(Bruins beat the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 in OT)
SAVE BY THOMAS! Tim Thomas recorded his second consecutive shutout in a row last night aganist Vancouver. Thomas now leads the league with a .943 save percentage and also has a goals against average of 1.77, which ranks second in the league. Not to mention those two shutouts find him tied for the league lead with Brian Boucher and Marty Brodeur. I'm pretty sure with this performance that Thomas FINALLY has made up Julien's mind and proved that he is our number one.
Hate to say it but Micheal Ryder and Patrice Bergeron have both had a slow start to a season when many saw them as our goal scoring saviors. Both have had many chances and have either missed the net or shot right at the goalie. It's even gotten to the point where its hard to watch because you just want them to get a little luck so you can stop worrying. But there is no real reason to worry since Bergy's coming off a huge injury and Ryder is in a new place, it is to early to worry and both need time to get use to everything.
Even though his goals have fell off in the past few games, Phil Kessel is still proving us the benefit of sticking with our young guns. Kessel started out the season on fire raking up 7 points in 6 games (6 goals). Even though in the last four games Kessel has not registered a single point, he has been logging a career high in one ice time. Responsibilities and production like this were unheard of for Kessel last season, so hopefully these are all signs of things to come.
Is it too early to call out Mark Stuart? Seriously, when is this guy going to turn into the huge impact I have been hearing about for a few years now. He is pointless through 10 games and has only taken 6 shots. I honestly haven't really even noticed him at all when watching any of the games either. Stuart needs to pick it up or be prepared to pack it up and leave town.
THORNTON RETURNS! Not Joe, But the gritty Shawn Thornton has been playing like a man possessed by Sidney Crosby. Thorts has been up and down the ice on every shift beating opponents to the puck in every zone. He has even set up some great plays lately by making some stylish passes. Hopefully this fourth line explosion continues.
I think it's about time that Blake Wheeler is sent to Providence. It was a good idea while it lasted but Wheeler looks way out played out their and for a guy with his size and skill he should be making people look ridiculous out there. He will be great in a year or two but right now is not his time.
With a 2.80 goals against average, the Bruins are currently ranked 9th in the league which is a huge leap from last week when the bruins saw themselves sitting in the 19th position. Even better is the Bruins 5-on-5 GAA which has them ranked 2nd in the league.
Just like the last time we made this list, there is a positive there must be a negative not far behind this team. Even though the Bruins have turned the tides with their defensive presence, their offense has struggled. Moving from the 5th all the way down to 19th ranked team in the league in GF (GF = goals for/games).
Has Milan Lucic finally found his stride? Time will tell for this young power forward in his sophomore season after posting his first career hat-trick earlier this week. But even when not putting up points Lucic is not hard to find on the ice, just look for the guy crushing opponents all over the ice (case in point, his glass shattering hit earlier this week).
The B's penalty kill is still ranked in the bottom of the barrel in the league but signs have been pointing towards improvement. In the last 7 PK opportunities the Bruins have allowed 0 goals and have spent more than half the time out of their own zone.
Has Aaron Ward been cast as two-face in the new Batman? Wardo has been playing with an intensity we missed last season, throwing around opposing players left and right. But even with this physical play, the "Ward of the Rings" has been making some ugly passes and terrible reads in the offensive and even defensive zone.
