Boston wrapped up a season-long five-game road trip Monday with a 2-1 win over the Maple Leafs north of the border. The Wild are also coming off a 2-1 win in their last game, Tuesday night in New Jersey over the lowly Devils. With the win, Minnesota climbed within two points of the West’s eighth and final playoff spot, currently occupied by St. Louis.

We don’t see the Wild too often around this area, so we’ve got plenty to cover in terms of pre-game notes, heading into tonight’s matchup. So enough jibber-jabber, let’s get right to it…

- The B’s have earned points in six straight games now, winning their last home game of 2010 over Atlanta before going 3-0-2 on their recent roadie. Minnesota is also a hot team as of late, winning three of their last four and six of their last nine.

- Boston has struggled against the Western Conference so far this season, posting a 1-2-2 record through five games, most recently getting shut out 3-0 by the Anaheim Ducks. The only win over a Western Conference foe came against the Phoenix Coyotes in the second game of the season-opening back-to-back series played over in Prague.

- The Wild have never lost in Boston in their brief franchise history, making them the only NHL team that can boast that distinction. Minnesota has won on all five trips to TD Garden.

- In the ten games these two teams have ever played against each other, the Wild have never let the Bruins score on the power play. Minnesota is a perfect 31-for-31 on the penalty kill against the B’s.

- These two squads haven’t faced off against each other in over a year, with Boston winning a 2-1 shootout game in Minnesota back on November 25th, 2009, with David Krejci scoring the game-winner in the fourth round of the shootout, and Tuukka Rask making 28 saves for the win.

- Speaking of Rask, he has started the team’s last two contests, and may get the chance to start a third in a row. While this morning’s team skate was optional, speculation amongst several writers that cover the team indicates that it’s likely we’ll see the young Finn in goal this evening.

- Minnesota’s win on Tuesday over New Jersey came on odd terms. With the game tied at one a piece, rookie Clayton Stoner, in just his 25th NHL game, dumped the puck in to the offensive zone and headed towards the bench for a line change. Before he was able to plant his pooper on the pine, he had scored his first NHL goal and the eventual game-winner. On the dump-in, the puck took a strange ricochet off the kickplate, and while New Jersey goalie Johan Hedberg had left the crease to retrieve the puck, instead the puck careened into the goal to give the Wild the lead. Only a guy with a last name like “Stoner” would score his first NHL goal like that.

- Forward Antti Miettinen (bruised leg) and defenseman Marco Scandella (illness) are listed as day-to-day for the Wild, while forward Guillaume Latendresse (sports hernia) and defenseman Marek Zidlicky (shoulder) remain on injured reserve.

- Scoring for the Wild is led by forwards Martin Havlat (8G, 27A) and Mikko Koivu (9G, 25A).

- In goal for Minnesota will likely be veteran Jose Theodore (6-5-2, 2.75GAA). The team’s usual starter, Niklas Backstrom (13-10-3, 2.58GAA) is active but is still getting healthy after missing some time.

- Tonight’s game will mark the first return to TD Garden for former Bruin and BC Eagle, Chuck Kobasew. The 28-year-old winger was traded to the Wild in October of last season, in exchange for Craig Weller, Alexander Fallstrom, and a second round pick in 2011. Kobasew spent parts of four seasons with the B’s from 2006 to 2009, scoring 44 goals in 158 games. For Minnesota this season, the winger has six goals and an assist in 25 games played. He missed 14 games through much of November, nursing a groin injury.

- Lastly, a final wrap-up on the World Junior Hockey Tournament that finished up in Buffalo last night. The U.S. was able to come away with a medal, but it unfortunately was not the color they had hoped for. The Americans fell to the Canadians Monday night in the tournament semifinals, losing 4-1 on home turf, and ending their run at back-to-back golds. Instead, the U.S. was able to earn bronze in the consolation game last night, beating Sweden, 4-2. The gold medal game was thrilling to the bitter end, with the Russians coming back from a 3-0 deficit entering the third period by scoring five unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes for the stunning 5-3 win over Canada. The Russians nearly didn’t make the medal round at all after losing their first two games of the tourney, making their comeback story all the more surprising.

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins.

Minnesota (8-12-2) currently occupies the cellar of the Western Conference, but they are coming off a win in their most recent game, a 3-2 victory Friday over the Islanders. The Wild have struggled against fellow Western Conference foes, going 3-11-0 so far, but have seen relative success against Eastern Conference opponents, putting up a 5-1-2 record. The Wild are 8-1-0 in their brief history against Boston, including a two-game sweep of the Bruins last season.

