Bruins hope trade rumors motivate Tyler Seguin
The Bruins hope that the weekend's draft day trade rumors motivate Tyler Seguin next season. (Photo by Sharon Bradley, Bruins Daily).
Heading into Sunday’s 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft the rumor mill was red-hot and Tyler Seguin’s name was floating around as numerous media outlets were reporting that the Bruins were shopping the 21-year old.
It’s been an up-and-down start to Seguin’s NHL career as the Brampton, Ontario Canada native has tallied 121 points—56 goals— in 203 career regular season games, but it’s the playoffs where the former number two overall pick has struggled.
Seguin has just 18 points—six goals—in 42 playoff games and is coming off a playoff run where he scored just once as the Bruins came within two wins of another Stanley Cup.
Last off-season Seguin signed a six-year extension worth $34.5 Million. With Seguin’s cap-hit just shy of six-million it should come to no surprise the Bruins were listening to offers for Seguin. But when restricted free agent to be, Nathan Horton notified the Bruins he would not be returning to Boston next season, the Bruins stopped taking calls on Seguin.
Now that the Bruins are holding onto Seguin, for now, General Manager Peter Chiarelli hopes these trade rumors motivate Seguin.
“I hope it does,” Chiarelli said. “If it doesn’t, I’d be more concerned. We gave Tyler a big contract because he projects and he had good performance. I would expect that going forward.”
Chiarelli would go on to say some interesting things about his young forward.
“He’s got to commit his mind and focus to the one task at hand; he’s got to become more of a professional. You know what? I can say that about a lot of 21-year-olds” added Chiarelli.
“I know he got criticized for playing on the periphery and all that stuff. He did. He’s got to commit to being a professional and focusing on the game. Simple as that. He does that, we don’t expect him to be crashing and banging. Just play your game.”
Seguin knows that he needs to be better and for Seguin that starts with getting his strength up and getting himself into better shape.
“Yeah, 100 percent. Getting stronger and I definitely want to work on my conditioning as well” said Seguin during last week’s breakup day. “I felt that as the later parts of the year went on and playoffs, I could have probably had even better conditioning, just not get tired or anything like that. I think every year you have something that you’re focusing on.”
The lack of offensive production this past season combined with these summer trade rumors will make next year a big year for Seguin as he tries to live up to the hype that comes with being a top-two pick.
“Yeah I think I still have a lot left in me for sure. I think in the end it’s just going to be on me and how much I want it” added Seguin. “When you go this far in playoffs and feel that feeling of losing it definitely makes you realize a bit more how hard it is to get there. My first year we went all the way and won, and that was awesome I felt so lucky. And the next year we lost out in the first round. And this year we went that far, and to lose it gives you so much more motivation. You just feel that drive inside of you.”
The Bruins hope these trade rumors push Seguin to be the player they know he can be. Only time will tell.
Bruins ready to lockup Tuukka Rask to long-term deal
With Tuukka Rask set to become a restricted free agent on July 5, the Bruins are ready to lockup their goalie of the future. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
The Bruins are fortunate enough to have talented goalies like Niklas Svedberg and Malcolm Subban in the system, but there is no doubt that Tuukka Rask is the Bruins goalie of the future and both Rask and the Bruins want it that way.
“That would be an ideal situation I think to play here forever. I hope we can make that happen” said Rask this past Wednesday at the team’s breakup day.
Rask is coming off his second full season as the Bruins starting goalie—2010 being the other—where he posted a 19-10-5 record, 2.00 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. Rask was even better in the playoffs as he helped carry the Bruins within two wins of another Stanley Cup with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage during the postseason.
Rask is set to become a restricted free agent when free agency begins on July 5, but General Manager Peter Chiarelli hopes to get a deal done with Rask sooner rather than later.
"You’d like to get everything done quickly. I don’t know if I’ll have that luxury, but certainly I’ll try just so you have your certainty on your team and cap and all that" said Chiarelli."He’s obviously had a terrific playoff and we’d like to get him done as soon as we can."
Getting a deal done quickly for Rask is important for the Bruins in many ways. Signing Rask to a new deal prior to July 5 avoids any chance of Rask signing an offer sheet from another team, hello Philadelphia.
A quick deal with Rask also allows Chiarelli and company to shift focus to the teams’ other free agents which includes the likes of Nathan Horton, Anton Khudobin, Kaspars Daugavins and Wade Redden. The Bruins have already announced that Jaromir Jagr and Andrew Ference won’t be back next season. The Bruins are tight to the cap in 2013-14 so the Bruins must make sure they pay Rask exactly what he deserves.
The biggest question surrounding Rask entering the season was whether or not he could handle a full season, plus playoffs, as everyone wanted to point to the Bruins collapse in 2010, the last time Rask was the teams’ starting goalie. Although this year’s season was cut short due to the NHL lockout, Rask proved to everyone he can handle whatever it is that is thrown his way.
“I don’t think I have to answer those questions anymore. I played good” said Rask.
“Proved everyone again that I was capable of doing it. I mean you look at the numbers. They’re good. If I just analyze my game and by how I felt throughout the year I thought it was a great year.”
Assuming Rask is signed to a lengthy deal,—we all know what happens when you assume—he will remain as one of the Bruins’ young core members that the Black and Gold have locked up for years to come.
“I think the core is there” added Rask. “I think we have done a good job of bringing the younger guys in. They fit in really good. I think we just have to keep doing that and keep our focus on the right things and not letting it slip. So yes I think we have a chance to bring the Cup back soon and keep having success.”
If Tuukka can repeat his individual success from this past season there’s no doubt the Bruins will once again have a chance at bringing the Cup back to Boston.
Check out what Rask had to say when he met with the media during breakup day.
Andrew Ference done in Boston after seven seasons
After seven seasons in Boston Andrew Ference will call elsewhere home next season as the Bruins will not be re-signing the Unrestricted Free Agent. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
Breakup day is always a sad day for the Bruins and their fans, but on this day it was even more emotional for Andrew Ference and Bruins fans across the world.
“Well obviously all of us meet with Peter [Chiarelli] today and with Claude [Julien] as well, and it’s usually about the same meeting every year – how our season went and all that. With the current cap Peter [Chiarelli] isn’t going to be able to keep me” said Andrew Ference who is now currently an unrestricted free agent.
“So you know, he’s got to resign Tuukka [Rask], and obviously do his side of the business. Also unfortunately with the new CBA he’s restricted. He said ‘wish it wasn’t so,’ but that’s the way it is.”
Ference spent seven seasons with the Bruins and was brought in during General Manger Peter Chiarelli’s first season in Boston so obviously this was a tough decision for Chiarelli.
“I spoke with him, and told him that we wouldn’t be re-signing him and we kind of rehashed our history with the Bruins” said Chiarelli. “If you can recall, we brought him in my first year. He’s been part of this, what we’ve built here. The warrior-type of attitude and playing style for his size and as Claude talked about, the leadership.”
