Bruins @ Canucks: Game 7

This series feels like it has been going on for months. There have been so many story lines it's like reading some kind of epic novel. Biting, being down 2-0, Horton's injury, the suspension, Luongo's epic fails, Mason Raymond's injury, Sedin guaranteeing victory, and so on, but all of that is in the past. None of it matters. It just 3 periods left to decide who gets the Cup, who history remembers, because in the end that's all that matters.

I could be wrong about 1 thing. It may take more then 3 periods, and if that is the case would anyone be surprised?

This game boils down to two things. STATS vs. MOMENTUM.

STATS:

In every way stats favor the Canucks. They are 3-0 at home. Luongo has let up 2 goals in 3 games at home with 2 shutouts (something like 16 goals when in Boston). The Bruins have never won a Game 7 on the road in four previous attempts. NHL teams are 12-3 in Game 7 Cup contests when playing at home. All these things make you think there is 0 chance the Bruins will pull this off. If this game was up to stats it would already be over. The Canucks would be raising the Cup.

MOMENTUM:

Boston crushed the Canucks last time out. They have crushed them 3 out of the last 4 games, and only lost the other game by 1 goal (Game 5 1-0). Thomas hasn't had a bad game. Luongo has had several. The Bruins seem head strong, and tougher then the Canucks. They are wearing them down, as more and more defenseman for the Canucks have to sit out. Overall the Bruins have outscored the mighty juggernaut that is the Canucks offense 19-8. Seems crazy for a mostly inept scoring team like the Bruins. If this game was won on momentum the Bruins would be raising the Cup.

The bottom line is neither of those things matter. Stats are fun to see, but there are always exceptions. Momentum is great, but we have seen it stop before (Game 5). What it comes down to is who makes the mistake. Will the Bruins make that stupid pass in their own end that costs them a goal? Will Luongo shit is pants? Those are the things that matter.

It will be whoever has the legs left. The Bruins lost Horton. The Canucks have lost Mason Raymond and defensive depth. Who can put that one last game of effort in? That's what will decide this. The Bruins need their legs, they need to be more physical. The Canucks have to have their speed, then need to out skate the Bruins.

I have watched the Bruins all year, and when they have their backs against the wall they play their best. I think they do it one last time, and the take the Cup back to Boston for the first time in 39 years.

Bruins win 3-1
Players of the Game: Thomas/Seidenberg/Marchand
Game starts at 8pm on NBC

Canucks @ Bruins Preview: Game 6

After watching Lebron fall apart last night everything in the word felt right. Good triumphed over evil, and cock ass douchebags got what they deserved. The Canucks aren't far behind Lebron in the douchebag category. Tonight we get to see if good can triumph once again.

After all the biting, diving, and name calling the bottom line is that Boston is down 3-2. They have lost all three games in close contests. When they have won they have won big. They also have won those games at home, and tonight that's exactly where they are. It's been an odd series for me. When it started I thought the Canucks would beat them in 5. When the Bruins tied the series 2-2 I thought the Bruins would win it in 6. Now I don't know what to think.

The Canucks are a better team, but they are also the softer team. If you beat them early they collapse, but if comes you let them stay in the game they have just too many good players that they will eventually find their way around Thomas. I hate when people say "they gotta score first", but in this game I don't think it could be more true. If Boston scores first you know it will be in the Canucks/Luongo head "Oh no, it's happening again". That's what Boston needs to do. They need the crowd going crazy, and to break this soft ass team.

Thomas will play great. At this point it's basically a given. What's not a given is how the forwards will play. Will Lucic be a force? Will Bergeron shoot? Will someone on the powerplay show up? In games 3/4 they did. In the others...not so much. I think Boston shows up tonight. They have been head strong all season, and I think they will come out playing fast. Like I said before if they jump on these guys early they will crack. I say they crack, Boston wins and anything can happen in Game 7's.

Bruins win 4-1
Player of the Game: Thomas/Lucic
Game starts at 8pm

Canucks @ Bruins Preview: Game 4

The loss of Horton is one that is going to sting. He is probably the Bruins 2nd best scorer, and there is very little they can do to make up for that. Yet, the Bruins have a lot going for them. Thomas proved he is by far the best player in this series. Most people didn't notice just how good he was in Game 3, but he might have been the most impressive player.

