GOLDEN POINTS: Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres

Bruins 3 - Sabres 1

Bruins goals: Marchand (6), Bergeron PPG (2), Lucic ENG (3)

Sabres goal: Ennis (5)

After Snowstorm Nemo found New England and brought upon us snowmagedan we got treated to a divisional matchup with Sabres.  I don't know what it is about them, probably just the fact they have Ryan Miller and Tomas Vanek, but no matter how bad they are it's always a tough game against them.  

The Sabres handed the B's their only regulation loss of the season last time they played (and it was a pretty awful loss), but since the B's are 2-0 allowing only one goal.  Not too shabby!  There was no revenge for Scott beating up Thornton, and I didn't think their should be.  It was a fair fight and Scott just crushed Thornton.  I think the goal should be to keep Scott on the ice as much as possible, dude sucks.

• Ahh, the return of the Gnat.  Usually it takes a game or two to get back up to speed after missing so many games, but Marchand picked up exactly where he left off: scoring goals and pissing people off in the process.  He scored his team leading 6th goal last night and baited Ott into an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.  Booyeah.
• Hamilton finally shows that he's a rookie.  I've been pumping this guys ego thus far, so I feel obligated to also mention when his play is only great not super amazing.  This was the first game that I've watch where I noticed multiple mistakes on Dougie's part (the cross ice pass that got intercepted and a way too eager pinch up the boards that he got burned on).  Luckily, neither led to goals (or I don't think they did).  Kids learning.
• Ryan Miller is a damn stonewall.  He made some incredible saves, especially the one on Horton comes to mind.  He was the only B's killer that showed up last night.  I didn't even notice Vanek out there.  Good job by the B's to contain him.
• Speaking of goalies, need to give some love to Khudobin as well.  He's showing he's ready any time he's called upon.  Only allowing one goal and also making his share of great saves.  I'm really liking this goalie tandem and quite frankly it helps ease the pain for the downward spiral off this Earth that Thomas went through.
• Do I really need to complain about the power play?  And don't point to Bergeron's goal.  Yeah it was nice, but the PP still sucks.  I'm done.

Next Up: New York Rangers Part III

GOLDEN SPOKES: Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres

Sabres 7 - Bruins 4

Boston goals: Marchand 2 (5), Peverley (1), Krejci (2)
Buffalo goals: Vanek 3 (6), Ennis (2), Sulzer (1), Hodgson (4), Pommonville ENG (5)

There have been games where the Bruins lost by more goals, but this has to be one of the uglier games I've witnessed in the last few seasons.  Midway through the second period it looked like the B's were going to steamroll this team, going up 3-1 and controlling the play.  After that, they decided they didn't like playing defense anymore and completely lost all momentum.  The 5 v 3 hurt, but even after that they had plenty of chances to tie or take the lead.

If I told you the B's had 42 shots in a game you would've thought they were the one's that won 7-4.  That makes it even more aggravating.  They had their chances, A LOT of chances, but they just couldn't put it in the back of the net.

• I hope the Sabres trade Vanek to the Swedish Elite league.  This guy is a B's killer...and that's an understatement.  Something about playing the black and gold gets this guy to play some top notch hockey.  Which is sort of fun to watch, until you realize he's smoking your own team. 3 goals and 2 assists.  Dahyum.
• If you go on over to TSN.ca and read the comments under the article that talks about Thornton's concussion, you'll probably get very upset.  Just remember, no Canadian likes the B's.  They are calling out Chara and Lucic for not fighting Scott.  Excuse me, Scott has 1 career goal.  No that is not a typo, that is the number uno.  That is a HORRIBLE trade off for Chara/Lucic to sit for 5 minutes while this goon sits for 5 as well.  Thornton is one of the best fighters in the league.  Yes, Scott is 6'8 and probably has 50lbs on Shawn, but Thornton knows is role on the team and gladly does it.  It's unfortunate that he got rocked like he did, but that happens when you're a fighter.  Hopefully he gets better soon!
• Time to start calling out Seguin.  This guy tore it up overseas and he's struggling to find the back of the net.  While he's playing well with Marchand and Bergeron, he needs to start finding the back of the net.  If he gets going and Marchand keeps scoring, this will be a VERY dangerous line.
• Speaking of Marchand, if you want to see possibly the only good thing about last nights game is his first goal.  Beautiful!
• I hate blogging about loses.

Next Up: Toronto Maple Leafs  #ThankYouKessell

Golden Points: Boston vs Buffalo

Bruins 3 - Sabres 1

FINALLY!!!!  The Bruins have won 2 games in a row.  They hadn't done so since January 10th and 12th, YIKES!!!  Remember when this team won 7 in a row... yea that seems like decades ago.

I was fairly nervous about this game going into it.  The Sabres are playing desparate hockey right now, on the outside of the playoff picture but definitely within striking distance (10th).  They had beaten the Bruins the past two times they've faced off and Ryan Miller had only allowed one goal total in both those contests.