Now let’s shine the light on tonight’s opponent with some news nuggets about the Minnesota Wild…

• Minnesota’s leader of average ice time per game, defenseman Brent Burns, will miss tonight’s game as he recovers from a recent concussion. However, the Wild will get former Bruin Chuck Kobasew back in their lineup this evening. Kobasew had missed the last four games with an upper body injury. Kobasew was acquired by the Wild in an October trade that sent wingers Craig Weller, Alex Fallstrom, and a 2011 2nd-round pick Boston’s way.
• The Wild also made roster shake-ups earlier this week, as they sent disappointing forward Benoit Pouliot to the Canadiens in exchange for sizable winger Guillaume Latendresse. Latendresse will not dress for tonight’s matchup however, as his work visa issues are yet to be resolved crossing the border.
• Leading the way on the Wild offense is Mikko Koivu (6G, 15A), followed by Andrew Brunette (8G, 9A), and captain Eric Belanger (4G, 10A). Last year’s team leader, Marian Gaborik, fled Minnesota via free agency, signing with the Rangers on a long-term deal.
• In net for Minnesota is young Finn Niklas Backstrom (8-9-2, 2.66GAA). Backstrom is backed up by Josh Harding (0-3-0, 3.92GAA). It is likely the Bruins will face Backstrom tonight, judging by early reports.
• Beyond Kobasew, two other familiar faces will be in uniform for the Wild this evening as former Bruins Shane Hnidy and Andy Hilbert both could be featured in the Minnesota lineup. Hnidy spent the last season and a half with Boston before signing with the Wild in the offseason, while Hilbert, a former 2nd-round pick of Boston’s in 2000, played 38 games for Boston between 2001 and 2004 before heading to the Islanders.

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins.

Also on Wednesday, the Bruins got word that All-Star center Marc Savard suffered a broken foot and will be out 4-6 weeks. Couple all that with the injuries of Byron Bitz and Dennis Wideman, who are both questionable tonight, and the B’s have some serious holes to fill. Not exactly what you want to be doing when your team is already floundering with a disappointing 3-4-0 start.

So instead, the Bruins will fill these gaps with the likes of Providence call-ups Brad Marchand, Vladimir Sobotka, and Guillaume Lefebvre, along with newly acquired forward Daniel Paille. Paille, a 6’0” left winger who has appeared in 195 career NHL games, was acquired yesterday from the Sabres, in exchange for two 2010 draft picks. It is unknown who of these fill-ins will be included in tonight’s lineup.

As if the Bruins’ start to the year wasn’t messy enough, on the other side of the ice Wednesday night, the Nashville Predators are looking for a “do-over” themselves. After winning their first two games on the year, they have since dropped five straight, including Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to Washington.

Here now, a closer look at the Preds from the Music City:

• In their only meeting last year, Nashville topped the visiting Bruins 3-2 in a shootout. Nashville’s scoring that night was done by one man only, David Legwand. Legwand, who has gone without a point through seven games this season, had two goals in regulation in last year’s match-up, followed by Nashville’s only shootout goal, the eventual game-winner.
• Nashville’s offense this season has been in one word: dreadful. They rank dead last in the NHL with just 1.29 goals per game, scoring just nine goals in their seven games thus far. Their special teams have also been atrocious, as they rank last in the NHL with a 4.2% power play percentage (just 1 goal in 26 PP opportunities), and 29th in the league on the penalty kill, at 66.7%. The Preds’ one statistical bright spot is their success at the faceoff dot. They are winning 53% of their faceoffs thus far, good for fifth in the league.
• Captain Jason Arnott, the team’s leading goal scorer thus far, was placed on IR yesterday. Arnott injured his arm and shoulder in Saturday’s loss to Washington.
• You will find only six Predators on the roster with goals so far this year, and only nine with any points at all. Leading the points race is forward Patrick Hornqvist, who has 2 goals and 4 assists on the year. Last year’s Nashville team was led by right winger J.P. Dumont, who potted 16 goals and added 49 assists. He scored his first goal on the young season Saturday vs. Washington.
• In net, Nashville features a two-man goaltending committee of Pekka Rinne (0-3-0, 3.46GAA) and Dan Ellis (2-1-1, 2.80GAA).
• If you can turn your mental rolodex back to the Bruins of ’05-’06, you’ll remember two names from back in the day that are currently on the Predators roster. Dave Scatchard, veteran center, was recalled from Nashville’s AHL affiliate in Milwaukee yesterday. The 33-year-old Scatchard appeared in 16 games with Boston to begin the ’05-’06 season before being shipped to Phoenix in exchange for defenseman David Tanabe. Also, University of Maine grad and former Bruin Ben Guite has played in 4 of 7 games for Nashville this season and may see action in the game. Guite put up 76 points in two seasons with Providence back in ’04 through ’06. Guite made just one appearance with the big boys, playing in one game with Boston during the ’05-’06 season.

