- Zdeno Chara is actually happy That was nice to see today, eh? Most players look pretty happy when they get hat tricks, but Zdeno Chara isn't usually a guy who shows much happiness on the ice. To see him actually smile and perform Peter Bondra's celebration was awesome. Big Z had been taking some heat in the Boston media lately, especially after walking out on the media after the B's meltdown in Montreal. However, he remains the most important player on this team (by far), and it was nice to see the big guy show some emotion and childlike joy on the ice.
- Bergeron keeps on producing Another game, another multi-point effort from Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins' leading scorer has recorded two or more points in five of his last six games, and has been on fire since the start of 2011.
- Power surge The Bruins went 2-for-5 on the power play yesterday, with both goals coming from Chara: one on a 5-on-3 and one in the third period on a 5-on-4. True, Carolina looked like a defeated bunch early yesterday, but getting production from what has been (at times) an abysmal power play is certainly a good sign. The B's have been moving the puck better and showing more confidence with the man advantage lately; it's only a matter of time before the results start pouring in.
- Thomas as good as he needed to be Tim Thomas made two or three huge saves in the first period yesterday when the game was still close. He stopped made a couple great stops on Eric Staal, and then pretty much enjoyed the rest of the game as his teammates gave him all of the support he needed. Thomas wasn't anything special in this game, but he didn't need to be, and he made the big stops when he had to.
- What was Justin Peters doing? I know that Carolina back-up Justin Peters doesn't play much with Cam Ward playing in front of him, but did he forget what sport he was playing? Two penalties (roughing and holding) in the same game? For a GOALIE!? Peters' tackle of Blake Wheeler reminded me of playing snow-football as a kid: you'd have to grab the leg of the bigger kids and basically hang on for dear life until they fell down. But what was Peters trying to do? Clearly he knew it was Wheeler's leg he was holding on to...why was he trying to tackle him? Then later in the game Peters lunged furiously at Tyler Seguin, much like Tim Thomas did to Jason Blake a few years back. I assume it was just frustration, but it was weird. Peters probably isn't going to earn himself more playing time by acting like a linebacker out there.
- At least one person, 'Canes PR guy Mike Sundheim, wasn't happy about the B's pouring it on yesterday (see post #38). I actually saw this on Twitter yesterday afternoon and just went to link directly to the Tweet, but he deleted it. Strange...I wonder if someone affiliated with the team made him delete it. It's a valid point, however: the B's did have their top power play unit out there in a 6-0 game. However, I have no problem with it for two reasons: they wanted to get Chara the hat trick and the power play still needs a lot of work. It'd be different if the B's power play was one of the tops in the league and they were simply trying to pad their stats. But making changes and practicing the power play in game situations is always going to help more than simply practicing the power play in practice. It's a rare occasion when a team gets a power play and really doesn't need to score; yesterday happened to present a couple of those chances, and I have no problem with the B's trying to work on things. If the roles were reversed and the 'Canes did the same thing, I'd have no problem with that either. But it'll be interesting to see how the 'Canes respond tonight. It's not often that you get beaten by a team 7-0 then play them the very next day in your own barn. I expect the 'Canes to come out with a lot more effort on Tuesday and to actually make a decent game of it.
Attaboy: Chara. The only other Bruin I've seen look that happy on the ice this year is Tyler Seguin when he scores.
Providence Shuttle: Peters. What are you doing, Peters? You try that leg tackle on me in snow football and you're getting a snowy glove to the face.
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