In a showing of true Bruins hockey, the boys came out on top with a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, bolstering our record to 28-12-2 and achieving that much needed win before a tough road trip on the west coast.
The Bruins played a much cleaner game than we've seen in the past three. The first period got off to a shaky start with the Jets scoring first on a sloppy line change from the Bruins and a turnover from Krug in the neutral zone.
However, the Bruins bounced back quickly and from that point on it was all about the black and gold. A mere four minutes after the Jets goal, our fourth line did what it does best and kicked up the energy with the tying goal from Daniel Paille.
In the following period Torey Krug notched two beautiful goals, giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead going into the third, where the game was put on lock with a goal from Reilly Smith.
This win gives the Bruins a 17-4-2 streak at home and a much needed momentum boost.
The Bruins played a much cleaner game than we've seen in the past three. The first period got off to a shaky start with the Jets scoring first on a sloppy line change from the Bruins and a turnover from Krug in the neutral zone.
However, the Bruins bounced back quickly and from that point on it was all about the black and gold. A mere four minutes after the Jets goal, our fourth line did what it does best and kicked up the energy with the tying goal from Daniel Paille.
In the following period Torey Krug notched two beautiful goals, giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead going into the third, where the game was put on lock with a goal from Reilly Smith.
This win gives the Bruins a 17-4-2 streak at home and a much needed momentum boost.
Bruins Positives
1. Caron Replacement: It's not a secret that I hate everything that Jordan Caron is. He's been more of a liability than an asset this season and his mistakes all over the ice are not only a nuisance but they are so hard to watch. He's clueless on the ice. Absolutely clueless. So you can imagine my, and many others, delight when it was announced that Justin Florek would be filling in for him today. And let's be honest, Florek played a better first game in the NHL than Caron has in his entire 3 year career with the Boston Bruins. He was extremely effective on the fourth line with a great net front presence that helped lead to that Krug goal. At this point, I'd take this kid (or really anyone) over Caron. And according to coach, he may make the trip with the team this weekend. Fingers crossed.
2. Torey Krug: Welcome back Kruger! After taking some heat in the last few games for some defensive stumbles and taking a maintenance day yesterday, Kruger came back strong today, notching two goals and an assist and earning first star. These goals snapped him out of an 11 game goal drought. He made his presence known on the blue line and his defensive game, although still shaky, was definitely improved from what we've seen the past few games. Looks like he's proving to Team US they lost quite the opportunity huh?
3. Bruins Angry, Bruins Smash: So many fights, so little time, no room in the penalty box. It's not often that you see that many fights in game but the Bruins were not having any of the Jets shenanigans. The fights definitely weren't the prettiest with the Bruins going 1-2, but it's the thought that counted. I don't really understand what possesses someone to go up against the giant that is Chara, but that was an interesting one to watch. Chara may have fallen first but let's be real he lost his balance (which isn't hard being that tall). Fraser lost but it was good to see that player to player accountability out of our rookies. And then there was Quaider. Quaider went ham on that poor soul and although no one fell it's obvious he won with a right hook to the back of the head of his opponent. What a beautiful display of Bruins hockey.
2. Torey Krug: Welcome back Kruger! After taking some heat in the last few games for some defensive stumbles and taking a maintenance day yesterday, Kruger came back strong today, notching two goals and an assist and earning first star. These goals snapped him out of an 11 game goal drought. He made his presence known on the blue line and his defensive game, although still shaky, was definitely improved from what we've seen the past few games. Looks like he's proving to Team US they lost quite the opportunity huh?
3. Bruins Angry, Bruins Smash: So many fights, so little time, no room in the penalty box. It's not often that you see that many fights in game but the Bruins were not having any of the Jets shenanigans. The fights definitely weren't the prettiest with the Bruins going 1-2, but it's the thought that counted. I don't really understand what possesses someone to go up against the giant that is Chara, but that was an interesting one to watch. Chara may have fallen first but let's be real he lost his balance (which isn't hard being that tall). Fraser lost but it was good to see that player to player accountability out of our rookies. And then there was Quaider. Quaider went ham on that poor soul and although no one fell it's obvious he won with a right hook to the back of the head of his opponent. What a beautiful display of Bruins hockey.
