Photo: bostonbruins.com
Although being dead last in the NHL with an average of 2.32 goals-for per game -- and fourth in goals-against -- one of the issues that needed to be addressed for this Bruins team was on the blue-line. And in the wake of this NHL trade deadline, this became evermore apparent for Boston.
The Boston Bruins skated by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2 in a shootout, last night at the TD Garden. Tim Thomas started for the first time in a month, and captured his 14th victory on the season. The B's outshot the Leafs 32-26, but it was on the blue-line where much of the focus was on throughout the game.
After being acquired from the Florida Panthers some 30 hours prior to game time, Dennis Seidenberg made his Bruins debut with a stellar performance on the blue-line.
"I thought he played great." said Johnny Boychuk, who scored the Bruins' second goal of the game. "...he is a great player and even though he is playing his off side, I think he is used to it. He didn’t look out of place at all over there."
Seidenberg jumped in, with very little practice with his new teammates, and logged the most even-strength ice time of any player for the Black-and-Gold last night with 20:34. The 6'1" 210 lb. Seidenberg finished with 25:35 of total ice time, while adding nearly three minutes of of power play time, and over two minutes on the short hand. Exactly what was expected of him and almost the exact same scenario as his tenure in Florida. So it was no real surprise that the veteran joined his new squad with relative ease, despite the lack of on-ice time prior to the victorious game last night.
"Well, the main thing is you just got to keep it simple." Seidenberg said after his winning debut in a Bruins uniform -- and with just one optional morning skate under his belt with the team. "You communicate as much as possible with your partner and try to talk to the other guys as much as possible on the ice and as long as you do that, you’re just fine."
Last night, Seidenberg was paired with Zdeno Chara for the majority of the contest against the Division rival Maple Leafs. The two defensemen looked as if they instantly clicked in play, and in communication.
"I didn’t really see to many mistakes between Zee [Chara] and Seids [Seidenberg] . At least no more that happens in a normal game because D is a tough position so no more miscommunications than in a normal game." said Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas after the win.
"He ends the play pretty quick by playing the body and I just try to get open." Seidenberg said of his new line-mate, Chara. "I'm just trying to play off him and get the loose pucks and move the puck up from there. So it’s a good game. We just have to keep it simple and move the puck up and we’ll be fine."
And that is one thing that the Bruins needed from their defensemen: the ability to handle the puck in their defensive zone, win those one-on-one battles, and move the puck up ice to create some offense. Seidenberg showcased that tonight, while adding one hit and two shots on goal. He also showed his offensive skills as well as his confidence in his play and positioning by numerously pinching the blue-line, and keeping the puck in the offensive zone.
"I like the way on 4-on-4 there in overtime he was rushing the puck and almost created a really good opportunity in overtime." said Thomas. "So it’s good to have him."
"I liked his game. He seemed solid tonight. He’s a physical player. Again, when you don’t see glaring mistakes from the player, it’s usually a pretty good sign. That’s what I saw from him." said head coach Claude Julien in the post game press conference. "He brought some stability. I thought him and Zee [Chara] together were a pretty hard pair to play against.
With a new set of eyes, and style, on the blue-line, Seidenberg should bring a new burst of energy of to the B's. Players like Matt Hunwick and Dennis Wideman continue to struggle -- as they immensely did last night -- so players like Seidenberg and Boychuk should, theoretically, keep their minutes down and liabilities on the ice to a minimum. With countless turnovers again last night from Wideman and Hunwick, poor passes, and overall bad judgement of defense, Seidenberg was quick to see the weaknesses in this team -- without having to point any fingers or say any names.
"I think we have to play a little bit more solid defensively. We turned the puck over a lot in the neutral zone so we can do a better job doing that and just being more aggressive and I guess in board battles and one-on-ones I think we can also do a better job there." said Seidenberg. "So just overall, we got to play the game with more energy and just simpler."
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