Game 76: Bruins 3, Blackhawks 0

The Good

• "Vintage" Thomas Tim Thomas' shutout last night wasn't perfect, but it WAS perfect Tim Thomas hockey. The Bruin netminder was at his scrambly best last night, flopping around, diving back and forth, and ending up face down in his crease on more than one occasion. But the pucks stayed out, and that's what matters. Thomas has been heating back up as of last, having allowed just two goals in his last four starts. That doesn't bode well for the rest of the Eastern Conference, but it sure should make B's fans happy.
• Chara contributing Zdeno Chara has played some of his best hockey of the year since the Max Pacioretty incident, and he kept up his hot pace last night. In the B's ten games since that hit, Chara has 11 points (3G-8A) and is a +10. Chara chipped in with a goal last night, and also did a great job of shutting down Chicago's big guns.
• Seguin looked good again I've been watching Tyler Seguin's game a bit more closely over the past couple of weeks, and I think he's been playing some of his best overall hockey of the year lately. He and his linemates, Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley, seem to have at least two or three great scoring opportunities per game; they just aren't going in right now. Their line gives the B's an element of speed that fans haven't seen in years. Seguin looks like he's more interested in two-way hockey now, as if he finally understands that that's the route to more ice time. Good on him for getting the message and committing to improving his game.

The Bad

• Marchand's call The game was getting a bit chippy in the second period, and, as usual, Brad Marchand was in the middle of it. He was mixing things up with Patrick Kane, when after a whistle, he gave Kane a light slash on the stick, probably while he continued to chirp at him. This drew the ire of the referees, and Marchand was sent off for slashing. The call was absurd: not only was the "slash" little more than a love tap, but it was on the STICK of Kane, not on his arm/leg/chest/whatever. Marchand seems to be developing a bit of a reputation league-wide now; it'll be interesting to see if he's the recipient of more flimsy calls like this in the future.
• Thornton's cut Yikes. That's quite a mark there. Hopefully Thornton won't miss any time, and hopefully whoever chirped at him from the Chicago bench doesn't get ratted out by his teammates; Thornton will likely make that guy's face seem like Thornton's gash was a mere papercut.

The Rest

• Not much else needs to be said about this one. I'm pleased that the B's came out with a solid effort, even though they didn't need the points nearly as much as the Hawks did. They may have benefited from the Hawks' travel (they played Monday night in Detroit), but they put forth a solid all-around effort, and deserved the win.
  

Attaboy: Thomas and Recchi can share it. Thomas got the shutout, and Recchi passed some guy named Paul Coffey on the all-time points list. Not bad.

Providence Shuttle: The Bench Chirper. Thornton's coming for you, buddy.

Game 73: Bruins 7, Canadiens 0

The Good

• EVERYTHING I really don't have much to complain about after this game. Wow. I knew the Bruins could beat the Canadiens, but didn't think it would be that sound of a beating. This is one of those games where the game itself was even less close than the 7-0 score indicates. Case in point: the Bruins' sixth goal. Brad Marchand essentially skated around the Habs' end untouched, walked right into the slot and ripped a shot on net; Tomas Kaberle, equally untouched, knocked the rebound home. An unbelievable display of "nothingness" from the Canadiens. They and their fans will likely try to downplay this loss, saying it's only one game, etc. but let's be honest: this was the biggest game of the season for them, and they came out and laid an egg. Big time.

The Bad

• EVERYTHING THE HABS DID Blowouts are going to happen. Blowouts against your biggest rival are going to happen. But blowouts against your biggest rival in the most important game of the year? Those shouldn't happen, folks. The Canadiens have no excuses: the B's didn't bully them. This wasn't a huge hit and fight-filled affair. This was a hockey game. And the Bruins beat the Canadiens badly. BADLY.
  

The Rest

• What else needs to be said? This game was perfect, from a B's fan perspective. But what does it mean? The Canadiens did handle the Bruins pretty well this season, but the B's are 2-1 against them in the last three meetings after going 0-2-1 in the first three. If the two teams met in the playoffs, would the series be as one-sided as last night's game? Unlikely. But as much as athletes love to talk about "one game at a time" and having short memories, there's no way the Habs won't end up feeling a bit intimidated by this beatdown.

Attaboy: ALL OF THE BRUINS.

Providence Shuttle: ALL OF THE HABS. ALLONS-Y, TO PROVIDENCE YOU GO!

