It would've been nice to see the Patriots offense seal the deal on their own in the 4th quarter. A 7+ minute drive went all the way to the Baltimore 9, but the Patriots couldn't convert on 2nd & 4 then 3rd & 4. An illegal motion penalty called back a 1st down on a fake field goal (I loved that call, by the way). It was a 15 play, 59 yard drive, but the Pats only added 3 to their lead.
Then the defense made a stand, forced a 4 and out, that SHOULD HAVE ENDED THE GAME. The Pats offense had the ball in Baltimore territory, just needed to move the ball a bit and hit a field goal. Or at least get a 1st down and run the clock a bit. Instead, it was 3 and out, with only 1:37 drained from the clock.
The defense was leaned on heavily, and it eventually came through. But on a team with Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker; there's no excuse for not putting the game away on your own.
That being said, the Pats were only favored by 2 at home. The Ravens had been undefeated. ESPN had Baltimore ranked #1 in their power rankings. This, combined with a win over Atlanta, is a promising sign.
Next week the Pats face another test. The Broncos are 4-0, and Denver has always been a tough place for the Patriots to play. But it's certainly a winnable game.
Also, Mark Sanchez and the frauds from New Jersey were exposed by the Saints today. The top of the AFC East is now a 3-1 stalemate.
If the NHL weren't so Canadiocentric, Alex Ovechkin would not only be the best player, he'd also be the biggest star. He's just better than Sidney Crosby at everything. He's an exciting player, and actually has a personality.
Last night, the Capitals were in postseason form, the Bruins were still stuck in the preseason. The B's dominated the first 5 shifts of the game, but still couldn't finalize their attacks. After those opening 5 minutes, Washington settled down, the Bruins remained shaky.
There was no forechecking. Pucks dumped into corners were quickly shoveled out by a Capital, keying their ferocious transition attack.
There were stupid penalties. Too many men on the ice is inexcusable. And while Chara was penalized 2 minutes for treating Ovechkin like a hockey player, he shouldn't have risked putting his team down a man to the best power play unit in the Universe. Then there were the offsides calls, a nasty habit the B's picked up in the middle of the Carolina series, and one they have yet to quit themselves of.
Bad passes from guys like Krejci. Sturm getting used to playing a new position with new linemates.
The shots from the blue-line annoyed the hell out of me. If the players were crowding the net, then by all means shoot and hope for the deflection. But 10 feet of space isn't enough to justify a shot. The Capitals' defense is ALWAYS poised for the counterattack, so don't take shots that have little chance of getting through. It's essentially a turnover. High rebounds in the slots are a good thing against most teams, but not against the Caps.
Jose Theodore sucks. He looks like he's guessing all the time. You get a body in on his crease, you will get a rebound and will score. But the Bruins' offense was limited to breakaways only. There weren't any extended periods of attack. Theodore drifts out of position second by second. If you just pass the puck around a bit, he'll wind up in the corner, and you'll get an open net.
Speaking of passing, the Bruins were far too casual with theirs, especially on the power play. That's a good way to surrender 4 goals.
The good news is that Marco Sturm is fast as hell. Patrice Bergeron has his scoring touch back. And this team showed some nice fire at the end of the 3rd period. They'll work these kinks out.
Jon Lester's status was a question mark until last night, as he went 6.1 innings, striking out 7, allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk. Although it wasn't against anyone formidable, and Cleveland manager Eric Wedge is beyond "lame-duck" status, the fact that he could go out and throw 84 quality pitches after taking a line drive off the knee is what's important.
It was also nice to see the Red Sox win a game. It's amazing how much a day off helps.
Listening to Dale and Holley on WEEI this morning got me pissed off. People called in and complained that they bought tickets to last night's 12-0 loss, and felt gypped that they didn't get so see guys like Youkilis, Pedroia, or Ellsbury. Instead, they saw 7 bench players nearly get no-hit by Roy Halladay.
One idiot suggested that the Sox give out refunds to the fans. Some more thought that the Sox starters should have played at least one inning so fans in attendance could "applaud them" for winning the Wild Card.
You know what, how spoiled can you get? I remember being a kid when just going to the game was an amazing adventure no matter who played or who won. As a teenager, I remember enduring 34 degree April weather in row 50 of the bleachers. I remember driving down to the Bronx to see the Sox lose 10-2 and still had a good night.
Last night's game was a great opportunity to give almost everyone a night off. The Sox had played 15 games in a row without an off day. They have 4 more consecutive games in October.