The decision to let Ference go is not based on his play; it’s strictly a cap-related move as per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) the National Hockey League’s salary cap is being reduced to $64.3 Million. And with young guys like Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug as cheaper options who are ready to make a full-time impact with the Bruins, the timing is right.
Ference had his up and downs during his seven-year run as a Bruin with this past season being arguably his worst, but what Ference meant to the team inside the room and in the community was what made him so valuable.
“He’s always gone above and beyond with the little things in the dressing room and everything that comes with it. He’s been a good teammate, smart” said head coach Claude Julien.” Like I said, every year in the playoffs he always took the initiative to come up with some of the ideas of the jackets and stuff like that. He’s meant a lot. He’s really respected by his teammates, but at the same time these are the toughest things.”
FULL ENTRYNo shame to admit: Blackhawks were better
Bruins fans shouldn't be ashamed to admit that the Chicago Blackhawks were the better team in the Stanley Cup Final. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
Two goals in seventeen seconds.
That was the difference from the Boston Bruins forcing a Game 7 and the Chicago Blackhawks hoisting Lord’s Stanley Cup.
When Milan Lucic made it 2-1 at 12:11 of the third, the Bruins seemed to have their ticket stamped to Chicago for a seventh game. But lightning struck twice on the Black and Gold late in the third as Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland tallied the tying and winning goals at 18:44 and 19:01 of the final stanza.
This loss is going to be a sore spot for many in The Hub of Hockey for quite a while. There’s no question that some Bruins fans will flood sports radio with calls, go to message boards, comment on articles, suggest to trade the whole team and more to vent their frustrations.
Less than 24 hours after their third period collapse, however, there’s still one thing that holds true.
The Blackhawks were the better team, and deserve to hoist Lord’s Stanley Cup for the second time in four seasons.
This isn’t to say the Bruins didn’t have their chances to lift the Cup for the second time in three years, because they did. One can only imagine the line of duck boats had they came out victorious in Game 4. Even if they held on in Game 6 and forced a seventh game, the thought of another parade still seemed reasonable. But it was not meant to be.
FULL ENTRYThird period comeback sinks Bruins in Game 6
Two third period goals just 17 seconds apart completed a crazy comeback by the Blackhawks to give them their second Stanley Cup in four years. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
At 12:11 of the third period in a tie game, Milan Lucic sent the TD Garden into a frenzy with his fourth goal of the series to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead in a do-or-die Game 6. As the clock continued to tick away it looked more and more like Game 7 was a certainty, but the Blackhawks had other ideas.
Two Blackhawks’ goals just 17 seconds apart completed an epic comeback and gave the franchise their second Stanley Cup in four seasons. Bryan Bickell tied things up at two with 1:16 to go in regulation then it was Dave Bolland 17 seconds later to complete the comeback.
“It’s a tough way to lose, tough way to lose a game, tough way to lose a series” said Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara who finished the night a minus-1 on 25:29 of ice time.
The Bruins had the game in their hands, but two quick mistakes cost the Bruins a chance at Game 7 and ultimately decided their fate. It’s safe to say the Bruins gave the win to the Blackhawks.
“Yeah I guess so. It felt like we had it, you know?” said Bruins forward David Krejci.
“It feels like we lost it. We had a Game 7 in front of us. It was right there. I felt we played a pretty good game, and we lost it. We just gave it to them, basically.”
It wasn’t the Bruins best game of the series, but it was far from their worst. It seemed that the Bruins had done just enough to pull off the win and force a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in three seasons, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
“We played a really good game the first period” said defensemen Johnny Boychuk. “We could be up 3-0 but we were only up one. They tied it up and Looch [Lucic] scores that big goal. They pulled their goalie and tie it up and we lose.”
For a team that saw their fair share of tough losses during their run to the Stanley Cup Final, this for sure was the most difficult for Claude Julien and his Bruins.
“Well, probably toughest for sure, when you know you're a little bit over a minute left and you feel that you've got a chance to get to a Game 7, and then those two goals go in quickly” said Julien.
It was clear the Bruins were in shock and disappointed after the Bickell goal, and it certainly showed as they couldn’t regroup to prevent Bolland’s winning goal.
“You’re just trying to stay focused, and you’re up, and then you’re kind of in shock” said Tyler Seguin who picked up an assist on Chris Kelly’s first period tally.
“I felt the feeling when Washington scored the overtime goal [2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals] in our building, but you just don’t see that stuff coming. I don’t know what to say about it.”
Yes you can say the Bruins gave the game away, but you can easily say the Blackhawks earned it. The Hawks could have packed it in after the Lucic goal, but the ‘Hawks kept coming and coming and eventually did enough to get two more pucks past Rask.
"You never know what can happen so you don't stop playing till the end. This is a nice finish, not having to go back [for Game 7] to Chicago" said Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews.
Bruins need more from top-line in Game 6
With the Bruins facing elimination in Game 6, the Black and Gold need more from their top-line in order to force a Game 7. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
With the Bruins facing elimination entering a do-or-die Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final Monday night at TD Garden, the Bruins need more production from their number one line.
Entering the Stanley Cup Final the Bruins top trio of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton were as red-hot as any other line throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but unfortunately for the Bruins, the Blackhawks have managed to cool them down.
The trio has combined for 11 points in the five games against the Blackhawks, but six of those 11 came in game one where Lucic scored twice and Krejci and Horton combined for three assists. In a game where the Bruins cannot lose, Horton and his line mates need be better.
“I don’t know. Like I said, there hasn’t been a lot of room out there” said Horton. “We’ve got to make our own room. We’ve got to play the way we want to play, play the way we can. We all know what to do and what we have to do the next two games.”
Not only has the line struggled to put the puck in the net, but they’ve struggled defensively as the line was on the ice for both of Patrick Kane’s Game 5 goals in a crucial 2-1 loss.
“Yeah, well we were on for all the goals. Obviously, you don’t want to be on for any goals. You want to be a plus player in the game and we weren’t” added Horton.
“We know if we are going to have any chance to win we definitely have to be in the plus side.”
Being on the “plus side” (of plus-minus) is something the line has done all playoffs long as Horton—plus-21—and Krejci—plus-14—leads the playoffs in plus-minus.
The newly formed Blackhawks top line of Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews and Kane have carried their team to victory in the last two games to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 series lead and a chance to close out the series in Game 6 on the Bruins’ ice. It’s up to Horton and his line to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“It just kind of happens that way. Obviously, we would have wanted to win last night [Saturday]. That’s the kind of character we have in our room” said Horton. “When our backs are against the wall, we show up. Like I said, we play for the guy next to you and we all know what we have to do now. We can’t lose and we’ve got to come to play.”
It’s no secret that Horton is playing through an injury as he left Game 1 with a shoulder injury. It’s clear that the injury has affected his play in the series
“Well, I think you’ve got to…you don’t want to hurt anyone. You don’t want to hurt your teammates. I think you have to be the judge yourself if you can help or you can’t help. I think that’s…you have to be true to yourself and do what you can” added Horton”
“Well, like I said, I’m fine. I just haven’t had the opportunities”
The Bruins top line has to create and finish those opportunities in Game 6, otherwise it could be one disappointing night in Boston.
