Bergeron Still Not Cleared

Posted by Mike Giardi April 14, 2008 at 6:14 pm

If the Bruins have any hopes of getting Patrice Bergeron back for this season, they’ll probably have to win the opening round against the Canadiens, or at least force a Game 7. Bergeron met with his neurologist yesterday and is not yet cleared to play in a game, despite being cleared for contact in practice. What’s the difference? I’m not a doctor, and neither is Bergeron. If he knows why, the B’s young forward isn’t saying. I’m on record as believing that we shouldn’t have seen Bergeron on the ice until next fall, but obviously that’s not what he wants and probably - deep down - not what the B’s want either. I still say that injury - and the minutes that followed - were some of the most unsettling moments I’ve had watching sports in a long time.

Whammy

Posted by Mike Giardi April 13, 2008 at 8:23 pm

At least Bruins TV voice Jack Edwards corrected himself. Edwards was pontificating on the tenor of this series with Montreal. Unfortunately for the Black and Gold, that came after Kostopoulos tied Game 3 at a goal apiece early in the second period. I’m a huge believer that team play-by-play guys shouldn’t jinx their club. One of those unexplainable pet peeves I have when it comes to the team I watch, even more bizarre considering I don’t mind the color man saying whatever the heck he wants; in fact, I demand it. Ah well…

I’d love to be in Montreal for the playoffs. The passion they have for the Canadiens is unrivaled. The Garden tonight absolutely rocking, but the Habs fans are just as boisterous as the B’s. Actually, if I’m in Bruin management, it would really bother me that the bad guys have taken over part of the building. Goes to show there’s still a ways to go before that franchise completely wins back its faithful.

Thus far, Milan Lucic has been the best forward on the ice, with Marc Savard 1A. Savvy is such a gifted passer. You’d just love to see him a gifted finisher. Maybe Lucic will turn into that one day.

Future Looks Bright

Posted by Mike Giardi April 12, 2008 at 5:05 pm

If the Bruins aren’t better tonight, they’ll have really blown an opportunity to get the region behind them. Despite all the naysaying on sports radio and on some of the message boards, I still get the sense that people want the Black and Gold to be a factor again. Its just easier for the vocal minority to pounce on this franchise, especially with the Jacobs still in control. But you know what? I’m tired of that angle. The only way you’ll hear me talking about that duo again is if they fire Chiarelli after the season (won’t happen…I think) or drastically cut payroll. To me, that’s the easy, and sometimes uneducated way to approach the organization.

What do you see when you look at this team? I see a very strong nucleus in Chara, Savard, a healthy Bergeron, Lucic, Wideman, Kessel, Krejci and Sturm. No goaltenders on that list, despite the way Thomas has played for most of the year, but Rask is sitting there in Providence, coming off a great season in the AHL. If he can add a strong playoff to his resume, why can’t Rask be Boston’s version of Montreal’s Carey Price? Answer: He can. Doesn’t that give you hope for the future? I know. I know. You’re sick of thinking about the future with this club, but for them to get to the postseason - with so many games lost to injury -  you can’t help but think the B’s are on the right track. Now just get a win tonight, and tomorrow’s return to the Garden will be worth watching.

 

 

 

Bad B’s

Posted by Mike Giardi April 10, 2008 at 10:18 pm

Its my off-night, but with the Bruins playing Game 1 of the playoffs, the Great Gretzky dog and I settled in for what we expected would be 2-and-a-half hours of rock ‘em, sock ‘em hockey. Two minutes later, the Habs led 2-0, and the dog retreated to his bed for some quality sleep (he was actually snoring at one point). I, on the other hand, felt compelled to watch the final 58 minutes. To say I’m disgusted wouldn’t do that word justice, and I think I’m actually jealous of the dog. I should have caught some Z’s.

The B’s were completely overwhelmed by Montreal in every facet. First, they failed to match the Habs emotion, which was obviously fueled by a raucous crowd. Second, the Black and Gold were like a bunch of 4-years old playing their first organized game of hockey. Ever seen one of those? Its a cluster, and funny when its kids. But you’re watching pros…good grief. I mean, how’s about a little puck possession boys? How about attacking the net? Heck, how about shooting once in a blue moon?? Murray was invisible…Kessel as well, and you can tell Savard has plenty of rust to knock off. The only line that sustained any kind of pressure was the Axelsson, Lucic, Metropolit troika, but that’s not exactly the most “skilled” offensive bunch.

But my biggest issue was defensive zone coverage. When the two most sound own-zone players - Chara and Ward - are not where they’re suppose to be, or not making the correct decisions in their own zone, the Bruins have no chance. Actually, check that. They have one: Tim Thomas. And he didn’t do his Houdini impression tonight.

B’s now trail 1-0 in the series. They need to get their stuff together quickly, with Game 2 Saturday night. Hard to call a game this early in a series a must-win, but given the B’s lack of success against Montreal this season - and last - I’d say it is.

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