12/14 Bruins 3 – Penguins 5
Heading into this game, the Bruins looked like they figured things out in the scoring department. With three goals in this one it wasn’t horrible. Even though they lost this game it was such a classic Bruins-Penguins game, lots of scoring chances and excitement for 60 minutes.
In this one the Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead after getting their second of the game early in the second period. But, that lead wouldn’t hold up as midway through the period an NHL long active scoring drought was broken. That’s right Brandon Carlo snapped his scoring drought notching his first goal of the season. While his offensive numbers have barely been noticeable, he has really improved his defensive play, so you’ll take the goals when they come, but don’t get your hopes up of seeing his name on the scoresheet very often.
After the Penguins were able to get the two goal lead back on a shorthanded goal, it was Chris Wagner who closed the gap once again on his goal midway through the third period. Immediately after, the Bruins tied the game when David Krejci buried a rebound off a Pastrnak what appeared to be goal. It’s a good thing Krejci put the puck back in the net because after further review, Pastrnak’s shot hit the crossbar and came out.
Unfortunately the Bruins gave up two let goals including an empty netter to seal this game for the Penguins.
12/16 Bruins 2 – Sabres 4
After a tough loss to Pittsburgh, the Bruins returned home to welcome in one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last two months, the Buffalo Sabres. I was so excited to watch this game, because of one of the NHL’s young stars, Jack Eichel, and not to mention, UConn standout Tage Thompson who I always enjoyed watching when he played for the Huskies.
In this one the Bruins offensive players couldn’t get much going as the two goals were scored by defensive players. It’s not often that the Bruins attackmen are held without goals while the defensemen lead the way, but it just so happened in this one.
Torey Krug and Steven Kampfer got the Bruins on the board in this one, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Eichel led Sabres. Speaking of that kid, he put on a show in Boston. He contributed in all four goals on the night for the Sabres as he buried two and had two assists. The kid is a star and now that he is fully healthy for the first time in his career entering a season, he is without a doubt going to be a Hart Trophy candidate for MVP of the NHL.
12/17 Bruins 4 – Canadiens 0
What have I said before? There is nothing like beating the Montreal Canadiens. What makes it even better, is that it was a shutout…oh and it was in Montreal. This one was just an old school dog fight between two storied rivals and it just doesn’t get much better than Bruins vs Canadiens (when the Bruins win).
The next good part of this game is that four different Bruins scored in this one including the first career goal of young center, Colby Cave. He also got an assist in this one for his first career two point game. Cave isn’t talked about much when the B’s young guys are brought up, but perhaps he can really make a name for himself if he can continue to find ways to get points.
Other than Cave it was more of the usual suspects getting it done for the Bruins as Brad Marchand and David Krejci scored again, while Joakim Nordstrom got the other goal. Just to mention him quickly. People didn’t think too much about the signing of Nordstrom, but I have been really impressed with his game. He is reminding me a lot of Riley Nash from previous years. They brought him in for his two-way game most notably his defensive abilities from the forward position, but he has really been pretty decent scoring. He now has 5 goals on the season which doesn’t seem like much, but it’s more than people expected out of him up to this point in the season.
Now to talk about those usual suspects of late. Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and David Krejci each have 9 points in their last 6 games. Those are very impressive numbers as Marchand and Krejci both have 3 goals and 6 assists, while Pastrnak has 2 goals and 7 assists. These guys really just haven’t slowed down all year and they’ll need to continue this as the season gets later and later.
12/20 Bruins 3 – Ducks 1
The Bruins welcomed in the Anaheim Ducks into the TD Garden for the first meeting between these teams this season and the Ducks are no team to overlook. They find themselves in third place in that oddly shaped Pacific Division trailing the division leaders Calgary by three points.
David Pastrnak opened the scoring in this game midway through the second period when he scored on the one timer.
Torey Krug got an assist on the goal, the 200th of his career, and the reason I mention it is because he is now the Bruins all-time leader in assists from an American born defenseman. This being his sixth full season with the Bruins, it is clear that Torey Krug is making a case that he is the best American born player in Bruins history. He trails forward Peter McNab in both goals and assists by an American born player with the Bruins, so I’ll give it to Mr. McNab, but watch out! Torey Krug is coming for yah.
Just like that Torey Krug added another point to his season total as he scored a power play goal of his own late in the second period. The kid has been playing so well since Charlie McAvoy returned to the lineup and he should only get better as more guys are getting healthier.
David Krejci got the third of the game for the Bruins giving them 3-0 lead early in the third period. Once again another milestone on the night for a B’s player as Krejci got his 600th career point with the goal. He now has extended his point streak to 8 games in which he has 11 points. He has really turned it on at the right time, especially with Patrice Bergeron set to return possibly Saturday, Krejci can potentially get the second line going with the way he has been playing.
Jaroslav Halak was coming off a game in which he shut out the rival Canadiens, in Montreal. There was some question whether Coach Bruce Cassidy would ride with Halak or go back to Tuukka Rask, and he chose to stick with his hot glove. Halak had another great night as he only allowed one goal on 24 shots. If he can keep this up, he could very well find himself in the Vezina conversation. I do think he will slow down, but there is no denying, he has been much better than expected this season.
The Week Ahead
The Bruins will get back to their normal three games in a week schedule this time around but two of those games will be coming on the weekend. They start the week on Saturday 12/22 in Boston at 1pm against a Stanley Cup favorite from the Western Conference in the Nashville Predators. Once again the Bruins will be on a plane right after the game and head to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes in an early evening start at 5pm. They will close out the week back in Boston as the New Jersey Devils head to town. Who knows maybe there will be a David Puddy sighting.
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