For more Bruins news, analysis, commentary and fan interactions, follow Bruins Daily on Twitter (@BruinsDaily)
Bruins in familiar territory (again)
Once again, the Bruins enter Game 6 Monday night in familiar territory as they look to force a Game 7 against the Blackhawks. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
Stop me if you've heard this before, but the Bruins are once again in familiar territory during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Black and Gold are now one win away from elimination after their 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5. They must defeat the Hawks in Game 6 Monday night at the TD Garden in order to force a Game 7 Wednesday night at the United Center.
Sound familiar? Well it is to a certain extent.
Two years ago after falling to the President Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks in Game 5, the Bruins faced a must win Game 6 in order to force a Game 7. Not only did the B's take Game 6, but they went on to clinch their first Stanley Cup Final in 39 years.
Two years later, the Bruins face a must-win against the President Trophy winning Blackhawks. But that's where the similarities between the two seasons end.
There's no storyline heading into Game 6 on Roberto Luongo pumping Tim Thomas' tires. There's no storyline on how the Sedin Twins weren't manning up against the Big Bad Bruins. There's no storyline on Alex Burrows, Maxim Lapierre, Kevin Bieksa and the rest of the Canucks mouthing off to the media on how great they thought they were.
Instead the storylines involve the last two Selke Award winners, Patrice Bergeron ("body injury") and Jonathan Toews (head), being day-to-day with their respective injuries. They also involve Corey Crawford's improved play, Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg's struggles and Patrick Kane's hot streak, just to name a few.
Either way, the mindset is still the same for the Black and Gold, win Game 6 and force a Game 7.
FULL ENTRYBlackhawks top line too much for Chara, Seidenberg
Patrick Kane and his fellow linemates (Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell) gave Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg fits in the Bruins' 3-1 loss to the Blackhawks in Game 5. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
It is troubling for Bruins fans that Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg were a minus-2 in their 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night in Game 5. But the trio of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell were too much for the Black and Gold’s top defensive pairing.
Kane scored two goals, but it was not with his speed in the open ice. The former top overall pick scored his eighth and ninth goals of the postseason in the dirty area.
“This is what you work for, this opportunity,” said Kane. “You got to seize the moment and take care of it.”
Kane has three goals in his last two games against the Bruins, and has lit the lamp seven times in his last seven postseason contests.
“I think I was in the right spot at the right time tonight on both goals,” Kane said. “I thought I had some other chances too. I could have scored. I think everyone wants to be that guy in big-time games and I’ve been lucky enough in a couple to step up.”
Although Jonathan Toews missed the entire third period, he had two assists and did not back down from Chara.
“We had an idea after the second period, but to see him out there on the bench supporting the team and doing whatever he can-even though he wasn’t going to get a shift-gave us a little boost,” teammate Patrick Sharp said of Toews. “We didn’t have our best third period, but we have a deep team, we used everybody to protect the lead.”
Bickell brought the same attitude as Toews. He didn't allow either Chara or Seidenberg to intimidate him or his team at any point in Game 5. He tallied three shots in 17:05 of ice time, and along with Toews and Kane, gave the Bruins' top pairing fits throughout the contest.
Not only did the Blackhawks top line combine for two goals and three assists, but their speed, physicality and most importantly their net-front presence gave headaches to the Bruins defense all night long.
The key to the Bruins' success all season long has been their net-front presence in the offensive zone and the Blackhawks are returning the favor. The Hawks may have created the recipe for success against Chara and Seidenberg - load a line with three very skilled players and don’t back down.
The story of the night could have been the loss of Toews and Patrice Bergeron, two Selke Trophy winning centers. But one cannot overlook the play of the Blackhawks top line against the Bruins' top defensive pairing.
If the Bruins want to force a Game 7 in Chicago on Wednesday night, they must take care of business in Boston on Monday. That includes keeping Kane, Toews and Bickell in check as they did in Game 3.
“We just maybe have to have a little bit more awareness around our net because both goals were scored the same way,” head coach Claude Julien said.
Two years ago, the Bruins were in the exact same position against the Vancouver Canucks.
The Black and Gold know they have to get the job done in Game 6 Monday night. Otherwise, the Blackhawks will skate with the Stanley Cup for the second time in four years.
“It’s do or die. We've been there before,” Julien said. “Our goal is to create a Game 7.”
For more Bruins news, analysis, commentary and fan interactions, follow Bruins Daily on Twitter (@BruinsDaily)
Bruins no strangers to bouncing back
The Bruins are in familiar territory as they look to bounce back from their Game 4 overtime loss to the Blackhawks and take a 3-2 series lead. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
Many Bruins fans were worried about the Black and Gold’s state of mind after losing a grueling triple overtime Game 1 in Chicago. But how did they respond in Game 2? They had a 2-1 come-from-behind win in overtime to even the series up at one.
The Bruins are no strangers to adversity. And after losing Game 4 to the Blackhawks, the team will turn to taking care of business Saturday night in Chicago for a pivotal Game 5.
“I said it last night, you move on,” head coach Claude Julien said. “We’ve got two wins, we’ve got two losses. It’s about preparing for the next game and our mood is fine.”
The Bruins are in familiar territory. Two years ago against the Vancouver Canucks they were down 0-2, 3-2 and still managed to win the Cup in seven games. But, as many B’s players will tell you, this is not Vancouver and that is in the past.
The Black and Gold must must maintain better puck possession than they did Wednesday night at the TD Garden, where the Bruins missed an opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead. But there's still plenty of hockey ahead, beginning tonight.
“At this point, we just look to the next game, we gave ourselves a chance,” defenseman Adam McQuaid said. “It was good to see that we were able to keep fighting back and give ourselves a chance, but we’re at the point we are now and got to move on from last game.
“We have been saying, win or lose, you kind of take it in stride and you move on and get ready for the next game.”
Mistakes must be corrected and the Bruins must limit the scoring chances from Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. There were too many instances where the trio were either left unmarked or beating Bruins to the puck for an odd-man rush.
“They threw everything at us and we knew they were going to come out hard,” said Brad Marchand. “I think we did a pretty good job playing with them, but we still didn’t play our best and I don’t think that was their best either, so I think you can expect a little better out of both teams next game.”
It's well known that the Bruins are capable of comebacks having stormed back from a 4-1 deficit in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs with 10 minutes to go. And they demonstrated their resilience by bouncing back in Game 2 after their triple overtime loss to the Blackhawks in Game 1.
Now, the Bruins must steal one in Chicago so they can head home with a 3-2 series lead, and a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup in front of the 17,565 at TD Garden Monday night for Game 6.
Tuukka Rask allowed six goals in Game 4, but that will not repeat itself in Game 5. Look for Tuukka and the rest of the Bruins to bounce back Saturday night in front of a hostile United Center crowd.
