Bruins 3, Blue Jackets 2 (SO)

The good news is that the Bruins left Columbus with 2 points, ending their season long 4 game losing streak. The not so good news is that they barely did it. If not for some heart-attack saves by Rask, the Bruins would have once again found themselves outworked, and outscored by a significantly inferior opponent.

Even if the B's had dominated and won 7-0, I wouldn't be happy. This team has "turned it around" too many times in the past for me to invest any more faith in them. And ultimately, it's Columbus. Who gauges where a team is at by its performance in Columbus?

Krejci technically got the Bruins on the board in the 2nd, but it was a point shot by Chara, set-up by Lucic winning a battle along the boards. The deflection was actually due to Krejci being boxed out of the crease, losing a battle, but finding himself "guided" by a Blue Jacket to the right place at the right time.

The second Bruins goal was from Peverley, who's played solidly since arriving, but has yet to properly demonstrate his skills. I think that's because he hasn't been lined up with a very talented supporting cast. Sort of like putting Edward Norton in a serious cop movie, but casting him alongside Jimmy Fallon and Charles Barkley.

The problem is, who would Peverley play with? Bergeron and Marchand are mired in slumps. The 4th line hasn't scored since Marchand left it (I actually think Marchand should return to them and focus on playing, not scoring. The goals will then come). I actually wouldn't mind seeing Peverly centering the 1st line with Lucic and Horton, because he can score, and Krejci cannot.

Anyway, the offense has to come from the defensemen for now.

And thank the hockey gods above, Michael Ryder was a healthy scratch. That's actually what Ryder means in the native tongue of Newfoundland. "He who is healthy, but unworthy of a roster spot."

In the end, though, Rask won this game with some acrobatics. His teammates occasionally bailed him out, but they also occasionally put him in bad situations. He got lost on Columbus' 2nd goal, but the play should have never happened. This team still struggles with breaking out of its own zone. Such a childish thing for an NHL team to struggle with.

Bruins visit another hockey hotbed on Thursday as they play the Predators in Nashville.

-The Commodore

Bruins @ Blue Jackets Preview

The Bruins are enjoying their longest losing streak of the season, which came right after their longest winning streak of the season. Maybe Rob was right, while I sat back and focused on all the positives, the same underlining problems were staring me in the face and I refused to see them.

The Bruins are inconsistent. They play great in stretches, then look like they shouldn't be in the playoffs at other times. It is really annoying to watch, and I really don't get it. Maybe Rob is right, maybe it's the coaches. Maybe some fans are right, and it's Chara's leadership, maybe we just all overrated this team. Whatever it is, I can't stand it.

The Bruins should win this game, because they are the better team. They have better forwards, better goaltending, better defense, but how many times have I written that in the last week or two?

What is the one constant this year? Every time I pick against the Bruins they win. So, I am going to ride that, and be really negative.

Blue Jacket's goalie Mason is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA in two career starts against Boston, and with the Bruins not firing on all cylinders on offense this could pose a serious problem. Also, Thomas has come back to Earth somewhat 0-1-2 with a 3.26 goals-against average in his last three starts. I wouldn't put too much into that though, as it's really the play of the team, and not really him.

The Bruins haven't beaten the Blue Jackets since Dec. 15, 2007, but hell who knows with this team.

Blue Jackets win 3-1
Player of the Game: Rick Nash

More Trades Coming For Bruins?

Since yesterday when the Bruins made a trade for Nathan Horton there have been rumors flying around...

"Some people are telling TSN's Darren Dreger that Marc Savard is available in a trade, and the New York Post's Larry Brooks adds that they've been "aggressively shopping Savard since the end of their season (ESPN)."

The onyl way I see the Bruins trading Savard is if they know Hall is going to get taken before they pick. If that is the case then the Bruins need to open up a center spot, and deal Savard would also give them some cap relief.

After the trade of Wideman the Bruins could also be on the lookout for a veteran defenseman to take his place. There have been rumors about a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs to bring in Tomas Kaberle, whom the Bruins have had interest in for a while.

Another rumors going around is that the Bruins might trade future draft picks, so they can get their hands on the Blue Jackets pick (#4 overall), so they can get their hands on a top defenseman (Erik Gudrbanson, Cam Fowler or Brandon Gormley). They Bruins should be able to pull off that deal if they want to since they have 4 pick in the first 2 rounds of next year draft, and a bunch of later picks this year as well.

Bruins 2 Blue Jackets 3

What the fuck is going on with Boston teams and blowing late game leads? Well the Bruins did it again last night blowing a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd, and then losing the game with only 1:16 remaining.

The Bruins out shot the Blue Jackets 32-22, and basically outplayed them all game. So how did they lose? Well one reason was a bullshit call on Lucic. The ref thought that Lucic's stick hit someone in the face, when in reality it was blatantly his own teammate. These types of things happen, so I refuse to blame the loss on that. The real reason they lost is because the Bruins don't have guys to put the fuck in the net. It sounds so simple, but the Bruins lack it.

Boston has a lot of play-makers on the roster (Savard, Krejci, Bergeron), but there are very few "snipers", which is why I think you will see the Bruins try to bring one in (since they have all those extra draft picks from the Kessel trade).

This was a very aggravating loss, and the Bruins are starting to lose their grip on a playoff spot. They need to get healthy, but above all else they need someone to step up and finish these plays.

Blue Jackets @ Bruins Preview

The Blue Jackets are one of the worst teams in the NHL. They are another team I categorize as a place that shouldn't have a team anyways (like Nashville, Phoenix, ect). Anyways, the Bruins should beat this team, but that has been the problem with the Bruins all year (along with health) is that they play down to their opponent. Hopefully they can shake that tonight.

Boston day by day is getting healthier. Krejci and Bergeron are back, so at least they have some good centers that can play, since Savard is still out. What I am looking for tonight is solid effort for 3 full periods. I know it sounds so simple, but Boston has a hard time doing that consistently (much like the Celtics).

The Bruins know they will get solid goaltending no matter who is in net, but it has been the defense that has been inconsistent in that end. Chara is having a very up and down year, and we heard Julien call out Wideman for his inconsistent effort.

The Bruins need to start racking up some point. As of today they are in 7th place (top 8 teams make it) in the Eastern Conference, and only 3 points are keeping them in the playoffs.

I think the Bruins get it done tonight 3-1.

Bruins @ Blue Jackets

The Bruins look to avoid losing their 4th straight game on the road tonight when the face the Blue Jackets. Columbus on the other hand is riding high have demolishing the Red Wings 8-2 on Saturday. The good news for Boston is they are getting healthier, and they won't have to deal with Manny Fernandez's shenanigans in net tonight, since Tim Thomas is starting.

Boston will have newly acquired Montador tonight, and hopefully he can add a defensive spark tonight. He is not overly talented, but is one tough son of a bitch. I expect tonight to be the night when the Bruins finally get their act together. I expect a tight game, but I think players like Ryder and Savard will have a big game.

The key to the game will be Boston ability to stop Nash, who has five goals in his last four games, and 31 goals and 33 assists already this season. Chara and Co. will get the job done, and Boston will end their road slide.

Notes:
- Yelle will not be able to play tonight because of an upper body injury.
- Ryder had two goals and an assist in three against Columbus.

Game is at 7pm on NESN.