Preseason Games Part 1

I'll run through the preseason games that happened so far.  Now this all my opinion on what I've read, so an opinion of an opinion.

Preseason Game 1:    Ottawa 2 - Boston 1 (OT)
There isn't much to talk about in this game.  Even though it went to overtime, from what I read the Senators controlled the entire game.  The reason the Bruins were able to keep it close was because Rask played a great game (34 saves).  Lane MacDermid, playing on a line with Chris Kelly and Shawn Thornton, scored the only goal for the Bruins.  As the first preseason game, I'll just be happy Rask played well and we'll move on...


Preseason Game 2:    Boston 6 - Islanders 3 (TD Garden)
Is there some man-crush going on with the Islanders??  Rookie games, this preseason game and another one this weekend.  Sheesh.  Well, this game didn't start out well for the B's, with Thomas letting in 2 of the first 5 shots he faced.  They turned that around as you can see by the final score.  It also looks like my prediction of Jordan Caron stepping into Recchi's spot on the second line is not looking too good.  Not because Caron is playing poorly, but because the line of Marchand (1 G, 1 A, +2), Bergeron (1 G, 2 A, +2), and Peverley (1 G, 2 A, +3) absolutely dominated this game.  It's also good to see Lucic (2 A) and Krejci (1 G) show up on the stat sheet.

Remember that awful power play last year?  Yeah, I don't want to either, but that will definitely be under the microscope all preseason and season until they can prove us they've turned it around.  They took a step in the right direction going 2-5 on the man advantage.


Preseason Game 3:    Boston 7 - Habs 3 (Halifax)
Even in preseason, it's always awesome to beat the Canadiens.  Again the Bruins scored 2 power play goals (Corvo and Marchand) and even 2 shorties (Chara and Paille).  Best part of this game?  Horton playing.  We've seen what concussions have done to Savard and Crosby, so it's nice to see Horton has been able to bounce back like Bergeron.

From what I'm reading, both Matt Bartkowski and Steven Kampfer are having good preseasons.  I'd give the edge to Kampfer since he's had some big league experience already.  Camp invitee Chris Clark (veteran who had his best seasons with the Capitals), is also having a good early preseason.  He could put a wrinkle in Jordan Caron making the team.  Caron doesn't have to clear waivers to be sent down to Providence, but Clark does.  Clark also has that "veteran experience" that Claude drools over.