I wasn't able to watch the entire Flyers game, instead I listened to most of it on the radio and watched the ending. But without being able to see the game myself I feel a full 8 Golden Points wouldn't be right. Plus, it's starting to get boring writing about this team... but in a good way. Pouliout is playing well so I can't trash him. The Bruins are 18-2-1 in their last 21, they've gone from last place to first place. The Flyers had sole possession of first place and Boston made them look like an AHL team; completely dominating them 6-0. Yup, two field goals to a goose egg. Suck on that Philly.
The captain returned from his leg injury and showed everyone that he's still a beast. He notched a Gordie Howe hat trick: a goal, an assist, and a fight. Although the fight wasn't as completely one-sided as Chara fights normally are, he did get some solid punches in there. It's strange to see Chara fight off of a face off. He doesn't drop the gloves often (understandably so, he's one of the best defensemen in the league) and when he does it's usually because an opponent did something cheap to him or to a teammate during play.
Timmy T earned his 4th shutout of the year (tied for league leader) and is just straight butter. I take Timmy for granted. I rarely get nervous. It's bad. Previous seasons I would frequently freak out if a team was on a power play or on the break. I literally think "Timmy will pull this one out" and he does. It's insanely unorthodox, but insanely effective. Even when father time catches up to him, Tuukka has been playing very well too. Not sure if anyone else in the league has a better goal tending duo.
Don't look now, but the Bruins are 9th in the league in power play percentage and 3rd in the league in penalty killing. I'm not as surprised with the penalty kill, but 3rd is still very impressive. It does help when you have Thomas and Rask on your side. But the power play to be in the top 10 in the league, I'm thoroughly impressed.
The one negative from the game this weekend would be Lucic. I just saw he's getting a one game suspension. I figured that much. It looks like he tries to get the side of him, but he clearly hits the numbers. I just wish the refs let someone on the Flyers try to fight him. There's really nothing better than Lucic pummelling a Flyer (or Canadien which we are robbed of tonight).
This run is definitely the best Bruins hockey I have ever witnessed. I just wish this was happening in April / May. Let's hope they stay healthy and keep this up. I just don't see any team beating the B's in a 7 game series.
Pepe Le Pouliot is playing well... Danny Paille is playing well... Zach Hamill is actually playing ... WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!?!
Dome-ination... that's what.
A Boston Bruins blog by Dome
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Kaberle Traded to the Dark Side
Everyone rejoice!! We have yet another reason to boo the crap out of Kaberle!!! What was the first? The fact that he absolutely stunk up the joint here last season. If you know me, you know I was not a huge Kaberle fan...at all. Like, not even a little bit.
In exchange for Jaroslav Spacek, the Canadiens have acquired enormously overpaid and under performing Tomas Kaberle from Carolina. If you remember, Kaberle just a few months ago signed a 3 year, $12.75 million contract with the 'Canes. According to the article I read, the 'Canes had been looking to move him for a month. So what you're saying, Carolina, is that a month into the first year of his contract, you already regretted that decision?! Interesting... I wonder why...
After 29 games played, Kaberle's line looks like this: 0 goals, 9 assists, and a -12. Carolina also has the 4th worst power play in the league. For someone who is suppose to be an offensive defenseman and a power play savior....Ouch. Spacek's stat line isn't much better (12 games played: 0 goals, 3 assists, +2), but I still think for Carolina, this is a great move. They gain a little cap room this year with his contract, but most importantly, he's a free agent at the end of the season. They don't have to worry about the other 2 awful years left on Kaberle's contract.
As for the Canadiens, they currently have the 3rd worst power play in the league and they can expect to hit rock bottom now. I'm not quite sure why they made this move. Maybe their thinking is that Kaberle spent almost his whole career in the Northeast division and a move back to their will get him going. I don't know. I think he stinks, so anytime the Canadiens get a stinky player I'm happy with it. Oh man, I cannot wait to boo him!!
In exchange for Jaroslav Spacek, the Canadiens have acquired enormously overpaid and under performing Tomas Kaberle from Carolina. If you remember, Kaberle just a few months ago signed a 3 year, $12.75 million contract with the 'Canes. According to the article I read, the 'Canes had been looking to move him for a month. So what you're saying, Carolina, is that a month into the first year of his contract, you already regretted that decision?! Interesting... I wonder why...
After 29 games played, Kaberle's line looks like this: 0 goals, 9 assists, and a -12. Carolina also has the 4th worst power play in the league. For someone who is suppose to be an offensive defenseman and a power play savior....Ouch. Spacek's stat line isn't much better (12 games played: 0 goals, 3 assists, +2), but I still think for Carolina, this is a great move. They gain a little cap room this year with his contract, but most importantly, he's a free agent at the end of the season. They don't have to worry about the other 2 awful years left on Kaberle's contract.
