Golden Points: Boston vs Tampa Bay

Bruins 5 - Lightning 2

After a relieving successful California road trip that saw the B's take two out of the three games, there first home game back was a perfect opportunity to get some revenge.  The last time these two teams met, the Lightning made the B's look like orange cones, winning 6-1.  Although the personnel isn't different, this is a completely different team.  The butt whoopin' that they received down in the sunshine state, although very painful to watch, may have been the wake up call this team needed.

- First and foremost, that was a nice, brief celebration of Big Z hitting 1,000 games before the puck dropped.  For a man his size, for the style of hockey he plays, and for the amount of minutes he plays, 1,000 games is a real credit to how hard Chara works to keep himself in top shape.  Good work, Z.  I hope for many more...  He didn't disappoint the crowd either, dishing out three helpers on the night.

- This game displayed the Bruins depth as each line got a goal.  That takes a lot of pressure off of the first two lines when you get goals from the 3rd and 4th line.  Goals from the fourth line are rare, but recently the 3rd line has been carrying the load offensively.  Even with Peverley back, Julien does not mess with the chemistry of Pouliot - Kelly - Rolston. 

- Speaking of Rolston, I said I'd refrain from judging that trade until he got a few games under his belt.  He looked slow and out of place when he first got here, but his conditioning has improved immensely and the chemistry he has with other two on that third line is a relief.  This is exactly what we need, especially with Horton out for the unforeseeable future.

- Stamkos is filthy.  Soon the NHL should replace Ovechkin with Stamkos.  I'm not sure if it's because he's in Tampa, but the NHL needs to showcase this guy more.  He's young and just nasty.  How this team doesn't make the playoffs with a 55+ goal scorer on their team is a sin.  I expect them to be very busy this offseason.  Or at least very aggressive towards either Schneider or Bernier.


Next up:  The desperate Capitals come into town tonight.  They lost a huge game the other night against the Sabres.  Both tied for points for the 8th spot in the playoffs, the Capitals failed to give themselves some breathing room by letting the Sabres come into their own house and beat them.  Anyways, the Capitals are staring up at the playoff picture right now and will be playing some desperate hockey.  Another good test for the B's!

The magic number 4 points, but that number is calculated off of the Capitals, so a win tonight would mean a playoff spot is LOCKED.  Just for the record, 6 points locks up the division.

I expect Timmy to get the nod again tonight, with Turco getting the start Saturday against the Islanders and then Timmy again on Sunday against the Rangers.  Then if I had to guess, we would see Timmy against the Penguins and then I would think about resting him for the final two games.  Those final two games I would hope to see many players getting a rest.

Golden Points: Boston vs Tampa Bay

I was unable to really watch the two weekend games.  Some might say that's fortunate.  I was fairly upset that Timmy started both games, I was hoping to see Turco start one of the two (preferably Washington).  But I was also hoping a team that resembles one that won a Stanley Cup recently would know how to play with a little urgency...


I'm going to go old style of recapping this game with just some bullet points:

Bruins 1 - Lightning 6

- Don't bitch about the first goal.  Yes I agree it was a kicking motion and it shouldn't have been ruled a goal, but that still doesn't excuse the lack of heart and effort the B's played with last night.  FIVE other goals were scored.  Bad bounces and bad calls are part of the game, suck it up and move on.

- Are you surprised Turco looked rusty??  If you thought he was going to come in and post a shutout you're smoking some funky stuff that needs to be passed this way.  Before he got pulled, one goal was his fault (goal #2).  The other 2 goals I don't think were his fault, especially not the third.  He hasn't played a game in the NHL all friggin' year.  He's going to be rusty.  Get over it.  We need Thomas rested more than anything right now....

- Why bring Thomas in at all?  The goal is to rest Thomas.  If we're going to get killed with Turco in net, so be it, what other option do we have?  I have to believe the B's are going to make the playoffs.  I'd rather a 7 seed with a well rested Thomas than a 2 seed with a tired Thomas.  You with me?  The way the B's are playing right now, we're going to need Thomas to stand on his head for us.  Rest him!

- Game changer: Thornton's STUPID penalty.  I'm surprised he saw ANY ice time after that.  Down 2 goals, although a shitty position, isn't the end of the world...especially when you basically have 60 minutes remaining to play.  You put your team down a man unnecessarily and they score yet another.  Dumb dumb dumb play.  He's usually a very smart player, but he let his emotions get the better of him.

- I thought Lucic had a really strong game.  He used his body and strength exceptionally well.  Did he have anything to show for it?  No not exactly, but he created ample opportunities either for himself or others most of the night. 

- The Bruins lone goal was pretty nice.  I still have no idea how Caron tipped that in.  The puck was shot behind him and way wide of the net.  Caron keeps playing well and he has earned a spot on the first line.

-  The B's need to wake up.  Yeah, getting some healthy bodies back would help, but there's more going on than that.  Look in the mirror and play with some pride.  They've strayed away from the defensive system that has won them many games and they NEED to get back to that.  Defense and toughness.  Get those back ASAP and we'll be alright.  If not, start booking your tee time because it's going to be an early summer.  I don't golf so I'll just get my swimmies blown up and iron my banana hammock.

- Congratulations to Steve Stamkos for hitting the 50 goal mark.  He's flat out nasty.  It's a bit shocking that the Lightning, who could've easily played in the Stanley Cup Finals last year, aren't a playoff team.  This team is full of talent.  I'd be tempted to trade away St. Louis and Lecavalier.  Get complimentary pieces to fit around Stamkos.  I'd also make a huge play for either Bernier or Schneider.

Next Up:  The tour of God's waiting room continues as they play the Florida Panthers tomorrow.  The Panthers have surprised everyone and are the division leaders right now of the JV Southeast division.  It would be very nice the B's came out and played tough right from the puck drop.