After a beautiful goal off of normally invisible Chris Kelly, the Bruins topped the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in regulation to bring our regular season record to 1-0-0.
This win gives the Bruins a good bit of momentum going into tonight's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings in our first back to back series of the season. Overall, I am extremely happy with the performance I saw last night, especially considering we had lost arguably our best center and had a defense who were beginning to adjust to the loss of a main cog in the machine that is our defense. Although it's early, it could mean good things for this team in terms of recouping from the losses we suffered over the off-season.
The first period saw some great offensive pressure and strong defensive play from the Bruins, which came to climax with a goal from Reilly Smith 10:39 into the period to put the Bruins up 1-0. Tuukka Rask, as always, was on point in net and was blocking the few shots the Flyers managed to get off on him like it was nothing.
The second period definitely wasn't as satisfying as the first, with the Bruins getting off to a rocky start defensively. Zdeno Chara and Dougie Hamilton got stuck in the zone for over two minutes before an icing call freed them up long enough for Coach to call a time out and knock some sense into them. The Bruins also had to kill two penalties in the second period off of slashing call against Dennis Seidenberg and a tripping call on Loui Eriksson. Despite it all, the Bruins came out of the period unscathed.
The third period is where things started to get interesting. 4:19 into the period the Bruins third period slump pattern seemed to have come back into existence as the Flyers tied it up at 1-1 of a goal from Sean Couturier. The Bruins once again had to kill off two penalties during the period after Saint Patrice got called for holding (the ref is going to hell for that call) and an elbowing call against Brad Marchand. However, in typical Bruins style, the Bruins were able to bang out the win with 1:51 seconds left off a goal from the elusive Chris Kelly.
It is worth noting that, despite the fact that Kelly has literally been far from an asset for the Bruins, last night's goal earned him the first star in the game and the third star league wide behind Plekanec and Wingels. It literally blows my mind that he could even score a goal never mind that they would rank him that highly across the league.
This win gives the Bruins a good bit of momentum going into tonight's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings in our first back to back series of the season. Overall, I am extremely happy with the performance I saw last night, especially considering we had lost arguably our best center and had a defense who were beginning to adjust to the loss of a main cog in the machine that is our defense. Although it's early, it could mean good things for this team in terms of recouping from the losses we suffered over the off-season.
The first period saw some great offensive pressure and strong defensive play from the Bruins, which came to climax with a goal from Reilly Smith 10:39 into the period to put the Bruins up 1-0. Tuukka Rask, as always, was on point in net and was blocking the few shots the Flyers managed to get off on him like it was nothing.
The second period definitely wasn't as satisfying as the first, with the Bruins getting off to a rocky start defensively. Zdeno Chara and Dougie Hamilton got stuck in the zone for over two minutes before an icing call freed them up long enough for Coach to call a time out and knock some sense into them. The Bruins also had to kill two penalties in the second period off of slashing call against Dennis Seidenberg and a tripping call on Loui Eriksson. Despite it all, the Bruins came out of the period unscathed.
The third period is where things started to get interesting. 4:19 into the period the Bruins third period slump pattern seemed to have come back into existence as the Flyers tied it up at 1-1 of a goal from Sean Couturier. The Bruins once again had to kill off two penalties during the period after Saint Patrice got called for holding (the ref is going to hell for that call) and an elbowing call against Brad Marchand. However, in typical Bruins style, the Bruins were able to bang out the win with 1:51 seconds left off a goal from the elusive Chris Kelly.
It is worth noting that, despite the fact that Kelly has literally been far from an asset for the Bruins, last night's goal earned him the first star in the game and the third star league wide behind Plekanec and Wingels. It literally blows my mind that he could even score a goal never mind that they would rank him that highly across the league.
Bruins Positive
1. Smith's goal. My god was that a beauty. It was perfectly executed and definitely helped set the tone for the rest of the game.
2. Daniel Paille for playing his 500th NHL game. You go Piesy!
3. Bobby Robins first game. Despite all the feelings I have about Robins being on the team, you have to give the guy credit for finally making it into the big leagues at age 33.
4. Dougie Hamilton get scrappy. He needs to not fight because he's Dougie Hamilton, but I'm proud of him for stepping up.
2. Daniel Paille for playing his 500th NHL game. You go Piesy!
3. Bobby Robins first game. Despite all the feelings I have about Robins being on the team, you have to give the guy credit for finally making it into the big leagues at age 33.
4. Dougie Hamilton get scrappy. He needs to not fight because he's Dougie Hamilton, but I'm proud of him for stepping up.
Bruins Negatives
1. Bobby Robins fight. As much as I of all people appreciate a good scrap, I'm so angry that Chia got rid of Thornton so the team could "move away from that style of hockey" only to bring in the guy who is literally the same as Thornton just a tad bit faster.
2. That Chara Hamilton pairing in the second was atrocious.
3. No Johnny Boychuk :(
2. That Chara Hamilton pairing in the second was atrocious.
3. No Johnny Boychuk :(