to 2 points. With 105 seconds left, Patrick Elias ties it. In overtime, Jamie Langenbrunner nets his second of the game to win it for New Jersey. So were the Bruins fortunate to pocket a point, or unfortunate to drop one?

Both.

Speaking of fortunate, the Devils may have made a deal with their namesake. Langenbrunner's OT goal was the first that came directly off the blade of a New Jersey stick and into the net.

Their first goal was straight out of Angels in the Outfield, but this time it was Devils in the Crease.

On the power play, Bergeron was at the point. He fanned on a shot, and Travis Zajac joined Langenbrunner on a breakaway. Bergeron defended it well and the puck. Langenbrunner shot the rebound off Savard's inside skate. The puck bounced off his outside skate, between Thomas' leg pads, then off the inside of his knee before trickling over the line. It was a freak goal. Plain and simple. The Bruins dominated the 1st period but found themselves behind 1-0.

Despite the bad fortune, the Bruins made plenty of costly mistakes. They've been doing too much of that recently. That's how they lost to St. Louis, and it's why they lost tonight. Giveaways in the defensive zone, low percentage passing in the neutral zone, missed passes at the offensive blue line.

The good news is, this team is good enough to turn it on when it has to. To score 3 goals in a period against New Jersey is rare. Hopefully the B's can keep their foot on the gas enough to earn that #1 seed, then slam the throttle to the floor in the playoffs.

More good news: Montreal lost their 5th straight tonight. The Bruins have a 16 point cushion in the Northeast Division.

Even more good news: Phil Kessel made his return and had two assists. The Bruins now have Bergeron, Kessel, Lucic, and Andrew Ference back and healthy.

The Bruins host the Rangers Saturday afternoon. These teams faced each other in November, and the Bruins lost in a shootout.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa

SHAUGHNESSY, GET A LIFE

He's the worst, most redundant, tired, inane, annoying and dunderheaded columnist in Boston, perhaps the country, maybe even the world. Dan "Curse of the Bambino" Shaughnessy. Dan "Shank" Shaughnessy. Dan "Curly Haired Boyfriend" Shaughnessy.

And he's at it again.

This time he rips Tom Brady for being spoon-fed by Gisele Bundchen while on a trip to Mexico with her.

Shaughnessy's anger stems from paparazzi photos of the two. But what would he have Brady do? Say "No Gisele, let me feed myself. There may photographers in the bushes, and I want to maintain my masculine image."

I guess Shaughnessy wants Brady to live his life based on other people's perceptions, and somehow that would prove his manhood?

Seriously, Shank, get a life. I know the 21st century is a hard one for super-negative hyper-critical writers like him. The Pats won 11 games with a backup, the Sox are 2 time champs, the Celtics won their 17th, and even the Bruins are good. Now is the winter of Dan Shaughnessy's discontent.

What pissed me off most was the laundry list of things Shaughnessy was "OK" with:

"We didn't raise questions when he lost the Gillette Stadium parking space awarded to the guy who arrives earliest, leaves latest, and practices hardest. We didn't hammer him for not sticking around on crutches to help from the sideline. We bought the company line that Tom did not want to create a distraction. We gave him a pass when he failed to grant a single interview about his condition. We didn't rip him when he finally did an interview - a radio spot in Toronto - and it turned out he was just promoting a new sports cream."

Brady was nursing an injury when he lost his space. I wouldn't want a franchise QB with knee injuries spending Sundays on his feet on the sidelines of a football game. If a player ran into him and he fell awkwardly, vulture writers like Shaughnessy would clamor "Why was he on the sidelines?"

Dan also used a form of the phrase "jumping the shark." Shank, "jumping the shark" has long since jumped the shark. And so has your tired act.

BC 76, MARYLAND 67

A win against Maryland is hardly earth-shattering news. It certainly isn't as big of a story as BC's win against Carolina, or even their loss at the hands of Harvard. But these are the wins BC needs to get to postseason play. Furthermore, the Eagles couldn't afford another loss to mediocre competition.

BC was down by 16 late in the 1st, but chipped the deficit to 11. And with 6:10 left in the 2nd, Tyrese Rice gave BC their first lead of the game. Rice only had 10 points, well below his average, but Josh Southern, Joe Trapani, Rakim Sanders, and Reggie Jackson were all in double figures. Maryland shooting 3 for 17 beyond the arc was also key.

A legitimate goal for Boston College this year is to finish in the top 6 of the ACC. In order to accomplish this, they almost have to win Saturday night when they host Virginia Tech.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Nick Wass

BRUINS FINALLY BUST A CAP

The Washington Capitals have never, ever beaten the Bruins 4 games in a row. They had taken 3 straight from the B's coming into Tuesday night's game, but that streak ended when David Krejci's pass to Marc Savard bounced off a Capital's skate, off the post, and into the net.

If you look at the preview below, you'll see that I predicted a 3-2 OT win for the Bruins. I'm rarely right with predictions, usually picking the winner of games 20% of the time. My NCAA brackets are so bad they became something of a legend in college. But when I'm right, I'm perfectly dead on.

The return of Patrice Bergeron was a huge part of this game. His STUNNING poke check on the power play kept the puck in Washington's zone, and set-up Savard's goal in the 1st, making it a 1-1 game. Bergeron played over 17 minutes, had an assist, and blocked 2 shots. His play on both ends of the ice was sorely missed.

