Just tuned-in after getting in from work. Who is this team that is flying up and down the ice in the white jerseys? I've caught part of most of the B's games all season and can honestly say this is the first time I've seen them be this fast and aggressive out there. The 5-0 tally speaks volumes about how they played this game...or about how Ottawa. Here's hoping for the first career shutout for Thomas, but after the embarrasing loss to the Islanders the other day, I'm thrilled to see them return to the form of the previous 7 games. 6-1-2 after tonight sounds damn good.

44 save shutout for Thomas. Holy crap, he's been incredible.

Thomas 91-95 over the last two games, .958 save percetage. Pretty sweet. He should be on the damn Olympic team, as hot as he is.

Does this team do just well enough to get MOC to sacrifice future for now at the trade deadline and save his job to ruin additional seasons? Ooh, that last part was pessimistic.

You can't blow up a team on a tear, but the vets that are most likely to be dealt (Murray, Leetch, Samsonov) and Raycroft haven't been particularly important to this team's resurgence.

Raycroft, Murray, and Leetch I could see go and not shed much of a tear. Samsonov, though, they should hold onto. When he's healthy, he can be a force on the ice and is very adept at creating his own shot. Raycroft and Leetch as a package could probably bring some good players, though, much more so than Murray.

I think I heard Jack Edwards say llast night that the Senators were 24-1 at home this season going into last night's game. Wow. A beatdown of epic proportions. Good for Thomas to get his first NHL shutout, and it was great to see the Bruins play very hard towards the end of the game to preserve it for him.

They were twenty, four and one, not twenty-four and one. (20-4-1, vs 24-1)

The problem is that it is a very delicate team. Sure they could use some more offensive help, but you have to fear that changing anything could cause the team to go back into the tank

I would trade Razor for a young taled winger if I could get one. Same is probably true of Murray. Neither player is part of this team's recent success.

Sammy is tough, I've kind of come around to thinking he should be gone, but can you trade him without destroying the team chemistry? I don't know

Even Dale Arnold was saying how he is overweight and "may be a little disinterested." No need for people like that in a young locker room. He isn't coming back anyways, I say take what you can get... it would be nice if he actually produced a bit before the deadline.

I've done a 180 on Samsonov. He is my favorite B to watch and a dynamic talent. Unfortunately, he completely doesn't fit the profile of the current team, and I think the long-term contract ship has sailed. He's going to test the market and cash in during the summer, and I think the overwhelming odds are against Boston being the team that coughs up that money.

Right now, the 2nd line is Sammy-Primeau-PJ. That's downright scary, but the 1st line is carrying the offensive load. What if they made a Raycroft & Samsonov for Torres-Stoll & a prospect/pick type of a deal? That sort of trade would add more depth & talent (though not necessarily elite talent) up front while simultaneously building for the future.

I think the team is succeeding on the backs of Bergeron-Boyes-Sturm, Brad Stuart, and Hannu/Thomas. Anyone else should be available in trade. If I were MOC, I'd be calling teams left and right to see if I could get a definite top 6 forward for Nick Boynton.

From Canadian Press:

The Boston Bruins claimed winger Josh Langfeld off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday but also lost goaltender Craig Anderson, who was claimed by the St. Louis Blues.
Langfeld, 28, is expected in Boston for practice Wednesday. He has played in 39 games with the Sharks this season, recording two goals and nine assists with 16 penalty minutes. Both of his goals were scored in Boston in a 6-2 Sharks win on Jan. 10.
The Bruins, who claimed Anderson off waivers from Chicago on Jan. 19, placed the netminder on waivers Monday. Had he not been claimed by the Blues by Tuesday’s noon EST deadline, Anderson would have been demoted to Providence of the AHL.
He dressed five games with the Bruins as a backup to Tim Thomas, but did not see action in a Boston game. Starter Andrew Raycroft has returned from a knee injury, forcing the Bruins to move Anderson.

Here's what Rotoworld has to say about Langfeld:



Sounds like a good pickup.

As for Andersen, thanks for dressing for 5 games. He's not needed now.

who wants to start the "Thanks Craig Anderson" thread in P&G!

Someone who wants to get banned, obviously.