“We can’t just rely on the fact that we have done in the past,” Rask said. “We have to go out there and make it happen again. We feel confident that we have it in us, but we have to be better.”
For more Bruins news, analysis, commentary and fan interactions, follow Bruins Daily on Twitter (@BruinsDaily)
Bruins unable to counter Blackhawks attack in OT loss
The Blackhawks took momentum right back to their side after a 6-5 overtime win in Game 4. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
It’s now down to a best of three.
In an epic back and forth contest, the Chicago Blackhawks took the momentum right back to their side with a 6-5 victory on Brent Seabrook’s game-winner at 9:51 of overtime.
The Bruins responded well throughout the night and gave the Blackhawks a run for their money. Whenever the Blackhawks took the lead, the B’s countered with a goal of their own.
Just look at the crazy second period. When patrick Kane put his team up by two at 8:41, Milan Lucic answered 6:02 later. Then when Marcus Kruger tied put his team ahead by two again, Patrice Bergeron answered with goals at 17:22 of the second and 2:05 of the third.
But it was not to be as the Hawks countered with their relentless attack. And it was a strategy that the Bruins wanted to avoid to say the least.
“This felt like a run and gun type of game,” said defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who scored the game-tying goal at 12:14 of the third period. “We had a chance to win it in overtime and it was just one shot.
“We did battle well. We did battle back, and it was a two-goal deficit and we found a way to come back. But we shouldn’t have been in that situation anyways.”
FULL ENTRYTyler Seguin finding his game at the right time
Despite not scoring, Tyler Seguin has had a good start to the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
Tyler Seguin just cannot light the lamp for the Boston Bruins in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but that doesn't mean he's not playing good hockey.
Seguin has one goal on a team high 67 shots during the postseason, but it was a line change by Claude Julien that may have gotten him back on track at the right time.
The former second overall pick was thrown on a line with Daniel Paille and Chris Kelly after a very bad start by the Bruins in Game 2 and boy, did Julien press the right button on that one.
Not only did the Bruins come from behind to beat the Blackhawks in OT, but Seguin played his best game of the series and assisted on the game-winning goal to Paille on a beautiful feed.
Seguin has been snake-bitten throughout these playoffs, but just because he isn’t scoring doesn’t mean he isn’t contributing in other ways.
“What he’s realized is that just because you don’t score doesn’t mean you can’t be a good player,” Julien said. “He’s got chances. He’s making plays, the winning goal for Paille in Game 2. Those are the things he’s bringing to the table.”
“Stats say certain things, but it doesn’t say everything,” Julien said. “Right now, I’m pleased with his outings lately.”
Seguin carried over his effort from Game 2 and played another great game in Game 3 at TD Garden. In 15 minutes of ice time, he had another assist, was a plus-one, and fired three shots on goal.
“I think they’re a great team and a very fast team,” Seguin said. “As far as the line, Piesy [Paille] has been moving his feet. Right now, he’s got a hot stick. I’m trying to do the same and Kells [Kelly] is playing very responsible. I think we’re just buying the system.”
Seguin was taking a lot of heat during these playoffs because a guy with his skill should be scoring at will, but it is a tough game even for elite goal scorers.
“I feel like I had a ton of chances,” Seguin said. “I want to finish and my team needs me to finish. I’m going to keep focusing on that.”
Bruins fans cannot give up on a kid like Seguin. He is young, developing and learning from his mistakes as he tries to hoist Lord Stanley for a second time in three years.
The 21-year-old compiled two great games in a row for the Black and Gold and they have resulted in two victories.
I am not saying if Seguin is a contributor on the score sheet the B’s will win, but it sure seems like it.
This is the Seguin the Bruins need and he is peaking at the right time as they are two wins away from another celebration.
Gregory Campbell speaks for first time since injury
The scene during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals is one that will live in Bruins lore forever.
With the game tied 1-1 midway through the second period, Gregory Campbell went down to block a shot from Evgeni Malkin during a Penguins power play. Struggling to stand on his own two feet, Campbell showed true character and finished a lengthy shift before hobbling to the locker room area. Campbell has not seen the ice since and is out for the remainder of the postseason with a broken leg.
The 29-year-old forward spoke to the media for the first time since the injury. And he was quite reflective to say the least.
"It hurt a little bit, but your adrenaline is going," Campbell said about his gritty shift. "I always felt that if you could get up, you should get up."
In the 47 seconds from blocking the shot and limping to the locker room, Campbell wasn't quite sure whether or not he broke his leg. But he was certainly feeling the pain from the hard shot from Malkin.
"I've gotten asked that a few times, did you know it was broken? I can't say with 100 percent certainty that I knew it was broken, but I felt it was a different feeling," Campbell recalled. "I blocked a few shots before, but this seemed different. Then once I was able to get back on my feet, I was not positive, but fairly sure something was wrong."
FULL ENTRYBruins draw up face-off success in Game 3 victory
Led by Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins dominated the Blackhawks at the face-off circle in Game 3. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
The Bruins have been great all season long at the face-off dot, but in their Stanley Cup Final Game 3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, they were nearly perfect. The Bruins finished the night 40-for-56 at the face-off dot in a game that the Bruins dominated from start to finish.
As usual Patrice Bergeron led the way winning 24 of 28 face-offs. Bergeron now has a 62.7% face-off percentage in 19 playoff games which is good enough to lead all playoff forwards. The former Selke winner won eight of ten face-offs against Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews, the man that narrowly edged him for this years’ Selke trophy as the league’s best defensive forward.
“It is definitely something we take a lot of pride in,” Bergeron said
“We talk about it a lot and we have some very good centermen. It is not just about the four centers on the ice. It is about everybody chipping in and helping and winning those battles.”
The Bruins had a very successful night from a special teams standpoint as Bergeron scored on the power play, and the Bruins killed off all five of the Blackhawks’ power plays. A big reason as to why they were so successful on special teams was their faceoff success on both the power play and penalty kill. The faceoff wins gave them puck possession which led to scoring chances and on the penalty kill the chance to clear the puck out of the zone, something the Bruins did with ease throughout the game.
The Bruins were 12-for-14 on special teams’ face-offs, an 86% success rate.
“You can talk about that [face-offs] and our power play” said Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville. “Those were basically the differentials in the game.”
Third line center Chris Kelly—who registered his second point in as many games in Game 3—won 8-of-11 face-offs including all five he took against Blackhawks’ center Dave Bolland.
“I thought we did a better job bearing down on those face-offs” said Kelly. Obviously face-offs are an important part of the game as you either start with the puck or start defending.”
David Krejci was the only Bruins Center who lost more face-offs then he won as the playoffs’ points leader was 4-for-9 at face-offs. Fourth line center Rich Peverley went 4-for-6 on his draws.
From a Blackhawks’ standpoint their face-off numbers were clearly bad, and the blame can certainly be pointed towards the Hawks top three face-off guys Toews, Michal Handzus and Bolland as the trio combined for just nine face-off wins in 37 tries. Eight of those wins came from Toews.
