Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Pain...Oh The Pain!!!

By losing Game 7 in overtime last night, the Bruins did what they've done so many times in the past...cut me deep.  I hate losing.  I hate underachieving.  That's what this season is because of this first round exit: an underachievement.  I'll just keep telling myself that losing in awful ways like this is what makes seasons like last year so enjoyable.

With that said, the B's should've beat the Capitals.  I'm not saying they would've repeat as champions, but they should've won the first round and possibly the second round, depending who they get matched up with.

Why did they lose this series? 

1. It's too late now, but I think Hood's next batch of milk cartons has Lucic's, Krejci's, and Marchand's face on it.  I'm not putting Peverley in that mix because he's a third line winger that was put on the first or second line.  I'd even put Seguin in this category, but he at least tried to salvage his reputation with a good effort in both game's 6 and 7.  When your goal scorers and top players don't produce, it's going to be very hard to win.  Once in awhile your 3rd or 4th line will have to win you a game, but the other times your 1st two lines are suppose to carry your offense.  Where did they go??? 

2. To think the Bruins could get away with another atrocious power play unit is asinine.  Especially in a game that was decided by one goal every game, imagine what a decent power play would've done?  I would argue that a better power play would've led to the B's winning this series in 6...

3. I know I'm a bit over the top with my love for McQuaid, but you all MUST see his value now.  The third D-pairing consisted of some combination of Corvo, Zanon, and Mottau.  Sorry I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.  No, McQuaid isn't winning a Norris trophy anytime soon, but he can play defense, he's mean as hell, and he knows how to get the puck deep.  I hope all three of those traffic cones are gone this offseason.  That leaves a spot for Dougie Hamilton and then I'd sign another older d-men for back-up.

4.  A healthy Patrice Bergeron would've increased the B's chances of winning by a hell of a whole lot.  I'm not just saying that because he missed the potential game winner in OT.  I'm saying this because the B's were noticeably HORRENDOUS at the face off circle last night.  It's a lot easier to win games when you have possession of the puck.  I know that's a bit radical, but just take it for what it's worth.

5.  Heart.  Desire.  Whatever you want to call it.  That "it" that you saw last year, I just didn't see it this series.  They didn't look like they were willing to do whatever it took to win the game.  Maybe they were just mentally fatigued from last year and this season.  Who knows.  But now they have a longer offseason to reflect, rest, and reload.

Those are my main points.  I don't want to hear "Holtby stole the show" or that he was too good for us.  That's horseshit.  If you watched last night he was basically begging the Bruins to score with the juicy rebounds he was letting up.  I thought Holtby played well at times during the series, but he was not this super human goaltender like Thomas was last year. 

This is hard to say because friggin' Wideman is lumped into this category, but you need to give the Capitals D some credit.  They blocked a million and two shots and most of the horrible rebounds Holtby gave up were swept away by the defense. 

Now who am I rooting for?  This is hard.  The part of me that wants the NHL as a league to succeed thinks it'd be best for the Rangers and the Flyers to meet in the Eastern Conference finals.  The fan in me hates those teams and is probably rooting for the Senators because I have a man crush on  Daniel Alfredsson.

In the West?  Kings maybe.  Anybody but Phoenix.  Though it would be humorous.  Has a team ever won the Cup and then relocated within 2-3 years??

I'll still be blogging throughout the summer.  This should be an interesting offseason for the B's.  They are still a championship caliber team, so they only need to make a few fixes...in theory.

Friday, April 20, 2012

B's Lose Game 2, Bounce Back in Game 3

Bruins 1 - Capitals 2   (2OT)    --    Boston leads series 2-1
Bruins 4 - Capitls 3  (not in OT)

Well, my playoff win streak has come to an end.  I attended game 2 with high hopes but was rewarded with one of the most boring games of hockey I've ever attended.  The Capitals played the ever so excited trap game, where they basically pack everyone in and around the net and hope for a 1-0, 2-1 game...and they got it.

