Originally posted by: SSP
We need a official Play offs thread.
btw, damn you B's. We could've played Montreal.
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Oooops...sorry.....Originally posted by: SSP
We need a official Play offs thread.
btw, damn you B's. We could've played Montreal.
NOT!!!
:beer:
Thornton possible for playoff opener
By Stephen Harris/ Bruins Notebook
Monday, April 5, 2004
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Coach Mike Sullivan said after Saturday's loss to the Devils that a decision on playing Joe Thornton in the season finale would be made yesterday morning, but Thornton didn't even accompany the team when it flew out of Hanscom Field Saturday night.
As it turned out, Thornton was not needed, as his mates delivered a superb 60-minute performance and beat the Devils, 3-1. Despite yesterday's victory, the B's have no illusions about the importance of having their top center back for the playoffs, ideally for Game 1 Wednesday against Montreal.
``Obviously, if he was healthy enough to play, he'd be here playing,'' said assistant GM Jeff Gorton. ``That door was open. But he's not healthy enough, so he's not playing. Joe wants to play. We want him to play. He's going to play when he's ready. He's not ready to play.''
General manager Mike O'Connell offered little information Saturday when asked if there was a chance Thornton will play in Game 1 of the playoffs.
``There is a chance he will play,'' said O'Connell.
Is it on the order of a 1-in-100 chance? Or 50-50?
``That's all I'm going to say,'' said O'Connell as he turned and walked away.
Gorton yesterday echoed O'Connell, saying there is a possibility Thornton will be able to play Wednesday.
``If he's telling you there was a chance Joe would play (yesterday), then he certainly could be ready (for the playoff opener). That's the idea that we're operating under, that he will be ready.''
Gorton said there is no need for additional medical evaluation of Thornton, whose injury - a wrist or torso problem is suspected - has so far remained secret. ``At this point, it's just a question of healing,'' Gorton said.
Shift in high gear
The Bruins played what might have been their finest shift of the season late in Period 2. Sergei Samsonov, Michael Nylander, Brian Rolston and Martin Lapointe [news] executed the forechecking cycle perfectly - taking turns handling the puck deep in the Devils' end and maintaining possession for nearly three minutes without a whistle.
There was a new look to the B's lines, with Travis Green moving onto the No. 1 line with Glen Murray and Patrice Bergeron [news], and Mike Knuble going back to his natural right wing while skating with Nylander and Samsonov. The B's got good work from all four lines and a strong game from their defense corps.
After giving the Devils eight power plays and one PPG Saturday, the B's gave up five and one yesterday - Jamie Langenbrunner's knock-in of a Scott Neidermayer shot with 7:03 left.
The B's clearly played a more disciplined game than they had a day earlier. Yesterday, it was the Devils who took some unnecessary minors, giving their guests six power plays.
Wish you were here
Gorton says Sergei Zinovjev [news], the skillful Russian center who played 10 games with the B's early in the season before declining a demotion to Providence and opting to return to his Russian league club in Siberia, now realizes he made a mistake and would like to come back. ``I think he feels he should have stayed,'' Gorton said.
If Zinovjev had accepted a stint in the AHL and learned the North American game, he might well be a very useful guy to have around now with Thornton's questionable status.
Trouble on home front
The Bruins' 18 home victories this season are the fifth-lowest total since the dark ages of 1966-67.
The B's went 18-12-9-2 at the Fleet. That record would look quite a bit better but for the 0-5-3 home winless streak during the team's 3-9-5-1 swoon from late-November to late-December. . . .
The B's finished the regular season having lost 207 manpower games to injury or illness. . . .
The B's won the season series against the defending champion Devils, 2-1-1. Missing their chance to win the Atlantic Division, the Devils open on the road against the Flyers. . . .
The Devils got a key player back yesterday, as top-pair defenseman Brian Rafalski returned after missing 11 games with a fractured fibula.
B's second in command: Down Devils, 3-1; clinch No. 2 seed in East
By Stephen Harris
Monday, April 5, 2004
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils left the ice after one period yesterday in the Meadowlands to a lusty chorus of boos. For the Bruins, the sour serenade was the sweetest sound imaginable.
Showing tremendous character to bounce back from a very troubling few days back home, the Bruins stunned the Devils with three first-period goals, then beat the home team with its own game - terrific neutral-zone checking and overall team defense - to earn a 3-1 victory that boosted the B's to a second-place finish in the final Eastern Conference standings.
``It's a huge relief and a huge win,'' said B's goalie Andrew Raycroft. ``To come into New Jersey and win like this gives us a lot of confidence going into the playoffs. It's a good feeling.''
The Bruins will host the seventh-place Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-seven first-round series, with Game 1 Wednesday and Game 2 Friday at the FleetCenter. It will be the 30th spring showdown for the longtime rivals.
On paper at least, the Bruins face the best of the five possible scenarios that existed before the final day of the regular season. Three of the outcomes would have sent the B's against the Ottawa Senators and one would have meant a match with the Devils.
After New Jersey's 5-2 victory Saturday in Boston - and with injured captain Joe Thornton missing his second game - the B's prospects yesterday didn't seem all that bright. But the B's, finishing as the NHL's best road team (23-7-6-5), played as they have most of the season in enemy rinks: hard and smart. Their task was made far easier when they got goals from Travis Green (No. 11) and Glen Murray (32) to go up 2-0 after just 2:51, and notched a third score from Sergei Samsonov (17) late in the first.
Thereafter, the B's never let up on pressuring the Devils. They attacked puck-carriers relentlessly, took away time and space, and blocked innumerable shots and passes. The Devils, desperate for a win that would earn them the home-ice advantage, managed only 14 shots.
``I'm thrilled,'' said B's coach Mike Sullivan. ``I'm happy for our players. Our guys have battled through a lot this year, overcome a lot of adversity to move this team in the right direction. It has to give our team confidence to know we can respond through any sort of adversity. This week was a microcosm of our season. We could win some games and feel good about ourselves, and have a game like Saturday's where we were disappointed. But what's important about this team, and has been all year, is the way we've responded.''
Sullivan's team set the tone immediately, as tenacious forechecking work from Murray and Patrice Bergeron [news] set the stage for Green's quick snap from the left hashmark just 57 seconds in. The B's power play then contributed, as Murray popped in a rebound from near the right post at 2:51, with Knuble and Michael Nylander providing the traffic in front of goalie Martin Brodeur.
``Anytime you can come out and get a lead, it stacks the deck in your favor,'' Sullivan said. ``To come out and get a 2-0 lead right off the bat was a great momentum boost for our team, a great confidence boost after a tough game (Saturday).''
Knuble was back in Brodeur's face at 15:17, when Samsonov snapped a shot from the left circle for the far side, making it 3-0. After 26 minutes-plus, the B's held a 12-1 edge in shots.
``It's nice, obviously, to have a two- and three-goal cushion,'' Raycroft said. ``But at the same time, I wasn't getting a lot of work. I was kind of nervous about them getting a breakaway or 2-on-1 and having to come up with a big save. Our guys did a great job all day. We were blocking shots, we had sticks in lanes, we just defended outstanding.''
If the B's continue to execute and play with the same energy, they can produce a memorable postseason.
``As bad as we all felt after (Saturday's) game, to be at one end of the spectrum and at the other end now, it's just really satisfying,'' said Knuble. ``We felt with the way we played all year that we deserved to finish second. It's a satisfying win when it's all up to you and you're able to do it.''
Originally posted by: Michael
Go! HABS! Go!
I was worried about the first round until it was clear we were playing Boston.
Michael
B's try to bust Hab-it: Seek to halt run of playoff failures
By Stephen Harris
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Young New England hockey fans probably cannot remember the days when the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs was an exciting time in this region.
As the Bruins entered the playoffs - something they did for an NHL-record 29 consecutive seasons from 1968-96 - there was usually good reason to believe the club would fight deep into the spring.
That has not been the case, of course, for a long time. B's fan have mostly known frustration and disappointment for the past 11 years, a span in which their team has won only 2-of-11 series.
But this year, as the Bruins take on the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-seven first-round series starting tonight at the FleetCenter, hopes are high again. For several reasons, this could be the most important B's playoff season in recent memory, and the team appears capable of making those dreams comes true.
``Our confidence going in is as good as it's ever been since I've been here,'' Bruin Mike Knuble said. ``I don't know if it's the lockout (looming in September), but guys are ready to focus everything they have on this playoff. We could be without hockey for a long time, and we all want to give it a good shot here.
``We're coming in in the right frame of mind. We've been winning close games all year. The guys are prepared to go into the playoffs. We're definitely accelerating into the playoffs, rather than backing in, as we did the last couple of years. We feel like we're a team on the rise, playing our best hockey now. Obviously Joe (Thornton) is going to be a big part of that when we get him back.''