The Bruins will look to build on their face-off success and try to take a huge three games to one series lead on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
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Bruins penalty kill up to task in Game 3
The Bruins have killed 11 Blackhawks' power plays through the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
At the end of the regular season, the Bruins' penalty kill had taken a hit, and the team suffered as a result. In the postseason, the penalty kill is back up to speed.
Through 19 postseason contests, the Bruins are 55-of-62 on the penalty kill with a success rate of 87.1 percent. But the last two rounds against the Penguins and Blackhawks prove why it has one of the team's strengths throughout Claude Julien's tenure.
Dating back to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bruins have killed 27 straight penalties. And on Monday night, even though the Blackhawks' power play issues were front and center, the Bruins penalty kill was up to task again in their 2-0 victory in Game 3.
"Our guys are understanding of one thing: this is a team," Julien said about the penalty kill. "When it attacks, it attacks with four, never three. They've got such great skaters back there on the fence that if we don't do what we're doing right now, we don't stand a chance."
The relentless shorthanded attack continued on Monday as the Bruins killed all four of the Blackhawks' power plays. Through the first three games of the series, they are a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill.
With Shawn Thornton serving a roughing penalty late in the first, the Bruins' shorthanded unit took control. Both Rich Peverley and Brad Marchand had chances on a breakaway, while the Bruins' D got into the passing lanes and allowed very little room for Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and company.
That sequence is a perfect example of the Bruins staying disciplined.
"We've said it a lot, it's about trusting the system and making sure we have layers and we communicate on the ice," said forward Patrice Bergeron, who tallied his seventh goal of the playoffs at 14:05 of the second period (on the power play).
"I think we definitely got to do that a little more against them. They have so much talent and great transition. There's some room to get better, but obviously we've got to feed off that system and do it to a 'tee'."
Of course, it also helps to have Tuukka Rask between the pipes. The Finnish netminder had 28 saves - five of them coming on the penalty kill - for his third shutout of the postseason.
"I think we try to stay compact in our zone," said defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, who was the recipient of the army ranger jacket as the player of the game. "Then, there's Tuukka. He's always there to make that save, and we try to clean up for him to get the rebound or for us to clean it up."
Throughout the night, the 17,565 at TD Garden were appreciative of the Bruins' effort on the penalty kill, often times getting a standing ovation from the sellout crowd.
That energy from the Bruins fans is something the Black and Gold certainly appreciates.
"It's always great when the crowd acknowledges things like that, and I thought everyone did a great job killing penalties," said Chris Kelly. "And your best penalty killer needs to be your goaltender and he was again tonight."
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Bruins need better start after flat Game 2 first period
After a sloppy start to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, the Bruins need to play a better first period in Game 3 Monday (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
For nearly two periods it looked like the Bruins were well on their way to a Game 2 loss and a two games to none series deficit in the Stanley Cup Final as the Bruins came out very flat in the first stanza. But thanks to Chris Kelly’s first goal in 22 games the Bruins found some life and eventually went on to win Game 2 in overtime 2-1.
The Bruins were outshot in the first period 19-4 and failed to register any scoring chances. Patrick Sharp’s first goal of the series was the only tally in the period as the Bruins were very fortunate to be down by just the one goal after the first 20 minutes.
“You know it seemed like it was. They played a good period” said Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. “We played a poor period. When we got in the room we were lucky enough to be down by just one goal. We were able to regroup.”
The Bruins dodged a bullet later in the first as it appeared the Hawks had scored to extend their lead to two. Replays of the play showed that the puck did cross the goal line, but the goal was waved off immediately and the Blackhawks lead remained at one.
The opening frame in Game 2 was arguably the Bruins worst period of the season as the Bruins looked like a team who had no business being in the Stanley Cup Final. Obviously the Bruins were upset with their first period play, and between periods they knew they had to be better.
“It was different guys saying different things” said defenseman Adam McQuaid who assisted on Daniel Paille’s overtime game winning goal.
“We all knew that we weren’t happy with the way things were going and things needed to change. It wasn’t just one voice, but there was a few guys that were maybe a little more vocal then others.”
According to Tyler Seguin, Kelly stepped up and was pretty vocal between periods.
“It was really a mix of everybody saying something” said the 21-year old forward. “Obviously I think Kells [Chris Kelly] was one of the most vocal guys at the time.”
Seguin who was mic’d up for NHL.com knew what was coming in the Bruins’ room so he made sure his microphone was covered so what was said in the room stayed in the room.
“I definitely knew it was coming, so I threw my shoulder pads in the training room and put a towel over it so no one could hear what we were saying” said Seguin
“I think we needed that team wake-up call.”
FULL ENTRYLine change sparks Bruins in Game 2 OT win
Locker room reaction from the Game 2 victory over the Blackhawks. Video by Peter Manderino, Bruins Daily.
CHICAGO - With all the momentum on the Blackhawks side through the first period and a half of Game 2 Saturday night at the United Center, Bruins coach Claude Julien had to shake up his bottom two lines. One of those units, Daniel Paille, Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin, provided the lift that the Black and Gold desperately needed.
It didn’t take long for the trio to click either. With the Blackhawks in complete control, Kelly finally got his team, and himself, off the schneid, for his first of the playoffs at 14:58 of the second period - on the Bruins’ seventh shot of the game.
Nearly 40 minutes later, Paille finished the job with his game-winner at 13:58 of overtime (his third of the playoffs) to give the Black and Gold a 2-1 win and even the series at one game a piece.
After a sloppy first period where they were outshot 19-4, the trio’s success certainly paid dividends for Julien and company.
“We didn’t have much going. At one point I thought that line would give us something,” Julien said about Kelly, Paille and Seguin. “They responded well and got both goals tonight.”
Kelly, Seguin and Paille gave Julien and Bruins fans something to be proud about. But it hasn’t been smooth sailing during the postseason for two of the three forwards.
Both Seguin and Kelly have struggled to find the scoresheet. On the other hand, the two have had their chances, but whether it's hitting the post or missing the net, the two just couldn’t light the lamp.
Paille, however, has been the most versatile player on the Black and Gold. So pairing him with Kelly and a fellow speedster in Seguin was a natural fit.
“They both skate extremely well,” Kelly said about Paille and Seguin. “They’re at kind of the same speed level, which makes it nice that one guy is not ahead of the other.
“I think Claude is just trying to find different chemistry with different guys on who’s going on any given night. Claude has a pretty good feel for his players. I think our line got thrown together at the end of the first, beginning of the second and I thought our line played well.”
Seguin was the only one of the three who didn’t find the back of the net. But his assist on Paille’s winner certainly didn’t go unnoticed.
“You just want to stay as consistent with that as you can,” said the 21-year-old forward. “Everyday makes you work harder and harder and makes you focus even more and more.”
For a team that struggled in the first 30-plus minutes, Paille, Kelly and Seguin provided the Bruins with a needed jolt and evened the series.
