While it is easy to point out the negatives from the Habs game the one thing that really struck me is how dominant the Bergeron line really is game in game out. All three are point per game players with a monster positive +/-.  In truth, they have been dominating for the last 2 seasons.

The beauty of this is that since CJ roles out his first two lines in almost equal amounts of shifts  it almost guarantees favourable mismatches against the opposing team's lower pairing D, unless they have two Dmen who can play 40 mins a night. So, is there really a better 2nd line in the NHL today?

Now, if only the bottom six could get their act together......

JMW, well said, and the bottom six is where the focus should be. No longer can the Bruins afford to "carry" Thornton and Bourque. Neither one has NHL skills.

If you ask me the B's 2nd line really is our 1st line. I have felt like that for the last 2 years. Bergy is such an underrated offensive player, they all look at how well his plays in the defensive zone. Bergy is the face of the org and is the best player on the B's.

In response to G4ck5's comment:

Very true...before his concussion issues he was essentially the primary B's offensive weapon. He is now an excellent mentor for Seguin who will eventually surpass him in most, if not all, aspects of the game.

In response to bogie6's comment:

I expect PC to address this sooner rather than later. Remember, when he picked up Kelly and Peverley it was before the deadline that year so they could be integrated into CJ's system sooner.

In response to jmwalters' comment:

 

In response to bogie6's comment:

JMW, well said, and the bottom six is where the focus should be. No longer can the Bruins afford to "carry" Thornton and Bourque. Neither one has NHL skills.

I expect PC to address this sooner rather than later. Remember, when he picked up Kelly and Peverley it was before the deadline that year so they could be integrated into CJ's system sooner.

_________________________________________________________________

I have to think (and hoping) that some of the Bruins prospects will be on the 3rd/4th lines within the next 2 years:

• Spooner (AHL, speed and can kill penalties)
• Koko (Last year in OHL)
• Camara (Last year in OHL)
• Griffiths (Last year in OHL)

I think that if PC trades for 3rd/4th line help, it will be a bridging type player.

In response to jmwalters's comment:

I know I've said this before, but...Bergeron's concussion cost him his finishing touch.  Remember when he was a 30 goal scorer?  His two best scoring years, he had 12 and 14 PPG mostly occupying the spot where they now have Seguin.  He used to have the shot to pick the short side corner on the one-timer.  Two of his three goals the year he was concussed were PPG.  He could snipe.

In four full years since his concussion, Bergeron has 9 PPG and zip in the playoffs.  If he could finish the way he did pre-concussion, he'd have 30+ a year given the number of great chances he gets.  He was second star of the last week, and I was frustrated watching him not be able to finish a ton of other chances.  He's still a great player, and he is absolutely the key to the top six on this team, but you have to feel a little bit of what-might-have-been if not for Randy "I'm an OKC Baron now!" Jones.  Definition of a fringe player nearly ruining the career of a major trophy winner.

I think PC will get the player he thinks is the best fit on this team for this season.  I don't think he's going to say well, you know, Shane Doan would be a great fit on the third line and a perfect fill in on the top two lines if we need to shake things up, and he wants out of Phoenix (hypothetically here), but jeez, his contract runs three more years and I'd really like to see Spooner and Camara get a shot....  So we're not going to trade Khokhlachev and a 3rd rounder for him...(deliberate idiocy disclaimer).

In response to Bookboy007's comment:

I have said this a few times already but I believe PC is going to go for it this season. He has the cap space (this season only) and the core. Next season will be a different team due to the constricting cap. Can't keep everyone. So this is the year.....

In response to Klaas' comment:

WITHIN 2 YEARS ??????   Spooner is ready to play in the NHL ...the only thing is they played him in Montreal for 4 minutes and sent him back ...did the guy get a real chance ..??  Answer is NO .....I would take a chance on Spooner instead of playing Shawn (old legs) Thornton ...the kid has talent, skills , speed ...but he wont fight ...will Thornton fight ???  Therefore why keep him in the line up ?????????  I still havent figure that one out yet .... 

In response to StanleyCuptotheBruinsin2011's comment:

Ever since the scott fight, has not been the same. I want to take another look at Caron and Spooner before TDL just to get one last look at Caron before giving up on him. The other prospects in their system i do not know anything about them besides  5-7 of them. I will let you guys handle that part. I agree  Stanley i just don't want to go to young on the third line come playoff time. I think PC will get a 3RD line Vet by the next two weeks i think that is the way to go.

Chicago and that is pretty good company for the Bruins 1A and 1B lines to be in. The Hawks 3rd line dominates and there is your separation between the two clubs offensevly. Stalberg really ?

I'm not even sure which is the first line and which is the second, but I guess it doesn't matter. They both play the same minutes. Bergeron's line is one of the best in the league, let alone best second imo.

 

 

Yes the DK/LUCIC/HORTON  line is a great 2nd line.  

In response to G4ck5's comment:

People throw this idea out here once in a while.  The line labeled the "first" line is the line that plays the most.  This year, Krejci, Lucic, and Horton are at the top of ESTOI.

Last year it was Krejci and Lucic.

Why?  Becaue they're on the first line.

In response to G4ck5's comment:

The last few games it has been there only line

I wouldn't mind seeing some mixing of lines...Julien has talked often about not having time this year to sit and wait for things to work themselves out. I know the record on the whole is excellent, but all of us can see that there are issues with effort and focus for 60 minutes. That, and Peverly/Kelly could use a swift kick in the behind. Shake it up for a couple games and see what happens.

In response to Bookboy007's comment:

Absolutely agree 100%. It's an argument that I have supported for a very long time. People have forgotten, like you said, how good of an "offensive" player he was. Interesting enough, he was mostly playing the RW. For those that did not have the chance to watch Bergeron in juniors, team Canada, and pre-concussion missed out on a star in the making. The guy did it all, dangle, speed, shot (one-timers) and hit like a truck. 

The B's invested and believed in Bergeron's ability. Hence, one of the main reasons the trade of Thorton was made. 

 

Another brilliant game by this line. Three points each. Easily the most consistent. Bergeron cracked the top 30 in points and is currently tied for 29th.

Did that game put him at a point per game?

In response to TheGuyWithDaThing's comment:

Yes.

In response to TheGuyWithDaThing's comment:

For both Bergeron and Marchand (who missed a game).

 

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20122013&gameType=2&team=BOS&position=S&country=&status=&viewName=summary#?navid=nav-sts-indiv

In response to jmwalters' comment:

you absolutely can keep everyone next year. PC set himself up well.

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And some want Seguin at center. That would push him to another line. No thanks.