I thought both of the Capitals goals were fairly weak, but the play of the Bruins was even weaker.  No one was crashing the net.  Man have I come along way, but (Pepe le) Pouliot is the ONLY forward playing well right now.  He's digging deep, winning battles and managing to score those "dirty" goals.  Other than that, Seidenberg is playing like a boss still.  He's just a beast!!!  This game sucked and that's all I'm going to say about it.


I would just like to personally the Capitals for being idiots.  At the end of the second period, they poked Lucic one too many times and as we've heard Jack say, "DON'T POKE THE BEAR".  As I've said many times, I'm a huge Looch fan...HUGE.  But I cannot even try to defend his play the first 11 periods of playoff hockey (including the overtimes).  He has been an immense disappointment, seems to be lacking energy and focus.  Hence why I'm thanking the Capitals.  That skirmish at the end of the second period injected life into his game.  BY FAR the best period of hockey from Lucic (and really the rest of the team) was that third period.  Alzner, thank you as well.  I'll say a prayer for you, but making a cry baby motion to Looch is probably one of the stupider moments of your life. 

We're starting to see cheap play of coach's Dale Hunters game creep into his players game.  Jason Chimera poked Marchand in the gonads and Backstrom cross-checked Peverley in the face.  Backstrom ended up getting suspended for it, which I agree with but at the same time I wouldn't have gone crying to my Mommy if he wasn't...

Although it would've been a tough save, I would've liked to see Thomas make that save on Laich that tied the game.  Big players come up big in big moments.  Right there was a big moment, and Laich won.  Luckily Thomas redeemed himself by making a point-blank save a little later and before seriously causing health problems Chara won the game with under 2 minutes left to avoid a third straight overtime.

The third period was by far the best period of hockey for the entire team, lots of shots, but also much better net presence.  I already know the outcome of Game 4 and I'm very upset.  I thought the momentum from the end of Game 3 would've positively carried over into Game 4.  WRONG.  Ugh.

I am finishing up this post early Friday morning, I missed yesterdays game as I was traveling to San Diego during it...  Needless to say I'm angry and I don't even want to watch the highlights...

Think anyone around here knows what hockey is?

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Bruins Take Game 1!!!

Bruins 1 - Capitals 0 (OT)    ---   Boston leads series 1-0


PHEW....
A few shots of Jameson and a few homebrews later, I have survived the first postseason game of 2012.  This team kills me!  Of course they would play a 0-0 game (Claude's favorite) and go to OT in the FIRST game of the postseason.  They need to have a general surgeon warning before these games, detrimental to my health I tell ya...

The message to the Bruins was very clear: shoot, shoot, shoot.  I understand why, the young Holtby was playing in his first playoff game and they wanted to test him early.  I just wish after the first period, they went back to trying to create more quality opportunities.  You have to give Holtby a TON of credit.  While I didn't think the quality of shots was necessarily there, he stepped up to the plate.  If it wasn't for the freak at the other end of the ice (known as Tim Thomas around these parts), he would've gotten a shutout in his first NHL playoff game.

Speaking of Thomas, if he plays like that night in and night out, the Bruins have a chance to make a deep run.  No, he didn't get tested a lot, but I thought the shots the Capitals did take were quality shots for the most part.  We're one game in and we may have the save of the series.  When I saw the puck being moved to Ovechkin, stick cocked back about to unleash a laser of a one-timer, and almost half of the net wide open, I swear my coffee table started trembling because it knew a punch and or a kick was coming.  Instead Thomas decided to put his yoga skills to good use and flash a right skate save.  Unbelievable.  Just unbelievable.

The best match up of the night goes to Seidenberg versus Ovechkin...hands down.  Unlike Cindy Crosby, Ovechkin is a baller.  Like him or not, he's tough as nails and loves throwing the big hits (game high 7 last night).  Luckily for him, the Bruins also love playing physical.  The German and the Russian were going at all night.  The great part is that none of it was cheap, it was all within the rules of the game.  The best hit came early on in the game when Seidenberg lined Ovechkin up, but Ovechkin was able to brace himself and even give it back to the Bruin defenseman.  Beautiful hockey...