The Bruins also could be in Roberto Luongo. He looked terrible and the Bruins learned all they really just need to go high on this guy and he can't handle it. So, maybe this is the beginning of the end for him.

The Bruins came out with a vengeance once Horton was knocked out. That won't be the same tonight and I expect a much closer game. That being said, when I think of this series it makes me think back to 2002 when McLaren injured Richard Zednik of the Montreal Canadiens with an elbow to the face and was suspended for 3 games. The Bruins got crushed the rest of the series and eventually lost the series 4-2. I think this is going to be a similar event for the Canucks. The Bruins lost the better player, but this team now has a rallying cry.

The only thing that worries me is that the refs are going to call such a tight game that there will be a ton of penalties. We all know that favors the Canucks, but I will side with the vengeance/momentum over banking on the refs.

Bruins win 4-2
Player of the Game: Thomas (goes without saying), and Peverley
Game starts at 8pm on Versus

Canucks @ Bruins Preview

The Bruins have showed over the last two games that they can play with the Canucks. They have also showed that they are still prone to silly mistakes, and that is what has been costing them.

The Bruins waste a lot of rushes up ice with silly turnovers and they have been lucky so far it hasn't cost them more goals then it has. The key (as it's been all season) is to eliminate these mistakes.

The other key is getting more pressure on Luango. They did it through 2 periods last game, but just like game 1 when the 3rd period came around they ran out of steam. It's tough because Chara is playing so much, but he is supposed to be one of the best defenseman in the league, and when you are on of the best defenseman you play a lot of minutes, so no excuses.

There is a rumor going around Thornton might be in the lineup tonight. I am not sure who he will replace, but he will add even more physicality to the Bruins. The question is who is replaces, because if he takes Paille or Campbell spot then it could hurt the penalty kill, and if he takes Seguin's spot you are just hurting an offense that isn't playing all that well.

Obviously, if the Bruins lose tonight the series is over. They have to not only win tonight, but win the next game too to get back in this series. Do I feel confident? No, but they have played these guys tough and maybe the home crowd gives them just that little extra burst they need.

Bruins win 3-2 (OT)
Player of the Game: Lucic
Game starts at 8pm

Canucks Are A Bunch Of Pillow Biters

"Wearing an adhesive bandage on his left index finger, Bruins center Patrice Bergeron confirmed following the team's Game 1 loss to the Canucks in the Stanley Cup finals that Vancouver winger Alexandre Burrows bit him at the end of the first period.

"Oh yeah, he did," said Bergeron. "He cut me a little bit on my finger, but I'm not going to complain about it. I'll let the league do their job, but he sure did [bite me] (WEEI)."

Who the fuck bites?

I was wondering what happened, because Bergeron never get that upset, and he was going all Evander Holyfield at the end of the first peroid.

I know the NHL is wierd with suspensions, but this guy has to get at least a game. According to Ray Bourque, Burrows has a history of being a dirty player, which is all the more reason I will be pissed if I see him on the ice Saturday.

Lightning @ Bruins Preview: Game 7

Well, it comes down to this. Bruins played all year so that they could have home ice, and now they have it with a chance to go the the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.

Before I go into what may happen tonight, let's take a trip down memory lane. As I have stated before I was a huge Bruins fan as a child. One of my earliest memories comes from the 1990 finals. The Bruins going against the Oilers, who were basically the greatest team alive. Bruins force overtime. They get Oilers' goalie Bill Ranford down and out, with Glen Wesley with an open net from the slot area. He misses it right over the crossbar, and the Bruins lost in the 3rd overtime, and that changed the whole series.

I have never forgiven Glen Wesley cursing his very name even today.

Why do I tell you this story? Because Kaberle is becoming my new Glen Wesley. Yes there was a difference Wesley had his good moments while I have not seen one good thing from Kaberle. Bottom line is that throughout my Bruins memory it always ends in tragedy.

