(The Islanders shit on themselves enough, so I figured I'd show something positive about the team.)
Game Forty-Four
Boston Bruins @ New York Islanders
January 15th, 2008 @ 7:00PM
GAME QUICK HITS:
- The Bruins will head to New York tonight to take on the worst team in the NHL, the Islanders. This will be the second of four match-up's between these two teams this season. The first game took place back in November and ended via a Boston KO in the first round (7-2). While the Bruins ride into town on three-game win streak, the Islanders might just have already thrown up the white flag and began getting John Taveres jersey ready for next season. Seriously though, this is a real mismatch on paper but with injuries plaguing both teams right now you never know what could happen. The Bruins need to be ready for anything and not play that sloppy ass game we have come accustom too in the past when they feel a little "too comfortable".
- The Islanders are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now and especially in their last 20 games, showing off a 3-15-2 record in that time. But this record couldn't have anything to do with why the team is being rumored to be relocated to Kansas City.
- Tim Thomas had a slight slip up recently but looks to be back to his old self just as fast. Timmy has jumped up to 2nd place in GAA and save-percentage just behind Steve Mason. On top of this, Marc Savard, Dennis Wideman, Blake wheeler, and David Krejci still own the 1st thru 4th spots overall in the league for plus/minus.
- Surprised! For being ranked dead last in the league I would have expected much worse. The Islanders rank 12th (82.1) on the penalty kill and 18th (17.7) on the power play. But I guess when you are ranked 30th on 5-on-5 goals for/against then your special teams play means nothing.
- Hot n' Cold: No not the Katy Perry song (no homo) but I'm talking about Michael Ryder. Ryder has been streaky all year, but his point production has not suffered at all. In his last three games he has totaled 5-points (3 goals & 2 assists) and overall this season he is currently on pace to having a career year in both goals and assists. But I guess Habs fans were right and this was a terrible signing and Ryder is washed up. Good call on Julien too guys!
- Norris Bound? Zdeno Chara is coming off one of his best games this season against the Montreal Canadiens, where his two goals helped the Bruins defeat their arch rival. Chara i
- CONGRATULATIONS! Congrats go out to fellow Bruins blogger Evan of Stanley Cup of Chowder for being named the Bruins representative over at SB Nation. Go check out the new and improved Stanley Cup of Chowder and make sure to bookmark the new address.
- K-Tapp predictions people?
CREASE REPORT:
- Bruins: Tim Thomas looks to get his third straight start in the wake of Manny Fernandez and his hand soreness. The previous two starts came against tough teams in the Canadiens and Hurricanes, but Thomas waked away from each with only 2 GA combined. Thomas has gone 18-4-3 this season and owns a 2.04 GAA and a .935 save-percentage.
- Islanders: This is a tough call on who we will see in net tonight for the Isle. Franchise tagged Rick DiPietro went down early in the season and has yet to return. While backup Joey MacDonald left Tuesday nights game with a groin injury. This now leaves 3rd and 4th string backups Yann Danis (0-3-0) and Peter Mannino (0-0-0) left. I would say look for Danis to start tonight since the last time the Bruins met the Islanders, Mannino got lite up allowing 3 goals on 8 shots.
INJURY REPORT:
- Bruins Injury Report: C Patrice Bergeron (concussion), LW Marco Sturm (knee), D Andrew Ference (broken tibia), and RW Phil Kessel (mono) are all out tonight and on the IR. G Manny Fernandez (soreness) and LW Milan Lucic (undisclosed) are making the trip to New York and will be questionable for tonight's match up. D Aaron Ward (charley horse) did not travel with the Bruins on thier current two-game road trip which starts tonight. So do not look for him to play until Monday.
- Islanders Injury Report: G Rick DiPietro (knee), G Joey MacDonald (groin), C Doug Weight (leg), C Mike Sillinger (hip), C Andy Hilbert (foot fracture), D Freddy Meyer (groin), and D Andy Sutton (broken foot).
GAME PREDICTIONS:
(post your predictions in the comments section)
- Chris: Bruins 5-2
BRUINS BLOGROLL GAME PREVIEWS:
