Thornton trip walks fine line

WILMINGTON -- If you just look at the statistics, you could draw the conclusion that the Bruins' mammoth top line of Mike Knuble, Joe Thornton, and Glen Murray is struggling. But that is not the case. Yes, they have not produced the amount of points in the last eight games that you would expect from players who receive the amount of ice time they do. However, they believe the style of play they're employing against opponents will bring them success in the playoffs, which begin next week.

Thornton and Murray have only 3 points each in their last eight outings, while Knuble has 5 points in that span. What they've been working toward is more of a big-picture strategy.

"I really like the way our line has been playing," said Thornton, who worked out at Ristuccia Center with his teammates before they departed for Carolina, where they will play the Hurricanes tonight. "We just haven't been scoring too much but we're getting more involved physically. I think we're playing more of a playoff-style hockey and it's good practice for our line right now."

Coach Mike Sullivan said he has no complaints.

"I think they're playing extremely hard," said Sullivan. "They're playing at both ends of the rink, they're generating scoring chances. I think it's inevitable the puck will go in the net for them. They're playing some of their best hockey and they're really working hard out there. It's their leadership that sets the standard for this team."

Sullivan said they're being defended more by other clubs but given what they bring, he said that's no surprise to anyone.

"They certainly command a lot of attention, and teams are going to key on those guys without a doubt, but they are still generating a significant amount of scoring chances and they're doing it in a responsible way," said the coach. "They're not giving up a whole lot. If they continue to play as hard as they are, the puck's going to go in the net for them."

A year ago, the tension in the dressing room was palpable despite the Bruins knowing they were going to make the postseason. There were few smiles, the atmosphere was heavy with uncertainty, and there was a genuine lack of confidence.

This season, it couldn't be any different. They work hard at practice, but the players also goof around, really enjoying their time at the rink. Most noticeably, Thornton was speaking not in terms of whether they'll be able to get out of the first round but of expectations that are exponentially greater. Keep in mind, there are only four games left in the regular season.

"I think if we play like this the next 20 games, I think we're going to be really successful," said the captain. "I think we're just being a little more physical, which we need to be. I think that's going to definitely pay off for us, hopefully, in a seven-game series. We're just throwing different looks [at opponents] right now."

Thornton said he, Murray, and Knuble are hoping to use their size not only to score goals but to punish the other team's blue liners. If they can do that, as so many opponents tried to do to Ray Bourque, it can open up chances for everybody.

"That's what we hope happens," said Thornton. "If we have a couple of long series, we're big enough that we can get on the defense and hopefully cramp their style a little bit and put some wear and tear on them more than smaller guys would."

If the Bruins are to keep their season going, they need to stay out of the penalty box and cash in on the man advantage when they get it.

"Special teams are such a key," said Thornton. "If you win those, you're going to win some games and you're definitely going to go a long way in the playoffs. Our penalty killing has been really solid. We're not going to get too many power plays in the playoffs. It's usually more five on five. The refs kind of put their whistles away, and it is just good hockey. Hopefully we can play five on five for a lot of it."

Thornton said he can feel the enthusiasm and optimism in the room that was missing last year when coach Robbie Ftorek was fired with nine games remaining and general manager Mike O'Connell took over, aided by Sullivan.

"Everything is just going so smoothly," said Thornton. "Everybody is confident. It helps that you've been playing well for the past two months. It's probably the last four or five games where we've had some good tests and we've responded really well. It's a good confidence booster for us. [Last year], it was a little tighter in here. Mike and Mike came in and changed up the system a little bit, and this year we've been playing a system for the whole year. We feel confident with the game plan every night."

And the biggest source of confidence is between the pipes in Andrew Raycroft and Felix Potvin.

"It's been spectacular," said Thornton. "It was our biggest question in training camp and I think it's the biggest answer for us now." . . .
Forward Michal Grosek has been steadily progressing in his recovery from a concussion and should be available in the near future. Grosek's last game was Jan. 10. Whether he gets into a regular-season contest remains to be seen. "He's close," said Sullivan. "He won't play [tonight] but possibly the end of the week he could be cleared. It will depend on where the team is at. He hasn't played in a long time so his timing, obviously, will be an issue and his game conditioning will be an issue but we'll have to see where he fits in and if we think he'll help our team. He's a quality player and brings a physical presence and I know he can help our team win down the stretch." Grosek brings an element that the Bruins don't have in abundance: peskiness. He can be a pain in the neck to play against, which he showed earlier this season and last year in the postseason against the Devils. "I thought he had a great playoffs last year," said Sullivan. "He's certainly a big, strong guy and makes his presence known on the ice."