Not bad for a line that was thrown together mid-game.
“I think we just stopped thinking and started playing and realized that we needed to help the team a little bit,” Paille said. “I think that goes well into the game when you stop thinking and start playing with your natural abilities. I think Seggy [Seguin] started skating a lot more and I think Kels [Kelly] and myself started to protect the puck. So that helped us out in the game.”
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Bounces go against Bruins in loss to Blackhawks
Postgame video by Peter Manderino, Bruins Daily
CHICAGO - If Game 1 was any indication of the type of series the Bruins and Blackhawks will have, then the two teams will be in for a long series.
Fatigue, missed chances, and great goaltending from Tuukka Rask (63 saves) and Corey Crawford (54 saves) all played a role in Wednesday’s triple overtime affair that ended seconds after the clock struck midnight central time. But in the end, the Blackhawks got the bounce, and the Bruins, despite having several quality chances in the extra session, didn’t.
Midway through the third overtime, Kaspars Daugavins had a great chance to give the Bruins a win on the road. But in a last ditch effort, Johnny Oduya knocked the puck away from Crawford’s crease to keep the game tied.
Then, down the other end of the ice, Andrew Shaw scored on a double deflection on a shot from defenseman Michal Roszival for his fifth of the postseason at 12:08 of the sixth period to give the Blackhawks a 4-3 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
It was a game that could have gone either way, but the Black and Gold found themselves on the opposite end of the outcome.
“We had our chances to end it,” said forward Milan Lucic, who netted two goals in the losing effort. “He [Crawford] made some, and we couldn’t capitalize on our chances to end it.”
“The game could have went either way. I think it was a hard-fought game,” forward Shawn Thornton said about the loss. “We said it would be in a series like that and if the first game is any indication, we’re in for a long one.”
Lost in all this was the Bruins’ blowing a two-goal lead against the President Trophy winners. With things seemingly in control after Patrice Bergeron’s sixth of the playoffs at 6:09 of the third, the Blackhawks creeped back to tie it on goals from Dave Bolland - 1:51 after Bergeron’s marker - and Oduya’s tying goal at 12:14 that bounced off Ference’s skate.
There’s no denying that Daugavins’ missed chance will be played several times in the next 24-plus hours. But the Blackhawks comeback is something the Bruins also take responsibility for.
“It is what it is right now,” Lucic said. “We had a two-goal lead that we gave up, [that hurt] more so than that opportunity that we gave up.”
Despite the loss, the Bruins aren’t too rattled.
Sure the Blackhawks have a 1-0 series lead and momentum on their side. But the Black and Gold have done a good job bouncing back from adversity during the postseason. Their Game 7 comeback against the Leafs and the Game 5 win against the Rangers in the first two rounds are perfect examples.
With two days off before Game 2, the veteran laden Bruins have a good time to rest up and regroup. And even if they end up on the wrong end of things before the series shifts back to Boston, the B’s can certainly revert back to their run two years ago.
“Last time we won the Cup, we lost the two first games in Vancouver. It never stopped us from coming back and this certainly won’t,” head coach Claude Julien said.
“When you look at the game [tonight] it could’ve gone either way. i thought we had some real great looks in overtime. With a little bit of luck, we could have ended it before they did, but that’s the name of the game.”
Claude Julien in upper tier of NHL coaching ranks
In his sixth year behind the Bruins bench, Claude Julien has entered the upper tier of the NHL coaching ranks. Photo by Jim Davis/Globe Staff.
By now, many hockey fans and pundits alike are well aware that a coach's life span in the National Hockey League is one of the shortest in the four major professional sports. But Claude Julien is one of the rare exceptions.
Julien is currently in his sixth year behind the Bruins bench. During his tenure, the former Canadiens and Devils coach has seen his share of peaks and valleys. The lowest of lows include the 3-0 collapse against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010, Game 7 losses to the Habs (in 2008) and Carolina Hurricanes (in 2009) and a disappointing first round exit in 2012 to the Washington Capitals, also in seven games.
The astonishing thing is Julien has also had some close calls. If it wasn't for Nathan Horton's heroics in Game 7 of the Habs series two years ago, then for certain he would not have been behind the Bruins bench during the 2011-12 campaign. And if it wasn't for the Bruins' triumphant comeback over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7, he would've added a 3-1 collapse to his resume and would likely have found the unemployment line a few weeks ago.
Despite all that, Julien has his share of accomplishments, too. His 258 career regular season victories with the Black and Gold ranks him second in team history behind Don Cherry. His 48 postseason wins, meanwhile, are good for first all-time among Bruins coaches. Moreover, he's guided the B's to the ultimate prize in 2011 and has his team four wins away from the holy grail again in 2013.
Certainly it goes without saying that Julien has had his share of critics from callers on 98.5 to the talk show hosts like Michael Felger. But it's a fact, not opinion, that Claude has met those naysayers with his accomplishments.
And Julien even had a joke up his sleeve for those critics after the Bruins swept the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night.
FULL ENTRYMcQuaid's perseverance pays off
Adam McQuaid's game-winner 5:01 into the third period capped off a fitting end to Game 4 for the third-year Bruins' defenseman. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
For someone who didn’t even know if he’d be playing in the 2013 season, Adam McQuaid has done pretty well for himself.
McQuaid, who had a blood clot prior to the lockout-shortened campaign, returned in time for the start of the season back in January. As the year progressed, he suffered another setback and missed a few weeks due to a shoulder strain.
That is all a distant memory for the 6-foot-4 defenseman now, who delivered the dagger in the Bruins’ sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 Friday night at the TD Garden.
With space on the point, McQuaid fired a shot past Tomas Vokoun, which ironically deflected off Jarome Iginla, to break a scoreless tie at 5:01 of the third period. The goal was good enough to give the Black and Gold a 1-0 victory and send them to their second Stanley Cup Finals appearance in three seasons.
McQuaid, who tallied 10:01 of ice time, came on during a line change. But with no one behind him, he fired away.
“I actually came on for a change, so I was kind of looking back to make sure there was no one behind me on the change,” McQuaid said about his game-winner. “Marshy [Brad Marchand], he kind of stopped up and made a nice pass to me and I just tried to get a shot on net and luckily it went in.”
Bruins need to sweep off Pens in Game 4
Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and the rest of the Boston Bruins are one win away from making their second Stanley Cup Final appearance in three years. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
Raise your hand if you thought the Bruins would have a 3-0 series lead on the Penguins. Anyone want to step up and answer that? Anyone? Bueller?
There's no denying that while the Bruins were an underdog coming in to the Eastern Conference Finals, many still gave them a shot. Little did anyone know that the Black and Gold would have that 3-0 series lead and a chance to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons.
The B's have the Penguins on the ropes now. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still without a single point in the series. Norris Trophy candidate Kris Letang looks as lost as Tom Hanks in the movie "Cast Away". Tomas Vokoun, despite playing his best game of the series, could not stop the bleeding in Game 3.
