SHOT OUT

The Bruins registered another fine defensive performance. Tim Thomas was stellar in net, the defensemen broke up play after play, and forwards like Bergeron and Bitz were outstanding in their own zone.

Offensively, not so bad, believe it or not. I know, I know, 0 goals is 0 goals. But the Bruins put 40 shots on Tomas Vokoun. And he had an amazing game himself, made no mistakes. And these weren't a sloppy 40 shots either. In my book, if you get 40 shots on net, you've at least had a decent offensive night.

One thing that worried me was that some Bruins lost their patience in the 3rd period. Michael Ryder exhibited none in the final period or the overtime. He tried some silly behind-the-back pass, and several times his attempted fanciness triggered Panther counterattacks. If not for teammates who were playing excellent Hockey 101, Ryder would have cost the Bruins the game.

Another shootout loss. The Bruins are 2-3 in OT/SO. But they were 7-10 last year, so this is hardly a new trend. Michael Ryder's fancyboy play was contagious, spreading to Blake Wheeler and Patrice Bergeron in the shootout.

When it was announced that Chara would shoot 3rd, I was happy. I figured he'd just rear back, and let loose with a 105 MPH slap-shot. Sort of like a closer throwing a high fastball. "If you get this, good for you." Instead, even Chara fell victim to impatience and fanciness.

And it simply wasn't intelligent shooting by Wheeler, Bergeron, Chara, and Ryder. They tried to get Vokoun to make a mistake and get out of position. That's something he hadn't done on 40 previous shots. Wheeler actually did get Vokoun to move, but couldn't execute.

It's frustrating, but worrying about shootout wins is something to do in February and March, not November. The goals will come, they'll come from solid defensive play, so long as the forwards remain patient. For now, just credit Vokoun with an outstanding performance and we can all move on to the next game. Which is at Pittsburgh Saturday night.

You do have to feel for Tim Thomas though. In his last 6 games, he's allowed 6 goals, and has only 1 win. He's in Pedro Martinez in 2001 territory now.

Source:
ESPN
NHL.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa

ANOTHER EASY WIN FOR CELTICS

The plan to keep Kevin Garnett's minutes down has gone off without a hitch this season. It's easy, actually, just get a 22 point lead by the end of the 3rd quarter, then let KG spend the 4th as a cheerleader.

Garnett had 18 points in 26 minutes to lead the C's to their 8th win of the season. He was one of 7 Celtics to score in double figures (Ray Allen had 15, Rondo 14, Pierce, 13, Wallace 12, Perkins 10, Daniels 10).

The Celtics host the 6-2 Atlanta Hawks Friday night.

Source:
ESPN

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

VARITEK PICKS UP HIS OPTION

Unfortunately, Jason Varitek will be a member of the Red Sox for another season. The switch-swing-and-a-missing catcher picked up his $3 million player option for the 2010 season. Maybe if he's kept on the bench, his numbers won't nosedive so horrendously after 150 ABs.

BRUINS WIN BATTLE OF "UINS"

The talking heads on Versus kept talking about how much the Penguins missed Malkin and several other key players. While that's true, the Bruins played their asses off, and aren't exactly the healthiest team in the world.

Derek Morris had his best defensive game of the season. In fact, all the Bruins defensemen played very well in the offensive and defensive zones. Hunwick scored the first goal of the game, and Wideman got two assists. Chara smothered Cindy Crosby.

The Bruins have killed 28 of their last 29 penalties. That unit has improved dramatically since the start of the season.

With no Savard and no Lucic, the B's offense still lacks the ferocity it had last season. But they're playing well defensively, and keeping things simple in the offensive zone. Solid play leads to goals. Not a ton of goals, but enough to stay in games and let your Norris defenseman and Vezina goalie win them for you.

The Florida Panthers come to town Thursday night. They're 5-9-1 with the 4th worst PK percentage in the NHL, so the power play should be able to produce.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Winslow Townson

BAY WATCH

Jason Bay led the Red Sox with 119 RBI in '09. He only hit .267, but had an impressive .384 OBP, along with a .537 SLG. Only Kevin Youkilis had a higher OPS on the team. His 36 homers were the most on the Sox.

He hit .392 against the Yankees.

I honestly don't know why the Sox haven't locked this guy up. He's been a 100 RBI guy in 4 of the last 5 seasons. He's an OBP kind of guy, works counts, makes pitchers work, and he knocks in runs. He doesn't have Manny Ramirez's kind of power, but he's not looking for Manny Ramirez money. He's 31 years old, and hasn't missed significant games since '04. He's an ideal #5 hitter.

He's worth 5 years at $75 million, and perhaps a little more. JD Drew makes about that much, and Bay doesn't have the same injury history as Drew did when the Sox acquired him.

Plus there's no alternative out there. Bobby Abreu was snatched up by the Angels. Then there's Matt Holliday...



Holliday's been a great NL player, struggled a bit in his short-time in the AL, but he does have great numbers. In fact, they're slightly better numbers than Jason Bay's. But not much better. And how much more money will those BA, OBP, and OPS points cost?

Holliday is pretty much the only replacement available. But we know what Jason Bay will do in Boston and in the AL East. We don't know what Holliday will give us. I just don't think that slim upgrade is worth the risk, or the additional cost.

SOX MAKE OBVIOUS MOVES

The Red Sox made some blatantly telegraphed maneuvering Monday afternoon. They picked up Victor Martinez's option, worth $7 million. Martinez hit .303, splitting his season between Cleveland and Boston. He had 108 RBI and 23 HR. $7 million is a bargain basement price for a guy like him.

The Sox also signed Tim Wakefield to a 2 year, $5 million deal. Wakefield will get $3.5M next season, and $1.5 in 2011. There are also incentives. The Sox did have a perpetual $4 million option on him, but this might be a cheaper way to go. Frankly, I don't think Wakefield can be a starter anymore, not for a full season. He had back problems last year, and I'd like to see him shutdown until mid-summer of 2010, or converted into a mid-reliever.

The Sox also declined the $5 million club option on Jason Varitek. However, Varitek has a $3 million option of his own. It's anticipated that he'll exercise that option, and will unfortunately be a part of the team in 2010.

Sources:
WBZ
ESPN

DAVID KREJCI 1, SWINE FLU 0

David Krejci has been unquarantined and returned to practice today. He centered a line with Blake Wheeler and Vladimir Sobotka. This is fantastic news, as the Bruins are in the midst of a key stretch of games, and need every able body on the ice. Byron Bitz returned on Saturday and rejuvenated the B's, hopefully Krejci can do the same.

The Bruins followed CDC guidelines on this issue, and it seems to have worked. So far none of Krejci's teammates have contracted H1N1.

B's host the Penguins Tuesday night.



Source:
NESN

A-GON'S OPTION DECLINED

Alex Gonzalez's $6 million club option was declined by the Boston Red Sox, but the team will probably try to still keep the defensively inclined short-stop.

I really hope the Sox do hang on to Alex Gonzalez. His .284 average in 44 games with the Sox was an aberration, but so long as he can hit above the Varitek Line (.210) and perform well in the field (only 7 errors at SS last year, and a fielding percentage of .984), he'd be the best short-stop the Sox have had since Orlando Cabrera.

Sources:
Boston.com
Baseball-Reference.com