Okay, I think that’s enough references to the reefer. Boston is on a roll baby. I know people have been trying to put down the Bruins current 10 game winning streak *cough*Tony Massarotti*cough* saying that they’ve played cupcakes and then only say “WELL, FLORIDA! NEW JERSEY!”.
Sorry pal, no dice.
Boston has beaten five playoff teams in this 10 game run. They’ve beaten the third place, fourth place and eighth place teams in the Eastern Conference. They’ve also beaten the seventh and eigth place teams in the West. They’ve defeated the New Jersey Devils, who ranked seventh overall in puck possession the night they faced them and would probably be higher in the standings if they stopped giving Martin Brodeur blowies and starts.
So the Bruins are beating playoffs teams, teams that have dominated in puck possession, teams that have dominated in power plays this season (Washington (2nd), New Jersey (4th), Phoenix (5th)), but yes – let’s continue to shit on this streak because they beat Florida twice.
Stick tap to Dan Ryan of Stanley Cup of Chowder for the infographic. Check the full post here.
Now we look at the upcoming weekend where the Bruins play two Western Conference playoff teams in Colorad and Phoenix – both on the road. Colorado has been sensational this year when a lot of people believed that they would end up closer to the bottom of the conference. They currently sit fifth in the Western Conference.
Just how good in Colorado?
Well they are in the bottom third of the league in corsi for percent (27th overall) which tells us that they aren’t a team that does a good job with puck possession. To put it in perspective, the Bruins are fourth overall in this category.
Where’s Colorado’s strength lie? Well they’re seventh overall on the power play (20.5%) and their 5v5 for/against ratio is at 1.1. So basically Colorado can get it done in the offensive zone. Lately that hasn’t plagued the Bruins as they haven’t trailed in a game in 5.5 hockey hours (5 and a half games).
But hey, the Bruins only have the best 5v5 F/A in the NHL, a top 10 power play and penalty kill and a goaltender who is probably going to be favored to win the Vezina Trophy.
Can we stop with the luck and “THEY PLAYED FLORIDA” bullshit?
Projected Lines
Per usual, I have no idea what the lines will look like tonight. As of this posting, the Bruins haven’t even skated in Colorado yet. I would bet good money on Tuukka starting. Other than that, who knows. I would say Potter goes back to the press box – but again – just a guess.
In: Tuukka Rask, Matt Bartkowski
Out: Chad Johnson, Johnny Boychuk, Corey Potter
Milan Lucic – David Krejci – Jarome Iginla
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Reilly Smith
Chris Kelly – Carl Söderberg – Loui Eriksson
Shawn Thornton – Greg Campbell – Dan Paille
Dougie Hamilton – Zdeno Chara
Andrej Meszaros – Matt Bartkowski
Torey Krug – Kevan Miller
Tuukka Rask
Media
Puck Drop: 9:00pm EST
TV: NESN, RDS
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
BOSTON BRUINS ONLINE STREAMS: HERE
Know the Enemy
Gameday Video
Highlights from the last time these two teams played in October
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2ceABpwN0Us
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