As for the Canadiens, they currently have the 3rd worst power play in the league and they can expect to hit rock bottom now. I'm not quite sure why they made this move. Maybe their thinking is that Kaberle spent almost his whole career in the Northeast division and a move back to their will get him going. I don't know. I think he stinks, so anytime the Canadiens get a stinky player I'm happy with it. Oh man, I cannot wait to boo him!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
New Realignment
After allowing representatives from various teams the opportunity to voice their opinions on which direction the league should go in regarding realignment, the Board of Governors have approved a brand spanking new, four conference alignment. Here's how it shakes down (the conferences haven't been named yet):
Conference "A": Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver
Conference "B": Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg
Conference "C": Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto
Conference "D": Carolina, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
You play everyone in your conference 6 times and everyone else twice (one home game, one away game). I like the continued importance of "divisional" play. What I also like is that every single season (until the next realignment) the Wings and Hawks visit the Hub. It was a near crime that there could be a year not all six of the Original 6 teams would visit the Hub. Unfortunately we only play Conference C (the other East conference) two times instead of four. The little rivalries that have developed with NYR, Philly and Pitt will suffer, but I'll live.
The top four teams of each conference make the playoffs, so the same amount as the current format. The first two rounds are played against your conference foes and I love this. The B's / Habs rivalry has been so good lately because we've been lucky enough for them to have met in the playoffs. With the heavy influence and emphasis placed on conference play, old rivalries will continue to flourish and I'm sure we'll see many new ones sprout up.
The first alignment plan was just a one for one swap: Winnipeg for either Detroit or Columbus. If you think about it, it doesn't solve many of the problems that some teams face. Mainly travel and the start time of games... plus that would've split up one of the better rivalries in the game. Conference "A" and Conference "B" are aligned more appropriately with their time zones and should help garner more fans. Not every fan base is as dedicated as Detroit and Chicago and stays up 'til midnight watching there team.
Overall, I'm a fan. The great Northeast division remains intact and we welcome the two Florida teams to the fold. Right now, that makes the conference even better as the Florida Panthers are leading the Southeast division right now and we all know what Tampa Bay brings. Hell we now have 6 opportunities to get out of frozen New England and watch the B's in Florida in our floaties and our floral pattern swim trunks. Not too shabby!!
Conference "A": Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose, Vancouver
Conference "B": Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg
Conference "C": Boston, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Toronto
Conference "D": Carolina, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
You play everyone in your conference 6 times and everyone else twice (one home game, one away game). I like the continued importance of "divisional" play. What I also like is that every single season (until the next realignment) the Wings and Hawks visit the Hub. It was a near crime that there could be a year not all six of the Original 6 teams would visit the Hub. Unfortunately we only play Conference C (the other East conference) two times instead of four. The little rivalries that have developed with NYR, Philly and Pitt will suffer, but I'll live.
The top four teams of each conference make the playoffs, so the same amount as the current format. The first two rounds are played against your conference foes and I love this. The B's / Habs rivalry has been so good lately because we've been lucky enough for them to have met in the playoffs. With the heavy influence and emphasis placed on conference play, old rivalries will continue to flourish and I'm sure we'll see many new ones sprout up.
The first alignment plan was just a one for one swap: Winnipeg for either Detroit or Columbus. If you think about it, it doesn't solve many of the problems that some teams face. Mainly travel and the start time of games... plus that would've split up one of the better rivalries in the game. Conference "A" and Conference "B" are aligned more appropriately with their time zones and should help garner more fans. Not every fan base is as dedicated as Detroit and Chicago and stays up 'til midnight watching there team.
Overall, I'm a fan. The great Northeast division remains intact and we welcome the two Florida teams to the fold. Right now, that makes the conference even better as the Florida Panthers are leading the Southeast division right now and we all know what Tampa Bay brings. Hell we now have 6 opportunities to get out of frozen New England and watch the B's in Florida in our floaties and our floral pattern swim trunks. Not too shabby!!
8 Golden Points: Game 25 vs Pittsburgh
Bruins 3 - Penguins 1
8 Golden Points:
1. Going into this match up the Penguins were the #1 seed in the East, 3 points ahead of the B's, while also having played 3 more games. I think the B's showed last night that they are the team to beat in the East at the moment. Still with 3 games in hand, the B's are now 1 point out of the top spot. The winning continues with this team. They've won 14 out of 15 games!!! But even the game they lost, they still got a point out of it. Mind boggling. How 'bout you guys save some of this for April??
2. Tim Thomas. I can only pump this guys tires so much. He made 45 saves against one of the premier teams in the league...even without the Movember mask! He's on a 10 game winning streak. He's now on pace to break his own record in save percentage. I think we need to check his birth certificate. He might have fudged some numbers to make himself appear older than he really is. Advantage of that? No idea, but he's got something up his sleeve.
