Bruin Blog #1

The Hockey season finally got underway so its time to talk a little Boston Bruin Hockey!! 

After the first quarter of the shortened season, the Bruins have started out very good going 7-1-1, racking up 15 points and 2nd in the east, first in the Northeast.  Plus they have played 2 games less than the East leading Devils. 

Bruins have been playing Bruins hockey, tough physical play and great goal tending.  David Krejci leads the Bruins with 9 points (3 goals and 6 assists).  Brad Marchand, "The Little Ball of Hate", has been a nice surprise leading the team with 5 goals, before his injury to his shoulder.  He as always been the Bruins "B-bag" as opposed to "D-Bag", of which all teams have.  He has the tendency to get under the opponents skin.  His speed and quick hands have proven he is a player to be concerned about. 

Tyler Seguin however has had a slow start only netting 2 goals, and shows he has the skills to be a league leading goal scorer.  Give him time and he will certainly net more goals. 

Its good to see Nathan Horton back after missing the entire second half of the season last year with a concussion.  He is clearly a key to the Bruins offense and had a sick goal versus the Hurricanes. 

A very promising addition has been Dougie Hamilton on defense. He is only 19 years old, but plays with such poise and confidence.  His passes are crisp and always tape to tape. He could be something special as his career unfolds.

My opinion on the best win so far this year was the 2-1 win over the hated Montreal Canadians.  It was a tough game for sure up in Montreal but the good guys prevailed over the Habs after falling behind 1-0, as Seguin netted a goal only 14 seconds into the 3rd period and Krejci tallied another one less than 2 minutes later for the 2-1 victory.  Tukka Rask was amazing in goal stopping 20 of 21 shots in impressive fashion. 

The one loss in regulation was a complete breakdown in the third period.  January 31 the Bruins faced the Sabres in Boston and had taken a 3-1 lead late in the 2nd period, only to lose 7-4.  A 4-1 3rd period was their undoing.  They gave up several breakaways and many of the goals were not Rasks fault.

The Bruins need to figure out their Power Play, which is dead last in the league at 3-34 for a whopping 8.8%.  This has been an issue of theirs since the Stanley Cup year.  Give aways in their zone also needs to stop.  Too many of those that have created odd man rushes.

They are certainly a team poised to make a run at the Cup again, but need to stay healthy, fix their power play and reduce the odd man rushes.

Tim Thomas has been traded to the Islanders which means Rask is the man.  He has all the skills to do it, and plays a lot like Thomas (good or bad), aggressive and out of the crease.  The trade was needed and will alow the Bruins to strengthen their team with more talent.

Look for more of the same for the Bruins.  Physical play.  Fights.  Great Goal tending and some great goals scored by Seguin, Marchand, Horton and Bergeron!  GO BRUINS!!