Bruins Begin Second Round vs. the Hurricanes or Whalers?

This coming Friday, May 1, the Boston Bruins will commence the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This Eastern Conference Semifinal marks the first time the Bruins have made it to the second round in 10 years. Yes, I said 10 years -- much to my chagrin. I suppose rather than dwell on that, we should all be excited because this team is legit.

So, with the Carolina Hurricanes coming to town, the Bruins will look to get to the Conference Finals since the 90-91 season. The year before that, my beloved Black N’ Gold lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Edmonton Oilers. For me personally, I was playing youth hockey for Mid-State scoring loads of goals and watching a highlight video of that Bruins season entitled “Reach for the Stars.” A pre-Parkinson’s Michael J Fox narrated and Mike Millbury was the team’s head coach. I swear to god I watched that movie over 100 times. I can still quote it 17 years later. Pathetic? Oh I would say so! But at least it legitimizes me as a true fan rather than be labeled as a bandwagoner as the Bruins re-mark their territory in the Hub of Hockey.

Before I preview this year’s showdown, please bear with me and let me revel in a little more history. That year the Boston made it to the finals, their path to the silver chalice was the Hartford Whalers in Round 1, the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2, the Washington Capitals in Round 3 and then the Edmonton Oilers in the Finals. Do you any of you see a pattern here? I do, if you flip-flop the first and second round opponents this just may be the exact road the 2009 Boston Bruins take the Stanley Cup Finals.

Ok who’s scratching their head? Today’s Carolina Hurricanes are formerly the Hartford Whalers. Cue Brass Bonanza. The old Whale skated in Connecticut at the Hartford Civic Center, which is now called the XL Center, home to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. I saw two Bruins games in Connecticut against the Whalers -- one with my mom and one with my brother. It was a great place to catch a game and I really wish they would bring back the Whale.

So now that I have just rambled on and on about the History of the Bruins and the second round, I think I’ll give my short take on this coming series and then give a more in depth preview tomorrow. I can also preview the other playoff match-ups as well.

So the Bruins enter the series owning the regular season series 4-0. Throw it out the window folks. Paul Maurice’s Cardiac Canes are playing much better than when the season series concluded. Goalie Cam Ward is playing well, real well. Boston also outscored Carolina 18-6 throughout the season.

We all now about season series and then playoffs by looking at last year’s series vs. Montreal. With that being said, I still think the Bruins take this in six games. They’re big, tough, fast and have this season’s soon-to-be Vezina Trophy winner in Timmy Thomas. All things being equal though, the Bruins are too deep for the Hurricanes. To be more concise, the intrepid scribe believes that the B’s are the deepest team to come out of the East. I will be shocked if they don’t prove it. I really like Boston’s chances to go to the Cup Finals.

ESPN Analyst and recently shit-canned Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Barry Melrose picked the Hurricanes. That makes me feel even better because that guy may be animated, but he’s moron. Or better yet, a Don Cherry wannabe.

Be back tomorrow for less history and more fact so you can make your own prediction to the Bruins/ Canes series as well as the other games.

WOW, Jerry Remy just said Bruins in six during the Red Sox game. Well, the baseball guru agrees with me… do you? Bruins in six baby.

Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Matchups Set

I have not been very good at keeping this updated because I have been so busy lately. As I sit on the couch and watch the Rangers vs. Capitals game seven, it makes perfect sense to make a post.

As I type this I was going to start out by saying that the Rangers are playing tremendous hockey, and by this eye, may sneak out with a series upset as a the seventh seed. Nevermind speaking too soon -- I thought too soon. As I was gathering my thoughts, suddenly, the Verizon Center erupts because veteran Russian forward Sergei Fedorov sniped a wrister that beat Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist short side. By the way, it was the old-farts 52nd career tally in the playoffs. To my memory, I think that is the second goal of the series that beat him short side. Not good for “King Henrik,” affectionately called in the Big Apple.

With four minutes to go, it looks as though the Capitals will win this series.

Now to the Western Conference upset where the President’s Trophy winning San Jose Sharks choked again in the post-season. They lost in six games to the Anaheim Ducks.