Screw the olympic team, we have had shit lucky lately with goaltender injuries *knocks on wood* there is only one team I want him playing for right now.

What a great first shutout to get, saw him doing an interview talking about how he had given up on certain "dreams", making it to the NHL was one of them (check), and anothe was an NHL shutout... I don't suppose we could add the stanely cup to those dreams? heh ...

The team is on a roll and this "kid" is carrying them that's for sure, 44 save shutout (against the sens), that's a lot of work.

Grrrrrr.....

Bruins outplaying the Canadiens by a large margin so far, but Huet is keeping Montreal in the game and the Bruins are down 1-0 because of a terrible execution on a line change. The B's have also missed a penalty shot and didn't score on a PP despite dominating the time because Sturm knocked the down down with a high stick.

I'm very frustrated right now. The effort is there and I'm happy with that, but effort simply ain't enough right now. They need points.

And as soon as I post the one above, the Bruins score 2 quickies to take a 2-1 lead. Bergeron with the AMAZING rush all the way up the ice and finishing a give and go with Boyes. Nice.

Uh 3 goals. Anyone see that replay? The Boyes shot was conclusively in. Is it too late to get that to count?

Yeah, it's too late. Play has continued.

There's a lot of chances the Bruins are wasting here tonight, plus the bad luck like the non-goal call just now. They need to keep the effort up in order to win this game; it's a lot closer than it should be.

I'm just jumping in this thread now; that was a good second period. You're right, Joe, B's outplaying Les Habs big time. Pretty, pretty goal by Bergeron.

That may not have been the best game the Bruins have played all year, but it's probably the most satisfying. Goddamn I love watching Bergeron and Boyes work together. A great win and the Bruins get some badly needed points.

Tim Thomas is saving the Bruins' season right now. While he wasn't worked hard tonight, the team started playing much, much better since he took over in net. Or I should say, they've been getting much better results, as he's facing even more shots per game than Raycroft or Toivonen did. He's just making the great saves to keep his team in the game each time out there.

Great game to watch tonight. The B's played some awesome team defense, led (in my eyes) by Boynton and Alberts, who were incredibly solid in their own end and even jumped into the play a few times. Thomas with another solid outing - great all around effort.

Oh, and Bergeron's goal rivals Primeau's as best Bruins' goal this year.

Fantastic win...dare we dream?

Was Theodore benched for the game? He usually handles Boston pretty well in big games from what I recall. He's been awful lately, but I'm a little surprised they didn't give him the chance. Will he be in-net in Montreal?

I'm only going to say this once. Bergeron's goal fucks any Ovechkin goal Mike Brady style, and does it at will.

Out of the cellar for the first time since mid-November? Check.

One point from a playoff spot? Check.

Watching the Habs fall apart in the 2nd, when they needed to be tight? Check.

Keep it rolling into Saturday. Keep the Molson Centre very quiet.

When Hannu is healthy thinigs are going to be muy interesante.

Theodore's been pulled in his last 2 or 3 starts. He's been shit recently. Huet's played much better, and nearly stole the game tonight as he was outstanding. I'd imagine Huet will start in Montreal.

Regarding the lack of review on the Boyes goal off the rear crossbar, Nifty on the postgame just said the NHL didn't have an official in the replay booth at the Gahden tonight. No review was ever made of the Boyes goal off the back crossbar because no one was there. That's completely unacceptable on the part of the NHL and if Harry Sinden were still alive he'd be kicking down doors like in the old days.

Can't wait to hear how Colin Campbell spins this nonsense.

Earlier this year, the refs allowed a kicked in goal during an Edmonton Oilers game, and the NHL officials who were monitoring the feed in the Toronto office said they tried calling Edmonton, but "couldn't get through on the phone."

NHL Hockey is a terrific product despite the people who are supposed to be running it.

At the one-spot, I can't see Thomas coming out unless his play falls off substantially. Are you referring to the back up spot between Raycroft and Toivenen? Or whether either of those guys eventually threatens Thomas?

Speaking of goalies, I too was pretty shocked about Bruin killer Theodore not being in the pipe but I take SJH's point that he's sucked recently.

