For the second time in two weeks, the Bruins (16-7-2) will go head to head with the New York Rangers (13-12-0) at TD Garden in hopes to bounce back from the horrific loss against the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday night.
The last time we played the Rangers (11/19), Tuukka Rask stood on his head to ensure the Bruins' 2-1 win over a more prepared New York team. We definitely didn't earn this last win but we can (and I have faith we will) earn this one (which we're going to have to do after our performance against the Red Wings.)
The last time we played the Rangers (11/19), Tuukka Rask stood on his head to ensure the Bruins' 2-1 win over a more prepared New York team. We definitely didn't earn this last win but we can (and I have faith we will) earn this one (which we're going to have to do after our performance against the Red Wings.)
Since our last meeting, the Rangers have won 3 of their last 4 games. Lundqvist, who has played in 3 of the last 4 but got pulled from the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, is still hovering around a .918 SV% while his GAA has gone up to 2.48. I said it once, I'll say it again: since the playoffs, Lundqvist seems to continually have some severe nightmares every time he gets on the ice against Boston. If the Rangers are smart, they'll start Cam Talbot in net today.
Talbot has played in 7 games for the Rangers with a 5-1 record (not including the loss to the Lightning), a 1.41 GAA and a .944 SV%. It must be taken into account that these stats are coming from someone who hasn't play as much as Lundqvist this season, but with Lundy's recent record, it might be in their best interest to give Talbot a shot.
It might also be in the Rangers best interest to re-evaluate their offensive strategy with us. Granted, it's hard because Tuukka Rask right now is an angry Finnish brick wall who smells blood, but it is worth the shot. Tuukka Rask is the one thing that kept us in the lead the last time we played. The Rangers just could not get anything past him, which obviously says something seeing as they had 22 shots and only one goal to show for it.
But almost everything in this game hinges on how the Bruins rebound from the loss against the Red Wings. Our offense and defense against the Red Wings was non existent. It was very similar to the last game we played with the Rangers except the Red Wings were much better at burying the puck. Every single Bruin on the ice today needs to wake up, stay focused and get the job done because we cannot tolerate or afford another shabby performance.
Talbot has played in 7 games for the Rangers with a 5-1 record (not including the loss to the Lightning), a 1.41 GAA and a .944 SV%. It must be taken into account that these stats are coming from someone who hasn't play as much as Lundqvist this season, but with Lundy's recent record, it might be in their best interest to give Talbot a shot.
It might also be in the Rangers best interest to re-evaluate their offensive strategy with us. Granted, it's hard because Tuukka Rask right now is an angry Finnish brick wall who smells blood, but it is worth the shot. Tuukka Rask is the one thing that kept us in the lead the last time we played. The Rangers just could not get anything past him, which obviously says something seeing as they had 22 shots and only one goal to show for it.
But almost everything in this game hinges on how the Bruins rebound from the loss against the Red Wings. Our offense and defense against the Red Wings was non existent. It was very similar to the last game we played with the Rangers except the Red Wings were much better at burying the puck. Every single Bruin on the ice today needs to wake up, stay focused and get the job done because we cannot tolerate or afford another shabby performance.
So here's what needs to happen. The Bruins defense, first and foremost, needs to find some sort of cohesion. McQuaid is back now, and he may be a little rusty after missing 8 games with a lower body injury, but it's not like we're rolling two half complete lines of defensemen anymore. There are no excuses for sloppy play. Our defense needs to get their act together, keep the puck in the attacking zone, block shooting and passing lanes and help create plays. Allowing break aways and losing puck battles in the corners are not on the agenda today. Literally it's hockey defense 101 that they seem to be having trouble with.
Even with all of this being simple hockey sense, none of these things can happen if they aren't paying attention, if they're in the penalty box or if they're scoring goals on Tuukka Rask (Yep, I'm looking at you Krug). So guess what our defense should not do today? Yep, you guessed it: they should not zone out in the middle of the game. They should not take dumb penalties. They should be more self aware in front of the net. The boys are fully capable of this, we've seen it this season. They just need to find that momentum again (and soon, please.)
As for our offense, we need to focus on getting shots on goal this game. Seventeen shots in a game as the "beasts of the East" is unacceptable on every single level. Getting more shots on goal comes down to not only passing less in the offensive zone but setting up plays. Shooting through 2 forwards and a defenseman is not going to work. We need to develop those shooting lanes and we need to take advantage of them when we see them.