Game 69: Bruins 3, Blue Jackets 2 (OT)

Quick Hits

• Last night was certainly the best Tuukka Rask has played this year, and was a game that should improve his confidence dramatically. Rask made several jaw-dropping, acrobatic saves, and essentially won the game for the Bruins on his own. Without that A+ effort from Rask, the B's would've lost that game in regulation. Rask's last few starts have been against what one could consider "lesser" opponents, or opponents who are out of the playoff race (with the exception of that debacle in Montreal). This game against a Columbus club that is still gunning for the eighth-seed in the West really tested Rask's mettle, and he passed that test with flying colors. Rask deserves to start now until he loses, which, if he keeps playing like he did last night, won't be for a while.
• Brad Marchand is probably going to get a call from the league today, and will likely be suspended for his elbow to the head of RJ Umberger. Marchand's hit was the precise type of play the league is trying to get rid of: it was high, it was unnecessary and it was dangerous. Some are saying that Marchand wasn't even looking at Umberger, or that Umberger ducked at the last minute; sound familiar, Bruins fans? I'm not saying the hits were the same, but they were certainly both avoidable. Marchand plays on the edge and gets under the skin of his opponents, and that's what makes him effective. But this time, he crossed the line and deserves to be punished as a result.
• Rough game last night for Dennis Seidenberg. It seemed like he got beaten every time me was locked in a one-on-one battle, and his giveaway at his own blue line led directly to the Jackets' second goal. Seidenberg is usually solid in his own end, but he was a liability last night.
  
• Good for Claude Julien for finally benching a slumping veteran. It must've been hard for Julien, as Michael Ryder is one of his favorites, but Ryder hasn't been producing lately and needed to have a message sent his way. One of the criticisms often thrown at Julien is that he's quick to bench/send a message to rookies, but often leaves his veterans alone. A good example was earlier this season when Tyler Seguin would be scratched after one off-night, but Nathan Horton kept his ice time when he went scoreless for what seemed like ages. It remains to be seen how Ryder's scratch affects him and whether or not other veterans may get a similar message sent their way soon, but scratching a vet like Ryder should put other veterans on alert: ice time is a privilege, not a right.
  

Game 68: Islanders 4, Bruins 2

The Good

• Another goal for Horton As I said before, I'm still skeptical because of Horton's notorious inconsistency. However, he appears to be rounding into goal-scoring form at the right time. His goal last night came on a stumbling backhand, and gave the B's an early one-goal advantage. The B's need Horton (and the whole top line) to keep producing if they want to go anywhere in the spring.
• Finally! Last night's power play goal was the Bruins' first in what seemed like years (it was actually the first since Feb. 18). The goal came on a 5-on-3 in the second period. Zdeno Chara took a semi-back door feed from David Krejci and unleashed his trademark slapper, beating a helpless Al Montoya. Hopefully that goal infuses the PP with a little confidence; they need it.
• The young Isles I know this has been another lost season on Long Island, but the Isles do seem to have a good core of young players. They still have questions in goal and on defense, but having players like Michael Grabner, Matt Moulson, and John Tavares up front give the Isles something very solid to build on. Grabner's goal last night was his 28th of the season. Remember, this is a guy who was traded earlier this season to Florida by the Canucks. The Panthers then waived him, hoping to send him to the AHL, but he was claimed by the Islanders. Yes, THOSE Florida Panthers thought Grabner was a guy they didn't need on their NHL squad. Yikes.

The Bad

• Bad luck The B's rang a couple of posts in this game, and Jack Hillen's eventual game-winner came when his slapper bounced off of Dennis Seidenberg and went in the net. Luck certainly wasn't on the B's side last night, but how does the old saying go? You get the bounces when you work hard? Something like that, and the B's certainly didn't deserve many bounces last night.
• Another blown lead The B's, usually defensively sound, have now blown a lead in three of the last four losses. They were blown out in Montreal, but scored the first goal (and sometimes first two goals) of the game against Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and last night against the Islanders. Not having Andrew Ference (or Steven Kampfer, for that matter) in the line-up hurts, but it's still no excuse. The B's need to get back to making smart plays and winning one-on-one battles, two things that were conspicuously absent for most of last night.
• Get Seguin back in there I've been patient with Claude Julien's approach with Tyler Seguin, but he needs to be back in there. Daniel Paille has done little with his playing time, and Seguin isn't going to learn much more by watching from the press box. His speed could have helped last night against that fast Islanders team. I don't expect Seguin to blossom into a game-breaker this year, but he needs to play if he's going to get better.