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Bruins.

Late Sunday evening, Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli traded right wing Chuck Kobasew to the Minnesota Wild for a 2011 second-round pick, the rights to Alexander Fallstrom, a fourth-round pick in this past summer’s draft, and 28-year-old forward Craig Weller.

The trade, intended as a wake-up call to the Bruins, who have started the season with a lackluster 3-4-0 record, also sheds Kobasew’s $2.3 million annual salary, a hefty price for a forward who has only notched one assist (and no goals) in seven games.

A former Boston College Eagle, Kobasew found himself back in the area when Chiarelli traded Brad Stuart, Wayne Primeau, and a fourth-round draft pick to the Calgary Flames for him and Andrew Ference in 2007. Since then, Kobasew was one of Boston’s top producers, scoring 22 goals in addition to 17 assists in 2007-2008 and tallying 21 goals and 21 assists last season. With linemates Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi, the team’s third line became one of the league’s best two-way combinations, scoring flashy goals and playing gritty defense. However, looking out of sorts to start the season, Kobasew’s lack of productivity and cumbersome salary condemned him to the trading block.

Neither player received in return for Kobasew are expected to make an immediate impact: Fallstrom, a Swedish native, began his freshman year at Harvard University this fall, and Weller, a fifth-round pick by the St. Louis Blues in 2000, will report to Providence. Instead, the Bruins recalled Brad Marchand (who has six goals and two assists in eight AHL games this season) and Vladimir Sobotka from the P-Bruins with the expectation that both will play in Boston’s next game on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators.

With the loss of Milan Lucic to the long-term injured reserve (broken finger), the line breakdown looks like this:

• First line: Marco Sturm, Marc Savard, and Michael Ryder 
• Second line: Sobotka, David Krejci, and Blake Wheeler
• Third line: Recchi, Bergeron, with Marchand
• Fourth line: Guillaume Lefebvre (or Byron Bitz), Steve Bégin, and Shawn Thorton

Analysis:

Players and fans both liked Chuck Kobasew for his gritty style and goal-scoring ability. However, neither he nor the team was producing up to expectations, a fact Chiarelli realized. This trade should jolt the locker room back into the hockey state of mind the B’s had last season, when they lost only six games at home.

The biggest benefit of this trade is the salary cap space gained, which gives the Bruins slightly more than $3 million worth of flexibility. With the cap space coupled with two first-round picks and three second-round picks in next year’s draft, the Bruins could be lining the stars up for a big trade later in the season, perhaps before the All-Star Break. Even if nothing comes of it, the Bruins will have plenty of draft picks and prospects to enjoy in the future.

© Erikk for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

In a hard fought contest, the Bruins took a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets to conclude their preseason. The 1st period saw quick scoring as Matthew Calvert of Columbus slipped one through the legs of Boston goalie Tuukka Rask (best name ever) at just 2:42 into the game. Three and a half minutes in, in fact, the Bruins were being out-shot 6-0. Boston later answered at 7:03 into the period on a score by Vladimir Sobotka.

The 2nd period was relatively tame, with the lone action coming on a goal by Zdeno Chara at 5:56 in. The Bruins lead lasted until 6:43 into the 3rd, when Raffi Torres scored for Columbus on a tip-in. Then, Columbus got subsequent goals from Nikita Filatov and Derek Dorsett at 12:35 and 17:38 into the period respectively, giving the Blue jackets the 4-2 lead and eventual final score.

B’s Stud of the Game: Zdeno Chara

Chara’s goal in the 2nd capitalized on a power play advantage, and capped off a sequence of great puck movement by the Boston line.

B’s Dud of the Game: Tuukka Rask

The game slipped through Rask’s fingers (and more literally, legs) when he gave up an explosion to Columbus’ offense in the 3rd, and gave them a two-goal lead with 2:22 to play.