By setting up these plays, we handle another issue we've been having: shot positioning. The Bruins just love to fire on a goalies pads and chest and have yet to figure out that is not going to work. They all know that creating traffic in front of the net, getting the goalie to move and lifting the puck is the key to scoring goals. Why we're not doing that is kind of baffling to me but we need to get back into the habit. It also wouldn't hurt to bring back that physicality we all know and love, especially when it comes to puck battles in the corners and back checking. It would also be nice to see a full 60 minute effort. The sooner we get these things corrected, the sooner we'll start seeing games similar to the games against the Penguins or the Hurricanes.
Even with all of this being simple hockey sense, none of these things can happen if they aren't paying attention, if they're in the penalty box or if they're scoring goals on Tuukka Rask (Yep, I'm looking at you Krug). So guess what our defense should not do today? Yep, you guessed it: they should not zone out in the middle of the game. They should not take dumb penalties. They should be more self aware in front of the net. The boys are fully capable of this, we've seen it this season. They just need to find that momentum again (and soon, please.)
As for our offense, we need to focus on getting shots on goal this game. Seventeen shots in a game as the "beasts of the East" is unacceptable on every single level. Getting more shots on goal comes down to not only passing less in the offensive zone but setting up plays. Shooting through 2 forwards and a defenseman is not going to work. We need to develop those shooting lanes and we need to take advantage of them when we see them.
By setting up these plays, we handle another issue we've been having: shot positioning. The Bruins just love to fire on a goalies pads and chest and have yet to figure out that is not going to work. They all know that creating traffic in front of the net, getting the goalie to move and lifting the puck is the key to scoring goals. Why we're not doing that is kind of baffling to me but we need to get back into the habit. It also wouldn't hurt to bring back that physicality we all know and love, especially when it comes to puck battles in the corners and back checking. It would also be nice to see a full 60 minute effort. The sooner we get these things corrected, the sooner we'll start seeing games similar to the games against the Penguins or the Hurricanes.
My three players to watch today are:
1. Torey Krug: Krug is probably not happy with himself after knocking that goal past Tuukka Rask, especially since he's been known as Boston's golden boy recently and has the potential to end up on the USA Olympic team. I'm willing to bet he's going to come out flying today to prove that it was just one bad game and he can take those games in stride while making the necessary corrections.
2. Shawn Thornton: Shawn Thornton was the healthy scratch against the Red Wings and we all saw the lack of chemistry on the Merlot line without him. He'll be back due to the relatively physical nature of the Rangers and this will only be to our benefit. Thornton does better when he's fired up and it always happens against the Rangers. The loss to the Red Wings will only add to this flame and with that, Thornton will come up big for us today.
3. Tuukka Rask: I never ever doubt Tuukka Rask. He is godly and one of the best goalies in the league. I just think it will be interesting to see how he responds to the loss and what, if any, changes he decided to make to prevent a similar "3 goals in 3:52" situation. Although he's always fantastic, I get the feeling today's game is going to be exceptionally good because now he's out for blood in an attempt to prove the last game was just a fluke overall.
1. Torey Krug: Krug is probably not happy with himself after knocking that goal past Tuukka Rask, especially since he's been known as Boston's golden boy recently and has the potential to end up on the USA Olympic team. I'm willing to bet he's going to come out flying today to prove that it was just one bad game and he can take those games in stride while making the necessary corrections.
2. Shawn Thornton: Shawn Thornton was the healthy scratch against the Red Wings and we all saw the lack of chemistry on the Merlot line without him. He'll be back due to the relatively physical nature of the Rangers and this will only be to our benefit. Thornton does better when he's fired up and it always happens against the Rangers. The loss to the Red Wings will only add to this flame and with that, Thornton will come up big for us today.
3. Tuukka Rask: I never ever doubt Tuukka Rask. He is godly and one of the best goalies in the league. I just think it will be interesting to see how he responds to the loss and what, if any, changes he decided to make to prevent a similar "3 goals in 3:52" situation. Although he's always fantastic, I get the feeling today's game is going to be exceptionally good because now he's out for blood in an attempt to prove the last game was just a fluke overall.
Score Prediction: 3-1 Bruins Win
Until after the game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!