This team revolves around one thing: winning the World Series. Not making sure the people who bought tickets to home game #77 have a wonderful time.
It wasn't the ideal way to get into the postseason: losing 8-7 to the Jays, then waiting 'til 1 AM for the Angels (who will be the Sox' opponents) to do the dirty work by beating Texas. But any Sox fan who complains about this manner of clinching can go fuck themselves, then take a time machine to 15 years ago and talk to Sox fans about "bad ways of making the playoffs." All Yankee fans or other Sox haters who want to make fun can do the same.
The Red Sox won the 2009 Wild Card by winning 91 games, even though they didn't win that 92nd to clinch it on their own. The Sox have the 5th best record in baseball, 7 games ahead of the AL Central leading Tigers, and that's after losing 5 straight and 7 of 9. Mmmmmmmmmm, 7 of 9.
Anyway, winning the Wild Card is something to celebrate. It's the 6th time in 7 years that the Sox have made the playoffs. Before 2003, the Sox needed 23 years to make the playoffs 7 times. And before 1986, they needed 60 years to make the playoffs 6 times. In other words, this is most definitely the best time to be a Sox fan since the end of World War I.
BUT, there are things to worry about. Last night was supposed to be Buchholz's tune-up start for the playoffs. He looked dreadful, and now might start to doubt his performance in the playoffs.
Then again, there was some good injury news yesterday. Lester threw a bullpen session and everything was reported to be fine.
And Beckett will be able to make his next start on Saturday after his back spasms have improved.
If you'd told me before the 08-09 season that the Bruins would advance as far as Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, I would have been pleased. If you'd told me in the MIDDLE of the 08-09 season that the Bruins would advance only to Game 7 of the Eastern Semis, I would have been disappointed. In other words, the B's have unfinished business.
In this inflexible salary cap era, the Bruins were unable to add much to their team. Yet they will be better, because the guys they already have will be better. Yes, they will be better despite the loss of Phil "fantasy points" Kessel.
The Bruins have a rare thing in this day and age: depth. Not only depth, but flexibility. They can roll 3 excellent lines, and a solid 4th can take 10+ minutes per game without jeopardizing any leads. Those 3 lines feature a variety of moving parts that can be changed from one line to another as the situation dictates. Guys like Milan Lucic can play on the 1st line with the talented skaters, and on the 3rd line with the checkers. Byron Bitz can be a 4th line bruiser and a 2nd line presence in the crease.
Oh, the Bruins also have the Norris Trophy winner on the blue line, and the Vezina winner in net. That's always nice.
So let's start with Tim Thomas and the other netminders. This will be the first time in Thomas' NHL career that he is the definite #1 in net. He led the NHL with a 2.10 GAA and .933 SV% last year, and will likely reach similar statistical marks in 09-10. He'll only start about 50 games, giving 22 year old backup Tuukka Rask plenty of time as well. For the first time in a long time, the Bruins are all set in net.
The depth at Defenseman was tested in last season's playoffs. And it failed. When Andrew Ference and Matt Hunwick went down, too much was needed from guys like Steve Montador. The Bruins also lost Aaron Ward, trading him to the Hurricanes of all teams. They added 11 year veteran Derek Morris, who will be a decent 3rd tandem defenseman.
Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman might be one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL. Combined they had 32 goals, 68 assists, and averaged around 25 minutes of ice time. Wideman, who's only 26, was 6th in the NHL in +/- at +32. He's a bit sluggish at times, and occasionally makes groan-inducing mistakes with the puck, but he can only improve. And Chara is the team's big brother, a leader and a brawler and a scorer.
Rounding out the defense are Mark Stuart, Andrew Ference, and Matt Hunwick. Stuart's only 25 and showed a lot of promise last year. If Andrew Ference can stay healthy, he'll be solid, but that is a big "if." He hasn't played a full NHL season since 2005-06. And Matt Hunwick is poised to have a breakout season. The 24 year old became a presence on the power play and registered 21 assists. When his spleen exploded in the playoffs, the Bruins lost quite a bit. He can also play forward in a pinch.
The depth and flexibility the Bruins have in their forwards simply puts a smile on my face. Just thinking of all the different combinations is a fun little game for me.
Marc Savard led the Bruins in points last year. He helped make Phil Kessel a rich man, so I hope Phil sends Marc a Christmas card. Savard had 63 assists, but also scored 25 goals on his own. He's good for another 90 point season.
David Krejci wanted to remain a Bruin. He was a restricted free agent, but signed with very little drama. And he's a bit more versatile than Kessel. Krejci's 2nd line might be the best line to be on. When players slumped last year, they'd find themselves on Krejci's line and suddenly find their games. The 23 year old should be good to go on Opening Night.
