| 06 March 2011
While Saturday night’s game featured new players making big impacts in their new jerseys, the feelings shared for each other were the same as ever- hatred. A sentiment like that in a game leading up to the post season for two teams who could eventually meet means one thing: physical play. And that’s what fans got in this match up- fights, big hits, and scrums after whistles. One guy who knew this all to well was Johnny Boychuk- a man with a personal vendetta with the Penguins’ Matt Cooke. Boychuk in this one, like every time he faces the Penguins, was all over Cooke, attempting to run him through the boards on every opportunity. But the physical game the Bruins would bring on this evening would prove to not be enough to overcome the Penguins in this match up as the home team would fall short in overtime, 3-2.
The Bruins started this affair of strong, putting together a 1st twenty minutes of play filled with hitting, strong breakouts, and a flurry of opportunities. While they were kept scoreless by Fleury, they did show why the team had been unbeaten in seven straight. The keys to the Bruins in this period, as it has been in their previous games, was to keep their feet moving. The speed added to this line up by Peverley and Kelly along with the quick transition brought by Tomas Kaberle, made the breakout and play in transition exceptional for the Bruins. On many of rushes, the Bruins succeeded in turning the Penguin defenseman and brought plays right to the net. No opportunity was better in the first than Michael Ryder’s drive through the zone to deke Fleury and attempt to put one home on the down goalie. Fleury would come up big for his team on this one though, getting his left pad back into place and denying the Bruin forward.
The 2nd period would continue where the 1st left off with Boston charging ahead and bringing the game to the Penguins. The pressure would continue to add up until about half way through the 2nd it would become too much and the scoreless tie would be broken. After gaining the offensive zone, David Krejci pulled off his best Marc Savard impersonation, holding up right inside the line, letting his forwards drive the net, before finding the trailing Zdeno Chara who would rip a wide open wrist shot by Fleury from the slot.
The Bruins lead would not hold up for long though as giving up the goal would awaken the Penguins. From this point on, the second period would be theirs. Strong cycle work in their own zone would lead to their 1st of the night a minute and a half after the Bruins broke the game open. While the Bruins would make a push to take the lead right back, a failed pinch attempt by Adam McQuaid would result in a 3 on 1 the other way. The efforts of Tim Thomas would keep the original shot out of the net, but the resulting rebound gave Jordan Staal an easy shot to put in from the slot.
The 3rd period would prove that both of these teams are serious about the competition that comes this late in the season. Back and forth action would be the result of each side looking to capitalize on the other’s mistakes. While the Peguins would hold the Bruins off the scoresheet in the first 19 minutes of the period, the Bruins efforts would prove fruitful enough to earn them 1 point. After pulling Tim Thomas, the Bruins would attempt to make a rush into the zone. On the first try, their efforts would be thwarted by the Pens neutral zone play. Bruins fans expected the worst here as the Penguins would come the other way looking to put the game out of reach with an empty netter. Newly acquired defenseman Tomas Kaberle though showed that he’s not only here for his offensive abilities as he would block the shot and turn the puck around the other way. This time, the Bruins would get the puck in deep with a dump in and then win the battle behind the net. Quick puck movement between Lucic and Horton down low turned into a crisp pass to David Krejci in the slot for a one time and overtime.
While the Bruins woud come out of this one with at least a point, overtime would not treat the team well. Two minutes into the extra period a breakout pass would be intercepted, giving Dustin Jeffery the chance to walk in one on one on Tim Thomas and put home the game winner. The goal would be disappointing to the B’s, especially as the level of game play was close to that of the playoffs. But their efforts would earn them another point which helps solidify their spot on top of the division.
Questions Unanswered
After last season’s playoff let down, many asked the question, “is this team deep enough to win a cup- especially down the middle”. At that time, Marc Savard was on the rebound from his concussion and Krejci had just ended his year in injury after a hit from Flyers captain Mike Richards. To address this concern, Peter Chiarelli went out at the deadline and added veteran forwards Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley to bolster the Bruins forward core. And while both have been fantastic in their limited Bruins careers, the Bruins falling short of a win to the Penguins while playing without Patrice Bergeron leaves many wondering how this team would fare without either of their two top centers in the playoffs.
This season has been a reemergence of Bergeron who leads the teams in points while still being the go to guy on shut down match ups, key penalty kills, face offs and many other critical situations. The Bruins are thankful that he and David Krejci are both healthy at this point leading up to the playoffs, but with him being out last night for personal reason, many are left to wonder. What if he or Krejci went down in the playoffs? Does this team have the personnel to overcome such a loss?
When looking at the Bruins, many point to Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara as the stars and leaders of this team, and truly, if either were to go down it would be quite a blow to their hopes. Up front though, the Bruins do rely on waves of attacks and constant pressure to break open games. If either of their top centers were to go down, this strategy could be hurt badly. To make up for this or at least to plan for it, don’t be surprised to see Peverley taking additional reps in practice at center and at times practicing with Bergeron’s line. If either center were to go down, he would be the guy asked to step up into that 2nd line role and help keep the wheels turning. You can bet though that Peter Chairelli is praying for his two leaders down the middle to stay healthy and rested going into this run.