It's weird with all the other Boston teams I am so optimistic. I think there is a chance, they some how some way they will get it done. I have Tom Brady to thank for that, because he was the one who finally made me a believer in what I was rooting for. Yet, as the Bruins head to Game 7 it's hard to have that same feeling. It's been hell being a Bruins fan (even resulting in a 4 year hiatus).

This year has been different though. I hate to break this to everyone, but the Bruins AREN'T THAT GOOD. Usually, the Bruins lose to teams I think they are better then. Not this year, they are doing it with a hot goalie. Tim Thomas is already the best goalie I have seen on the Bruins (Yes, even better then my beloved Andy Moog). Maybe that's all it takes, maybe he is the Bruins Tom Brady. Maybe it's time to believe.

Like I said the Bruins have home ice. Thomas is coming off a subpar game, and I find that he always bounces back and rarely has back-to-back bad games. So, tonight I expect great things.

The power play? It's not going to magically get fixed, but I do believe it could be better. Bergeron should be on the point, Chara in front of the net, Seguin has to get some minutes, and Recchi needs to get off. If you do that I think they should be able to do something.

This is a Game 7, and that usually means the refs let them play. That's fantastic news for the Bruins, because they are a better 5 on 5 team. They are deeper, so if they stay out of the box they will win.

I believe.

Bruins win 5-1
Player of the Game: Thomas/Bergeron
Game starts at 8pm

Stop Making Excuses Bruins!

"Bruins coach Claude Julien said he "disagreed" with the officiating in Wednesday's Game 6 loss to the Lightning. The Bruins had five power plays to the Lightning's four, but players and the coach took issue with some of the calls.

"What was more disappointing is probably the fact that I don't know if I agree with those calls," Julien said when asked about special teams. "Hopefully what was said today didn't have any impact on that, because if it did, I'd be really disappointed. You look back at those, and you get an opportunity to look back at them, and it's really, really tough to swallow (WEEI)."

The Bruins have had more power plays all serious, and I have had zero problem with the way this series has been called. I hate this kind of stuff, because it's just one big excuse to why they lost. The Bruins lost because they have the worst power play in the league, and Tim Thomas didn't bail out the rest of the team. It's really that simple.

Back in the Montreal series I would agree that the officiating was at times terrible, but how do you complain about the officiating when you have had more power plays? It's just fucking stupid. Instead of crying about some bullshit, why don't you take this time and kill Kaberle, or at the very least take him off the power play?

Bruins @ Lightning: Game 6

The Bruins are one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990. Visions of Glen Wesley hitting the post are racing through my head, but we'll get back to that at a later date.

The Lightning have decided to go back to Roloson, which I think is something Bruins fans should be excited about. He has looked shaky for the most part during this entire series. Maybe his time off will get him back on track, but I doubt it. Smith really scared me. He is huge and really played well last game (in my opinion).

No matter who is in net the Bruins have to play a lot better then they did last time out. They can't just sit back and hope that Tim Thomas is Jesus Christ every game. He is the difference in this series, because if it wasn't for him I think the Lightning would be up in this series. Saying that, goalies are the most important and the Bruins have the best one in the NHL.

What do the Bruins need to do?

Well at this point we sound like a broken record. They can't turn the puck over in their own end. They can't get silly penalties, and it would be nice for once to actually do something on the power play. Bottom line is Thomas has to played out of his head again for the Bruins to get past the Lightning. Tampa is going to throw everything at him again tonight, and I do have a bad feeling about this game. Still, how can you against Timmy Thomas? I sure can't.

Bruins win 3-2 (OT)
Player of the Game: Thomas/Bergeron
Game starts at 8pm

Lightning @ Bruins: Game 5

The Bruins had the Lightning beat. Up 3-0 about to be up 3-1 in the series heading back to Boston, then they decided to shit the bed. We have seen this so many times it makes me sick to think about, but this team has turned it around so many times that you just can't give up on them.

I don't know for sure, but I don't see Roloson being between the pipes for Tampa. He looked so shaky, and all of this is terrible news for the Bruins. Smith looked really good, he is really big, and we all know it just takes a hot goalie. Saying that, the Bruins also didn't pressure him, and the effort they gave after the 1st period was laughable at best.

Kaberle is killing the Bruins. He doesn't battle in the corners, he's made no difference on the powerplay, and he makes costly turnovers seemingly every game. It's unacceptable, and he has to be one of the biggest bust pickups for the Bruins ever. It's not just Kaberle with the silly turnovers, he just does it the most, so he stands out.

If Boston doesn't turnover the puck, they will win this series. I think they fix their mistakes, because that's what they have done all season.

Bruins win 4-3 (OT)
Player of the Game: Bergeron
Game starts at 8pm

Bergeron Likely To Play Tonight (UPDATED)

"Given how smoothly Bergeron’s recovery has proceeded, it’s a good bet the Bruins alter nate captain will make his debut in the Eastern Conference finals tonight in Game 3 against the Lightning at St. Pete Times Forum (Boston Herald)."

The latest from Twitter says that he skated this morning and looked good to go. So I would expect him to be playing tonight. If he is 100% this is a huge gain for the Bruins. Bergeron is so good on the penalty kill, and helps the defense a lot with his backchecking skills. The question now is who would sit. I have said from the beginning I think it should be Thornton, but we will update when there is official word on if he is playing, and if he does who is sitting.

***UPDATE***

Yup, he's playing...

"Bruins center Patrice Bergeron will play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Lightning after missing the first two games with a mild concussion, according to a report by ESPN (WEEI).

Bruins @ Lightning: Game 3

We do not have word yet if Bergeron will play tonight, so I will keep him out of my preview.

This has been a surprising starting to this series. The two best goalies in the playoffs have let up a total of 18 goals in two games. Consider before this series they were both averaging around 2 GAA per game that's pretty amazing. The other shocking story line is that rookie Tyler Seguin has been amazing (3 goals, 3 assists in 2 games).

I am a big Tim Thomas fan, but to say that he has looked sharp I think would be far from the truth. Don't get me wrong he has made some amazing saves, but he has also let in some weak goals. Still, the defense has to play a lot better, because there are too many times the Bruins are getting burned in transition.

The Bruins almost blew that game the other night, and the Lightning proved they can score in a hurry. Chara really needs to play better. I would say Kaberle needs to too, but at this point he seems like a lost cause. One thing I really liked last game is Boston came out hitting. I think that set the stage for there to be a lot of open ice, so that the Bruins speed (Seguin) to have a lot more ice to work with.

Tonight's going to be a really tough game, but if Boston can play better defense they can win this and take control of the series.

Bruins win 3-1 (I know low scoring, but eventually these goalies are going to get hot)
Player of the Game: Horton
Game starts at 8pm on Versus

Lightning @ Bruins: Game 2

Bruins Bruins lost last game, because of stupid turnovers and a couple weak goals early. I am willing to look past some of it (weak goals) and chalk it up to rust. Tonight, they need to play a lot better defense though, and they need to out physical Tampa Bay.

Lets not kid ourselves the Lightning are a much better offensive team, and they are faster, but the Bruins are bigger and stronger. Much like the Canadiens the key to the Bruins success will be to wear them down. Hit them every time they have the puck, play the puck on the boards, and make them scrap to get it out. Basically, slow down the game a bit.

In the first game I thought Chara, Seidenberg, and Kaberle didn't play well. The Bruins strength is their goaltending and defense, so they need these guys to step up. As we wrote earlier the Bruins are down their best defensive forward (Bergeron), so that is even more pressure on them.

I am hoping to see Seguin on the powerplay. The kid showed last game that he has the most talent on offense, and the Bruins need something to spark that unit. You can't continue to win if you never score on the powerplay. The Ligthning are going to score, no matter how good Thomas is, so the Bruins can't give away opportunities.

I think the Bruins will win tonight, and I expect them to come out hitting.

Bruins win 4-3 (OT)
Player of the Game: Chara
Game starts at 8pm

Sounds Like Bergeron Might Play Game 2 (2 UPDATES)

"Before practice, Bergeron took to the ice and skated in front of general manager Peter Chiarelli before participating in drills focusing on the power play and penalty kill. He was then cleared by the coaching staff to join in full practice. Bergeron participated in a light skate before Saturday morning’s pregame skate at the Garden and skated again Sunday before being cleared for Monday morning’s practice (WEEI)."