Tim Thomas was awarded the First Star, and rightfully so. He stopped 34 of 36 shots, including a groin stretching pad save in overtime.

Shawn Thornton came out of nowhere with a phenominal game. The 4th line was the Bruins' best line all night, which is a bad sign. However, Yelle and Thornton did very well. His 4th goal of the season was a typical Jose Theodore goal. Thornton held the puck, waiting for Theodore to go down early. Theodore obliged, Thornton's backhanded wrist shot found the top shelf.

I'm going to shout out Cornell alum Byron Bitz. He dropped the gloves and took on Donald Brashear. Brashear clearly won what was more of a dance than a fight, but credit Bitz for his first NHL fight and the opponent he chose. It was Brashear's 200th fight in the League.

Milan Lucic also returned. He was excellent without the puck, not so good with it. He was hitting like we're used to seeing him hit, but he fouled up a few plays, especially in the offensive zone.

The Bruins might take home trophies for rookie of the year, best goalie, best defenseman, but the NHL's MVP is Alexander Ovechkin. give him the Hart Trophy right now. Or should I say, inform him he can keep it for another year. When he was absent from the game, the dynamics of play completely changed.



At the same time, how often does he get away with punching opponents in the face in the middle of play? Not a knock on him, more on star-struck officials. And Chara usually gets away with holds and "light" interference, so I'll not file a complaint with the League Office.

The Bruins host the Devils Thursday night. New Jersey has surged to the top of the Atlantic Division. The Bruins beat them 2-0 on the road in December, but New Jersey is riding a 6 game winning streak.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Elise Amendol

CAPITALS AT BRUINS PREVIEW

Washington is one of the few teams that has had the Bruins' number this year. A pair of close games between the two, both played in Washington, and both won by the Caps.

Just to let you know, this game is on Versus, so some of you out there might miss it. I suggest tuning into NESN postgame for the highlights, because this is an important game.

When I say it's an important game, I don't mean that the result (win/lose/OT lose) is that vital, just that how the Bruins play is important. Can the Bruins figure out a way to beat this team? Even though the scores of the previous two games were close (3-1 with an empty-netter in December, 2-1 10 days ago), Washington had the better of the play, particularly in the neutral zone.

The Bruins need to get on the power play in this game. Washington's penalty kill rate is an unimpressive 78.9%, and the Bruins have scored in 25% of their power plays. How do you get on the power play? Working the puck in the offensive zone, forcing the Caps to make mistakes like hook, hold, obstruct, interfere, and so on.

Patrice Bergeron will be back in the lineup, but it's unclear how much ice time he'll get. I'd imagine he won't get much, and probably won't play on special teams.

Tim Thomas will be in net. Manny Fernandez has "general soreness," and his spot on the bench will be filled by Tuuka Rask, recently called up from Providence. Thomas looked sharp the last time he faced Washington, but the Bruins couldn't generate any offense for him.

The Bruins average 3.51 goals per game, but have scored 1 per game against Washington. The B's need to be more aggressive and take more risks when bringing the puck up ice. Try to punish the Capitals for overloading the space between the blue lines.

Prediction: Bruins 3, Capitals 2 - Bruins win it in OT

YES, THE NHL ALL-STAR GAME WAS YESTERDAY

Not only was the game start at an awkward time: 6 PM Eastern. Not only was it hidden on Versus. It was even more boring, with 1 hit, yes 1 official hit, and 1 penalty. No checking, certainly no fighting, it was a basketball game on ice. Maybe even a girl's basketball game.

It ended 12-11 in favor of the East in a shooutout. For the second year, Tim Thomas received the goaltending Win. And he actually was the best of the 6 goalies that played, stopping 19 of 22 shots for a game best 0.864 save percentage. He didn't yield a goal in the shootout, allowing Alex Ovechkin to win it for the Eastern Conference.



The MVP went to Alex Kovalev, who had 2 goals and an assist.

Marc Savard had 3 assists, tied with Joe Thornton for most in the game.

Zdeno Chara didn't have a great night. Then again, what defensive-minded defenseman did? Almost all of Chara's offense comes on the power play, and there was only 1 of those. He did, however, lead all skaters in time-on-ice.

The NHL All-Star Game is perhaps the worst of all 4 All-Star contests. It's fake hockey, not real. The NBA All-Star Game has more defense.

In the skills competition, Zdeno Chara won Hardest Shot for the 3rd straight year. He set a new record at 105.4 MPH and also won $24,000 for Right to Play, his favorite charity.



Marc Savard didn't win the Shootout Elimination, but he came close, advancing to the 6th of 7 rounds. He was assisted by Tim Thomas, who was his designated goalie for 2 of 3 shots. Thomas flopped on the ice and allowed Savard to score twice. Here's Thomas trying to make a glove save between his legs.



Rookie Blake Wheeler had a hat trick and won MVP honors in the Young Stars game as the freshman team defeated the sophomore team 9-5.

Thankfully nobody got injured. Now it's back to real hockey. Capitals @ Bruins tomorrow night.

Sources:
ESPN.com
The Canadian Press

Photo Credits:
AP