More importantly, the Bruins, despite playing their worst game of the series by far, still came away with the double overtime victory, while the Pens, who played their best game of the conference finals, are left searching for answers.
That's not to say that head coach Claude Julien will have to make some important decisions prior to Game 4 Friday night. The first of which will involve replacing Gregory Campbell, who is out for the rest of the postseason after suffering a broken right fibula.
Regardless, the B's are in a great position, again, to clinch another series. But unlike their previous two series with the Maple Leafs (up 3-1) and Rangers (ahead 3-0), they'll hope to clinch the series against the Pens early and sweep away any hope of a comeback.
FULL ENTRYPatrice Bergeron: captain clutch
Patrice Bergeron scored his second overtime winner of the playoffs and gave the Boston Bruins a 2-1 double overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and a 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
Patrice Bergeron has a knack for performing in the clutch during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In Game 7 of the first round, Bergeron scored the tying and winning goals to complete the Boston Bruins’ historic comeback over the Toronto Maple Leafs. If it wasn’t for that 5-4 come from behind victory, the Black and Gold would be golfing right now. Instead, they are one win away from their second Stanley Cup Final appearance in three years thanks to Bergeron's heroics (again).
At 15:19 of double overtime, the Bruins’ assistant captain added another golden goal to his impressive postseason and gave his team a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday night at the TD Garden.
“Bergy, he does everything right, and it’s the little things like that, that makes him such a great player,” forward Brad Marchand said about his fellow linemate. “The way he drove to the net and Brooks [Orpik], he’s a very big guy, very strong, and the way he battled him and put that puck in. It shows he can do everything, and we’re very lucky to have him.”
The two teams battled fatigue throughout the nearly five periods of playoff action. But in the end, the 41-year old Jaromir Jagr set it all up by winning a puck battle with Evgeni Malkin near the Penguins bench. Jagr then fed the puck to Marchand, who set up Bergeron (with Orpik on his back) for the tip-in attempt and his fifth goal of the playoffs.
Wednesday's game-winner was reminiscent in a way to the Game 7 clincher against Toronto. But more importantly it displayed a great chemistry between Bergeron, Marchand and Jagr.
“It was a great play by Jags to take that puck on the wall there and just fighting and getting the loose puck to Marsh, and we do that chemistry where we know where we’re going on the ice,” Bergeron said about his double overtime winner. “I knew he was going to try to find me there if I was driving the net, and I just went to the net and tried to have my stick on the ice and he found me.”
“That’s what happens when you’ve been together for three years as a duo, anyway. They’ve learned to play with each other well,” head coach Claude Julien added about the Bergeron-Marchand duo. “Obviously Jags made a big play in front of their bench to get the puck to them, but, it’s about driving to the net, and Bergy drove hard and had a guy on him and managed to get his stick in the right place and make a great play.”
As the Bruins know, the fourth win is the toughest one to get. But little did anyone think that they’d be in this position to dethrone the top-seeded Penguins in four straight.
On Friday night, Bergeron and the B's have a chance to sweep Pittsburgh and represent the East.
“I really believe that Pittsburgh has been through it before. They have the experience, so we know it’s not over,” said Bergeron. “We’ve really got to make sure we’re even better in Game 4 and we know they will. They’re a great team, and we respect them, and we’ve just got to be in the moment.
“We can’t get over excited about having three wins because you need four.”
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Penguins' goaltending woes front and center against Bruins
The Penguins' goaltending woes were front and center during their first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bruins. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
If the Penguins' goaltending woes isn't reminiscent of the Flyers' wheel of goalies two years ago, then I don't know what is.
Much like the Penguins, the Flyers had their share of skill players heading into the second round of the 2011 series with the Bruins. But despite having the likes of Claude Giroux, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards (at the time), just to name a few, the goaltending carousel between Brian Boucher and current Columbus Blue Jacket Sergei Bobrovsky put the Broad Street Bullies in a bit of a hole. Boucher was pulled in each of his first three starts and Bobrovsky couldn't stop the bleeding as the Black and Gold swept the series one year after their historic collapse.
Two years later, the Bruins are facing the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jarome Iginla, each of whom haven't found the scoresheet in the first two games. But that's the least of the Penguins' concerns right now.
After giving up three goals in Game 2, Tomas Vokoun, who started in nine straight postseason contests, was pulled in favor of former No. 1 overall pick Marc-Andre Fleury, who hadn't started since Game 4 of the Islanders series. Fleury, who had given up 43 goals in his last 10 postseason starts prior to his relief appearance, continued to struggle giving up three goals in the Bruins' 6-1 shellacking Monday night at the Consol Energy Center.
Some of the goaltending woes could be attributed to the Bruins exposing the Penguins defense. But some of the goaltending issues could also be pointed to the less than stellar performances from Vokoun, who's known to be a streaky goalie, and Fleury, who's confidence still seems shaken after last year's first round series against Philly.
In any event, the Bruins, who are now two wins away from their second Stanley Cup Finals appearance in three years, have the Penguins right where they want them as the series shifts to the TD Garden for Game 3 Wednesday night.
"There's been a great commitment on the part of our team to play well defensively and have layers, take away some space from those guys and some room to pick up speed," said Bruins coach Claude Julien, whose team outscored Pittsburgh 9-1 in the first two games of the series. "The guys have really bought into that, which has helped a lot. That's why I said, we've got to continue to do that."
Pittsburgh's goaltending problems are one of the examples of why the Bruins have caught the Penguins' tail between their legs.
The first two games were a perfect example of the Bruins executing Julien's system. Their defense in front of Tuukka Rask has been stellar, which in turn is creating a perfect transition game for David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Jaromir Jagr and the B's offense. Moreover, Zdeno Chara and company have gotten under the skin of Crosby, Malkin, Kris Letang, Matt Cooke and the rest of the Penguins.
The two games in Pittsburgh are arguably the best games the Bruins have played all postseason. But they know they need to be even better in front of another 17,565 on Causeway Street.
If that's the case then Fleury or Vokoun won't hear the end of it in The Hub of Hockey.
"This is the best hockey we've played so far this year," said Julien. "We've just got to keep that going."
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Bruins dominate Game 2 to take 2-0 series lead back home
The Bruins dominated the Penguins 6-1 in Game 2 and will take a 2-0 series lead back home to Boston for Game 3 (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
Much to the surprise of many, the Bruins are heading home after two games in Pittsburgh with a two-games-to-none lead in their Eastern Conference Finals series with the mighty Pittsburgh Penguins. After a 3-0 shutout of the Penguins in Game 1, the Bruins could not have played a much better Game 2.
The Bruins dominated the Penguins from start to finish in Game 2. It all started with Brad Marchand’s first period goal just 28 seconds into the period and ended with Johnny Boychuk’s career playoff high fifth goal late in the third.
The Bruins got a boost from Marchand’s early goal and according to Jaromir Jagr it gave the Bruins the confidence they needed.