Milan Lucic became a complete hockey player last year. He found himself shuffled from line-to-line, but that was because Coach Julien found him useful in a variety of roles. I like Lucic best on the 2nd or 3rd line with other checking players, instead of being on a line that's more about making plays. Lucic will never be a fancy player capable of the things guys like Krejci and Savard are. But he will score 20+ goals and once again be a YouTube star.
The Bruins have a little bit of age and wisdom on their side this year as well. They acquired Derek Morris, but also will bring 11 year vet Marco Sturm back, as well as 20 year man Mark Recchi. Sturm led the B's in goals in the 07-08 campaign with 27. Recchi scored 10 goals in 18 games for the B's last year.
Byron Bitz was introduced to the hockey world during the postseason. The 25 year old Cornell alum is 6' 5" and 215. And he plays bigger than that. He's a presence in front of the net, a force in the corners on both forecheck and backcheck, and a scrapper. He can be put on a scoring line with Savard and Sturm in order to take up space in the crease. He can be put on a checking line with Lucic and Kobasew and wear opponents down. Or he can be on a brawling line with Thornton and Begin and fuck people up.
Patrice Bergeron turned 24 this summer. It's unbelievable, right? He's been playing since 2003, has 300+ NHL games under his belt, and he's only 24. And he's going to have a breakout season. 08-09 was his return from injury year. He played great hockey, PJ Axelsson quality defensive play, great on the power play, even better shorthanded. But now he'll get that scoring touch back. He scored 31 goals in 05-06, and 22 in 06-07. He's got 20+ goal stuff and will help make up for the loss of Kessel.
Michael Ryder earned my respect last year. I was very doubtful that he'd amount to anything, but given the right linemates, he's a 25 to 30 goal scorer.
Steve Begin and Shawn Thornton are going to have too much fun together. I hope Begin takes a lesson from his predecessor: Stephan Yelle. The Bruins' 4th line was great last year not just because they messed people up, but because they weren't a negative on the scoreline. Shawn Thornton was -2, which is pretty good for a guy with 123 penalty minutes. Yelle was +6.
I'm not a fan of Blake Wheeler. But he did show sparks last year. He finished with a nice goal total of 21, but 14 of those came before the All-Star Game. He's not bad for a 3rd liner, but that's as high as I see him climbing.
Chuck Kobasew is last but certainly not least. His broken ribs in the Carolina series probably tipped the scales in Carolina's favor. The 27 year old BC alum from BC (British Columbia) scored 20+ goals each of the last two seasons. Look for similar production from him.
As I've said ad naseum in this preview, the Bruins have a great deal of versatility with their forwards. Julien is good at keeping things fluid, and matching the right guys together at the right time. Struggling players go with Krejci. Players in the groove go with Savard. Checkers and skaters mix together perfectly.
The Bruins led East with 274 goals. I think they will be around the 260 mark or higher, which will be more than good enough. The B's also allowed the fewest goals at 196. That number won't come up much. The Bruins will be either the 1 or the 2 seed in the East, winning the Northeast Division. They'll roll through the playoffs with purpose and win their first Stanley Cup since 1972.
For the second time, ESPN's famous Saturday morning college football pregame show will grace Chestnut Hill with its presence. The show will broadcast from the Campus Green from 10 AM to noon, before BC's game against Florida State.
As a BC fan, and as someone who works at BC football games, I'm pretty exited about this. Exited, yet confused and surprised. #7 USC is playing #24 Cal in Berkeley. That's a big game. #4 LSU is at #18 Georgia, that's an even bigger game. #8 Oklahoma is at #17 Miami. That's a monstrous game.
Neither Boston College or Florida State are ranked.
But maybe this has something to do with BC football's anti-cancer campaign. I can't think of another reason to choose Chestnut Hill over Berkeley, Athens, or Miami.
The Sox can clinch a playoff berth Tuesday night with a win or a Rangers' loss, despite losing 11-5 to the Blue Jays on Monday.
Josh Beckett was scratched from his scheduled start with "mild back spasms." His replacement Michael Bowden only went 3 innings, allowing 7 earned runs. Bowden's replacement - Hunter Jones - allowed 4 more in 1.2 innings.
The good news is that Beckett apparently was scratched as a precuation more than anything else. The Sox have all but secured their spot in the playoffs, so why risk Beckett? They're likely to skip his spot in the rotation, and have him start on Saturday.