3. BIG props to the penalty killing unit. If you told me that the B's would give the Penguins over three minutes total of a two man advantage...especially a FULL 2 minutes...I would've pegged the Pens for 2 goals. The PK unit came up HUGE and killed off both 5 on 3 situations. When one of your penalty killers is Tim Thomas, you always have a shot at killing those off.
4. Gregory Campbell, who is a key member of the penalty kill unit, had himself a good game last night. Although it wasn't pretty, hustle and hard work always seem to find a way to get rewarded. But as most of you know, my favorite part of his game last night was letting Vitale know that we are not the Buffalo Sabres. You do NOT touch the best player on our team (Thomas). That was one hell of a fight with Campbell connecting with a few early, but give Vitale some credit, he got in a few good shots as well.
5. I read an article on ESPN that said most people would most like to fight Brad Marchand. Yes, the Gnat is a pest. I'd probably hate him if he was on a different team. You have to give this guy props though. Unlike Subban, unlike Lapierre, Marchy will actually fight. Is he a good fighter? Hell no. But the guy isn't afraid to drop the mittens. I doubt he'd actually fight him, but Orpik gave Seguin a little whats good after the whistle and Marchand came right over and gave him a what's up back. Orpik would tear him apart, but it's nice to see he isn't afraid.
6. The defense needs to be given some love too here. To be able to keep the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Kunitz, and Sullivan off the score sheet is pretty impressive. The goaltender is a stud, but the defense wasn't giving them too many scoring chances.
7. Just taking a peak at the stat leaders of the league. One stat Mr. Julien would be quite happy about would be +/-. Most people know Seguin is leading the league in that category with a +19, but Zdeno Chara is second with a +18 and Chris "sign me to an extension" Kelly comes in at third with a +17. Not bad B's...not bad.
8. Pepe Le Pouliout scored again. He's been playing better as of late, but he's still in my dog house. Maybe he's finally found his niche alongside Kelly and Peverley. Let's see if he can keep this up. When the B's start losing some games (if they ever do), how will his attitude change?
Next up: Tonight vs Winnipeg Jets (11-11-4 26pts)
8 Golden Points:
1. Going into this match up the Penguins were the #1 seed in the East, 3 points ahead of the B's, while also having played 3 more games. I think the B's showed last night that they are the team to beat in the East at the moment. Still with 3 games in hand, the B's are now 1 point out of the top spot. The winning continues with this team. They've won 14 out of 15 games!!! But even the game they lost, they still got a point out of it. Mind boggling. How 'bout you guys save some of this for April??
2. Tim Thomas. I can only pump this guys tires so much. He made 45 saves against one of the premier teams in the league...even without the Movember mask! He's on a 10 game winning streak. He's now on pace to break his own record in save percentage. I think we need to check his birth certificate. He might have fudged some numbers to make himself appear older than he really is. Advantage of that? No idea, but he's got something up his sleeve.
3. BIG props to the penalty killing unit. If you told me that the B's would give the Penguins over three minutes total of a two man advantage...especially a FULL 2 minutes...I would've pegged the Pens for 2 goals. The PK unit came up HUGE and killed off both 5 on 3 situations. When one of your penalty killers is Tim Thomas, you always have a shot at killing those off.
4. Gregory Campbell, who is a key member of the penalty kill unit, had himself a good game last night. Although it wasn't pretty, hustle and hard work always seem to find a way to get rewarded. But as most of you know, my favorite part of his game last night was letting Vitale know that we are not the Buffalo Sabres. You do NOT touch the best player on our team (Thomas). That was one hell of a fight with Campbell connecting with a few early, but give Vitale some credit, he got in a few good shots as well.
5. I read an article on ESPN that said most people would most like to fight Brad Marchand. Yes, the Gnat is a pest. I'd probably hate him if he was on a different team. You have to give this guy props though. Unlike Subban, unlike Lapierre, Marchy will actually fight. Is he a good fighter? Hell no. But the guy isn't afraid to drop the mittens. I doubt he'd actually fight him, but Orpik gave Seguin a little whats good after the whistle and Marchand came right over and gave him a what's up back. Orpik would tear him apart, but it's nice to see he isn't afraid.
6. The defense needs to be given some love too here. To be able to keep the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Kunitz, and Sullivan off the score sheet is pretty impressive. The goaltender is a stud, but the defense wasn't giving them too many scoring chances.
7. Just taking a peak at the stat leaders of the league. One stat Mr. Julien would be quite happy about would be +/-. Most people know Seguin is leading the league in that category with a +19, but Zdeno Chara is second with a +18 and Chris "sign me to an extension" Kelly comes in at third with a +17. Not bad B's...not bad.
