| 11 November 2011
Another win in the books for the home team last night. After having the atrocious start they did, the B's are winners of 4 straight and the compete and drive many were waiting for is showing up once again. Leading the way are the top two lines who appear adjusted and back in the healthy competition to see who's the #1 line. While the bottom two lines are getting better, questions still exist about how to ensure the depth needed for this team to be a factor again in the playoffs. Along with that, many wonder if the blue line needs help moving forward. There's a chance this team waits for that help to come from their pipeline but as the season plays out, it is something to watch for.
Taylor vs Tyler
So we finally have the home game that Bruins fans have been looking for since last spring- pick 1 vs pick 2. The hype of this game appeared in the home fan's new hero early as Seguin was seen anxiously jumping the play and working a bit faster than the speedy yet smooth forward has done to date. As things moved along though he was able to get settled and closer to his normal game and results as he notched a goal and assist to make it 17 points on the year.
To his counterpart, the effects of this game seemed less significant. Hall came into this one trailing in points and would leave in the same boat, but the ability he brought to the ice was exactly the reason many Bruins fans coveted him as strongly as they did. Size, speed, hands and creativity all packaged into one of the rising stars of the game and showcased early when he came down on Rask and created space for Nugent Hopkins to walk in and net one. Late in the game his compete showed as well as he appeared to want to carry his trailing team on his back and worked to drive by the Bruins defense and get shots on goal. Overall a strong showing by both with the young guns on Boston bringing in the points and the victory.
RNH & Smyth: Leading Edmonton from Gutter to Division Lead
With the emergence of the youths, Ryan Smyth and company seem to have the right mix to put up W's this season. The veteran forward has lead this team up front along with Captain Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky after the two suffered the down times in Edmonton. Coming into this match up in Boston Smyth rode a 5 game point streak and by putting up 2 goals he made it 6 with 7 goals in the 6 games.
Helping Smyth bring these Oilers back to the tops of the west is none other than #1 overall pick and leading Calder candidate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. RNH entered the game a point a game player and left it as one still. His immediate chemistry with Hall and Eberle has been beneficial as for such a young line, they've accomplished much to date. Creative rotations, puck control and creating space; all things this line does well already. Defensive play, making the simple play and the '6th sense' that comes from playing with guys long enough; all things that still need to be developed with the three. While it will come, it's likely to lead to some bumps in the road this season.
At the rate they're playing even with those bumps this Oilers team will be playoff bound. The lack of experience and rounding out of skills will likely leaving them chalking this up to a growing season. With the young talent that makes up both of these organizations, don't be surprised if the coming years find the two teams meeting each other for more than 1 yearly visit.
Zach Hamill: Ready for the Big Leagues?
The injuries to Paille and Peverley have left a gap in the Bruin's line up currently requiring an emergency call up in the form of Zach Hamill. Hamill has been off to his best start in Providence this season after impressing many in the B's preseason camp. Previously the work ethic and energy expected for a competing prospect was missing from his game. So while he may have ended up on the score sheets in previous NHL contests, his overall body of work never lead to him sticking.
This season has shown a change though and the change was noticeable in this match up. Hamill is moving, is playing in all 3 zones and is competing. The effort paid off tonight as he connected with fellow prospect Jordan Caron for the Bruin's 2nd goal of the game. Additionally, his compete helped the Bruins draw 2 penalties which have actually been useful for the team this season. Compared to other prospect call ups seen in previous seasons, Hamill looked well adjusted, ready for the experience and not out of place.
At this point the question is how long until Peverley and Paille return? While Hamill played well, he still is only an emergency call up and has not performed so well that he's likely to upseat Caron or Pouliot after 1 game. If he gets additional starts though against Buffalo and into next week, there's a chance that moves could be made there after to bring him up to stay. His work on the wing in the AHL makes it much more likely but only time and his effort on the ice will lead us to any changes in this roster.
Questions of the Night
With Hamill's arrival in Boston the comfort of Jordan Caron appeared to increase significantly. That said, is it time that Caron needs to fully become adjusted to this setting or is there something missing in his game (or that of his linemates)? Do you also keep Hamill up with the team over Pouliot or someone else if it leads to chemistry with Caron (and of course results that the 3rd line have been lacking)?
Joe Corvo finished tonight as the Bruin's 2nd star and with a playmaker under his belt. He has been shaky at times especially in his own end and in some decisions in the neutral zone this season. Has the move to have him paired more with Seidenberg been the fix to his early season woes or is he finally just getting comfortable? Do you feel comfortable with him being the puck mover and power play QB of this team for the potential post season?
Krejci's reemergence over the past few outings has been noticeable. Being healthy and paired again with Lucic has seemed to work wonders. What else is needed though for Horton to start putting numbers up in the goal column for that line?
If Tim Thomas were to (heaven forbid) go down tomorrow, would you feel comfortable with Tuukka Rask as the B's #1 goaltender?
With the power play clicking, the PK performing fairly well and wins finally coming, the Bruins seem to be on the rise. The only thing that doesn't seem completely there is the contribution from the 3rd and 4th lines. Can the Bruins continue to play at the pace they are with it's top 2 lines playing 17-20 minutes a night or is a change or trade needed to get the depth and prevent burn out?
Extra Credit: Which draft over the past 4 years represents the best group of NHL forwards from the 1st round at it's upper echelon? Watching this season, the past 2 seem to be making great cases with Seguin/Hall/Skinner along with RNH/Landeskog/Couturier.
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