They're not agitating for further changes

NASHVILLE -- The NHL trade deadline is this afternoon at 3 p.m., and the Bruins may not be done dealing. General manager Mike O'Connell addressed two substantial needs last week when he dealt for offensive defenseman Sergei Gonchar and second-line center Michael Nylander.

But is there an agitator on the way who could counter a player such as Darcy Tucker should the Bruins meet the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs?

Two of the best available pests, Rangers Chris Simon (to Calgary) and Matthew Barnaby (to Colorado late last night) already have been traded. But if this is the ultimate configuration of the club, the Bruins -- who have 13 games left in the regular season -- think they're just fine.

"I think we're a pretty tough team," said defenseman Nick Boynton. "You go down the lineup, we've got Marty Lapointe and Sean O'Donnell and Joe [Thornton] is a tough guy. Obviously we have Doug [Doull] and Sandy [McCarthy].

"It's hard to say in the playoffs. Fighting doesn't get you very far. It's the team that's going to play best in between the whistles, not after them."

If toughness in the regular season is defined as fighting or jumping in for a teammate, it's different in the postseason. It's more a matter of mental toughness and discipline.

"It's being able to control yourself and not retaliate," said Boynton. "That's the toughest thing to do. There are a lot of rats on other teams who are trying to get you to take penalties and that's their sole job."

It doesn't take long in a series for players on opposing teams to get on each other's nerves. From there, it only escalates, and some players push the envelope more than others.

"You're going to get annoyed with probably a certain person out there," said Boynton. "That just happens. That's what makes playoffs playoffs. If they know they're under your skin, they're definitely going to take advantage of that. That's some guys' job and that's what makes for interesting hockey."

Thornton knows he'll be a target. Earlier in his career, Thornton thought nothing of retaliating right away. Now, he said, he has learned to control his reactions and wait for his chance to get even.

"Once the playoffs start, guys try to step it up and try to do whatever they can to get under your skin," said Thornton. "You just have to stay disciplined and hopefully they'll get the first penalty."

A case could be made that the Bruins already have a capable agitator. Center Travis Green, who is playing mostly wing these days, has been a thorn in the opponents' side on many an occasion. But his effectiveness in that role has been hindered because of a rib injury that caused him to miss 18 games. Tonight against the Predators will mark his sixth game back, and once he gets his legs under him, he could get back to that style of play.

Whether or not the Bruins make another move, said Boynton, there is substantial confidence in the dressing room.

"I think we've got a really good team," he said. "There are eight teams going into the playoffs that have a legitimate chance to come out. I don't think you see that very often. There are so many teams that are so evenly matched. It will come down to a couple of bounces, I think."

Thornton, too, is excited about the possibilities.

"I love it," he said. "It's nice to have the [new] guys we do have a little bit early just to get used to them. I like the acquisitions we got, Sergei and Michael. They're both great on the power play. We're big and strong on the point. I love our defense and we have some rugged guys up front who can play that type of style, too.

"I'm not really too afraid of our toughness going into the playoffs. Being disciplined in the playoffs is the key because power plays are such a huge part of [deciding games]. That's where you're going to score most of your goals because it's so tight five-on-five. If we stay out of the box, I think we've got a good chance."

First year coach Mike Sullivan always liked his roster but likes it even more now.

"I've said it all year long, that we really like our team and we believe in our players," he said. "We know it's going to be tough because there are a lot of good teams in the league, but we believe we can win with what we have. The acquisitions that Mike has made over the last week certainly make our team stronger. So we're that much more excited about our group, but we know it's a big challenge." . . .
Left wing Sergei Samsonov (bruised ribs) skated with the club and made the trip here, although Sullivan said he hasn't thought far enough ahead on whether Samsonov will play in Buffalo Thursday. "The next step is we'll put him in some contact and go from there," said the coach . . . Center Patrice Bergeron, who has a slightly separated left shoulder, skated before the club yesterday at the Ristuccia Center in Wilmington, Mass., and although he didn't accompany his teammates, he said he's improving day by day and could resume practice Friday. "It's a lot better than Wednesday [when he first tried to skate]," said Bergeron. "So I'm happy. I want to come back soon and help the team but I have to take the time to heal, too."