Some quick thoughts after the Bruins dismantled the Islanders 7-2 Friday afternoon at the Gahden:
- It was good to see Boston respond with its offensive barrage after trailing early in the game. The Bruins had been getting accustomed to jumping out to early leads, so being able to rally for once is encouraging.
- The Bruins continue to show they are not an easy team to defend. When you have six players tallying goals, you have a team that’s confident sending all four lines out.
- After letting in that early first-period goal, Manny Fernandez was stellar, especially in stopping Bill Guerin’s breakaway. With Tim Thomas getting the majority of the minutes, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Manny struggle staying sharp. But he has. And it’s obvious the team is confident in sending him out to give TT a breather.
- The Bruins unveiled their new third jersey Friday. And frankly, I think they should toss them in the trash. If management is trying to spark merchandise sales, they should just stick with improving the team. The new matinee jersey is a cross between a tux and a full-body jump suit. The mere thought of it makes me shake my head.
- The powerful Red Wings hit Beantown Saturday night for a 7 p.m. start. Detroit played Friday night, beating the Blue Jackets, 5-3, before jumping on a plane for Boston. The Bruins should have a good chance at winning their 11th game in their last 13 contests. Their legs should be fresh coming off such an early game time while Detroit may feel a bit lackadaisical with a late game followed by air travel.
- Fellow Examiner Mark Fuery has a good piece on just how good Tim Thomas has been for the B's. All this despite being left off the All-Star ballot.
Below are the latest stats for the Bruins and the Eastern Conference standings.
Boston Bruins leaders:
|
SKATERS:
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
+/-
|
Pts
|
|
23
|
8
|
22
|
12
|
30
|
|
|
23
|
12
|
7
|
7
|
19
|
|
|
23
|
6
|
11
|
10
|
17
|
|
|
23
|
6
|
9
|
10
|
15
|
|
|
23
|
4
|
10
|
1
|
14
|
|
|
23
|
5
|
8
|
5
|
13
|
|
|
18
|
6
|
6
|
8
|
12
|
|
|
23
|
6
|
6
|
12
|
12
|
|
|
11
|
4
|
8
|
9
|
12
|
|
|
23
|
7
|
4
|
10
|
11
|
|
GOALIES:
|
W
|
L
|
OT
|
Sv%
|
GAA
|
|
9
|
3
|
3
|
.940
|
1.88
|
|
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
.911
|
2.48
|
Eastern Conference standings
|
|
|
GP
|
W
|
L
|
OL
|
PTS
|
GF
|
GA
|
HOME
|
AWAY | LAST 10 | |||
|
1
|
New York Rangers
|
26
|
17
|
7
|
2
|
36
|
72
|
61
|
10-4-1
|
7-3-1
|
6-3-1
|
|||
|
2
|
Boston Bruins
|
23
|
15
|
4
|
4
|
34
|
78
|
54
|
8-1-1
|
7-3-3
|
8-1-1
|
|||
|
3
|
Washington Capitals
|
23
|
13
|
7
|
3
|
29
|
77
|
72
|
9-0-1
|
4-7-2
|
6-3-1
|
|||
|
4
|
Pittsburgh Penguins
|
22
|
13
|
6
|
3
|
29
|
71
|
62
|
6-3-2
|
7-3-1
|
7-2-1
|
|||
|
5
|
Montréal Canadiens
|
22
|
12
|
6
|
4
|
28
|
64
|
59
|
5-2-2
|
7-4-2
|
4-4-2
|
|||
|
6
|
Philadelphia Flyers
|
22
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
27
|
74
|
67
|
5-4-2
|
6-2-3
|
7-1-2
|
|||
|
7
|
New Jersey Devils
|
21
|
12
|
7
|
2
|
26
|
64
|
56
|
7-4-1
|
5-3-1
|
6-4-0
|
|||
|
8
|
Carolina Hurricanes
|
24
|
12
|
10
|
2
|
26
|
64
|
71
|
6-6-0
|
6-4-2
|
4-6-0
|
|||
|
PLAYOFF CUT LINE
|
||||||||||||||
|
9
|
Buffalo Sabres
|
22
|
11
|
8
|
3
|
25
|
63
|
66
|
7-5-1
|
4-3-2
|
3-6-1
|
|
||
|
10
|
Ottawa Senators
|
21
|
8
|
9
|
4
|
20
|
50
|
52
|
5-5-2
|
3-4-2
|
4-4-2
|
|
||
|
11
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
22
|
7
|
9
|
6
|
20
|
67
|
80
|
3-4-4
|
4-5-2
|
2-5-3
|
|
||
|
12
|
New York Islanders
|
23
|
9
|
12
|
2
|
20
|
61
|
78
|
4-7-1
|
5-5-1
|
5-4-1
|
|
||
|
13
|
Atlanta Thrashers
|
22
|
8
|
11
|
3
|
19
|
65
|
78
|
5-5-1
|
3-6-2
|
5-4-1
|
|
||
|
14
|
Florida Panthers
|
22
|
8
|
11
|
3
|
19
|
52
|
65
|
5-3-2
|
3-8-1
|
4-4-2
|
|
||
|
15
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
|
22
|
6
|
9
|
7
|
19
|
50
|
68
|
3-4-5
|
3-5-2
|
2-5-3
|
|
||
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