From the Igloo in Pittsburgh:The Bruins did what they had to and squeezed out a much needed victory against the Penguins. Unfortunately, I missed a little more than half the game because I was out helping a buddy by a Valentines Day gift for his girlfriend. It seems like I missed a pretty solid first with two unlikely "scorers" putting the puck in the net. Vladimir Sobotka tallied his first career NHL goal while Petteri Nokelainen earned his 6th goal on the seaosn.
Jeremy Reich made his presence known tonight after being out for three games as a scratch by earning an assist and doing a lot of grind work that 3rd and 4th liners should be doing. Nice, to see him come out with a fire under his caboose.
Tim Thomas played phenomenal in the third period on some key chances in close from the Penguins. The goal was not, in any way, his fault. It was a powerplay goal, Evgeni Malkin was wide open because Shane Hnidy was taken down, and Malkin picked the corner with Thomas cutting down the angle very well. Thomas is a shut down goaltender no matter how many people deny it. Pittsburgh only had 21 shots on goal but, Thomas made a lot of key saves to preserve the victory.
Speaking of goaltending, where did Ty Conklin come from? The back-up for Marc-Andre Fleury became the starter a month or two back after Fleury went down with a knee injury. The Penguins were rumored to be looking for goaltending but, Conklin reeled off nine straight wins and is still playing very strong as the Penguins are second in the east. Conklin made major saves on two separate breakaways, one of them a 2-on-0. Despite the loss, the UNH graduate played a very strong game shutting down the Bruins for the final two periods.
The referees are not usually a topic I like to discuss but, tonight was exceptionally one-sided. Between the non-call on Ward, the "kneeing" on Wideman, and the "interference " also on Wideman I didn't know what to think. I had no idea Wideman had a knee in his shoulder and no clue that you could get an interference call for knocking a player off the puck.
However, the B's walk away with two major points. They are now tied for 8th place with the Rangers at 63 points. The Bruins are granted the official last playoff spot for the time being because they have two games in hand and lead the season series versus the blue shirts.
I loved the intensity the team showed tonight. More of the same, with more goals, will hopefully follow.
Next up, in Toronto on Saturday.
5 comments:
Huge win tonight to start the trip !! I thought the B's grinders really stepped up tonight. Obviously with the goals, but they totally shut them down after that. The only Pens goal...on about the 10th P.P.... was due to tired penalty killers. Nice to see Thomas bounce back ! Wideman's penalties on Malkin were a joke. The first a good hit and the second Malkin fell. Hope Ward's o.k. Any word on him ?? By the end of this trip we will know which way we are headed.
If I was really paranoid, I'd say the refs are paid to help out the Penguins and Malkin. Kneeing? Without the knee? That was funny. And then the way Malkin celebrated after his goal (Look at meeeee!) Good win, but not great. I read an article from Brian Burke who was talking about the trades and he just so happened to say "If Boston is offering a first round pick..." - This just tells me that Chia is shopping. Bring on them Leafs!
I thought the Bruins played a lot better, But damn you have to bury some of these scoring chances, Lucic and Kessel on breakaways and no goals. The refs missed the boat tonight completely. But nice momentum builder going into TO. We have to win this one. I hate losing to the leafs.
Again, Lucic was the best player on the ice tonight. This kid goes out and gives 100% on every shift.
and lookout everyone hes got the visor off wooooohooooooooooo
Post a Comment