I thought all the lines except Bergie's line was struggling to find rhythm.  The top especially seemed to be out of sync.  I want to see Looch get in front of the net a little more.  He's one of the bigger forwards in the league and if he parks is toosh in front of Holtby, I'm sure the first line will put some pucks in the net.  GET TO THE DIRTY AREAS, LOOCH!!

Another disappointing aspect of the B's game was their power play.  I will say it looks better than last year, but we all know that isn't saying much.  I think a JV high school teams power play looks better than the B's last year.  At least this year, they are generating chances, keeping the puck in the offensive zone, and use it as a momentum gainer.  Last year, I would've preferred if the refs DIDN'T call a penalty since usually the opposing team would use it to gain momentum back.  So, although better, they need to start scoring.

My "Dennis Wideman" award goes to Joe Corvo.  It's upsetting that one of my favorite players, McQuaid, is out and my least favorite player, Corvo, takes his spot.  He's not tough, he can't play defense, and most frustrating of all he shoots the puck into a Capitals defender EVERY TIME.  Mike Green laid down on the ice many seconds before Corvo even thought about shooting.  Instead of lifting the puck over Green, which I'm assuming every NHLer can do, he shoots right into him.  I'm not sure what's wrong with McQuaid, but I NEED him to come back ASAP.  COME ON, DUDE!!!

Alright peeps, I'll be at game 2 (thanks, Johnny!).  3:00pm on Saturday.  I'll be sure to go bonkers for everyone.  I was 6-0 in the playoffs last year, let's hope I can keep the streak alive!!!






Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Feeling good....for now

Although the final three games of the season were meaningless points wise, the Bruins ended the season feeling pretty good about themselves and winning 2 of them.  That means the B's went 7-2-1.  Yeah, this is the turn around I was PRRRAAAYYIINNG for.

It wasn't the way that it was drawn up, but the Bruins also managed to give Timmy a lot of rest.  He only played in the regular season finale and the B's didn't even allow him to travel with the team for their away game against Ottawa.  The Bruins go as far as Thomas is going to take them.  Everyone knows he caught fire last spring, he's playing well and is hopefully fresh enough to help the B's make another deep run.

With the Senators losing to the Devils and the Capitals defeating the Rangers, the Bruins first round opponent is going to be the Capitals instead of the Senators.  As I said earlier, I would've preferred the Senators, but I still think the B's can handle the Caps.

You have to feel pretty good about the B's depth, too.  Even when facing a few injuries, Julien was still able to rest some of their players.  Here are some other things I'm feeling good about:
- Providence Bruins goalie, Anton Khudobin, came in a played a great game against the Senators (44 saves).  It thankfully appears that Rask will be able to resume backup duties relatively soon.  BUT if Khudobin has to serve as backup for a few games, that performance settled my fears slightly.  It was strategic at the time to let Khudobin play against the Senators as they appears to be our first round opponent.  In all honesty, I don't want to see ANY backup goalies because that means something happened to Thomas.

- Injuries: I hope he doesn't see the ice, but the news that Rask could be ready for the postseason is reassuring.  McQuaid, who's only played 2 periods of hockey since suffering an eye injury against the Rangers, is hopefully ready to rock and roll.  I'll be the optimist assuming the reports are true that the B's just held him out to be overly cautious.  He better not be wearing a visor either.  I need him ready to be a very physical presence and be ready to throw down when needed.  Boychuk's knee injury was also scary at the time, but he also appears to be ready to go for the playoffs.  He's had a great season and I'm hoping he can carry that into the postseason

- All four lines are playing pretty consistently right now and the offense is coming from everyone.  Most importantly, Lucic and Krejci seem to be on a roll.  As everyone knows, Lucic had a VERY disappointing playoffs last year but is entering this one playing some of his best hockey.  I'm not as concerned with Krejci, he seems to get bored during the regular season, but in big spots steps up his game (see last playoff run and the last Olympics). 

