Bs Back In First But Lose Marchand On Scumbag Hit
The Bruins won a valuable two points in Newark last night to put them back in first but lost their leading scorer in the process.
Late in the second period of the Bs schizophrenic win, the previously suspended Anton Volchenkov threw a high elbow at Brad Marchand that was dirtier than a neglected project rat. Just a stupid fucking play that says “I have no respect for this guy” and will likely shelve Marchand for at least a handful of games. He’ll be hearing from the league offices soon and, given that he did this before, should get at least 10 games because he obviously didn’t learn shit but given the NHL’s past inconsistencies, I’m not holding my breath. Regardless, it won’t bring Marchand back.
The Bs actually jumped out to a 4-0 lead (!) and I jokingly Tweeted that the Devils had them right where they want them. Thanks to a woeful second and NJ cutting it to 4-3 early in the third, it wasn’t looking much like a joke anymore. But Tyler Seguin doubled up the lead less than two minutes later to keep the Devils at bay until they got within a goal again with :37 left and Marty Brodeur pulled. But Rich Peverley won a big face-off before Dan Paille made one final clear to secure the win.
You can focus on the ugly (the blown lead and yet another inconsistent effort) or you could say the team went on the road starting their back-up goalie without their best forward playing a desperate team fighting for its life, spent 20% of the game killing penalties, lost their top goal-scorer, and are in first place today.
Bs are right back at it tonight at the Garden as the rested Isles look to solidify their playoff position.
A few more buds for your bowl…
*The Bs signed Carl Soderberg to a three-year deal and it couldn’t come at a better time. Who the hell knows how he’s going to fit in on a new team and new ice sheet, but by all accounts, he’s a player. And the Bs need help ASAP. Throw him right into the fire and see what happens. Kudos to the Bs for crossing all the Ts and dotting all the Is in the seven years since they obtained the big Swede. It’s unusual for a team to still hold rights this long but the Bs utilized their reserved list and are able to add him to the roster because he finally wanted to come here.
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*Jaromir Jagr had two more helpers last night to give him 1-4–5 totals in four games. The future HOFer’s strength, hands, and patience drew three defenders before his backhander produced a rebound that a wide-open Greg Campbell pounced on for the game’s first goal. In the offensive zone, he’s still a force to be reckoned with and is a huge pick-up for the Bs.
*Paging Lucic and Horton…paging Lucic and Horton…Combined 3 shots, -4, 2PIM, 1 hit. Coasting way too much lately. Maybe it’s the new dad thing. Maybe they, um, need more rest. But these two better do something in the playoffs or it’s gonna be another long summer for them.
*Patrice Bergeron skated yesterday and, per Chiarelli, is on the way back sooner rather than later. It’s early but it’s also a positive sign that he can skate already. I wouldn’t be surprised to him a regular season game.
*Great games from Campbell and Dan Paille. Campbell led all Fs in ice-time, had 2 goals, and was a +2. Paille had a goal, an assist, and was a +2 in just over 14 minutes.
*I know some people went into Coach Harris mode after the elbow on Marchand. But Volchenkov got tossed for it so any sort of vengeance last night left with him. Makes no sense for the Bs to go after another Devil just for the sake of going after him when the game’s on the line, not to mention, what good is concussing another guy? Hockey players have long memories. He’ll get his at some point.
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