JERRY!! JERRY!! Moment of the Game:

With about 3:30 left in the game, Rask was accidentally bowled over while attempting to get back to the net. This sprouted two fights with 3:21 left, consisting of Chuck Kobasew and Shawn Thornton trading punches with Michael Blunden and Jared Boll of Columbus, respectively, to defend their goalie’s honor. Thornton landed some especially good looking blows (except if you’re Jared Boll) before being tackled. The situation resulted in a power play for Columbus on Kobasew’s 2:00 roughing penalty, which later led to Columbus’ fourth goal.

Game Notes:

• The Bruins started the game with a 24-man roster; the limit for the start of the regular season is 23.
• Columbus went 1-7 on the power play; the Bruins went 1-5
• With a 5-2-1 record in the preseason, the Bruins racked up 11 points, 2nd in the East behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, and 3rd overall behind the Vancouver Canucks.

© John for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

Last season, the Boston Bruins scored 274 goals, second only to the Detroit Red Wings’ 295. With Phil Kessel (36 goals), Michael Ryder (27), and Marc Savard (25) leading the way, the B’s coupled their smothering defense with a potent offense that earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference. While their efforts fell short, no one can doubt the team’s offensive ability.

However, the Bruins’ front office has still not re-signed Kessel, a restricted free agent, and it seems most likely that he will not be rejoining the team this season. There have been very few signings, especially of forwards, made by the Bruins this off-season, which has many fans concerned that the offense will not perform as well as it did. It is certainly a valid point, but this line-by-line preview of the team’s forwards should dispel such a fear.

First Line: Lucic-Savard-Wheeler

During the 2008-2009 campaign, Milan Lucic, Marc Savard, and Phil Kessel were one of the top performing first lines in the whole of the NHL, combining for 78 goals, more than one-quarter of the team’s total. However, with Kessel’s pending departure, nearly half of those 78 goals disappear.

Fortunately for the Bruins, second-year forward Blake Wheeler, who scored 21 goals in 81 games as a rookie (and as a left wing, the opposite side he is used to playing), is ready and willing to step up. Alongside playmaker Savard and the ever-physical Lucic, Wheeler, a former Minnesota Golden Golpher like Kessel, is poised to have continued success, especially after adding 15 lbs. of muscle in the offseason to improve his conditioning. With all three players coming up to free agent status (Savard unrestricted, Lucic and Wheeler restricted) at the end of the season, they will all be performing at their best. This line, arguably one of the best in the NHL even without Kessel, should have no problem leading the team deeper into the playoffs than last season’s disappointing exit in the second round, if not all the way through.

Second Line: Sturm-Krejci-Ryder

Marco Sturm, who is coming off of major knee surgery, David Krejci, who is recovering from knee surgery, and Michael Ryder, who appears to be completely healthy, will compose the second line of forwards for this year’s Boston Bruins. Despite the injuries and fact that the line may not be assembled until November, this team will also be an incredibly powerful offensive force. Ryder, signed in the summer of 2008 to simply score goals, did just that last season, netting 27 of them. Krejci notched 22 of his own before sputtering out as his injured hip began to affect his play at the end of the season. Sturm, who scored 27 goals in each of his first two years with the Bruins, lasted only 19 games last season, going 7-6-13, before undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus and ACL in his left knee. As soon as Krejci and Sturm recover, this line could easily compete with the Lucic-Savard-Wheeler as the top performing line for the Bruins. Expect at least 25 goals from each of these talented forwards, including a possibly 30-35+ season for Sturm.

Third Line: Recchi-Bergeron-Kobasew

After Sturm ended his season to his surgery, Patrice Bergeron and Chuck Kobasew were left without one of their wingers who had always been alongside them. However, veteran Mark Recchi, who was traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to Boston in early March, filled the hole with amazing efficiency. With a significant amount of chemistry and an usual combination of offensive potential and defensive grit, this line not only scored goals last season, but also played as an alternative checking line, facing some of the NHL’s top scoring lines. The three combined to become Boston’s best two-way line, a title they took a great deal of pride in.

While Recchi’s age (41 years) has been growing concern, his determination to play through kidney stones in the playoffs seemed to dismiss any questions about his dedication and ability to play. Bergeron is still recovering from his life (never mind career) threatening concussions (one in each of the last two seasons), but he seemed to have overcome his fears by early April, when he took down Josh Gorges of the Montréal Canadiens. (You may recall Jack Edward’s quote, “Concuss that!” Just in case, though.) Kobasew plays as flawless as someone of his potential can, using his versatility to cover all areas of the ice. With Bergeron continuing to grow in confidence, this line could generate over 60 goals, in addition to preventing them with great skill. What more can you ask from them?

