Tonight's effort was much improved from what we saw the last time we played the Rangers. The Bruins managed to win the game 3-2 in regulation after battling back from a 2-1 deficit, improving our record to 17-7-2 and keeping us at the top of the East by a point.
In the first period the Rangers outplayed the Bruins, getting more shots in and scoring two goals in under two minutes. The Bruins came out looking kind of sluggish and trying to re-find their game and rhythm after the Red Wings. Our defense couldn't keep track of the puck and our offense didn't seem to know what do with it once they had it. It wasn't until the end of the second where we really saw some momentum out of the Bruins.
In the first period the Rangers outplayed the Bruins, getting more shots in and scoring two goals in under two minutes. The Bruins came out looking kind of sluggish and trying to re-find their game and rhythm after the Red Wings. Our defense couldn't keep track of the puck and our offense didn't seem to know what do with it once they had it. It wasn't until the end of the second where we really saw some momentum out of the Bruins.
This momentum partly came from quite a few scuffles in front of the net, mainly from Lucic and Thornton. But the most notable scuffle of the game was that brawl between Chara and New York's wanna be tough guy Brian Boyle. Saying Chara tossed this guy around like a rag doll would be an understatement. What possesses any sane human being to think fighting a guy that's 6'11" on his skates is a good idea is beyond me. But it definitely helped the team to see their captain going in for them.
Once this momentum fully kicked in, we were basically unstoppable. In the third period, we dominated puck possession, we were getting great looks and we were making good plays. We kept constant pressure on Lundqvist and maintained a full effort even through the last two minutes of the period and after having to kill a too many men on the ice penalty on Milan Lucic. The defense actually got it's act together and did it's job without ending up in the penalty box (although their ability to stay on their skates was kind of lacking, but hey, we should take what we can get).
My biggest qualm with this game was the number of penalties we took. We ended up with seven penalties, the majority of them concentrated in the first period. Although the first period was our sloppiest, that does not excuse five penalties in a 20 minute time span. We were lucky the Rangers power play is basically useless or this game could have ended really really badly.
Once this momentum fully kicked in, we were basically unstoppable. In the third period, we dominated puck possession, we were getting great looks and we were making good plays. We kept constant pressure on Lundqvist and maintained a full effort even through the last two minutes of the period and after having to kill a too many men on the ice penalty on Milan Lucic. The defense actually got it's act together and did it's job without ending up in the penalty box (although their ability to stay on their skates was kind of lacking, but hey, we should take what we can get).
My biggest qualm with this game was the number of penalties we took. We ended up with seven penalties, the majority of them concentrated in the first period. Although the first period was our sloppiest, that does not excuse five penalties in a 20 minute time span. We were lucky the Rangers power play is basically useless or this game could have ended really really badly.
But I do want to talk about Zdeno Chara for a minute. As much trouble as he's been having lately, he came out swinging today (literally). Big Zee came out of this game with a first star and a Gordie Howe hattrick. Let's relive this, shall we?
1. Assist on Brad Marchand's First Period Goal: With some mayhem in front of the net, Zdeno Chara sets Marchand up with a beautiful pass from the circle, which Marchand capitalizes on (for the first time since Nov. 11th against the Senators).
2. Fight Against Brian Boyle: Like I said before, Zdeno Chara made this guy his bitch in this fight. Boyle didn't stand a chance. The guy couldn't even stay on his feet for goodness sake.
3. GWG Late in the Third: Leave it to Chara to get the game winning goal to cap off his Gordie Howe hattrick. With some hard work and the set up pass from Krejci, Chara winds up for his infamous slap shot and buries it right past Lundqvist's gloved side. If I were Lundqvist, I would have avoided blocking this shot too.
1. Assist on Brad Marchand's First Period Goal: With some mayhem in front of the net, Zdeno Chara sets Marchand up with a beautiful pass from the circle, which Marchand capitalizes on (for the first time since Nov. 11th against the Senators).
2. Fight Against Brian Boyle: Like I said before, Zdeno Chara made this guy his bitch in this fight. Boyle didn't stand a chance. The guy couldn't even stay on his feet for goodness sake.
3. GWG Late in the Third: Leave it to Chara to get the game winning goal to cap off his Gordie Howe hattrick. With some hard work and the set up pass from Krejci, Chara winds up for his infamous slap shot and buries it right past Lundqvist's gloved side. If I were Lundqvist, I would have avoided blocking this shot too.
Not to be forgotten, the other two goals of the game were pretty impressive in themselves:
1. Marchand's Snap Shot: like I mentioned, Marchand got the set up from Chara and for the first time in two weeks manages to score a goal. This counts as his 4th of the season. We all know Marchand has been slumping lately but maybe this will wake him up and get him back to the little scoring honey badger we all know and love (and Rangers fans just love to hate).
2. Saint Patrice's Snap Shot: Early in the third, Patrice Bergeron shows us once again that we are not worthy. After Marchy battles his way from the neutral zone and protects the puck long enough to pass it backward, Bergeron shoots for Lundqvist stick side. The puck manages to whistle around Lundqvist, off the post and into the net. It was beautiful and counts as Bergeron's 7th of the season.
The momentum and confidence we saw in the last part of this game will hopefully carry over to the Blue Jackets game tonight (which I will be attending). But until we get to see it for ourselves,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
1. Marchand's Snap Shot: like I mentioned, Marchand got the set up from Chara and for the first time in two weeks manages to score a goal. This counts as his 4th of the season. We all know Marchand has been slumping lately but maybe this will wake him up and get him back to the little scoring honey badger we all know and love (and Rangers fans just love to hate).
2. Saint Patrice's Snap Shot: Early in the third, Patrice Bergeron shows us once again that we are not worthy. After Marchy battles his way from the neutral zone and protects the puck long enough to pass it backward, Bergeron shoots for Lundqvist stick side. The puck manages to whistle around Lundqvist, off the post and into the net. It was beautiful and counts as Bergeron's 7th of the season.
The momentum and confidence we saw in the last part of this game will hopefully carry over to the Blue Jackets game tonight (which I will be attending). But until we get to see it for ourselves,
Keep calm and Bergeron!