By the way, the Caps won. Game over. I love the handshake…although I hope someone sucker punches Sean Avery. The Versus announcers are all of a sudden loving the Capitals and pumping their tires. Funny how the second best team in the Eastern Conference barely makes it out the first round and the announcers suddenly love them. How? They should have lost tonight and were being chastised during the intermissions by the same guys. How contradicting... go figure.

Back to the Sharks. I thought they would at least get to the Cup Finals. I guess when you take two Norris Trophy defensemen and put them up against a perrenial playoff failure in Joe Thornton, we should have known. Physical play was the key to the Ducks win there.

Both No show Joe and Captain Patrick Marleau weren’t very influential in the series and that’s a big reason they lost to the Ducks. I should make note that they were drafted Nos. one and two respectively in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

On November 30, 2006 Thornton was traded to San Jose. I was an employee of the Bruins at the time and what an interesting week that turned out to be. I did say it was going to turn out to be a good trade and it was for the Bruins. Only one other reporter agreed with me… and that was Boston Globe Hall of Fame writer, Kevin Paul Dupont. Oh, my good buddy Joey MacDonald from the Providence Journal agreed too. Oops. This summer I will break down that trade because after three years, we can look at it more in depth and see all the pros and cons.

On a positive note, the Worcester Sharks, a former place of employment for me as well, upset the first seeded Hartford Wolf Pack in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League. After dropping the first two, the Baby Sharks stormed back to take four in a row. Good friend of mine, Riley Armstrong leads the team with eight assists. The Sharks began the Atlantic Division Finals (Round 2) against the Providence Bruins tonight and dropped game one by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Good luck to the Sharkies!

Right now I am waiting to see final matchups for the second round for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Once I find out I am going to bed. I will preview tomorrow.

SECOND ROUND MATCHUPS

Eastern Conference Semifinals
Well, I just found out that the Boston Bruins will take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Washington Capitals in the other round.

Western Conference Semifinals
The Anaheim Ducks will take on Detroit Red Wings while the Vancouver Canucks and face off against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Now, seeing that’s done, Im hitting the sheets. Previews tomorrow…

PS. Versus in-studio analyst Brian Engblom picked perfectly in the first round. Maybe now he can pick a new hairstylist because his current hair-do is pathetic. Poor bastard!

I would be remiss to not mention my good buddy Joe Roche went 6.5 and 8 on his picks. He lost the Carolina/ New Jersey series and was pretty sure the Sharks would lose their series but was afraid to actually pick against them. Way to Work esquire Roche, way to work!

Bruins Sweep, Off to First Second Round Appearance in 10 Years

Well, here I am ready to talk about the win from last night and the series sweep and at this point its probably old news. Last night I was trying to enjoy the game and do a few other things so I didn’t have a chance to write.

Tonight, I have my own game, a tournament I might add that will go on through the weekend, so as I wait for that, now is a great time to talk about the Bruins.

The Bruins did exactly what I said they would do in my prior post. They came into the Bell Centre and steam-rolled those French …. Errr guys. As you can tell, I’m really not impressed by the Canadiens and never will be. It’s like a die-hard Red Sox fan liking anything to do with the Yankees. Of course I do not like the Yanks either, but you catch my drift.

Pacing the Bruins for the second game in a row was former member of the hated Canadiens, Newfie Michael Ryder. Ryder scored the equalizer in the first after the Habs took a quick 1-0 lead. Following his first of the game, he set up linemate David Krejci for eventual game-winner and then later added another. I believe that gave the sharp-shooting winger four goals in the series. I don’t feel like looking it up, but take my word for it because I’m very rarely wrong.

Obviously, after the Bruins took a commanding lead last night, it was important to preserve the win but also to be smart and get injured. Of course you had to know something would happen and why not believe it would be between Milan Lucic and Mike Komisarek.

Didn’t Mike Komisarek learn his lesson the first time the two fought? Lucic nearly destroyed his face and ripped his shoulder out of his socket. Apparently not because “Komi” goaded the Luciamotive into another round of fist-a-cuffs. Except this time, Lucic threw one punch that connected with Komisarek’s face and it the fight was over.

