GOLDEN POINTS: Boston Bruins vs New Jersey Devils

Bruins 2 - Devils 1

Boston goals: Horton (3)
Devils goals: Clarkson (4)

If you are tuning into a hockey game for the first time, I strongly suggest avoiding any Bruins/Devils matchups.  While I find the defensive games entertaining, I'm probably in the minority here.  While it lacked in goals, there was some great physical play (56 total hits!), a fight, great saves (54 total shots), and an UFS...Unidentified Flying Snack.  After one of the longer shootouts I've seen, the Gnat comes in on his first shootout attempt and burries it.

• So I jinxed it.  Blame it all on me.  The Bruins let up their first power play goal of the season.  DAMNIT.  I knocked on wood so I really thought that allowed me to discuss their perfection on the penalty kill.  They only let up one goal in 5 tries though, still not too shabby!
• It is very encouraging to see Horton start the season the way he has.  After not having him playing at 100% for the past year, you forget what that first line can look like when all three are at their best.  His goal here was a perfect example of the chemistry between Lucic, Krejci and himself.  He seems to be in position to have a big year!  We're all pulling for you, Smiley!
• Rask continues to have a strong year in net.  He's got dollah dollah dollah bills on his mind.  If he keeps this up, the B's are going to have to pay him some good money.  He's worth it though.  He also stoned the Devils in the shootout, waiting long enough until Marchand was able to put one home.
• Let's fast forward to the shoot out.  I really hope it wasn't a B's fan that threw <insert snack> onto the ice during the shootout.  That crap pisses me off.  Luckily Seguin scored again on the redo.  I hope they found the douchebag and gave him a lifetime ban from the Garden.  There are only 2 situations things get thrown on the: 1) Hat trick and 2) playoff victory and the towel goes onto the ice.... and if you are in Detroit 3) an octopus.

Next Up: Buffalo Sabres  #ThursdayNightFights

I'm excited for the first division game of the year.  The B's embarrassed the Sabres many times last year, especially when their lack of response to the Lucic-Miller incident.  And then the embarrassing fight the next time they played.

GOLDEN POINTS: Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers (Part II)

Rangers 4 - Bruins 3 (OT)

Boston goals: Lucic (2), Marchand (2), Horton (1)

New York goals: Gaborik 3 (3), Pyatt (2)

Well, every season I predict the Bruins will go undefeated.  And to my surprise, they have yet to do so.  I thought with a shorter season this was the year that it would happen.  Damn Rangers had to spoil that!!

Coming into the game the Rangers were a disappointing 0-2, so you knew they were going to come out flying to start.  In that situation, you just hope the B's can weather the first few minutes of high adrenaline and then counter once the game settles down.  Unfortunately, the B's came out flat and found themselves down 0-2 very quickly.

Even though they lost the game, I learned a lot about this team.  On the road, in a playoff type atmosphere, against a very good team, the B's were able to come from behind not once, but twice.  They tied the game 2-2, went down 3-2, but were able to tying it up in the 3rd at 3 a piece to force OT.  An unlucky bounce sends Gaborik on a break away and there aren't many goalies that can save that (even though Tuukka got the first shot).

With that, my thoughts...

•  As I have in the last two posts, I NEED to give Dougie Hamilton props.  If you haven't watched a game, you are missing out.  This 19 year old KID is playing amazing, both defensively and offensively.  He got his first point of the season on a great shot towards the net on a PP (Marchand tipped it home).  It is still VERY early, but I'm thoroughly impressed thus far.
• When you see 4 goals against you probably don't think the goalie had a great game, but I thought Tuukka played outstanding.  He made some unbelievable saves to give the Bruins a chance to come back to tie the game and to force OT.  I wonder when we'll Khudobin.  We have back to back games next week, so I'm thinking one of those games could be a good time to give the new back up a go.
• I'm loving the play of "fat" Lucic so far.  He picks up his second goal the same way he scored his first, driving to the net and putting in a rebound.  I just need to see a Lucic fight and I'll be all set for the rest of the season.
• The power play finally scored a goal, but the penalty kill is still the star.  Keeping the Rangers 0 for 5 on the power play is enormous.  None bigger was Bergeron's effort on the 5v3 penalty kill.  Just give him the Selke award again, don't even bother waiting until the end of the year. 
• Rick Nash...is...a...beast.  The owner and GM of the Blue Jackets should be exiled from North America.  You had THIS guy on your team for NINE YEARS?  And you only made the playoffs ONCE?!?!  ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?  I knew he was good, but since he was out west and, lets face it, I wasn't dying to watch any CBJ games, I never really got a chance to see him play.  But this guy is a beast.
• Yeah, Gaborik is ight too.  So what, 3 goals in one game.  Whatever.