The Rest

• I'm not ready to panic yet, mainly because the B's still don't have their full team. If, once Ference comes back, the struggles continue, then it might be time to be worried. All teams have rough patches, and luckily for the B's theirs came on the heels of a seven-game winning streak. Their still 7-2-2 in their last 11, which shouldn't be overlooked. Ference's steadying presence on the back end is missed, and I think the team will come around soon. Don't go leaping off the Tobin just yet.
• Interesting to hear Chara booed lustily on Long Island last night. And by "interesting" I mean "confusing and strange." Chara is usually booed in more familiar away arenas, like Toronto, Montreal, Buffalo, and Ottawa, mainly because they know he's good. And because he's big, and in Ottawa's case, because they chose Wade Redden over him. D'oh. Long Island is usually an "indifferent" Chara Zone, but last night he was booed soundly. Has the incident with Max Pacioretty turned Chara into a league-wide villain? It certainly seems so. Countless posts on HFBoards reveal similar sentiments, as the B's seem to be one of the more disliked teams in the league now. Interesting. Hopefully the B's give opposing fans something to boo when they life the Cup in June.
• Which Bruins team is the real thing? Is it this listless lot that's lost four in a row or that barnburning bunch that stormed through a perfect six-game road trip? I tend to think the actual Bruins team is more like their Western Canada version, but perhaps the truth is more in the middle. I don't think they're as bad as they've played recently, but they may not be as good as they looked two weeks ago either. Inconsistency has been the theme for the B's this year. Two weeks ago, it looked like that inconsistency was a thing of the past, and that this team finally "got it." Now, that inconsistency is back with a vengeance, and the B's need to banish it before it sinks their season.
  

Attaboy: Grabner. Looks like he's going to be a great player, and that spin-around goal last night was pretty sweet.

Providence Shuttle: Brad Marchand. I didn't talk about it here, but that stupid penalty he took turned the tide of the game.

Game 67: Sabres 4, Bruins 3 (OT)

The Good

• The B's first goal ...was a thing of beauty. Excellent passing all around, and how did it start? With a crisp, clean breakout. David Krejci's sublime pass under the stick of a defenseman onto the tape of the streaking Milan Lucic was excellent, as was Lucic's cross-crease pass right onto the stick of Nathan Horton. Tic-tac-goal. That play doesn't happen without the net drive by Horton, who finally looks like he may be waking up (for real this time!).
• Chara showed no hesitation One couldn't fault Zdeno Chara for playing a bit tentatively after his incident with Max Pacioretty, but he didn't seem to be holding back at all. Chara had two assists and seemed to play every bit as physical as he usually does. The boarding call that went against him was a complete joke...I never knew it was possible to board someone from north of the goal line. Who knew? One can't help but wonder if refs are going have Chara on a shorter leash from now on, whether league-ordered or not.

The Bad

• Another blown lead The Bruins are a top-notch defensive team, but they blew multiple leads again last night, including an early two-goal lead. They also had a lead in the third period, a time when they're usually able to lock things down, but let that one slip away as well. Can't win late in the season with sloppy play like that.
• Thomas on the GWG I know that it was a "knuckler" and that it was hard to read, but I think if Thomas hadn't come out as far to challenge the initial shot he would have had more of a chance with the rebound. Can't really fault Thomas there though; his aggressive style is what makes him so good, and he saved the B's bacon a number of times earlier in the game.
• Still no power It was overlooked when the team was winning, but now that they've lost three in-a-row it's becoming an issue again: the B's power play still isn't clicking. Last night they got a goal right after the power play expired (in Jack Edwards' VULNERABLE MINUTE!), so that one can probably be counted as a power play tally in my eyes. But still, one goal on the PP since the arrival of Kaberle? Not good enough. Power plays take on even greater importance late in the season and in the playoffs. The B's aren't going to go far with a sputtering power play.

The Rest

• The B's enter tonight's game against the Islanders badly needing a win to end this mini-slide, but the Isles are no pushover of a team. The Isles are fourth-worst in the league, but have been playing better of late; they're a respectable 5-2-3 in their last ten games. They've got a lot of young players who are playing loose and a lot of other players working for jobs and paychecks for next year. Last time the B's visited Long Island, they steam-rolled the Isles to start their six-game road winning streak. This time, things won't go as smoothly if the B's don't bring their best effort.

Attaboy: Brad Boyes. Played a good game against his old team last night, including potting the OT winner.

Providence shuttle: Johnny Boychuk. He badly blew his check on the GWG, leaving Boyes all alone in the crease to tap the puck in.