Well, I said that ended the fight, but certainly not the feud. Late in the third the Canadiens defenseman looked to try and decapitate Lucic. Yes, real classy to pull that with minimal time on the clock as well the series all but over. Komisarek cross-checked Lucic so hard it snapped his composite stick in half and cut Lucic on the cheek with a face-washing after. Obviously Lucic was fine, but it got Komisarek a five-minute major and 10-minute misconduct. Thus, ending his season a bit prematurely. See ya Mike!

Now that that’s out of the way, who do the Boys of Black ‘N Gold play next? The guess here is that New York finishes off Washington and plays the Bruins because they have the seventh seed. If Washington win it will come down to if Carolina beats New Jersey. Again, if New Jersey wins, it will become the winner of Philly vs. Pittsburgh series. I truly don’t think Washington will come back because Lundquist is too hot. He is playing some real good hockey.

If the Bruins get the Rags, look for Sean Avery to pull his usual. Of course, look for the Bruins to continue in the discipline factor and get to Lundquist quickly.
During the regular season the Bruins went 2-1-1 against the Rangers and shut them out twice (2-0 and 1-0 respectively).

I leave it at that for now. Ill be back soon to weigh in on some Western Conference thoughts as well as some things in the Eastern Conference I expected and didn’t expect.
As for my tournament tonight, Go Hammers!

PS. The Bruins broke out their Victory dance, did you?

Ryder Pushes Former Team to Brink

The 2009 Boston Bruins, owners of the top spot in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, are for real. As the team’s marketing slogan eloquently states, “We want it.” Truer words cannot be spoken. Game three lived up the hype as the pundits fully expected the game to be a physical affair, especially in front of the Montreal faithful.

From the initial puck drop both teams quickly set the tempo with hard hitting and speed. But it was the Bruins who prevailed with the shear will to want it more. For the first time since the lockout the Bruins marketing team can sit down and have a nice cold beer. They finally got the slogan right, “We Want It.”

There is absolutely no question the Bruins want it more than the Canadiens and any skeptics should watch a replay of Chuck Kobasew’s empty net goal. Granted it was an empty netter, but the loose puck battle he won against Captain Saku Koivu for the empty net was pure beauty. It was the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Habs in game three and as far as my eyes can tell, the series.

The Canadiens are on the brink and their fans are most likely on the ledge after last year’s phenomenal season and this year being the organizations 100th anniversary.

The biggest story of the game has to be Bruins forward Michael Ryder though. After a dismal season last year with the hated Canadiens, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli enticed the hard shooting forward with a four-million dollar pact over three three years to cross enemy lines and come play with his former coach Claude Julien. Ryder took a lot of heat in Montreal last year, but it was he who has the last laugh against his former team. The New Foundland native ripped a one-timer from the right faceoff circle off a Dennis Wideman rebound. The shot beat Carey Price under the cross bar for the Bruins third goal and the eventual game winner. No doubt Ryder was excited to see that one cross the goal line for his new team. His words to the fans who booed him all night? OLE THIS!?!?

So, Wednesday the boys in Black ‘N Gold will look to dispose of their hated rivals in game four for the series sweep. This will unquestionably give the B’s some serious confidence (not like they don’t already have it) heading into the second round of the playoffs. For right now, they just need to concentrate on game four and if there is one team that can do it, its Boston.

A four-game sweep will give the Bruins a nice rest period to heal and prepare for that second round while the rest of the first round completes.

This faithful scribe’s guess: The Bruins come in and steam role Montreal in game four to get ready for the semi final matchup versus either the New York Rangers or the winners the Penguins/ Flyers series.

By the way, helmets off to rookie Byron Bitz. Filling in for the suspended Milan Lucic, played defensively responsible and setup linemate Shawn Thornton for the B’s second goal. Depth continues to be a key factor here for the Bruins successful season. Phil Kessel added the other Boston goal on a beautiful tip past Price in the first period.

As for me, good fight and good night!