Sure sounds like Bergeron is going to play, which I find shocking. Especially after the death of Derek Boogaard, which could be linked to head shots. Bergeron has had a couple of bad concussions in his career, and I am shocked that they would let this happen after seeing Savard's career basically end.

Getting past that and looking to the game, if Bergeron plays like he did before the concussion that could be huge for the Bruins. I hope they stick with Seguin though, as he was probably the Bruins best player in game one. Maybe they can sit Thornton or someone like that. Anyways, this would definitely help the Bruins power play, and they are going to need their best defensive players out there with Tampa's awesome forwards. We'll keep you posted.

***UPDATE***

Bergeron did not don his usual yellow (second-line) jersey, though he did participate in line drills, rotating in on his regular line that now consists of Brad Marchand, Mark Recchi and Rich Peverley. He also took part in special teams drills prior, though he left the ice early without taking contact. While it seems the center is making quick progress, coach Claude Julien didn't offer too much on where the 25-year-old stands.

"He's going through the protocol of what he has to go through," Julien said. "There's not much more to update you guys on except [to say] when he is ready to go, you guys will know it. You can't predict how quickly or how soon it's going to be. It's just one of those situations where right now you see him going through today's skate. That's protocol. Right now we're not ready to make any comments, because he's just going through those stages."

Asked specifically about Bergeron's chances of playing in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Lightning on Tuesday, Julien was not ready to lean either way.

"No comments," the coach said. "I don't know (WEEI)."


***UPDATE 2***

Bergeron skated this morning with the team, but as Scan pointed out in the comment section (and was confirmed today) Bergeron will be out Game 2.

A Bandwagoner's Guide to Hockey

The Celtics are out. But you still want a reason to go out drinking on a Tuesday night and celebrate with your fellow Bostonians. And in a surreal twist of fate, you're watching Boston Bruins games. Because the Bruins are, at the moment, the best sports team in New England.

I'm not going to judge you for being a bandwagoner. Bandwagoners are byproducts of success. I remember once in 2005 I was mocking a friend of mine because she had a turquoise Sox hat and didn't know who Mark Bellhorn was. Then she made the very poignant argument, that why should I care what "grade" of fan other people were. She argued that the team winning should be more important to me. Since then, I don't really care who's a bandwagoner, who's a frontrunner, who's a fair-weathered fan, who's a die-hard, et cetera.

But here's a basic guide to hockey for you newer fans. It's a complex game, and I won't bother to explain the intricate nuances. This is strictly a 100 level course so you don't get too lost.

1. Zones
The ice is divided by blue lines into three zones (ignore that red line at the middle, it's meaningless). The offensive zone, the neutral zone, the defensive zone. The offensive zone is where your team shoots. The defensive zone is where the opponent shoots. The neutral zone is between the blue-lines.

2. Offsides:
The puck has to be the first thing into the offensive zone. Offensive players can't beat the puck over that big blue line. If they do, there's a whistle, then a faceoff outside the zone.

3. Icing:
You can't just slap the puck out of your defensive zone and all the way up the ice. Doing so results in a faceoff back in the defensive zone, and you can't change your players. Sometimes, icing is waved off. It's too complicated to explain why and when that happens.

4. Penalties:
When someone commits a penalty, they have to go into the penalty box, and their team can't replace them on the ice. So one team will have 5 skaters against another team's 4. It's called a Power Play, and it's an excellent opportunity to score. The more common penalties you'll see:

High-sticking: One player's stick accidentally or intentionally hits an opponent high in the head/shoulder area.

Interference: Hitting someone who doesn't have the puck.

Hooking: Using the stick to hook an opponent, usually in the mid-section.

Tripping: Using the stick to trip an opponent.

Slashing: Using the stick to... you know.

Holding: Using hand(s) to impede the progress of an opponent.

Roughing: Difficult to define. Any physical play that's beyond the normal pushing and shoving.