8. Pepe Le Pouliout scored again. He's been playing better as of late, but he's still in my dog house. Maybe he's finally found his niche alongside Kelly and Peverley. Let's see if he can keep this up. When the B's start losing some games (if they ever do), how will his attitude change?
Next up: Tonight vs Winnipeg Jets (11-11-4 26pts)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
David Krejci Extended 3 Years
David Krejci, who was to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, has signed a 3-year contract extension with the B's. It's reportedly a $15.75m deal, making him the highest paid forward on the team.
I like this deal. Yeah, it's a little higher than I would've liked, but you have to understand where the NHL is heading. This season the cap went up $4m and we saw teams this offseason giving free agents more money than we have seen the past few seasons.
Yes, Krejci is off to a little bit of a slow start this year. Maybe he had the contract on his mind, who knows, but he definitely needs to step it up. Now that he has this done with, let's see if he can perform. He is unbelievably talented and although I wish he was a bit more consistent, when he raises his game he is one hell of a good player and he seems to raise it at the right time (eg. Olympics two years ago and the playoffs last year).
If he had gotten to free agency, I'm certain another team would've given him an offer sheet of at least $6m per year.
What I do know is that the front office is doing one hell of a job keeping the core of this team intact while playing the cap game.
November to Remember
Although I have done a poor job documenting the historic run, the Bruins have just finished a near perfect month of hockey. The only blemish coming in a shootout loss to the Red Wings on Black Friday. I'll excuse that because they probably got up reallllly early to take advantage of all the super fantastic deals!!
Looking back, it's absolutely amazing that the B's started November with a 3-7 record. That is just awful especially with basically the same hombres that just won the Cup. No one predicted the team to turn it around this quickly, but I thought they could fight their way out of the basement and compete for one of the final playoff spots by the end of the year...as in 4 months from now. This team is just too good, but with the parity in the league now, making up ground is not an easy thing to do. Hell, I'd say nearly impossible, but what do I know...
...enter November. Go ahead Bruins, just go and prove me completely wrong. Rattle off 25 points in 13 games. Go from last place in the East to within striking distance of the #1 spot (with two games in hand, one win would do it). And make it look damn easy. Yeah, it's cool. Last season if a team went up by 2 goals, we lost. But screw that, score 57 goals (over 4 per game!) this month. I don't even get nervous now when we let up a goal or two. My heart and my liver happily thank you for this confidence...
Not only are they scoring goals, they are still staying true to their defensive scheme (don't worry Claude). They have a goal differential of +31. Just a number to you? The next best team is +18. What?! That's just dumb. For a "defense first" team, that's... damnit that's just dumb!
Hey Timmy, you old man, you won the Vezina, Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup last season, you going to tone it down a bit? No? Oh you want to post a 1.93 GAA and .936 save percentage? Yeah, I guess that's alright. I mean that save percentage is a little weak. You did have a record breaking .938 for the season last year. Just saying... step it up.
But my one burning questions, not "can they keep this up?", but... what is Thomas going to do with his Movember mask?! Can he really auction it off? Isn't that against all superstitions known to man?
Anyways... it's time to say buh bye, November. Who knows if we'll see another one like you again.
And hhheeelllloooo December, how you doin'?
Looking back, it's absolutely amazing that the B's started November with a 3-7 record. That is just awful especially with basically the same hombres that just won the Cup. No one predicted the team to turn it around this quickly, but I thought they could fight their way out of the basement and compete for one of the final playoff spots by the end of the year...as in 4 months from now. This team is just too good, but with the parity in the league now, making up ground is not an easy thing to do. Hell, I'd say nearly impossible, but what do I know...
...enter November. Go ahead Bruins, just go and prove me completely wrong. Rattle off 25 points in 13 games. Go from last place in the East to within striking distance of the #1 spot (with two games in hand, one win would do it). And make it look damn easy. Yeah, it's cool. Last season if a team went up by 2 goals, we lost. But screw that, score 57 goals (over 4 per game!) this month. I don't even get nervous now when we let up a goal or two. My heart and my liver happily thank you for this confidence...
Not only are they scoring goals, they are still staying true to their defensive scheme (don't worry Claude). They have a goal differential of +31. Just a number to you? The next best team is +18. What?! That's just dumb. For a "defense first" team, that's... damnit that's just dumb!
Hey Timmy, you old man, you won the Vezina, Conn Smythe, and Stanley Cup last season, you going to tone it down a bit? No? Oh you want to post a 1.93 GAA and .936 save percentage? Yeah, I guess that's alright. I mean that save percentage is a little weak. You did have a record breaking .938 for the season last year. Just saying... step it up.
But my one burning questions, not "can they keep this up?", but... what is Thomas going to do with his Movember mask?! Can he really auction it off? Isn't that against all superstitions known to man?
Anyways... it's time to say buh bye, November. Who knows if we'll see another one like you again.
And hhheeelllloooo December, how you doin'?
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