BOSTON, MA – Throughout this 2009-10 season, the Boston Bruins have had their fair share of the ups-and-downs, especially during the month of November. With big-time injury hurdles and inconsistent 60-minute efforts, the Black and Gold seems as though they have found their groove as of late.
After a rough start of November, (2-2-3 in their first seven games) Boston has been scorching hot in the latter parts, going 5-1-1 in their last seven games. The Bruins defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-2 at the Scottrade Center to start the week on Monday, in what would be their only regulation-time deciding game. The next three games were all decided by the shootout: 2-1 over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday; a 2-1 Friday matinee defeat from the New Jersey Devils; and a 4-3 triumph over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Entering the rollercoaster month of November, the Bruins played without their heavy-hitter Milan Lucic and top-line center Marc Savard for more than half of its games. Savard, who missed the first 10 games of November (15 in all) with a broken left foot, returned to the lineup for Boston’s four concluding games of the month, and registered three assists and a plus-2 rating.
And as for Lucic, well, the injury-bug struck the 21-year-old once again.
After returning from a 14-game stint on the long-term injured-reserve list on Nov. 19 against the Atlanta Thrashers, Lucic didn’t have much to be thankful for on the eve of Thanksgiving Day. Just four games back from a broken finger, the Vancouver, BC, native left Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild towards the end of the third period with a high-ankle sprain. Lucic is back on the IR and could miss up to four weeks with the injury.
In lieu of Lucic’s second stint to the IR, the Bruins have recalled Vladimir Sobotka once again to fill-in that vacant forward position. Despite his 5’11” stature, Sobotka’s physical play has him second on the team in hits (51) while playing in just 17 of the Bruins’ 26 games this season. Last week, the 22-year-old laid seven hits — in two games — against the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators.
There have been plenty of curve-balls thrown in Boston’s direction this year, yet the boys in black and gold have dug deep as of late to persevere.
Tim Thomas, who returned to action on Saturday against the Senators, was yet another victim of the injury-plague, missing the previous six starts. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner was out with a “minor, undisclosed injury”, but most reports had it pinned to a “right-hand injury”.
Nonetheless, “Tuukka Time” started here in Boston, and the 22-year-old netminder lived up to the hype. Rask started all six contests and finished with a 4-1-1 record in Thomas’ absence, and helped backstop the B’s to their recent hot-streak. Last week, Rask stopped 93-of-97 shots, notched a 2-0-1 record, a 1.33 goals-against average, and an astounding .959 save-percentage.
Rask was originally drafted in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 21st overall. On June 24, 2006, the Bruins swapped goaltenders when they shipped 2004 Calder Memorial Trophy winner Andrew Raycroft to the Leafs in exchange for Rask. The payoff has not only paid dividends on the Bruins’ back-up department, but for their future between the pipes as well.
Patrice Bergeron also gave the Bruins’ fans one heck of a scare this past weekend when he took a shot to the ankle in Saturday’s game against the Senators. Bergeron hobbled off the ice after Ottawa took advantage by lighting the lamp on the power play — essentially a 5-on-3 with Bergeron lying on the ice — but only missed about two full shifts before returning. Bergy, along with defenseman Matt Hunwick, missed practice today at Ristuccia Arena, but coach Julien stressed that they were mere “maintenance days”.
It took the Bruins three shootouts in their four games last week, but prevailed to a 3-0-1 record to close out the month. After dipping as low as 12th place in the Eastern Conference earlier this month, Boston is now top-dogs in the Northeast Division with 31 points, and third overall in the East.
Contact mark.marino@prohockeynews.com
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