All is not well in the Hub of Hockey. Last night the Bruins dropped their 4th game in the month of March, putting them at 1-4-0 in the early month. As hundreds in their Kessel jerseys contemplate jumping off the Zakim Bridge they wonder: "is this more than a funk?". Do Bruins faithful truly have reason to be concerned? The answer is yes, and no.
For the first time since the lockout, the Boston Bruins were legitimate buyers at the NHL Trading Deadline. The Bruins rid themselves of 'spare-parts' Matt Lashoff, Martins Karsums and offensive catalyst Petteri Nokelainen. In return they gained veteran RW and 1400+ career point man Mark Recchi and the front-toothless defensemen Steve Montador. Both players added necessary depth to the line-up and even more grit to the Bruins blue-collar hard-nosed style of play. However, their potential impact has not been fully shown as the team continues to struggle.
Every team goes through their funk. During the 2007-08 season, the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings went 5-8-2 in the month of February. The Wings went on to tear up the month of March and April, posting a 12-3-2 record. Bruins fans are hoping for a similar fate after a dismal 7-8-3 record over the teams past 18 games. With the schedule easing up for the remaining 14 games of the season, including 8 games against teams well out of the playoff hunt now is the time for the Bruins to rekindle the fire they ignited from November through January.
Now comes time to address the big issue, what in the world has happened to the Bruins special teams? The Bruins powerplay, which was once untouchable before the All-Star Break with the 25% conversion rate has gone ice cold, down to 17% since the All-Star Break. Same with the penalty kill, which once stood among the leagues tops with a 82% percent of killing off penalty's down to 79.7% since resuming from the All-Star Break. What's going wrong? The once disastrous Patrice Bergeron from the point has played great from there as of late but it's with the 2nd line. The "peach-fuzz" powerplay is ice cold, both David Krejci, Phil Kessel and Milan Lucic have done little to nothing in 2009.
One can't help but wonder what's going on with Manny Fernandez. Is he fully healed? Was he rushed back? Rust is definitely a big possibility as the 34 year old has played sparingly in 2009 due to a knee/back/attitude? issue. However, there's no doubting the 2009 version of Manny hasn't been a pleasant one, posting a 2-3-2 record with a .882 SV% and a 3.11 GAA. Fernandez's most disappointing performance undoubtedly came against Tampa Bay, where he allowed 4 goals on just 18 shots. Although Manny has struggled in 2009, with more playing time as the team narrows in on clinching an almost automatic playoff spot the rust could wear off and the 2008 Manny we grew to embrace could return to form a deadly goaltending duo.
As we creep closing to the playoffs the Bruins are undoubtedly a team in need of a wake-up call. Whether that comes from a benching of a star player (see: Phil Kessel) or from within behind closed doors this team simply looks dead out there. With the season drawing to an end in about a month's time, now is the time to wake up. If the team continues to sputter into the 2nd or 3rd seed in the East the feeling of confidence and enthusiasm going into the 1st round of the playoffs may be non-existant among fans and players. So for now Bruins fans, don't jump, this team is one good week away from being favorites yet again.
For the first time since the lockout, the Boston Bruins were legitimate buyers at the NHL Trading Deadline. The Bruins rid themselves of 'spare-parts' Matt Lashoff, Martins Karsums and offensive catalyst Petteri Nokelainen. In return they gained veteran RW and 1400+ career point man Mark Recchi and the front-toothless defensemen Steve Montador. Both players added necessary depth to the line-up and even more grit to the Bruins blue-collar hard-nosed style of play. However, their potential impact has not been fully shown as the team continues to struggle.
Every team goes through their funk. During the 2007-08 season, the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings went 5-8-2 in the month of February. The Wings went on to tear up the month of March and April, posting a 12-3-2 record. Bruins fans are hoping for a similar fate after a dismal 7-8-3 record over the teams past 18 games. With the schedule easing up for the remaining 14 games of the season, including 8 games against teams well out of the playoff hunt now is the time for the Bruins to rekindle the fire they ignited from November through January.
Now comes time to address the big issue, what in the world has happened to the Bruins special teams? The Bruins powerplay, which was once untouchable before the All-Star Break with the 25% conversion rate has gone ice cold, down to 17% since the All-Star Break. Same with the penalty kill, which once stood among the leagues tops with a 82% percent of killing off penalty's down to 79.7% since resuming from the All-Star Break. What's going wrong? The once disastrous Patrice Bergeron from the point has played great from there as of late but it's with the 2nd line. The "peach-fuzz" powerplay is ice cold, both David Krejci, Phil Kessel and Milan Lucic have done little to nothing in 2009.
One can't help but wonder what's going on with Manny Fernandez. Is he fully healed? Was he rushed back? Rust is definitely a big possibility as the 34 year old has played sparingly in 2009 due to a knee/back/attitude? issue. However, there's no doubting the 2009 version of Manny hasn't been a pleasant one, posting a 2-3-2 record with a .882 SV% and a 3.11 GAA. Fernandez's most disappointing performance undoubtedly came against Tampa Bay, where he allowed 4 goals on just 18 shots. Although Manny has struggled in 2009, with more playing time as the team narrows in on clinching an almost automatic playoff spot the rust could wear off and the 2008 Manny we grew to embrace could return to form a deadly goaltending duo.
As we creep closing to the playoffs the Bruins are undoubtedly a team in need of a wake-up call. Whether that comes from a benching of a star player (see: Phil Kessel) or from within behind closed doors this team simply looks dead out there. With the season drawing to an end in about a month's time, now is the time to wake up. If the team continues to sputter into the 2nd or 3rd seed in the East the feeling of confidence and enthusiasm going into the 1st round of the playoffs may be non-existant among fans and players. So for now Bruins fans, don't jump, this team is one good week away from being favorites yet again.
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