Bruins play defense on Zach Rinaldo.
In a matinee affair, the Bruins beat the Flyers 4-3 in a shootout that had all the elements of a great game: superior goaltending at both ends, world class skill on display, nastiness and hitting and best of all, drama at the end. Vinny Le Cavalier tied the game at 19:35 on a great feed from Jake Voracek as time was winding down. He also notched his 400th and 401st goals for his career.
OT was scoreless and the shootout went to the fifth round before Reilly the “Hockey Dog” Smith scored to win it for the Bruins. Bruins extended their road winning streak to nine and added to their Presidents Trophy race lead.
The Flyers played an excellent game themselves but couldn’t get past the Boston D to play their game closer to the net. Bruins are one of the nastiest teams in either conference, they are second in the league in major penalties. They also have the 4th ranked PK at 84%. Must be all the practice.. Looking at the stats, Boston has taken 60 major penalties along with 268 minors. Did I neglect to mention they are #1 in goals against?
Point is they cheat a lot, make the refs call it, then dare you to beat em on your pathetically weak power play. They remind me of how the Detroit DeadThings played in their heyday, always grabbing, sticks between the legs and subtle interference and pick plays.
Whatever, it works and they are so highly skilled it doesn’t seem fair. Patrice Bergeron, Chara, Lucic, Kreci, Marchand. I haven’t even gotten to Jarome Iginla or Louis Erikson. Additionally, they have a young defensive core that is unbelievable in their poise, skill and their role in the offense in general and the PP in particular.
Torey Krug, the “Krug Missle” has 6 power play goals in his second year, he and Dougie Hamilton played regular shifts as a rookies and still do. Matt Barkowski came in with Hamilton and Krug and is a +23. LOADED, this team is LOADED. Well coached, relentless, fast and great in the clutch, the Boston Bruins are playing with a vengeance and will probably be there in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Although I’d rather see the Flyers..
Captain Serious heads for the locker room after a brutal hit by Penguins D man Brooks Orpick in the second period.
The Crosby’s played the Toew’s tonight and the Pens dominated most of the game. Especially after Brooks “I Don’t Fight” Orpick LEVELED Chicago’s Captain Serious with a vicious hit along the boards as Toews searched for the puck between his feet. The Captain crumpled, was in obvious pain and left the ice muttering endearments to the Penguins D man. He did not return.
In the post game analysis, Mike Milbury was frothing at the mouth about Orpick’s uh propensity for hitting a defenseless player, then turtling when the injured player’s teammate came to the rescue. It fits in with the times we live in as the NHL is trying to legislate fighting out of the game.
This is definitely an occasion where a fight would be warranted between a Hawks player and say, Captain Sidney Crosby as a makeup for losing their captain. Sadly, Chicago tried in vain to get back in the game without avenging their captain. That’s bullshit,
Speaking of bullshit, the San Jose Sharks lost again, making that five out of the last seven. Losing on home ice to the Winnipeg Jets and then putting 50 shots on Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov and scoring 2 goals, 2 GOALS!
Notable stat, Joe Pavelski gets his 38th and is a minus two for the game. Since the Sharks lost 3-2, my math says he was on the ice for all three goals. This team is maddening to follow, as they slip back into second place behind the Anahymen Ducklings, who have 2 games in hand and the division lead.
Reilly the Hockey Dog, Sleeping off a Big Day of Watching Flyers Hockey!