On Thin Ice

The Boston Bruins are in great need to put together a few consecutive victories to ascend themselves back into the race for the playoffs. Currently, they sit at 25-25-4. Just 6 weeks ago the Bruins seemed destined for greatness. Despite getting overpowered by a great Nashville team at December's end, the team entered the new year with a respectable 19-14-3 record. They also had a bunch of games at hand on the other clubs battling the Bruins for a playoff spot.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse. The team struggled to find consistency and a full 60 minute effort was difficult to achieve. The team was humiliated by the Toronto Maple Leafs, a mediocre team at best, in back-to-back games to start 2007, getting abominated to the tune of 15-3. After defeating the cellar dwelling Flyers club, the Bruins went on to lose 4 out of the next 5 matches, the only victory came via a shootout against the heralded Sabres. After a great comeback shootout victory versus the Penguins, the team reached a crossroad.
The club had a date with the Ottawa Senators on the 20th of January, the final game before the All-Star Game. Before the game, I recalled what occurred last season before the break. The Bruins were battling for the final playoff spot and lost a heart breaker to the Lightning, a 6-5 loss if I recollect. The team came out after the break and lost another game, something to the tune of 3-2 versus the Hurricanes, if memory serves correct. The point is, in my opinion, the game before and after the break are make or break games for any club.
The Bruins entered the game with a frustrating 48 points, and were hoping to tame the Senators and tie up the Maple Leafs in the standings. Needless to say, the Bruins never showed up in front of a so-called sellout crowd of 17,500. The team mustered up a weak total of 18 shots and lost 3-0. After having a week off to let the outcome marinate, the Bruins got their opportunity for revenge on the 27th of January. This game stood to be the season's subtle make or break game. The team lost again, this time 3-1. Ottawa ascending in the standings, while the Bruins were mired in last place with the familiar 48 points attached to their name.
While most fans thought this was rock bottom, it frustratingly got worse. Much worse. The club then lost 6-1 to the Rangers in front of a disappointed home crowd, then lost the next night 7-1 to the Sabres. The team was absolutely punch less, unable to score goals and put together a full 60 minute effort.
A new month came but the same old result continued. The 1st of February resulted in a trendsetting 3-1 loss, again at the hands of the Sabres. Hard core fans like myself were beyond disenchanted, especially with the lack of offense against Sabres backup goaltender Martin Biron in both losses to the Sabres. Basically, the man behind the pipes for the opponent mattered very little; the team couldn't find the net.
Adding more salt to the wound, the team made a transaction the left me miffed. The team traded young stud defensemen Milan Jurcina, who has much potential after a successful rookie campaign in the prior season coupled with a stellar performance for his home country Finland during the Olympic break. Last season's defensive crew of Gill, O'Donnell, Tanabe, Moran and Jurcina now wear another jersey. All the Bruins got in return was a draft pick. I don't care if the club needed a shake-up or the club was overstocked with defensemen, the trade makes no sense.
The club went on to win 3 of 4 after the trade to at least put the zamboni in the right direction. A win against the Islanders on the 10th of February was a bittersweet win. It was the club's first victory at The Garden since a win against the Penguins back on the 18th of January, a span of 3 weeks. The team announced another transaction, dealing two thirds of the Thornton deal away. Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau were dealt to Calgary and the Bruins certainly didn't get equal value in return. I will discuss the trade in my next blog.
For now, the Bruins have a shot. The team will need roughly 90 points or so to get in the playoffs. The team takes on the Oilers on the 13th, then heads out a 6 game road trip. I expect the unsatisfactory Hannu Toivonen to play at least 2 games on the trip. First things first, play a full 60 minute game against the Oilers, who come in with only 10 wins on the road. They are playing well enough though, dispatching the mighty Thrashers in their last game. The Bruins are celebrating The Chief before the game, let's hope they play well in honoring him.