One of the biggest points to note is that Miller did NOT play this game.  Instead, Lindy Ruff decided to go with back-up Jhonas Enroth.  Enroth didn't play poorly, in fact he made some really nice saves during the game.  But Miller had only let in ONE GOAL in the last TWO GAMES against the B's.  Interesting decision Ruff Stuff.

If you haven't seen the highlights of the game, I recommend it.  All three goals the B's scored were pretty impressive.  Campbell ended a 20 game goal draught by beautifully tipping in a shot from Thornton.  The Sabres gave us a gift, leaving the puck right to Thornton in their own defensive zone that he just tee-d up. 

The second goal by Boychuk was a flippin' laser.  Boychuk probably has the second hardest slapshot on the team behind the captain.  The only problem is he usually hits someone or misses the net.  He didn't miss the net last night.  Enroth didn't even see it as he went down as the puck went top shelf, murdering the goalies water bottle.  Speaking of Boychuk, Johnny Boy also had the hit of the game laying out Thomas Vanek as he was coming out of his own zone.  So much for feeling the effects of that concussion...

And third goal should be on an instructional video on how to transition from defense to offense.  Big Z showed off some stick handling skills in his own zone, made a short pass to Seguin, who made a cross ice pass to Lucic, who hit Krejci charging the goal.  It was just beautiful.  This line is really getting going.  As I've said before, Lucic and Krejci are pretty streaky...let's hope this one doesn't end until summer time.

I thought Thomas could've saved that first goal, but after that he locked it down.  Marty Turco, sporting his old Dallas Stars gold pads, was the back-up.  I hope we see Turco sooner rather than later.  Timmy needs the rest...badly.  I want a fresh Timmy for the playoffs.

Anyone else need any love??  Caron extends his point streak to three games (keep it up youngin') and got promoted to the second line (sorry Rolston). Chara played a very physical game which I loved to see, not too many forwards can hang with that beast.  I think that's it.

Next up: Washington on Saturday.  Probably one of the more disappointing teams in the league.  They could still make the playoffs, but with the talent that they have it should've been nearly locked up by now.  Especially since they play in the weak Southeast division.

Golden Points: Boston vs Toronto

Bruins 5 - Maple Leafs 4

Just like the past few games, I don't think the score accurately reflects the play of the game.  The score makes it seem like the game was more evenly matched than I thought it was.  The Bruins dominated for a majority of the time, so it was nice to see them finally get rewarded for their efforts with a W, ending a 2-game skid.

Right off the bat I have to mention the play of Jordan Caron.  I failed to mention his name in my New York posting...my bad dude.  It's pretty unbelievable what a little confidence can do.  Caron was our first round draft pick back in 2009  He was called up last year occasionally when there was an injury or two and actually had the opportunity to win a spot on the third line to start this year (which I mistakenly said he'd win over Pouliot).  With the injuries to Horton, Peverley, and Paille (and now Pouliot), there's been no shortage of opportunities for him.

He scored early in the game against the Rangers and we've seen almost a completely different player since.  He scored two goals in the game the other night, but I don't even think either of those were his best play.  The move he made to drive to the net on Kelly's goal was a prime example of how his confidence is through the roof right now.  Let's hope you can keep this up and continue to develop into a first round talent.  I don't want to be making any more "Zach Hamill" type charts for him!

Tyler Seguin also had two goals on the night.  The hometown boy just loves to play in Toronto in front of friends and families.  He always seems to have a big game when he plays there (his hat trick earlier in the year was at Toronto as well).  His second goal was an absolute LASER.  It also was a play that showed how poor Toronto plays on defense.  Seguin was able to set up inside the face-off dot with his stick cranked back ready for a one-timer and NO ONE guarded him.  Lucic found the open Seguin and before you blinked the puck was in the back of the net.
And lastly, I know I RARELY talk about hockey fights, but if you haven't seen Seidenberg demolish Colby Armstrong you have to hit up hockeyfights.com and take a peep.  I'd actually recommend youtubing that shit because Jack Edward's call of the fight is priceless...as usual.  Armstrong wouldn't go with Lucic, so then he lays a legal but pretty cheap hit on Seidenberg.  Like the boss he is, the Dude flies over ready to rip him apart.  Although a can't blame him, he quickly grapples with Seidenberg.  Now although Seidenberg is as strong as an ox, he's not much of a fighter, so it's a bit of a cop out to refuse Lucic and McQuaid....but what happens next was AWESOME.  Armstrong did not even through a single punch.  Seidenberg blitzkrieg the shit out of him and the end result was a broken, bloody nose for Mr. Colby.  I love this team.


Next up:  Buffalo tonight.  The Sabres have won the last two meetings against the B's with Miller only letting in 1 goal in both of those games.  The B's need to figure out how to solve Miller...hey Looch I think you know what to do!  Buffalo is already in playoff mode as they are fighting for a playoff spot and most likely will be for the rest of the season.  They are two points behind Winnipeg and have been getting some great goaltending from Mr. Miller.  These games have been very entertaining this year and I don't expect this game to be any different.

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.