December 23rd. The Boston Bruins pre-Christmas schedule comes to a close and boy have they given us something to be happy about. A marvelous move by Pouliout, Marchand's first career hat trick and Tuukka Rask's second straight shutout led the way as the Bruins demolished the Southeast division leading Florida Panthers. The Bruins go into the break much in the same way they have gone into every game since the page turned leaving October in the rearview mirror. They made a statement. A loud, enthusiastic, and very clear statement. The Bruins completely outclassed the Panthers in a game that was even more heavily one way than the score may appear. All but four Bruins notched a point, Marchand leading the way with 5 and Bergeron chipping in with 3. Special teams continued to play a big role, the B's scoring on both the PP and kill. Tuukka turned away 31 shots for back to back shutouts for the second time in his career. The Bruins put on a clinic tonight, thoroughly dominating even strength, including a 4 on 4 goal. The layers they employ, the clogging of the neutral zone, the heavy fore check, and the board game are paying dividends, and in a big way. To make the night even sweeter, Philly came out with a losing effort at Madison Square Garden, moving the Bruins back into first place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.
The Bruins 23 wins is the best in the NHL, and trail only the Chicago Blackhawks, by 1 point with 2 games in hand. The Bruins have an overall record of 23-9-1 and continue to be at the top of the power rankings. Now I understand the power rankings do not mean a whole lot, but here are some numbers and a statement you cannot argue with. The Bruins are the hottest team in the NHL. I don't mean this week. I don't even mean this month. They have overcome some injuries, a suspension to their top line winger, and have improved that power play (although I'll admit, it would have been tough to go backwards) without the ultra talented playmaker, Marc Savard. Since November 1st, the Bruins have gone an unbelievable 20-2-1 and have outscored their opponents 97-38. Tyler Seguin leads the league at a +26, and there are 5 other Bruins in the top 10. The Bruins are a +34 in the 3rd period. There is more distance between the Bruins and the second place team then there is between 2 and 23rd. The goaltending has been phenomenal. I challenge you to come up with any logical argument to support a claim of a better tandem anywhere in the NHL. Would you believe that Tuukka's numbers are actually better than Timmy's? Tukka has a GAA of 1.66, Thomas is coming in at a 1.84. Tukka has a slight edge is save percentage, .944 to Timmy's .943. Thomas is tied for the league lead with 4 SO's, Rask with 2. Maybe the most beautiful stat of all is starts. Tim Thomas is barely in the top 20, coming in at 19. That means that this team is playing at an elite level and resting the tenders at the same time. Timmy is a tank, pun fully intended, and has shown to be a horse that can carry a heavy work load. Imagine how good he could become time for a playoff run with fresh legs. This team seems to have fixed their problems with only playing well in front of Thomas.
Probably the biggest aspect of the game that has changed for this team, the killer instinct. They do not sit back and collapse on their goal or play a red line and dump game. This team ramps it up and once it smells blood, it goes in for the kill. Hopefully that Flyers series a couple years back has completely cured them of that game plan. As we wind down on the first third of the year, there are some really telling stats to look at. The Bruins only have 4 players with double digit goals, and only have two players in the top 20 there. The Bruins only have one player in the top 30 for total points. Yet this team leads the league in goals scored per game(3.52) and goals given up per game(1.88).This team is second in total goals scored(116), trailing the Flyers by 2, and number 1 in total goals given up(62). Is that not astounding? This team does not have an Alex Ovechkin. It is a team based on consistent production from all four lines and believing and playing within a system that starts in their defensive zone.
The Bruins will open up the after Christmas stretch on the road with a December 27th game in Phoenix before heading to Dallas and New Jersey. They then return home for four starting with the second night of a back to back against the Calgary Flames. After that, most of January will be on the road. Sandwiched in their will be three matinee games highlighted by a January 7th afternoon rematch with the Vancouver Canucks. While the schedule is not easy, this team is playing so well and seem so confident that I cannot wait to get back to hockey again. What a blast! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. 'Til Next time, Let's Go Black and Gold!
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