Dear Bruins Fans,
The Bruins have fought through a losing streak that has seemingly passed. It was truly a difficult time as the Bruins were fresh off of a strong winning streak and the golden flash of the Spoked B began to catch in the peripheral of the existing Boston area. However, that flash began to dim and once again the Bruins were put on the back burner after their most recent slide south. The biggest hit during all of this was the absence of the captain and the lack of presence that comes with Zdeno Chara. It became apparent that this team's success starts with Big Z on the blue line. He is a force on the power play, he shuts down big name scorers, and his long reach cuts off passing lanes better than anyone else in the league. Being listed at six foot nine doesn't hurt him either.
Without Chara the Bruins faced scoring woes and defensive woes. All the while they still managed to keep the pace and are tied with the New York Rangers with 83 points (Rangers take 6th with one game in hand on Boston). It is remarkable that the Bruins remain tied with a team that has been on such a hot streak lately.
With all this being said, the Bruins have a major opportunity on their hands. They have the chance to blast preseason expectations (projected 11-14th) and they have a chance to do some damage in the playoffs with defensive minded hockey. The rest of the Bruins will realize the real importance of Big Z in the line-up when he returns on Thursday versus the Habs (keep your fingers crossed). If the Bruins can find a way to take three of four points from the home and home with Montreal this week, they could really open some eyes in Boston again.
Cordially,
-McKeon
13 comments:
Even if the Bruins are not making the playoffs; this season i a success. When you look at the overall result without two key players and a ton of injuries; how can we conclude that this season is not a huge improvement from last year?
Claude will improve the team next year and we might have, with the addition of 2-3 players, a solid team who will compete,from day one,for a playoffs spot...
incase you havent realized latrappe...they are competing for a playoff spot...addition of a solid scorer over the summer and were going to challenge for the cup not a playoff spot
Anonymous... For the Cup? You are dreaming a bit. Every Cup contender has to follow a learning process and to find the right mix of youngsters and veterans. The Bruins are learning, this year, but they have to fond the right chemistry in order to be consider as a top team. Tim Thomas is definitely not the guy who can be consider as a show stopper. In order to contend, you need unparalell goaltending and Thomas do not fill the bill, here. The Bruins, if they stay on their building pat, might be contender in 2-3 years but not before.
I know this has been said a million times, but if the B's could have split the season series so far with the Habs, they'd be in exact opposite spots. Boston with 89 points/2nd in the conference, Montreal with 83 points/7th. Hopefully they can win and home, and steal one in Montreal. A little self confidence and pride wouldn't hurt the team right now.
I don't like this talk about Thomas and that we don't have the goalie to win a cup. Every single goalie is nothing before his cup run. Case in point Emery. Or Ward? Is Price such a superstar? Or Fleury? All Thomas has to do is make timely saves to keep the team in the games and win games. You win 4/7, you win the series and you keep going. Ok we won't win the cup this year - and even then, I would not be surprised to see them in the finals. I don't think it will happen, but winning is contageous. The last games the B's have are the hardest in the league. Two against Mtl, Two against Tor, Two against Buf, Two against Ott and against NJ. You're telling me that if Boston competes, grinds and even beats those tough teams (yes Buf and Tor are tough because they are playing for their lives) - that they have no chance of winning round 1? Look back, 1 vs 8 and 2 vs 7 almost has always been a tough series with the lower seed taking the win (we've been there twice remember). And when you win the first round, does it not get more contageous to have a roaring Boston Garden? And players start thinking, hey, we can win this. We've only been embarassed by one team this year - Mtl. Only one game, 2-1 was close. All other teams (Ott, Pitt, NJ, Car, NYR) we've competed and we've beaten. So don't tell me Thomas can't fill in as goalie, or this team can't win the cup. They probably won't - and adding a Hossa in the offseason makes them that much better. I wanna see them hurt Montreal badly!
yeah all the thomas hating is getting old...people like the names they hear on sports center like brodeur and fleury and kippy but a hot goalie can take a team far...just look how auld has been carrying this team...we have a legit one-two tandem in net so that isn't the problem its going to be getting scoring. add a big name forward this off season via trade or free agency and were going to be contenders next year just watch...i plan on making you eat your words latrappe
Thomas hating? That's the 3rd season that he falter during an important stretch! That's not hating, that's a fact. An healthy Fernandez is a way better option then Thomas in the playoffs. I'm sorry Big but without goaltending, you are going nowhere.
Even with an impact forward, this team have a serious lack of depth. The youngsters played exceptionnaly well, this year, but i'm not sure that they can repeat next year. Remember that the Bruins will have to face tough decisions, at D, since Lashoff and Hunwick will probably be ready to challenge for a roster spot on the big club. Rookies mistakes can be costly and that's why i think this club won't contend until 2-3 years.
Don't be surprised if Thomas is dealt this off-season. Is it me or does Auld just look unbelievably cool and calm out there? Thomas has shown to be a great early-mid season goalie but has faltered toward the end of every season. And don't tell me it's because they overplay him.. the BEST goalies all get overplayed and still have something left. I like him, but Auld/Fernandez is a better tandem than anything including Thomas and look for Rask to be up here the year after next.
Besides, his salary is not exorbitant and teams will be looking for a goaltender, maybe for a proven veteran. Works for me.
BTW.. Couldn't you (McKeon) come up with someone better than slick Willie for state of the nation?? wtf, ovah??
it is true that thomas fades at the end of the season but he keeps us in the games most of the time other than 3-4 games a year where he just tanks it...im still willing to bet he and auld can carry this team atleast to the second round this year if the offense gets into gear. also for next year...remember we will have bergeron and alberts back so dont tell me we have no veteran experience on the team...honestly i only see lashoff fighting for a roster spot and he has enough time under his belt now that next year really wont be like a rookie season to him
Lashoff should be traded too. He is weak.
Every goalie is just as good as the guys playing in front of him - and they have been playing better this year. I agree that having Fernandez, Thomas, Auld and Rask will be trouble. Seeing how they have to re-sign Auld, he might be the odd man out, while Thomas has proven he can carry the load - as he did the first time when Raycroft and Toivonen went down - then Toivonen last year and this year Fernandez went down. I'd love to have a great trio going into the playoffs if Manny gets healthy, Thomas and Auld. A lot of teams hardly have a duo and we'd have a trio - nice.
haha, I had the image of Bill's thumb and had to go with it. I'll change it up every time and have a diff notable for the next state of the nation address
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