Next up: New York Islanders Brooklyners

Golden Points: BOS vs NYR

Bruins 3 - Rangers 1

It's back!!!  It's FINALLY back!!!  Oh man, the opening act did not disappoint one bit.  The Rangers were two wins away from going to the finals last year, add Rick Nash to that already potent line up and you got a team that will be fighting for a spot again.  The B's and Rangers usually play very close contests, but unfortunately the B's haven't been coming out on top recently.

I'm very happy the B's played (and lost) the scrimmage against the Providence B's.  It allowed them to knock some of the rust off before the games meant something.  It wasn't perfect, but they played significantly better.  Here are some of my thoughts:

- LOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH.  So much for being fat and out of shape.  Lucic was playing the type of game we all love to see him play.  He was throwing his weight around and charging the net.  Scored the first goal of the year on a rebound from Krejci.  He's had some consistency issues in the past, but for now it's a great start.

- Dougie Hamilton: didn't notice him, which is a good thing.  Usually when you notice a defender it's usually not a good thing (unless your name is Chara).  He seemed to be in good position and didn't appear to get burned on any plays.  Not a bad first night.

- The depth of the B's was also apparent.  We're pretty lucky to have a solid 4th line and the trio of Soupy, Thorton, and Paille picked up where they left off last year with solid shifts.  And Soupy and Thornton made my night by throwing down!  Love hockey.  I give Thornton the victory in his bout, but unfortunately I have to give Soupy an "L", though an "A" for the effort.

- While I do think Lundqvists save on Krejci was actually a goal, I agree with the call that there wasn't enough evidence to over turn the call and either way, that was an amazing "save".

- Did I mention HOCKEY IS BACK!!!!!!!!  I am so happy.

Next Up: Monday vs. Winnipeg Jets (which will be my first game of the year)

Lucic Avoids Suspension

I have delayed putting this post up because head of player safety, Brendan Shanahan, usually puts a video on NHL.com regarding his disciplinary decisions, but for some reason did not create one for the Lucic-Miller incident.  I guess he only does a video if there is a suspension.  For the most part, Shanahan has done a really good job.  He clearly lays out why he made his decision and I find the videos he posts very informative.

Anyways, I am shocked.  As much as my inner Lucic bias is telling me he didn't mean to hit Miller, there's no question he could have avoided the hit.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining he wasn't suspended, the guy has been on fire lately, but I wouldn't have argued if he got one game.  My fear is that the Sabres will take a run at either Rask or Thomas.  If they do, every player on that ice needs to be ready to fight.  This Bruins team will not shy away from an altercation. 

The real crime here is the Sabres response...or lack there of.  Not only did they not do anything right after Miller was hit, they had the rest of the game to let Looch know what he did was wrong.  Even though he hasn't played like it yet this season, Miller is one of the best goalies in the league.  You see your goalie lying there with his mask off, you need to give that perpetrator the business.  Shanahan should've suspended the whole Sabres team for that.

"But Dome, the Bruins failed to respond when Savvy got hit by Cooke."  Yes, I know.  And if I had this blog up and running I would've torn them apart for that embarrassment.  Maybe the lack of response from the Sabres and the hammering they took from the media and fans will wake them up like it did the Bruins.  You can't even sneeze on a Bruins player without everyone there to back him up.

Each season creates new story lines with every team.  Montreal and Philly have a million and make watching those games very enjoyable.  Next Wednesday's game against the Sabres just got much more interesting.  I love seeing a good Lucic fight, so the Sabres better not let me down.