Fighting: Usually doesn't result in a Power Play because it does indeed take two to tango and each team's player will receive a penalty. Fights are rare in playoff hockey, but they do happen, and they're tolerated, but still penalized.

5. Following the Puck:
New fans often find it difficult to follow the puck. Especially if they've been drinking and/or take their eyes off the screen for a moment. Don't worry. Most of the action occurs away from the puck, and the best plays happen so fast that you need slow motion replays to see what really happens anyway. So don't get too overly focused on the puck, and don't worry about losing it.

6. Who is on the Ice?
Changing players on the fly is integral to hockey's constant speed. But it also means that casual fans drinking beers and munching on a basket of wings have no idea who is on the ice or when. So listen to the play-by-play guys to figure that out. Remember that the defensemen hang out by the blue-line on offense, the forwards move around the net. On defense, the defensemen hover around the net, the forwards skate around near the blue-line. That's all you need to know. And that very large man with a #33 on his back is Zdeno Chara. You'll always be able to recognize him.

7. What's the "C" and "A" mean?
"C" stands for Captain. You should know that from your pinkhat love of Jason Varitek. "A" stands for Alternate Captain. There is one C and two A's on each team. They're the only players allowed to discuss things with the refs.

8. Why the Beards?
It's sort of a playoff tradition/superstition for players to let their beards grow out. I don't know what female hockey players stop shaving during big tournaments. Nor do I care to find out.

9. Goals, Assists, Points
Obviously you know what a goal is. Assists are given to the last two teammates to touch the puck before the goal-scorer (unless one of them is the goal-scorer himself). Points are just a player's goals, plus their assists. Always call a goal a goal. It's not a point.

10. Plus/Minus
The +/- stat keeps track of how well a team does while a certain player is on the ice. If a player is on the ice when his team scores, his plus/minus goes up 1. If he's on the ice when the opponent scores, it goes down 1. The scoring or allowing of Power Play goals do not affect this stat. All you need to know is that a positive "plus/minus" is indicative of good overall play. Example: Dennis Seidenberg finished the Philadelphia series +10.

PLAYER CHEAT SHEET
Just a few quick notes on some Bruins players that you can drop at the bar and sound like a knowledgeable fan.

Tim Thomas: Spent a significant amount of his early career playing in Finland, winning awards for best goalie in 1998, and best player in 2005. He'll likely win the Vezina this year, which is given to the best goalie. He won the Vezina two years ago.

Zdeno Chara: Tallest player in NHL history at 6' 9"

Daniel Paille: Failed to make the starting lineup for most of the season. Now part of the 4th line, and an important penalty killer (he's on the ice when the opponent has a Power Play).

Dennis Seidenberg: Born in Schwenningen, Germany. One of 8 German born players in the NHL.

Shawn Thornton: Scored a career high 10 goals this year. Thornton, along with teammate Gregory Campbell, is one of only 6 NHL players to score 10+ times and fight 10+ times this season.

Mark Recchi: 43 years old, 1,652 NHL games, plus 175 playoff games. Won the Cup in '91 and 2006. 19th all-time with 577 goals, 13th all-time with 956 assists. You just need to remember that he's old, he's played a lot of hockey, he's scored a lot of goals. The Bruins acquired him via trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nathan Horton and Brad Marchand: This is their first time playing playoff hockey. They've done well for themselves, each scoring 5 times in the playoffs.

PRONUNCIATION HELP
You don't want to sound like a jackass by mispronouncing the names of the players. So here's some phonetic assistance with the tougher ones.

Patrice Bergeron: Pat-reese Burj-ur-awn

David Krejci: David Kray-chee

Rich Peverley: Rich Pev-er-lee (it's not a French name)

Tyler Seguin: Tyler Sayg-in (hard G)

Milan Lucic: Mee-lawn Looch-eech

Brad Marchand: Brad March-and (like the month)

Daniel Paille: Dan-yell Pie-yay

Mark Recchi: Marck Reck-ee

Johnny Boychuk: Johnny Boy-chuck

Zdeno Chara: Zuh-day-no Char-ah

Andrew Ference: Andrew Fair-ence (rhymes with fence)

Shane Hnidy: Shane Nie-dee (ignore the H)