Fourth Line: Bégin-Thornton-Bitz

During his tenure in Boston, head coach Claude Julien has pulled a page from Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock’s playbook: rolling, and relying upon, a fourth line to allow the top lines to rest. Last season, Shawn Thorton, Byron Bitz, and Stéphane Yelle played approximately ten minutes per game, which proved to be effective as the first lines productivity increased greatly (despite less playing time; go figure). With the departure of Yelle, it will be up to former Canadien Steve Bégin, who was picked up in the off-season, to maintain the surliness and value of the fourth line. Meaning no disrespect to Yelle’s abilities and talents, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the ever-antagonizing Bégin, who also averaged 40% in the face-off circle last season. While not a goal scorer (8-5-13 in 62 games last season), Bégin will bring an increased physicality to the line with an undisputable reputation of fearlessness.

Thornton, the official enforcer of the team, isn’t a scorer either (six goals on 136 shots last season for 4.4%), but brings just as much, if not more, brute force as Bégin. While Bitz is still a young’n (24 years old), he’s seen as one of the Bruins top prospects for the fourth line, notching four goals and seven assists in 35 games last season. His bone-crushing checks have made him a fan favorite and have helped to usher in the return of the thuggish Bruins that the city has seen win Stanley Cups and for which they have always longed. Watch for Vladimir Sobotka to make a few trips up from Providence to work on this line, as well.

Conclusion

With the preseason opening earlier this week and the regular season two weeks away, it is unlikely these lines will be complete before November, if not later. However, once each player assumes their appropriate position, the Boston Bruins will once again have one of the league’s most effective offenses, with the first three lines pouring out at least 60 goals each and the fourth line shutting down opponent’s top lines. With such compelling expectations, it seems that the Bruins are poised for another playoff run. Hopefully, the forwards lead the way in bring Lord Stanley’s Cup back to Boston for the first time in 38 years.

© Erikk for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

On Saturday, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli announced the signing of puck-moving defenseman Derek Morris to a one-year, $3.3 million contract. The move comes immediately after the Bruins sent injury-prone Aaron Ward back to the Carolina Hurricanes for a fourth-round pick in the 2010-2011 NHL Entry Draft and Patrick Eaves, whose salary was instantly bought out.

Morris will don the spoked-B for his 13th season in the NHL, having spent his first 12 seasons playing for the Calgary Flames (where he played alongside current Bruins Marc Savard, Andrew Ference, Chuck Kobasew and Steve Begin), the Colorado Avalanche, the Phoenix Coyotes, and, most recently, the New York Rangers. The 30-year-old Edmonton, Alberta native, who averages over 20 minutes per game, has missed just seven games in the last three seasons, during which he scored 19 goals, tallied 51 assists, and compiled 238 PIM.

The former first-round pick of the Flames had his best season in 2002-2003, when he posted 11-37-48 totals. His numbers have decreased since being traded from the Avalanche to the Coyotes in the middle of the 2003-2004 season, but Chiarelli is confident in his most recent signing.

“We feel we’ve added a No. 2 defenseman to our mix,’’ general manager Peter Chiarelli said during a conference call yesterday. “We feel that we’ve improved and upgraded.’’

Going strictly by numbers, the move is indeed an improvement and upgrade. Morris notched 20 points in 75 games last season, compared to Ward, who was only about to play in 65 games, tallying 10 points. Furthermore, Morris brings a first pass puck-moving ability, which Ward was unable to contribute.

Morris, who was contacted by the Bruins on July 1, the first day of the free agency period, about coming to Boston, jumped at Chiarelli’s offer to play for an Original Six team he believes has a great chance to win the Stanley Cup in the next year.

“They showed interest right away,” Morris, who took a $600,000 pay cut, said of the Bruins. “That was kind of the way I was leaning to start with. Once I heard about the opportunity to play there, it was a no-brainer.”

How does this affect the Phil Kessel situation?