I was mostly thinking that Raycroft may be a man without a team. At least an NHL team. It would be unfortunate because I think at least to a degree he's been a victim of circumstance. Terrible D and terrible team in front of him at the start of the year. He loses confidence and Hannu has a few strong starts and who knows if he'll be on the team for much longer.

I swear, Patrice Bergeron has hit a stage in his development where he seems to be getting better and better by the game! The kid is unreal. Anyone who puts a "ceiling" on him at this point is just stupid.

Since the trade:

27 GP, 10 goals, 21 assists, 31 points, +11

Theodore has been really mediocre all year. He's living on reputation.

There was also a big rumor in La Presse today of Theodore going to the Avs, and even a scheduled press conference for tomorrow. But nothing new since this morning, so people are wondering if it's hanging in the balance. It's believed that there will be a major, and I mean major, redress in the roster soon. Lots of dead wood to be cleared out.

Rumors are that the Bruins (!?!) will undergo a logo change when the new Reebok uniforms are introduced next year. More info in the NHL thread.

If this happens it will be a fucking travesty.

No no no.

It's bad enough with the Teddy Ruxpin uniforms. Don't change.

There are still some rumors out of Vancouver, they need a goalie bad, but the last I heard Jovo was the piece that might come our way, now he is out 6 weeks with an injury (and the surgery because of the injury), so I don't see that happening.

T.T. was incredible in the Finnish Elite league last year and he is picking it right back up here for us. I believe he had 15 shutouts last year and lead the F.E. League in almost every goalie catagory.

I just wish he was 22...

Bruins drop a close one to the Montreal Diving Shits. Excellent, excellent game for the Shits' goaltender, Cristobal Huet.

Brad Boyes hit two posts - he's got to be the most snakebit player in the entire NHL this year.

Bruins give up a 3rd period PPG after a legitimate hooking call on Andrew Alberts. But the Diving Shits picked up two other power plays off of dives by Koivu and Kovalev.

So I assume they throw Thomas right back out there again tomorrow, back to back be damned.

There is a break coming up soon, and I'm sure Thomas would be more than happy to play back to back. If they had won today, they might have gone with Raycroft in the Sunday game, but after the loss today you pretty much have to stay with Thomas don't you? Surely they're not going to start Raycroft tomorrow?

What a shock: the Bruins lose ANOTHER shootout.

Bergeron looked like he waited a half-second to long to fire that puck at the net, almost firing it as Gerber's skate was touching the post.

Nice move by Boyes, but Thomas's inexperience showed on the 2 goals he allowed, but right down the pipe.

At least it's a point.

Bruins 0-5 in the shootout this year. Just for once, I'd really like to see them win one of those fucking things. It's getting fucking tiresome.

To reach 90 points (and the playoffs), the Bruins need to go 17-8-1 from here on out.

They need 5 or 6 points in their three games prior to the Olympic Break.

Great comeback to get a point against Carolina, but wow that OT was one of the ugliest ever. It basically looked like Carolina was playing 5-3 that whole OT. Shots were 7-0, and it wasn't even that close.

The Ice today was really embarrassing.

Shootouts must be really exciting if you are a fan of a franchise that is actually competative in shootouts

Hal Gill on the ice during OT... not good times.

Man is he terrifying. God does he suck. I hate him.

I swear to God I thought Carolina pulled their goaltender. Thomas really saved the B's asses in OT, but his shootout performance was poor at best.

He's still the only reason they made it out of there with 1 point, but still. Two 5-hole goals in the shootout is not a good sign.

Crystal Ball Hewitt with another shutout for Montreal tonight, he might be the only goalie hotter than Thomas right now.

Sucks that he beat the Broons then won again, for 4 points in two days for the Habs, while Boston only got one.

I believe the shootout goals may have been a result of Thomas being flat-out gassed. He played both ends of a back to back. He also had to make WAY too many tough saves as the defense appeared to take this one off (too many give aways in the defensive end)

Thomas so far this season:

GAA: 1.88
Save %: .941
Average shots faced per game: 31.644.

He's been amazing.

I think they should let him take a shot in the next shootout too. Wow, that would be something to get 'em talking on Causeway Street.

This is also good timing for TT, as his breakout year at age 31 will be his ticket to a big fat contract in the offseason. If Nabokov is worth 5mil, what's a goalie that's actually good worth? Hmm.