Game 64: Bruins 2, Lightning 1

The Good

• Lucic's goal This one likely won't make national highlight reels, but Lucic's game-winner really was remarkable. To display that kind of poise and scoring touch from nearly below the goal line is incredible. Throw in the fact that there were no fewer than 5 bodies in the crease and Lucic's goal looks even better. By the way, Lucic's custom of raising both of his arms in a kind of "I rule" pose after he scores is one of the best goal celebrations on the B's. I'm also partial to Tyler Seguin's, because he, as a kid, looks genuinely thrilled when he scores.
• The PK saved the day The Bruins' PK has been as consistent as winter weather in New England. It was incredible to start the year, went through a miserable stretch, and now seems to be tightening up again. Last night's kill of a nearly two-minute 5-on-3 was the turning point of the game. Killing off a 5-on-3 is no small feat in and of itself, but when one's opponent rolls out a PP unit that includes Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Simon Gagne, it's borderline miraculous.
• Mike Smith redeemed himself Last time Mike Smith played goal at the TD Garden was probably one of the worst nights of his career: he allowed five goals on 22 shots, including one from the red line by Dennis Seidenberg. Last night, Smith played like a man who not only remembered that embarrassment well but was determined to erase it. Smith was immense for Tampa, making countless top-notch stops including a sprawling save on a Patrice Bergeron one-timer, a sweet glove stop on a Brad Marchand backhand, and a blocker save on a Nathan Horton breakaway. Dwayne Roloson may be the guy in Tampa now, but if not for Smith's performance last night the Lightning would have been blown out of the Garden again.

The Bad

• Dominic Moore goes swimming Terrible embellishment by Dominic Moore on Horton's tripping penalty. I saw the replay later, but Bob Beers was livid on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Beers is usually relatively even-keeled, but he was furious about the culture of diving in the NHL. He's right too: once a player feels a stick on his arm or leg, down he goes to draw the call.
• Still no luck on the PP I know, I know, "it's coming around!" But how long until that's not good enough? I know the B's have shown more jump and life on the PP since Tomas Kaberle arrived, and that it's hard to complain when a team's just won its seventh game in a row, but the PP still needs to produce if the B's are to be considered a true contender.

The Rest

• I've been a huge supporter of Claude Julien all year, but I don't get the decision to scratch Tyler Seguin last night. His reason doesn't really make sense to me either. I have no problem with scratching the kid if he isn't playing well, or scratching him to send a message that nothing's going to be given to him just because he's a hot shot rookie. But to scratch him after he's been playing a stronger all-around game lately just to "give the fourth line an identity" is pretty dumb. I also don't like that he told the media that. If that's his reasoning, fine; but I can't help but think that Seguin's confidence must be taking a bit of a hit at this point. Tell him that he's out for that reason, but tell the media that he needed a night off or had a sore ankle or something. Hopefully he gets back in on Saturday, but I doubt it.
  

Attaboy: Lucic for the game-winner, but an honorable mention for Mike Smith. He was incredible between the Tampa pipes.

Providence Shuttle: Scratching Seguin. I know I sound like an HFBoards nut, but it makes no sense to me. Sorry Claude.

Game 63: Bruins 1, Senators 0

The Good

• Rask looks sharp The big story from this road trip is that the B's won all six games, but arguably as important is the fact that Tuukka Rask won four of them. Rask has been struggling all year, but due to the stellar play of Tim Thomas, the B's haven't really suffered. However, Thomas' fatigue was beginning to show recently, so Rask's play became even more important. He's responded by playing his best goal of the season, a good sign for the Bruins.
• Horton's heating up Nathan Horton's goal last night was his 18th of the season, and he may be quietly heating up at the right time for the B's. Let's not get carried away, as we've seen Horton look like he was going to go on a tear then just disappear more than once this season. But Horton's been physically involved in every game, and with Milan Lucic playing some of the best hockey of his career, Horton's points have been piling up. Horton has goals in three straight games and seven points in his last six games.
• Power play is coming around While no power play goals were scored last night, the Bruins power play continued to threaten, something B's fans haven't seen in years. Last night, Zdeno Chara took so many shots on the B's first power play that I was afraid his arm was going to come off. Tomas Kaberle just kept feeding Chara the puck, and he kept ripping it on goal. If the power play stays as crisp as it has been, the goals will come.

The Bad

• Rebuilding in Ottawa Not necessarily "bad," as the rebuild is definitely warranted; but the number of youngsters and unknowns on this Ottawa roster is stunning. The only names most people would recognize are Spezza, Alfredsson and Gonchar, maybe Chris Neil and Chris Phillips as well. The Sens certainly are a long way away from their Stanley Cup Finals appearance back in '07.

The Rest

• While the Bruins faced some tough teams on this trip, the road isn't going to get any easier back in the friendly confines of the TD Garden: the B's next three games are against teams currently in the Eastern Conference playoff pictures, two of which (Tampa and Pittsburgh) have better records than the Bruins. Next Tuesday's clash with the Canadiens looms large as well, as it will have huge implications within the Northeast Division. While the good feelings of this road trip are well-deserved, the B's can't spend too much time patting themselves on the back.

Attaboy: Rask. Has fought back from his early season struggles, and should get some more starts going forward. Thomas remains the number-one goalie, but Rask has vastly improved.

Providence Shuttle: The excitement factor of this game. ZzzzzzZzZzZZZzZ...