Ovechkin Gets Caught "Spying" on Rangers

While I watch the first period of the Bruins game three against the Canadiens up in Montreal, I wanted to quickly talk about today’s actions in New York. Alexander Ovechkin was told to leave the arena for watching the Rangers practice. HAHA I think that is hysterical. It’s a game-day skate up at Madison Square Garden and for those who do not know, the visiting team always skates second at about 11:30 am. The home team, in this case the Rangers, skates at 10-10:30 am. So Ovechkin was already in the building for his own pre-game skate and workout. It just doesn’t make any sense to me that he was told to get lost. It wasn’t like he was there just to watch their practice.

As someone who has been around these “game-days” I’ve players watch the opposition’s practice plenty and it’s never been an issue. Why now because its playoffs? Ok maybe, but I still think it’s funny. As a side note, the Russian Rocket had better show up in game three because if he doesn’t, his second seeded Capitals are going to be golfing awfully early after having such a superb year.

Ok off to watch the game the Bruins. Ill have something later. Currently midway through the first period and Montreal has scored as I write this. Its extremely physical and the Bell Centre is really loud. Chis Higgins snuck a wrister under Thomas’ glove. The Bruins have already had better scoring opportunities though, so I think it’s much too early to be concerned.

Lucic Gets One Game Suspension

This will be my third of the day. I wasn’t planning on another one, but Milan Lucic did get suspended so I figured I would weigh in on that. I think it stinks but I mean if you really look at it. It’s deserved. To quote Colin Campbell, the NHL’s disciplinarian,

"While it is unclear whether Lucic's glove or stick makes contact with Lapierre,
what is clear is that he delivered a reckless and forceful blow to the head of
his opponent.”

I do agree. Lucic, Boston’s young forward whom has earned many comparisons to the likes of power forward tough guy Cam Neely, punched Maxim Lapierre’s head with a combination of his his gloved fist and stick. Lapierre’s helmet flew off and then Lucic gave another hard face wash to the Habs fiesty little agitator.

In my own opinion, I am a little upset. Not because I don’t think he deserved the suspension, because unfortunately he does. But for the fact that Montreal “tried” (noticed the word tried) to send some type of message at the end of game one. Nothing was done then. Had something been done to Mike Komisarek or Lapierre from the end of Game One’s antics, Lucic might not have had to do what he did.

Maybe this is the league’s way to stretch out the series and give the Canadiens a chance? They need the help. If Im a betting man, and I am, the Bruins are just more pissed off now. Good Luck Montreal, you’re gooing to need it.

Take a look at the clip of the play here:

Beantown Beatdown

I definitely stole TSN’s headline… but I truly don’t care because I like it.

This blog thing could get very, very addicting. I realize I miss writing about hockey after being away from it for a while. With that being said, I would like to talk about the Bruins quarterfinal match up against the hated Montreal Canadiens.

I really don’t have a plan for this so I might be all over the place. Deal with it. After basically swapping spots in contrast to last year’s playoff spots, the Bruins enter with the top seed and the Habs take the eighth spot. Boston has played some great hockey all year and they seem to have elevated their game an extra few notches for the playoffs. I attended game one and it was exciting! 18,000 screaming Bruins fans decked out in their sacred black and gold waving gold rally towels above their head. It was a sight of beauty and I’m glad I got to experience it.

All things being equal, the Bruins played like their fans acted. That can be summed up in one word, FIERCE. They got down and dirty and played Bruins hockey like it used to be played. Physical and blue-collar like. Basically, they brought their lunch pails to work.

From Thomas continuing his Dominik Hasek like style, Chara flattening Montreal forwards and sending scud missiles at Carey Price from the blueline, to Phil Kessel and Marc Savard buzzing around Les Gloriuex like parking cones -- the Bruins came to play. In my opinion the only time they looked flat was the second period in game one. Maybe they were bored with Montreal? That’s the only ideal explanation because since Chara’s laser beam winning goal at the 8:45 mark of the third stanza on Thursday, the Boston Bruins have totally put the pedal to the medal.