David Krejci: An Emerging Offensive Catalyst?
When Savard went down earlier this season, many asked if David Krejci could be the go to guy that this team needs to succeed. Earlier this winter it seemed as though he could provide some offense, but that the real go to would need to be Bergeron. Over the past few weeks though, with Savard declared done for the year, David has stepped up his efforts to show that he can be that guy that Bruins fans are hoping for. Over the past 18 games, Krejci has put up 20 points and the chemistry being formed with Lucic and Horton is evident. The line has begun leading this team offensively and along with the shut down/continued offense brought by Marchand, Recchi and Bergeron, has many around the league pegging the Bruins as strong contenders for the east.
Tyler Seguin: Working It
One of the things that people say cannot be taught is compete level- being able to bring a level of effort night in night out that separates great from good. And while it may not be something you can teach, the Bruins have elicited the level of competitiveness from Tyler Seguin that any coach prays to get out of a rookie.
Over the past few weeks, Seguin has been a healthy scratch for a number of reasons- not all within his control. The time spent up stairs though has done him well as he’s showing a higher understanding of where he needs to be on the ice, what he needs to do and how hard he needs to work and battle in order to succeed. His effort against the Penguins was another example of this as he was often found skating hard on the forecheck, getting back defensively, fighting on the boards, diving to get to lose pucks and driving and digging in front of the net.
Many have wondered if the coaching staff’s grooming of him this year has been done so incorrectly as they’ve often limited his ice time late in games and played him on the fourth line. When looking at his play though, its hard to say it hasn’t been helpful. He may not be putting up the numbers that Taylor Hall or Jeff Skinner have, but on a team that is at the top of the east, he hasn’t had to. What he has done is learned to work hard, get to where goals are scored and begin becoming the well rounded player that will put him at the top of this league. Forget the stat line, look at what he’s doing on the ice. The numbers will come with time.
Tomas Kaberle: A New Found Respect
Bruins fans over the past few years have heard the same thing at the deadline over and over again: Tomas Kaberle will be a Bruin. After hearing it for so long, many got sick of it and prayed it wouldn’t happen simply out of spite. Well, now that it has, many can’t do anything but smile over having him come to Boston. The veteran blue liner has been nothing short of exceptional since joining the club. His work on the blue line has brought the transition game hoped for, better puck movement on the power play and even a higher quality of defensive play that many though would be his short coming here in Julien’s system. His ability to keep the play alive, open up 2 on 1’s, bring the puck through a clogged neutral zone have all been instrumental in the Bruins’ success over the past 8 games. And while the power play hasn’t clicked yet, it has been vastly improved and appears to be on the verge of doing so. His addition alone have many saying that the Bruins by far won this trade deadline.
The Power Play: Still Hurting
The move to add Kaberle to this roster was done for one big reason: increase the effectiveness of the power play. To this point, the conversion rate hasn’t increased and there’s a restlessness in the fan base. In order to be effective in the playoffs the power play and penalty kill both need to be working near perfection. And while that hasn’t happened yet, there have been positive showings.
When evaluating the power play, there are 3 things other than the final result that should be looked at:
1. Is the team able to enter and maintain possession in the offensive zone for extended lengths
2. Is the team able to create 2 on 1’s that spread out the offensive zone and open up passing lanes through the slot
3. Is the team able to force the penalty killers out of position and create mistakes and therefore better chances
The difference between PK (Pre Kaberle) and WK (With Kaberle) can be seen across these. What Kaberle does effectively is 1. enter the zone, 2. keep the puck in the zone and 3. creating 2 on 1’s. So far his play has lead to less time regrouping and attempting to gain the zone, and more time in the zone creating chances. The chances to this point have not panned out, but with time ad the unit gelling, it should.
Additionally, his play on the power play allows the team to focus less on a dump and chase strategy and more on a carry and control game plan. This has lead to more effective time on the power play and better personnel on the unit. With a dump and chase game plan, the Bruins were reliant upon the likes of Gregory Campbell, who, while a great contributor for this team, is not the ideal center on the power play. When working with a dump and chase system though, he is a strong option as he is quick to get in on the puck and can win battles on the boards. Once the puck is controlled though, there are other players this team would like out there.
As the playoffs are right around the corner, the power play does need to come together, but at this point, it’s just the need for them to get more reps in before things click. With Kaberle they can gain the zone, they’re getting the time on attack and they have the right personnel on the ice. It’s just going to be a matter of this team getting enough chances in between now and then to get it rolling.
Looking Forward
The Bruins have a busy week ahead of them with games against the Habs, Sabres and Isles all between now and Friday. The Bruins now sit 2nd in the East with 5 points and a game in hand on the Habs. The game is in Montreal and will be a tough one as the Habs will look to make up ground on the division rival. The Sabres will be no less easy as they’ve been a thorn in the Bruins’ side this season and are in a fight for a playoff spot currently. Look for this to be a hard week for the Bruins, one that they should ideally raise their game to in preparation for the post season.
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