GOLDEN POINTS: Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens

Bruins 2 - Habs 1

Bruins goals: Seguin (2), Krejci (3)
Canadiens goals: Subban PPG (1) 


While we didn't get the pleasure of listening to Jack and Brick call the first B's/Habs game of the year, I actually thought NBC Sports did a nice job on the whole "Rivalry Wednesday" theme.  If you tuned in at 7ish you got treated to some video montages of the rivalry through the decades and some sound bites taken from interviews with old players.  If you don't like two teams that hate each other, then it wasn't for you.  But for me, good stuff!

Every season divisional games obviously mean more than others.  You win the division, you are a top 3 seed.  In a shorten season they mean even more.  It's still early in the year, but the B's had a chance to either put 3 points between them and the Habs (and remain on top of the East) or allow the Habs to leap frog them to the top of the division.  The Habs are playing well this year, combined with the fact that it's never easy going to the Bell Centre (like the little Canadian flip of the "e" and the "r"...I'm so cultured), I wasn't too sure if the B's would pull off the double U.

Then the game started and I REALLY didn't think the B's were going to get a shot on goal, let alone a victory.  They played just awful hockey in that first period.  Luckily we have a good goaltender or it would've been a long night.  It was also a surprisingly uneventful game in terms of fisticuffs/face washes/scrums.  Not necessarily a bad thing, for while it was a fairly clean it was still entertaining.  Maybe the B's are waiting for them to come to the Garden to rattle their cages a bit.

Anyhoo...

• TUUUuuuUUUUUUKKKAAA!!!  Number 1 star of the game, hands down.  He was the only player that showed up to play and if it wasn't for him, the B's would've been down a significant number of goals after the first few minutes.  Timmy who?
• I thought the defense played a very poor game, especially Chara.  This is one of the worst games I've seen Chara play.  He's a machine, so I'm sure he'll just shut down for 30 seconds, reboot and be back to normal...not very worried.  Dougie was easily the best out of the bunch last night.  Maybe he can...ready... teach 'em how to play defense!!  See what I did there...
• Claude Julien looked like a hockey Albert Einstein last night (minus the hair).  The offense struggled mightily all night, so coming out of the 2nd intermission he flips Seguin and Horton and the first line scores two goals right out of the gate.  Well played, Mr. Julien, well played.
• While they didn't get much playing time, I thought the rookie line (MacDermaid - Tardiff - Spooner) played pretty well.  Basically, they didn't f-- up, which is impressive considering the type of game and the environment they were playing in. 
• I hate Subban's flopping ways, but man does that guy have a rocket of a shot.  Grrr why can't he just suck so I can trash on him some more??  And, after typing this I'll have to go throw up, Carey Price had a good game too.  That's all the praise a Canadiens team can get right now without my B's card being revoked.
• And lastly, the power play BLOWS.  What is going on here?!?  I've tried to be patient, but this is just embarrassing.  It has to be all mental.  The players on the ice are very good players on a very good team and yet when they have an extra man on the ice they all fart in their brains.  I'm not talking SBDs, I'm talking loud clear the room farts in the brains.  I still feel if they can get a few in, they'll get on a roll and make it a dangerous part of their game.  They are just too damn good.

Next Up: SnowStorm Nemo Tampa Bay Lightning (6-3-0 12pts  3rd in East)  They play the Devils tonight so there position in the standings can change tonight.  Either way, it's another big game.

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: Boston Bruins vs Winnipeg Jets

Bruins 2 - Jets 1 (SO)

The story of my life with the Bruins.  They never ease into anything.  The first game I go to obviously would go to a shootout.  My heart (and liver) are not happy that the B's have started.  I had seats close to where my ex-season ticket seats were (tear!).  But I got to see my season ticket holder buddies and reminisce about the good ole days.  Some day.... some day....

Matinee games are tough for me for two reasons: not enough time to drink beforehand/too early to drink and there's a noticeable increase in little kids around me.  While I think it's great that the 1pm games allow parents to bring their kids, as a young adult I'm more of a night time rowdy bunch guy.  More beer = vulgar language but also = dancing for the jumbo tron.  You usually won't find me on the jumbo tron during 1pm games.

Anyways, here are my thoughts...

- Power play woes continue.  Again the power play failed to score (0 for 2).  They are getting opportunities and there is SIGNIFICANTLY more movement than last years power plays.  I think this is all mental and once they pop in a few PPGs and their confidence grows, we'll see them score at a faster clip.

- Penatly kill dominance continues.  I think we're getting a little spoiled.  Even when the team is on a 5v3, I expect them to kill it (which they did).  They even killed two 4v3's in OT.  The Jets had many opportunities to take the lead this game, but Tuukka and the PK unit shut them down killing all four chances.

- With Seidenberg out (lower body injury), Dougie Hamilton played with big Z.  I thought he played a solid game.  Didn't notice him make any huge mistakes defensively and he was getting involved in the offensive end as well.  He's getting both PP and PK time and had the second highest TOI this game, so you know Julien is liking what he sees.  I doubt Chiarelli will be sending him back to juniors, I think he's here to stay.


Next Up: rematch vs Rangers

HOCKEY IS BACK!!!!

Welcome back, NHL!  You don't know how badly I have missed you.  I tried watching the NBA.  That lasted about one quarter.  It'd be much better if you let KG and Carmelo duke it out on the court...sissies.  I tried watching NCAA basketball.  That's better, but I don't really have a team to cheer for.  I like football a lot and the Pats are luckily fun to watch, but come on...

NOTHING      BEATS    HOCKEY!!

I must admit, I avoided this blog throughout the lockout.  I had a lot to say, but they were not very nice or kind words, especially towards our own owner, Jeremy Jacobs (he's not reading is he? Video).  Anytime the B's were brought up, I'd start chatting it up calm, cool and collected.  Gradually I'd feel my heart start to race and fire flow through my veins, so I'd remove myself from the conversation before a baby got punched.  But that's the past...let's focus on HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY!!!! When I found out they agreed on a CBA I dusted off the Lucic jersey and blasted the Bruins goal song.

What I'm excited for this year:
1. Besides hockey fights, I'm most eager to see where Seguin takes his game this year.  He seems like he's on the verge of becoming a real star.  He played really well in Switzerland, let's hope he can continue his development and take his game to the next level. (Video of Seguin's dominance in Switzerland at Puck Daddy).

2. A close second is Dougie Hamilton.  I cannot wait to see this kid play.  He's been dominating juniors, so I'm eager to see how that translate to the big league.  Put him next to big Z and let's see what we got.

(1a/2a: Funny how my first two points are related to the Kessel trade... thank you, Brian Burke.  Oh, sorry you just lost your job.)

3. Tuukka toga time.  I think Rask is ready to be a number goalie in this league.  With only a one year deal signed, he's playing for a HUGE contract.  I hope he gets it.  The back up goaltender on the other hand is a huge question mark.

I could go on, but those are the three things I'm most interested in.  Oh man, let the countdown begin, and Mr. Jack Edwards start warming up those pipes, it's going to be a fast and furious season.

JANUARY 19th, RANGERS @ BRUINS

P.S: I moved in with my girlfriend this fall.  I told her now she'll understand what it's really like to live with me!!!