- This is nearly the same team as last year.  They've been through the grind, they know what it takes.  They've been down 0-2 TWICE and have come back to win the series.  They've won home Game 7's and away Game 7's.  They've won in overtime.  They've survived injuries (Horton).  What else can be thrown at them?  They are one year older, one year wiser, and should be able to handle whatever lies in the road ahead.


Enjoy your final day off before the real season begins!!  I'm excited for the Flyers-Whiners...I mean Pens game.  That should be one hell of a series.  Playoff series against rivals are just the best....stressful as all hell...but the best.








Sunday, April 8, 2012

Good bye 2011-2012 Regular Season....

... and HEEELLLLOOOO PLAYOFF HOCKEY!!!

There's not a more suspenseful or emotional show on TV than watching your team make a deep Cup run.  I'm only partially sure that I'm ready since it took months to recover from last year (no I wasn't partying with Marchand and Seguin).  But that was last year, I was young and unprepared.  I was bracing myself for some sort of epic failure like the past few seasons had ended and was caught off guard.  This year, I'm prepared for anything, I'm a seasoned vet now.  A repeat hasn't happened since the Red Wings did it in 1998, don't you think the league is due?

The Bruins now can defend their championship properly.  The first team to enter the gauntlet will be the Washington Capitals.  I will admit, I would've preferred the Senators.  The Caps have been in playoff hockey mode for a few weeks now, battling the Sabres for the final spot in the East.  After locking in their playoff spot, the Caps ended up leap frogging the Senators for 7th in the East.  Chara and the boys better be ready for Ovechkin and company.  Let the games begin!!!

I'll be posting my thoughts on the B's heading into the playoffs soon...


P.S.:  Is the world ready for the fire beard??

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Northeast Division Champs!

After sweeping the weekend series in enemy territory (no phone calls, relatives??), the Bruins have locked up the Northeast Division and the #2 seed in the playoffs.  I can't get over how much I hate watching games on TV when they are either at the Coliseum or at MSG.  Both those buildings SUCK.  I know the Islander's owner has been trying to get a new arena down there for a little while now, to no avail, but come on it's like half the light bulbs are burnt out.  Anyways...

Playing Turco against the Islanders and saving Thomas for the Rangers was a no brainer, my only worry was that the B's could've been the one getting the broom.  Even though the Islanders are sitting towards the bottom of the barrel, they have some great goal scorers and I still don't have a whole lot of confidence when Turco mans the pipes.  He got some help, as the B's netted 6 goals, and we leave the Island for the mainland with a victory.

The Rangers victory was huge.  I mean HUGE!  The B's hadn't beaten them all year, though 2 out of the prior 3 games were close.  This win locked up the division, locked up first round home-ice, and most importantly gave the B's that confidence to know that if they do see these guys in the Eastern Conference finals (knock on wood, kiss the rabbit foot, hop up and down on my left foot), they can beat them at their shitty arena.  This was a fun game to watch as it had a playoff type feel; low scoring (2-1), great goaltending, and very physical play.

When the B's were on fire back in November/December, I kept saying it doesn't matter what they do now, but how they finish.  When the B's were struggling horribly, I kept saying they had time (though not much) to turn it around, if they can catch a little fire going into the playoffs I'll feel good.  Since the Florida Road Trip Massacre, the B's have gone 7-1-1, but more importantly going 3-1-1 against teams that are currently in the playoffs.

With the division locked up, I expect to see Claude giving his players some rest over the next three games.  I'm hoping there's another two months of hockey to get out of this team!  Anton Khudobin was called up today and hopefully we'll start seeing a few more prospects be brought in.  If I had to guess, Thomas plays 2 out of the last 3.  Ideally, I'd like to see either Khudobin play 2 out of the last 3 or Khudobin gets one, Rask gets one, and Thomas gets one, but I don't think Rask is ready quite yet.

It's almost time folks.  The greatest time of year.  There really isn't anything better than playoff hockey.  It's also an excuse I get to use to grow out the beard!!!