Rask & Bruins Outlast Wild, Sweep Road Trip

Mark Stuart gives James Sheppard a "caveman-like" forearm shiver, to the dismay of on-looking children

On a flight home from Minnesota, wrapping up an undefeated road trip, the Boston Bruins have plenty to be thankful for.

The B’s marched into Atlanta, Buffalo, St. Louis and Minnesota and returned to their roots of what’s made them so successful, along with the return of a few sorely-missed faces. The road trip marked the return of top-line forwards Milan Lucic and Marc Savard, who had missed a combined 29 games with injuries.

However, in shades of 2008-09 Bruins, the team got help from their secondary scorers and Tuukka Rask rose to the challenge four games in a row to put this team back where they’re expected, for now, in first place.

Looking to conclude their four game tour with a win over the Western Conference worst Minnesota Wild, the B’s once again turned to Tuukka Rask as Tim Thomas continues to nurse an apparent broken hand.

The battle of the Finns was on with the proven-stud Nicklas Backstrom facing off against the B’s most prized prospect (when does that term officially cease to be applicable?) Tuukka Rask in what was sure to be a thrilling, or lackluster defensive-dump-and-chase marathon of a showdown. 

1st Period

Starting off the game on a sour note, Bruins forward Milan Lucic was deemed guility of a hooking call in the first minute of the game. However, the B’s killed off the first of the Wild’s numerous powerplays of the night.

While the Bruins were simply getting the tar hit out of them by the pesky Wild after nearly seven minutes where the Wild were out-hitting the Bruins six to two, it was Byron Bitz who struck first for Boston with a tip-in off a slapshot from Derek Morris. Scoring his third goal of the season on the B’s first shot of the night, the black and gold had the early lead, putting the pressure on the questionable offense of the Minnesota Wild.

For Bitz, has the move to playing alongside Marc Savard and Marco Sturm helped the 6’5″ winger get in touch with his offensive side?

In a rare penalty, Tuukka Rask was called for a hook on newest (active) member of the Wild, Andrew Ebbett. After surviving another penalty kill, the B’s found themselves back on the P.K. just a short time later when Derek Morris was sent to the sin-bin for holding.

Regardless of the penalties-that-make-a-coach-go-crazy, the B’s were heading back to their dressing room after 20 minutes of play with a one goal lead on just two, yes, two shots, in the entire period compared to the Wild’s 11.

2nd Period

Beginning the second frame, it seemed that the game became the Mark Stuartand Cal Clutterbuck show. Clutterbuck, the NHL hits leader from the 2008-09 season, was absolutely all over the place, hitting everything in site while Stuart, a Minnesota native, was playing rock-solid defense.

After an interference call against Minnesota Golden Gopher-alum Blake Wheeler, the Wild finally connected on their fourth powerplay of the net as Andrew Ebbett, claimed off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks, put one by Rask.

Ebbett’s tally was his first goal with Minnesota, in his first game with the club, on his second and final shot of the night.

Less than a minute later, Boston was called for yet another too many men on the ice bench minor. Although six men on the ice at once gives you a supreme advantage, it’s simply not allowed. That was the sixth bench minor on the year for the Bruins, who now only trail New Jersey, who lead the NHL with seven.

3rd Period

Engaging in a typical Wild vs. Bruins battle, the teams go back and forth with hard hits, strong backchecking and tight defenses are neither team is able to capitalize on their offensive chances.

Savard may be back, but the powerplay is still trying to build off their recent luck.

The B’s powerplay, coming off a 2-for-3 night in St. Louis, sputtered against a tight ‘Sota defense, putting up an oh’fer, going 0-for-4 on the man advantage. Their greatest chance/failure came in the closing minutes of the third period, where they were unable to score after Kyle Brodziak was sent to the box after cross-checking Steve Begin.

Milan Lucic, playing in his third game since returning from a broken finger, landed awkwardly on his knee and hobbled off the ice. Lucic was then led down the hall assisted by B’s trainers. In what’s truly a scary scene following last season’s season-ending knee-injury to Marco Sturm, Lucic’s injury could either be a whole-lot-of-nothing or a major blow to the Bruins. However, TSN’s Bob McKenzie believes that Lucic may not be sidelined at all with a potential injury.

Overtime & Shootout

Dennis Wideman, the recipient of harsh criticism by B’s fans for his struggles to essentially do anything helpful this season, is guilty of a double-minor high stick on Clutterbuck. Luckily, for Wideman’s e-safety, the Bruins kill off the penalty and head to a shootout for the second time in four games.

Shooting first, Patrice Bergerondekes and puts one by Backstrom. Bergeron is now 3-for-7 on the season in the shootout and the B’s have won all three shootouts where Bergeron has scored. Funny how things work out, huh? (Part I)

On the stick of Captain Koivu, Mikko Koivu barrels down the ice and fires a wrist shot by Tuukka Rask, tying the shootout at one a piece after one round.

Shooting second for Boston was Blake Wheeler, but the former Golden Gopher goes spastic with his deking and is stopped by Backstrom’s left leg. For Wheeler, it may be time to simplify his shootout moves, making less moves and committing to the shot earlier.

In the bottom of the second, the Wild turned to defensemen Marek Zidlicky, who was stoned by a sprawling Rask.

After both Marc Savard and Eric Belanger were stopped in round three by the dueling Finnish netminders, David Krejci led off the top half of round four.

Krejci, 0-for-1 on the season in the shootout, absolutely fooled Nicklas Backstrom and poked the puck right on by with ease, as the Bruins took the 2-1 lead with the Wild down to their last shot and the puck on the stick of former Bruin, Chuck Kobasew.

While Kobasew had nothing to show for his relentless efforts on the night, Kobasew had a team leading five shots (which led to zero goals) and his 19 minutes and 37 seconds of time on ice were good for third among forwards. For Chuck, a goal against Rask to extend the shootout and possibly earn a “W” for the bumbling Wild would be a personal victory.

However, it was not to be as Kobasew was stopped easily by Tuukka Rask and the Bruins won their four straight, sweeping their first extended road trip of the season.

What’s Next?

The Bruins head back to Boston to enjoy Thanksgiving before taking to the Garden ice in a Black Friday matinee against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils won the first of four match-up’s with Boston earlier this season 2-1 and have the NHL’s best road record (9-2-1). Will Marty Brodeur get the day off after Thanksgiving? Oh, the jokes Sean Avery could make…

Hey there, follow me on Twitter!

Ty