Now, it is important to understand that its only half way there. The Boys flying out of Hanscom Air Force Base this afternoon to head North of the Border is like Rocky flying into Russia to fight Ivan Drago in ROCKY IV. But, they sit pretty and that’s important because now we have to listen to the Crazy Canucks booing our National Anthem and screaming OLE OLE OLE. Last I checked, this is hockey, not soccer. But hey, what the hell do I know?

So the keys to winning in Montreal are pretty much the same as before. The B’s need to jump out early and shut their fans up. That will be the most important key to winning both games. Montreal fans are mean and loud so quieting them down is a priority. Next, keep being physical but continue to stay disciplined. In game two, they gave the Blue, Blanc et Rouge just one meager power play and popped three of their own into the twine screen during the man-advantage. Lastly, puck possession because that’s the way Peter Chiarelli built this team. Name another team who plays that style? Detroit. Oh gee, when’s the last time the won the Cup? Last Year. Mmmmhmmm. You heard it here first, you cannot score if you do not have the puck. Pretty simple theory. Anyway, those are three keys.

To summarize:
Jump out to early lead
Stay physical, yet disciplined
Puck Possession

Monday will be fun to watch and I cannot wait.

I’m off to watch the Philadelphia/ Pittsburgh game three on NBC. Should be a good one. I will say I am a bit miffed as to how the Pens are up 2-0 in the series. Philly has been pretty solid all year and I figured this would be a great series. I know Pitt has Crosby and Malkin, but that’s all they have. There is no depth and as far as I’m concerned, Marc-Andre Fleury is not a big game goaltender. I don’t care if they made it to the Finals. You should with Crosby, Hossa, and Malkin playing forward. But, that stands behind my belief that defense and goaltending win Championships. They are prime example.

The Washington/ New York series has been exciting. I cant believe the Rags are up 2-0. It makes me happy though because as a Boston fan, Washington and Ovechkin make me a bit uneasy.

Ok that’s it for now. Enjoy the games today… Ill be back soon. Tell your friends.

Over and Out…

Entry One - What makes my opinion matter?

So this is my first entry. I would love to be able to do all sports, but I only pay attention to hockey so that’s why I will be talking just hockey. Im a bit late to the game here, but better late than never and with playoff hockey beginning… its perfect timing.

Ok so first I would like to say that I am doing this because my good friend and college roommate does it and he loves it. Go to Nicks blog at http://www.lynchyrightnow.com/ or you can click here. He talks all sports, even golf so you can certainly learn plenty. He asked my to be on his podcast with Joe Roche for an NHL Preview. Its on itunes under “The Right Now” pod cast so go check it out.

Now for my background so you know I’m not just talking out my arse. I have been around hockey since I was born. I grew up in hockey rinks across New England. So as a little guy I wanted to play on the Boston Bruins. Yet again, who doesn’t want to be a pro athlete in their favorite sport? So as I grew older, my height didn’t. So, I decided I would play as far as college, but study sports to work in sports. Closest thing I could get to actually reaching my dream. Long story short, graduated from Nichols College and landed a job with, yep you guessed it, my beloved Boston Bruins.

I was the content manager of http://www.bostonbruins.com/. It was awesome. I made some great contacts and met lots of nice people. Of course, the team wasn’t all that good but the players were great guys. I still keep in touch with a few of them today.

From there, I came back to Worcester to be the Public Relations Manager for the new Worcester Sharks. It was a step back in league and pay but a great step for my career. Anyway, worked there a year and decided the pay and the long hours was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Experience was awesome and I wouldn’t change a thing. I just wanted to make more money and go back to being a fan.

So now I work for a Fleet Leasing Company. But who cares I have talked way too much about myself. I plan to update this frequently so I’m going to wrap this up.

Before I go though, how about them Bruins. Awesome game last night. To a man, they completely dismantled the Habs. Now they had back to Montreal and if they win game three, I am busting out my broom baby. I will say, I hope Milan Lucic doesn’t get suspended. I think he may though. It was dumb, but I would have done the same thing. And the only reason I don’t think he should get suspended is because those canadien idiots pulled some crap at the end of game one and got nothing so… there you have my opinion.

I’m going to end this. I will be back with something more in depth later. Please tell all your hockey friends to come check this site out.

Thanks!