The Streak ENDS at 10! B’s shutout the Habs

Today was one of those days that it is better to be lucky than good. The Bruins get off the schnide by heading up to Montreal and taking out the Habs 3-0 in a Superbowl Sunday matinee. While the game was not nearly as exciting as the Caps v Pens tilt earlier in the day, the Bruins scored early and got an outstanding effort between the pipes from Tuukka Rask to win for the first time in what seemed like a dogs age to Bruins fans. As terribly as the Bruins have played of late they are now tied with Philly for 8th, and stand only 3 points behind the 6th place, all with 3 games in hand.

Tuukka “Milkcrate” Rask played composed in the Bruins net, and in the second period when the Bruins were outshot 15-4, he held down the fort, including several big saves on odd man rushes. The Bruins achilles heel during the struggles this season has not been in the net, however Rask does play a calmer, less “scrambly” style than that of counterpart Tim Thomas- Rask’s composure was something that certainly benefit the Bruins today. On the opposite end Jaroslav Halak made several solid saves but was beat twice on re-directs off of sticks of his teammates. Rookie defenseman Adam McQuaid got credited with his first NHL goal when his shot from the point (intended for Marc Savard’s stick) was tipped by White past Halak. All of the work to set-up Quaider’s goal should be credited to Savard. He was a one man cycle, collected the puck worked it around the zone and back to McQuaid at the point, and then made his way to the front of the net. Had White not send McQuaid’s slap-pass behind Halak, Savard was parked and waiting to bury it himself. In the closing seconds of the first Marco Sturm, headed to the net with a full head of steam, and buried a rebound from the back side to send the Bruins to the intermission with the dreaded two goal lead.

Not certain why NESN analysts seem so pleased with Blake Wheeler dropping the mits with O’Byrne. He attempted two punches, landed none, and should be thankful O’Byrne only dumped him to the ice. Both made the decision to take off their helmets (both with visors) before the fight, something that should be written into the code (and a copy of the code book put in the locker of Kings’ Wayne Simmonds).

The team struggled for tempo and composure in the second, and against the Canucks on Saturday their lack of puck management proved costly. The Bruins got caught up in a track meet with the highly skilled Canucks, which proved to be their undoing. Against the Habs, the third period featured more dump and cycle from the Bruins, and a much more composed period of hockey. The third was a period dominated by the Bruins line of Patrice Bergeron, Mark Recchi, and Marco Sturm. On multiple shifts the line got the puck deep into the Habs zone, moved it along the perimeter, made the occasional pass for chance in the slot but carefully worked the clock. Impatient Habs fans, who only yesterday were planning the parade route after beating the Pens, booed their team as the listless Habs could not sustain an attack. Late in the third, Winter Classic hero Marco Sturm threw a wrister in the direction of Halak, and watched as it was re-directed into the goal, again by a Habs player. Finally, the elusive 3 goal lead for the Bruins and the fans of the B’s collectively exhaled.

View from the balcony:

The M*A*S*H report continues to roll on…After Johnny Boychuk was felled by a slapper yesterday against the Canucks, and suffered a non-displaced fracture of his orbital bone he was joined by David Krejci leaving the game with an undisclosed injury, after playing just three shifts against the Habs. It is a bit surprising that Krejci has been given so little “maintenance” time after returning from hip surgery, and perhaps it is nothing more than a precaution that he was held out for the remainder of the game. Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference was pressed back into the line-up with the injury to Boychuk yesterday. Despite having skated with very little contact Ference played smart veteran hockey and paired with the rookie McQuaid had a solid outing.

If there is any validity to the Tim Thomas trade rumors I will be both shocked and disappointed. The Bruins have had issues with their offensive output, failing to have a true finisher ride shotgun with Savard. The Bruins have also had significant negative output from defensemen Dennis Wideman and Matt Huwick, both with 20 point swings in the wrong direction in the plus minus category along with shots, goals, and assists. Goalkeeping is a strength for the Bruins, and while Rask has been excellent young goalkeepers are a fragile thing. Realizing that Rask is the heir apparent I still do not believe this is the time to deal Thomas. I will be stunned if Thomas is moved before Ryder, Wideman, or Hunwick. While I realize that Thomas is likely to bring MORE in return than the other three, I still believe it is not the move that will benefit the organization in the short or long term. Who would they make the deal with? Washington is a likely trade partner, most believe Theodore is not going to carry the Caps past a Western Conference opponent to the Cup. Who do the Bruins get in return? Theodore to back up Rask and…Semin? ewww, just ewww!

Now you see him, now you don’t…Michael Ryder played an outstanding game against the Canucks on Saturday. Physical in all three zones, in your face on the forecheck, quality scoring chances…today, Krejci gets hurt and Ryder vanishes into thin air. he did have a nice snap shot which Halak gloved but was no where near the presence in all three zones he was the previous day. It is my biggest pet-peeve with Ryder, when his team needs him the most this season, with injuries and an opening on Savard’s wing his is invisible. Last season he tied for the NHL lead in game winning goals, he is a finisher, but has no chemistry with Savard. He upped his game when he was rumored to be on the block for ONE game, when the talk shifted to Thomas, he goes back to coasting. Chia, please deal him, somewhere, ANYWHERE.

Bruins may be waiting until after the Olympic break to make a deal, and with three games in hand and in striking distance of teams 6-8 that may not necessarily be a bad thing. After all, at this point last season the Pens were just preparing to make their run. Billy Guerin, who was in his PJ’s on trade day waiting for a phone call, was put into the mix and away they went on the road to the Cup. Can Chiarelli make a deal that gives the Bruins that kind of spark? It remains to be seen, but today the Bruins leave the ice with two points and that is a step in the right direction.