Tomas Kaberle: Toe-mah-ss Cab-er-lay

Steve Kampfer: Steve Camp-fur

Dennis Seidenberg: Dennis Side-in-berg

Tuuka Rask: Too-kah Rask (sounds like rash)

Claude Julien: Klo-d (rhymes with road) Jewl-ee-en

-The Commodore

Bruins Conference Finals Schedule Released

Game 1: Saturday May 14th 8pm @ Boston
Game 2: Tuesday May 17th 8pm @ Boston
Game 3: Thursday May 19th 8pm @ Tampa Bay
Game 4: Saturday May 21st 1:30pm @ Tampa Bay
Game 5: Monday May 23rd 8pm @ Boston (if necessary)
Game 6: Wednesday May 25th 8pm @ Tampa Bay (if necessary)
Game 7: Friday May 27th 8pm @ Boston (if necessary)

Bruins Plans With No Bergeron (UPDATED)

Patrice Bergeron is going to miss at least the first couple games after suffering yet another concussion. That is a big blow to the Bruins, as Rob wrote before, he is the key to the Bruins power play, and the best defensive forward the Bruins have. For now it seems Kelly will take his place on the 2nd line. Kelly has been playing really well, but I hate that they are having to break up these lines.

"Chris Kelly moved into the second-line center slot where Bergeron was, between Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi, while Tyler Seguin was playing right wing on the third line with Rich Peverley at center and Michael Ryder on the left wing (ESPN)."

This still open a roster spot, and that seems like it is going to be filled by Tyler Seguin. I like this just because I want to see how this kid reacts to playoff hockey. Who knows maybe he can help out this awful power play. Plus the Lightning are a juggernaut on offense, and the Bruins could use some guys that are fast and goal scorers. It'll be real interesting to see how he plays.

As for Bergeron, I really doubt we see him again in these playoffs.

***UPDATE***

Bruins center Patrice Bergeron was at TD Garden Tuesday, and while he did not practice with his teammates, his mere presence is something the team is taking as a positive sign for the concussed the25-year-old.

"He's doing better," coach Claude Julien said. "He's here and he's doing better, so again, he's dealing with the concussion symptoms and everything else, the protocol of it. He's here today because he's feeling better. I think we're getting some positive feedback from him (WEEI)."

Bruins 5, Flyers 1

No need for anxiety. No need for panic. The Bruins took care of business Friday night and let all their fans relax a little bit.

A few weeks ago, I stressed the importance of improvement in the playoffs. From game to game, from series to series. And the reason the Bruins are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1992 is because they've improved.

Remember those painful turnovers in Games 1 and 2 of the Canadiens series? Remember Marchand and Horton playing with the jitters?

The turnovers stopped. Marchand and Horton were the Bruins' best forwards in the Philly series. The Power Play actually scored a 5-on-4 goal (eventually). Chara's fully hydrated. And Lucic scored twice in Game 4, ending a long drought.

It was a sweep, but it wasn't utter domination. Thomas stole Game 2. Game 4 was a nail-biter until the late stages. And in those tight games, the Bruins showed some character. They fought the tough battles, won most of them, and that's why they are where they are.

And it's nice sweeping, not just because it's easy on the nerves. Thomas gets a few extra days to rest. Chara and Seidenberg will be worked like mules, and they could use some time to recuperate. Unfortunately, there's not enough time for Bergeron to recover from a concussion. That's a huge loss.

Bergeron is the best defensive forward, best penalty killing forward, best faceoff taker, and he's become an offensive playmaker with Marchand and Recchi.

And against the Lightning, a defensive forward would have been nice to put on the ice against Stamkos. That will be an interesting series. Tampa Bay has some of the most talented forwards in the NHL. The Bruins have some of the best defensemen and the best goalie.

The series will start when the two Western series are decided.

-The Commodore

Bruins 5, Flyers 1

Well I won't sleep for the next 48 hours. Last year, the Bruins beat the Flyers 4-1 to take a 3-0 lead in the series. It was May 5th. And we know what followed.