“Well we wanted to score the first goal, and luckily it happened on the first shift and so it’s always good for the team to score first and to get the confidence a little bit and now try to play our game. That was our goal and it happened” said Jagr who finished with two assists on the evening.
Much to the pleasure of the Bruins and their fans the Bruins were able to chase Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun after three first period goals. Marc-Andre Fluery didn’t help his team out any better than Vokoun did as he too allowed three Bruins goals.
Obviously Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby was visibly upset after the loss.
“Pretty bad” said Crosby. “There is no easy way to describe it. It was just a bad hockey game”.
Despite being upset and down in the series, Crosby knows his team can very easily bounce back and get themselves back into the series with a win or two in Boston.
“I think we’ve shown in the past that we can bounce back, but I don’t think there is anyone too pleased with how we played tonight, not one guy” added Crosby who was held off the score sheet for the second game in a row. “It’s not a good feeling, but we realize hanging our heads about it isn’t going to fix anything. So we’ve got to go into Boston with a different mentality than tonight.”
The Bruins on the other hand are happy to be heading home up two-games-to-none, but they certainly know this series is far from over
“You know of course we are happy, but we understand it’s just to win the series you need four wins” added Jagr.
“So we all understand that, we’ve all been in this situation and we are all professionals and all know how tough it is to play against Pittsburgh and we know how explosive offense they can be and how many goals they can score. So we just have to make sure we play the same way and see what happens.”
FULL ENTRYPenguins look to get back to their game after a physical Game 1
After a physical Game 1, the Penguins will look to stay clam and get back to Penguins hockey when the host they Bruins in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily).
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals the Pittsburgh Penguins tried to play the Bruins game, a move that didn’t work out very well for the Eastern Conference’s number one seed. The Pens showed up to Game 1 and played a physical game, something they’re not known for.
Things really got going from a physical standpoint in the second period as Matt Cooke was handed a game misconduct for a hit from behind on Bruins defensemen Adam McQuaid. Later in the contest Brad Marchand was given a minor penalty for boarding Penguins forward James Neal.
“I don’t think it was a rough hit,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said regarding Cooke’s hit. “I’m not sure I thought it warranted a five-minute penalty.”
Although still dangerous, and worth the two-minutes, Marchand’s hit wasn’t as bad as Cooke’s, but Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby feels differently.
“I don’t see the difference, really” said Crosby. “It’s tough they’re letting a lot go out there, and the more it gets like that, the more it’s going to escalate. You can only control and channel that stuff so much. You keep letting guys do that stuff; you’re just going to push the envelope. That’s something we obviously want to stay away from, but it’s kind of a natural thing when it gets like that.”
Speaking of Crosby, the star forward wasn’t shy about getting in the faces of certain Bruins as Crosby exchanged shoves and words with Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara and even goalie Tuukka Rask.
As the buzzer sounded after the second period, Crosby and Rask skated by each other, exchanged words and a quick little love tap with their sticks. After the game Rask was asked what Crosby said to him.
“Just great job” said Rask who let out a bit of a smile after trying to hold a straight face.
While Crosby was pumping Rask’s tires, a fight was breaking out between two unusual combatants as Patrice Bergeron and Evgeni Malkin were dropping the gloves. The two top forwards have a combined five career National Hockey League fights.
“I mean it’s the playoffs, right?” said a viably cut up Bergeron. “You know we know that the emotions are high, intensity is high and games are big. So I mean I don’t know if I am really surprised but at the same time it just happened.”
As much as the Penguins wanted to be and tried to be physical, seeing one of the best players in the game getting into a fight is not an easy thing for the Penguins to watch.
“Hopefully he doesn’t get hurt,” Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said. “That’s the first thing. He’s a pretty valuable guy to the team.”
The Penguins outhit the Bruins 34-19 in Game 1. The Penguins were led by Pascal Dupuis and Brenden Morrow who each had a game-high four hits.
At the end of the night Jarome Iginla and the Penguins know their emotions may have got the best of them in Game 1.
“We, myself included, probably got into a couple of scrums that we don’t need.”
FULL ENTRYBruins rattle Penguins in Game 1
Tuukka Rask earned his first career postseason shutout as the Bruins rattled the Penguins in their 3-0 victory Saturday night in Game 1. Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily.
They might have waited a week to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins have already provided plenty of fireworks.
With eight days off after clinching their second round matchup over the Senators, the Penguins looked rusty and rattled in Game 1. The Bruins, who had a week off after finishing their second round series against the Rangers, took advantage of the opportunity.
It didn't take too long for the drama to unfold Saturday night at the Consol Energy Center. Boston villain and Pens pest Matt Cooke was given a misconduct for boarding Adam McQuaid in the second period. At the end of the middle stanza, Evgeni Malkin and Patrice Bergeron dropped the gloves, while Sidney Crosby was jawing at Bruins captain Zdeno Chara over something that did not include their dinner plans. Sandwiched between that sequence, the "Little Ball of Hate", Brad Marchand, was called for boarding James Neal.
The postgame buffet will taste a little sweeter for the Black and Gold, however. Tuukka Rask made 29 saves for his first career postseason shutout, while David Krejci scored two goals and fellow linemate Nathan Horton added a tally in Boston’s 3-0 triumph.
“We didn’t want to lay back and give them chances,” said Horton. “Like we talked about, we wanted to keep going at them and play our game and I think that’s what we did.”
Emotions were high throughout Saturday’s contest, but they got higher after Cooke’s cheap shot on McQuaid - a hit that should get reviewed by Brendan Shanahan. They were even higher when Malkin dropped the gloves and Crosby got in the face of Chara, and exchanged a few words with Rask before the second intermission.
The Bruins, however, kept their emotions in check and the Penguins let the game get away from them.
“This is playoff hockey and those things are going to happen,” head coach Claude Julien said. “You don’t whine or complain about it, you just deal with it. What we had to deal with tonight was winning a hockey game and that’s all that mattered.”
As the teams eye a chance to play for Lord's Stanley Cup there’s no denying that tensions grow during the course of the game.
Add to that the bad blood between the two teams - despite the first postseason meeting between the two squads since 1992 - and you have yourself the makings of an intense series.
“I think it isn’t surprising to see guys step out of their usual selves and go the extra mile and get emotional and scrap for every little momentum swing and every little inch,” said defenseman Andrew Ference, who tallied 17:27 of ice time in his first game back since the Toronto series. “I think its par for the course for this time of year.”
There’s still a long way to go, but the Bruins already have Crosby, Malkin and company rattled. Their 20-guy approach worked perfectly in Game 1 and they’ll look to do the same in Game 2 Monday night.
“I think it was a good win,” said Krejci. “We got a big win and we have a day off tomorrow and we need to regroup and get ready for Monday.”
“If we play the right way, then we can beat anybody. I think we’ve shown that in the past,” added Rask. “When we play within the system and everything is going the right way, then it gives you success.”
The Bruins played within the system in Game 1, and it was quite successful.
