Hot Bruins Dummy Fading Habs 4-1 In Claude's Return
The Bruins continued their run as the NHL’s hottest team last night with a 4-1 drubbing of a Montreal Canadiens squad that’ll be worrying more about tee times than practice times when spring rolls around, barring a miracle. It was the 14th straight game in which the Bs have garnered at least a point, going 10-0-4 over the span to snag 24 of a possible 28 points. The team hasn’t lost in regulation since the Caps beat them 5-3 on December 14th.
The best 200′ line in hockey once again chipped in with 2 goals and 3 assists to pace the offense. David Pastrnak scored his 18th (above) thanks to some sweet dishing from his ‘mates. But Brad Marchand would reclaim the team goal lead for himself two periods later with his 19th off a PP feed from Patrice Bergeron. The Bs also got tallies from Ryan Spooner (6th) and David Krejci (8th, ENG)
Tuukka Rask was great all night and was victimized only be a deflection off of Zdeno Chara right out front 31 seconds into the game. He stopped the remaining 21 shots he faced, including a few big ones during a Montreal 5-on-3 power play when the Bs were hanging on very precariously to a a 2-1 lead. Nobody can say Rask didn’t make timely saves last night.
As expected, Claude Julien was celebrated with video tribute (no word on whether it was IT-approved or not) and a well-deserved, lengthy standing ovation for everything he not only did in and for Boston, but for the classy and dignified manner in which he always carried himself and represented the organization. I actually feel bad he has to deal with that dogshit roster his bullet-proof GM saddled him with. But then I remember it’s the Habs and laugh.
The Bs have not only put the Leafs in their rear-view mirror (4 point lead, 3 games in hand), they’ve also put themselves in Tampa Bay’s rear-view mirror. What seemed like a wild thought just a couple months ago suddenly doesn’t seem so out of the realm of possibility today: the Bruins winning the Atlantic.
The Bs now sit seven points back of the high-flying Lightning with a game in hand that could reduce the deficit to five. They also have three games against Tampa in the last few weeks of the season, each of them a potential four-point swing game. Should Tampa falter even a little from its season-long torrid pace, those games could be huge in determining playoff seeds. And there’s still a lot of hockey left so anything can happen. The Bs are back at it tonight on the western end of Long Island to take on the scratchin’ and clawin’ Islanders at 7PM.
A few more buds for your bowl…
*Best of luck to Rene Rancourt in retirement. He’s been as much a part of the Bruins family as anyone for the last 42 years save for Johnny Bucyk. His legendary crooning will be missed and Opening Night in October is going to be strange.
*Adam McQuaid returned to the line-up and Kevan Miller was the odd man out. But that’s only because Miller is under the weather right now. Once he’s better, Bruce Cassidy will have a real decision to make. McQuaid played 15:12 in his return with four shots, two hits, 1:34 of PK time, and a +1.
*Today is the 60th Anniversary of Willie O’Ree becoming the first black player in the NHL. The always elegant and classy O’Ree has been a stellar ambassador for both the league and the game for decades now. That’s why it’s shocking that he is not a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. This gentleman broke down a huge societal barrier that eventually led to some of the game’s great stars of today (and with one eye, to boot). And he’s done nothing but carry himself with dignity and integrity since. If the HHOF can vote in crony owners and old pals from decades-old Cup winners, surely they can find a spot for this integral legend of the game. Absolutely no need for another Pat Burns incident.