However, last night we saw some of what makes the 2010-11 Bruins different from the 2009-10 team that choked so badly. Here are those differences:

#1 Tim Thomas:
Timmy has stopped 80 of the last 81 shots he's faced. He extended Game 2 for the Bruins, allowing them to win, even though they weren't the best team on the ice. Rask allowed 14 goals in the last 4 games of the series last year. He wasn't awful, though he wasn't that good. And he was nowhere near Tim Thomas' level.

#2 Health:
Last year, Seidenberg was out. So was Krejci. And Lucic was nursing an injury. This year, the Flyers are hurt much more. Without Pronger, they're a different team. I'd be shocked if Pronger doesn't play in Game 4, but how effective can he be? The Bruins have the good fortune of health at the moment.

#3 Marchand and Horton:
Horton has 2 goals and 3 assists in this series. Marchand has 2 goals and 2 assists. Last year, Marchand was a healthy scratch on the extended Bruins' playoff roster. Horton was golfing in Florida. This is the first postseason for both of them, and it doesn't show.

#4 Chara is Playing Like Chara
He's healthy. Whatever dehydrated him against Montreal has left his system. And so far, he looks much better than he did against the Flyers last year. His goal last night was classic Chara. Versteeg doesn't position himself right, Chara slips into the gap vacated, and fires a bullet over Boucher's shoulder.

But, we haven't seen the Flyers at their best yet. The 3-0 series lead is much closer than it suggests. One fortunate bounce for the Flyers on Monday and it's a 2-1 series lead. And at times on Saturday and last night, the Flyers looked listless and out of focus. Their 1st period last night was a joke.

History suggests that facing elimination, they'll bring their best effort. And we've yet to see how the Bruins will face serious adversity in this series. Rebounding from bad luck and bad games was what the B's failed to do last year.

And how will the Bruins deal with the inevitable pressure Philly will put on them. Last year, they relaxed. Will guys like Chara bungle a few plays? He did last year. It's up to the Bruins to execute, and truly put last year's collapse behind them.

Game 4 Friday night in Boston, on NESN.

-The Commodore

Flyers @ Bruins: Game 3 Preview

Hockey is a funny sport, it seems to be the only sport where "coming home" might be a bad thing. The Bruins have struggled at their home rink basically all season, so you have to be a little nervous going into this game.

One thing you can say about the Bruins is they have been clutch. They have won 4 games in overtime in the playoffs already, which is great to see since the Bruins don't have a lot of standout scorers. Saying that, the Bruins would've been blowout last game if it wasn't for Tim Thomas and his 50+ saves. He is going to need to keep playing at that level if the Bruins are going to go anywhere, because the Flyers have the advantage on offense, and they are just too good not to get a bunch of shots every game.

Still, all you need is a hot goalie, and the Bruins have the best goalie in the NHL. Up and down the roster (excluding goalie) the Flyers are the better team, but how many time have we seen this scenario and usually it comes down to the goalie.

I think the Bruins are playing confident hockey, and that they are going to get over their "home struggles". The defense needs to play better tonight, as they were terrible last game, but if Boston can withstand the early pressure that is going to come from a desperate Flyers team I think they will win this game.

Bruins win 5-3
Players of the Game: Thomas/Horton
Game starts at 7:00pm

Bruins @ Flyers: Game 2 Preview

Game 1 was a breeze for the Bruins, but don't think for a second it's going to be this easy for the entire series, as the Flyers have a hell of a team. The big question, as it always seem to be for Philly is what kind of goaltending are they going to get. They have elected to keep Brian Boucher in net tonight, which I think is a mistake.

No matter who is in net the Flyers aren't going to do a damn thing if they don't play a lot better defense. Sure Boucher was bad, but the Fylers were letting the Bruins get very easy roads to the front of the net, and even the most inept offenses are going to score when you do that.

Tonight I think there are once again going to be a lot of goals scored, and I actually think Boston will win. I just don't like Boucher and don't trust him at all, and until they changed him I'm not going to pick the Flyers to win a game. Look for guys like Lucic to really get going tonight and charge that net, because unless the Flyers start playing some defense it's easy to do.

Bruins win 5-3
Player of the Game: Lucic
Game starts at 7:30pm