4. In General: Although we didn't play a full 60 minutes we got pretty damn close. We avoided our usual second period slump and maintained pressure almost all the way through the third. We played a lot cleaner this game than we did during that two game losing streak. We avoided the excessive numbers of turnovers, provided great net front support for Rask and created a net front presence early on that was crucial to our offensive game. This was a beautiful game by the Bruins.
5. Claude: This was Claude's 500th NHL game and luckily the boys were able to give him a win. Congratulations Claude and cheers to 500 more!
5. Claude: This was Claude's 500th NHL game and luckily the boys were able to give him a win. Congratulations Claude and cheers to 500 more!
Bruins Goals
1. Mr. Herp Derp (Paille's) Snap Shot: After a taking a goalie interference call for plowing over Pavelec in what looked to be a typical Paille stupor, Paille attempts the wrap around shot which is deflected by Pavelec. Krug picks up the deflection and passes back to Paille which gets Pavelec to move as Paille takes the shot and buries it under his gloved side. This was Paille's 6th goal of the season.
2. Torey Krug's Slap Shot: After a shot on goal from Florek, Paille picks up the puck and passes it to Krug who had planted himself on the blue line. Krug takes the shot with Florek screening in front and the shot appears to deflect somewhere in the chaos in front and ends up buried on Pavelec's gloved side. That was Krug's 9th of the season.
3. Torey Krug's Tip In: Krug again has possession of the puck at the blue line and skates it in to the top of the circle with Yeti screening Pavelec. He reads the player in front of him perfectly and takes the shot through his opponent's legs. The puck looks like it deflected off Trouba's stick before sliding between the post and the edge of Pavelec's skate. This is his 10th of the season.
4. Reilly Smith's Backhander: Bergeron makes the wing to wing pass to Marchand, who then takes the shot from the point. The shot is blocked by Pavelec but in such a way that it actually slips behind him where Reilly Smith is waiting to backhand it in to the basically empty net. This is Smith's 15th goal of the season.
2. Torey Krug's Slap Shot: After a shot on goal from Florek, Paille picks up the puck and passes it to Krug who had planted himself on the blue line. Krug takes the shot with Florek screening in front and the shot appears to deflect somewhere in the chaos in front and ends up buried on Pavelec's gloved side. That was Krug's 9th of the season.
3. Torey Krug's Tip In: Krug again has possession of the puck at the blue line and skates it in to the top of the circle with Yeti screening Pavelec. He reads the player in front of him perfectly and takes the shot through his opponent's legs. The puck looks like it deflected off Trouba's stick before sliding between the post and the edge of Pavelec's skate. This is his 10th of the season.
4. Reilly Smith's Backhander: Bergeron makes the wing to wing pass to Marchand, who then takes the shot from the point. The shot is blocked by Pavelec but in such a way that it actually slips behind him where Reilly Smith is waiting to backhand it in to the basically empty net. This is Smith's 15th goal of the season.
Bruins Negatives
The only one that comes to mind was that first period goal by the Jets off the sloppy line change and Krug's turnover. But it happens and it was of no particular consequence to the Bruins so it definitely wasn't so bad.
Bruins Fun Facts
1. As I mentioned, this was Claude's 500th NHL game. Go Claude Go!
2. While wearing the third jerseys, the Bruins are 5-2 after this game.
3. After scoring his 10th goal, Krug has joined the ranks with Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Greg Hawgood as the fourth defenseman to score 10 goals in his rookie season with the Bruins.
4. This game marked the end of the 6 game point streak the KIL line has been on. Just more motivation to score on the road right?
2. While wearing the third jerseys, the Bruins are 5-2 after this game.
3. After scoring his 10th goal, Krug has joined the ranks with Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Greg Hawgood as the fourth defenseman to score 10 goals in his rookie season with the Bruins.
4. This game marked the end of the 6 game point streak the KIL line has been on. Just more motivation to score on the road right?
Until the next game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!