Let me just start by saying: if I hear one more person go off about World Series revenge or something ridiculous like that there is gonna be some Tuukka Rask vs. milk crates type stuff occurring. Because, news flash, this is hockey. As much as we love the good old Red Sox, we love the Bruins more and cross-sport revenge is kind of overrated.
Now on to the important thing: the Bruins (14-6-1) are taking on the St. Louis Blues (14-3-3) tonight at TD Garden in the first game of a three game home stay. I guarantee tonight is going to be one of those interesting (probably heart stopping) games we've come to love. Why?
Now on to the important thing: the Bruins (14-6-1) are taking on the St. Louis Blues (14-3-3) tonight at TD Garden in the first game of a three game home stay. I guarantee tonight is going to be one of those interesting (probably heart stopping) games we've come to love. Why?
Well to put it simply, the Bruins (for some reason) have an absolutely horrendous time with the Blues at home. The last time we beat them at TD Garden was in 2001. It has been 12 years. Our home streak against the Blues is 0-2-3. Which I find kind of absurd but this season they are a very real threat.
The Blues are on the best 20 game start in franchise history and have a 3.4 goals/game average. (To put this in prospect the only team with a better average than that is the Blackhawks at 3.46). They average about 32 goals per game and have the top power play in the league at 25.7%. Their offense, in my opinion, is being vitalized and anchored by Alexander Steen, who has a whopping 17 goals and 26 points this season. Steen has caused the Bruins a lot of grief the last nine times he's been to the Garden with five goals and eight assists. The Bruins are going to want to be wary of this guy because he could very well be our biggest threat tonight.
Now this isn't to say I don't think the Bruins have a chance, because we all know this team is capable of anything and everything. It's definitely not going to be easy, with Adam McQuaid still out (but skating!) with a lower body injury and Seidenberg also out with a lower body injury. Luckily, Kevan Miller has been called up from the AHL to play in his first NHL game tonight to replace Seidenberg, so there will be none of that "rolling two defensive lines" nonsense tonight. So our defensive chemistry could be a little off tonight, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're in much trouble. Because remembering Tuesday's game, we all know Tuukka Rask is the best back up we could have for a faulty defense. Let's hope he doesn't have to carry the team on his back (again) tonight, but it's a comfort to know he's there if need be.
I also think our offense, if we're awake tonight, could make easy work of Blues' goalie Jaroslav Halak (as long as we don't go into a shootout). The last two games Halak has played in Boston have gone into shootouts, where the Bruins promptly lost. But forgetting that should be the goal tonight because it's possible to beat this guy in regulation. He's got a SV% of .903 and a 2.38 GAA. We've played statistically more challenging goalies (aka guys like James Reimer) and have still come out on top. What it's going to come down to tonight is whether our offense is awake and whether we can develop and maintain the offensive effort we saw against Carolina. (It would also help if the Bruins avoided the penalty box like the plague, but we'll see how that one goes. And yes I'm looking at you Marchy. and you too Iginla. And Soupy you're not helping either.)
The Blues are on the best 20 game start in franchise history and have a 3.4 goals/game average. (To put this in prospect the only team with a better average than that is the Blackhawks at 3.46). They average about 32 goals per game and have the top power play in the league at 25.7%. Their offense, in my opinion, is being vitalized and anchored by Alexander Steen, who has a whopping 17 goals and 26 points this season. Steen has caused the Bruins a lot of grief the last nine times he's been to the Garden with five goals and eight assists. The Bruins are going to want to be wary of this guy because he could very well be our biggest threat tonight.
Now this isn't to say I don't think the Bruins have a chance, because we all know this team is capable of anything and everything. It's definitely not going to be easy, with Adam McQuaid still out (but skating!) with a lower body injury and Seidenberg also out with a lower body injury. Luckily, Kevan Miller has been called up from the AHL to play in his first NHL game tonight to replace Seidenberg, so there will be none of that "rolling two defensive lines" nonsense tonight. So our defensive chemistry could be a little off tonight, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're in much trouble. Because remembering Tuesday's game, we all know Tuukka Rask is the best back up we could have for a faulty defense. Let's hope he doesn't have to carry the team on his back (again) tonight, but it's a comfort to know he's there if need be.
I also think our offense, if we're awake tonight, could make easy work of Blues' goalie Jaroslav Halak (as long as we don't go into a shootout). The last two games Halak has played in Boston have gone into shootouts, where the Bruins promptly lost. But forgetting that should be the goal tonight because it's possible to beat this guy in regulation. He's got a SV% of .903 and a 2.38 GAA. We've played statistically more challenging goalies (aka guys like James Reimer) and have still come out on top. What it's going to come down to tonight is whether our offense is awake and whether we can develop and maintain the offensive effort we saw against Carolina. (It would also help if the Bruins avoided the penalty box like the plague, but we'll see how that one goes. And yes I'm looking at you Marchy. and you too Iginla. And Soupy you're not helping either.)
Here's my list of guys to watch tonight:
1. Loui Erikkson: Loui has been an absolute offensive force for us this season. He only recently came off a 6 game point streak. He's +6 with 4 goals and 6 assists under his belt too. With his speed and play making, he might be the one to make the difference tonight.
2. Reilly Smith: This kid kind of came out of nowhere but thank god he did because he's done a lot of great things for us. Granted he likes to get a little fancy with the puck, but I'm okay with that if he keeps his level of play up. He's got 13 points (third highest on the team) with three goals and 10 assists and is +4.
3. The entirety of the fourth line: There's a reason they're known as the best fourth line in the league and Tuesday's game only proved it. They create energy, they make plays and occasionally they score beautiful goals. They are an integral part of our physical game. If anything, tonight we'll see somebody (probably Thorty) fight or we'll see several great shifts that kick starts a wave of momentum.
1. Loui Erikkson: Loui has been an absolute offensive force for us this season. He only recently came off a 6 game point streak. He's +6 with 4 goals and 6 assists under his belt too. With his speed and play making, he might be the one to make the difference tonight.
2. Reilly Smith: This kid kind of came out of nowhere but thank god he did because he's done a lot of great things for us. Granted he likes to get a little fancy with the puck, but I'm okay with that if he keeps his level of play up. He's got 13 points (third highest on the team) with three goals and 10 assists and is +4.
3. The entirety of the fourth line: There's a reason they're known as the best fourth line in the league and Tuesday's game only proved it. They create energy, they make plays and occasionally they score beautiful goals. They are an integral part of our physical game. If anything, tonight we'll see somebody (probably Thorty) fight or we'll see several great shifts that kick starts a wave of momentum.
My Score Prediction: 3-2 Bruins win in OT.
Until after the game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!