The signing of Morris has unfortunately further complicated the situation with the still-unsigned restricted Phil Kessel, who is currently recovering from surgery. Taking into account Eaves’ buyout, the upgrade on defense will cost the Bruins just over $1.05 million, leaving approximately $1.3 million for Kessel, which is not enough to re-sign. Kessel, who is reportedly requesting $4 million per year, is entitled to 75% of last year’s salary ($2.2 million), which amounts to $1.65 million. As a result, the Bruins will have to make a trade in order to accommodate Kessel’s contract unless another team submits an offer sheet.

In a conference call, Chiarelli said that the defense was all settled up, which means a defenseman will not be traded. This leaves Patrice Bergeron, Chuck Kobasew, Marc Savard, and Marco Sturm, to be traded (for draft picks or minor league prospects), unless Kessel himself is trade (which would have to be done after the Bruins sign him). Since Bergeron, Savard, and Sturm all have no-trade clauses, Kobasew is the most likely option. However, Chiarelli stated that he was done making deals for the moment, meaning that he either has found no interested teams or is keeping quiet until a deal is finalized.

Analysis of the Morris Acquisition

The addition of Morris is certainly an upgrade from Ward, no matter how much Ward was liked on and off the ice. The complications on the Kessel front are an unwelcome necessity. It is plausible that many teams are afraid of signing him after his surgery, meaning that he will be playing with the Bruins this season. As a result, the Bruins will have to trade Kobasew, unless Sturm agrees to waive his no-trade clause. Chiarelli has made some very intelligent moves this summer, but solving the Kessel scenario is still going to be a hurdle. Fortunately, the Bruins will end up with draft picks or prospects no matter how the deal works. Hopefully those prospects will be in addition to No. 81, not in the absence of him.

© Erikk for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

Did you ever stop and wonder why the Bruins had so much trouble in their second round series with the Hurricanes? It could be because the team had a piling list of injuries they did not disclose to the public. According to GM Peter Chiarelli, two top young forwards David Krejci and Phil Kessel will undergo off-season surgery and are questionable to be ready by the beginning of next season.

“There’s a variety of injuries we had throughout the course of the playoffs,” said Chiarelli. “Every team has injuries. But we seemed to have a few more than other teams. I have to hand it to the players for playing through those injuries.”

Krejci (NHL-best +37 this season) will have hip surgery next month, while Kessel will have shoulder surgery this week to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff. Krejci and Kessel are just two of a number of Bruins injured during the playoffs.

Defenseman Andrew Ference will undergo groin surgery in the off-season (OUCH). He tore his groin April 4, and re-injured it during the Canes series. Chuck Kobasew confirmed he played against the Hurricanes with two broken ribs, and suffered the injury during Game 1 against the Canes on a cross-check.

More from Boston.com’s Fluto Shinzawa:

Other Bruins who played through injuries included Mark Recchi (kidney stone), Marc Savard (knee), Milan Lucic (toe), and Zdeno Chara (shoulder, knee, and groin). Chara will not require surgery on any of his injuries. Savard noted that his knee problem probably would have kept him out for two weeks during the regular season.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

Michael Ryder scored a tie-breaking goal late in the second period against his former team, and Tim Thomas finished with 23 saves to push the Canadiens to the brink.

Chris Higgins got the scoring started for the B’s in the first period, and Phil Kessel answered with his third goal of the playoffs late in the first.

The Bruins took the lead wth Shawn Thornton’s goal at 3:36 of the first period. In a back-and-forth game, Montreal tied it at 2-2 with Yannick Weber’s goal less than two minutes later, but Ryder’s goal later in the period proved to be the difference.

Phil Kessel added an empty-netter late in the fourth for the win.

The Bruins face the Habs in Game 4 Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

Out recently with an undisclosed injury, Phil Kessel showed he’s ready for postseason play with three goals (one in each period) and an assist to finish the season as the Bruins leading goal-scorer. Keep in mind, Kessel is just 21 years old.

Michael Ryder scored just 23 seconds into the game, and so the tone was set. Kessel scored later in the period to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead after one frame.

Marc Savard, Kessel, Chuck Kobasew each scored goals in the second period to grab a 5-0 lead before New York’s Radek Martinek scored with less than two minutes left.

Doug Weight scored early in the third period to cut the deficit to 5-2, but Kessel later added his third goal for the hat trick in a convincing 6-2 Bruins win.

The Islanders lost the last four games and were the worst team in the NHL this season. They finished with 47 regulation losses.

“It’s not fun winding up the worst team in the league,” Doug Weight said. “It can only get better from here.”

For the Bruins, the sky’s the limit now. The team faces a familiar foe coming up in the first round of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.