The status of the injured Thornton remained in question yesterday, even after the B's captain and first-line center skated with the team in practice and looked pretty good. While stopping short of saying he would play tonight - and continuing to dodge questions on what exactly is wrong with him, whether it's an injury to his left wrist, ribs or something else - Thornton made it clear he wants to play.
``Obviously I want to play,'' Thornton said. ``That's my say. We'll see what the trainers and the coach have to say.''
Thornton is one of the few Bruins players who knows he'll still be with this team when, and if, the NHL resumes playing. The B's have only a handful of players under contract beyond this season, and could well say goodbye to numerous free agents - including core guys like Glen Murray, Knuble, Brian Rolston, Sean O'Donnell, Michael Nylander and Sergei Gonchar - as they prepare for what they hope will be a new owner-friendly CBA.
Players understand this could be their last shot at the Cup with this very strong and tight-knit group.
Also, there have been indications that team owner Jeremy Jacobs has demanded results this spring. Each home playoff date pumps $1 million or more into the Jacobs bank account, and another season in which there are only 2-3 home dates might not be tolerated. Although it's difficult to imagine after the B's splendid 104-point regular season, many observers believe general manager Mike O'Connell's job could be in jeopardy if the B's suffer another playoff pratfall.
These two ancient rivals know each other very well. And while the B's may have won the season series 3-0-1-2 (getting nine of a possible 12 points), four of the games went to overtime and the B's had only a 9-7 edge in scoring. Goals were very hard to come by against B's goalie Andrew Raycroft and Habs counterpart Jose Theodore.
``We expect (Raycroft) to play the same way he's played all year - which is spectacular,'' Bruin Ted Donato said. ``On the other side, we expect Theodore to be spectacular, too. He's a great goalie. We know that every game is going to be a very close, tight-checking affair. Look at the regular season. We expect more of the same.''
The key for the Bruins is puck pressure. The B's want to take away time and space in the neutral zone - never letting the Habs use their speed in the offensive end.
Many times among their 29 previous playoff encounters with the Canadiens (the Habs lead, 22-7), the Bruins were favored but did not come away with a win.
``We know them pretty well. I think they know our team pretty well,'' B's coach Mike Sullivan said. ``Both teams are quality teams. It's going to be a tough test. We feel like we have a pretty good team. The players as well as the coaching staff are excited to get underway.''
Net gains give B's edge
By Karen Guregian
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
A few weeks ago, club president Harry Sinden made an interesting confession about the goaltending on Bruins teams of the past.
He admitted he knew, just by looking across at the opposing goalie, his team would most likely lose during the playoffs. There was no sugarcoating the most recent goalie matchups. In Sinden's eyes, the edge always went to the opposition.
The collection of Byron Dafoe, Rob Tallas, John Graham, Jeff Hackett and Steve Shields were a cut below Washington's Olaf Kolzig, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Montreal's Jose Theodore.
``We've been in so many series where you'd look at the guy in the other net, and say, `How do we overcome that?' '' Sinden said. ``Well, we don't have to do that this year, no matter who the goalie (on the opposing side) is.''
As B's coach Mike Sullivan correctly pointed out yesterday, goaltending is the most critical position on the ice, and perhaps the most important position in sports. During the playoffs, especially, everything starts with the man in the mask.
And based on what we've seen during the regular season, rookie-of-the-year candidate Andrew Raycroft stacks up well against anyone. There's no need to cringe when you ponder the matchup of Raycroft vs. Theodore.
Without question, this is one of the key contests - if not the most pivotal one - of the first-round series between the Bruins and Canadiens, which starts tonight.
Theodore comes in as a given. We know the Canadiens' netminder, who won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP two years ago, is capable of stealing any series by himself. We've witnessed it firsthand.
As for Raycroft, there's no doubting his ability. The lone question has to do with his lack of experience. But there are so many examples of first-year goalies performing well in the playoffs - Theodore was one, so was Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere last season - that it's hard to believe Raycroft will be plagued with jitters on the big stage.
He's been the epitome of calm during the year. And yesterday, on the eve of the playoffs, he was once again Mr. Cool dealing with the media horde, which looks to have multiplied by the dozen overnight.
``Obviously, there's a lot more buzz, a lot more people around, a lot more people interested in what we're all doing, but it's still fun for me,'' Raycroft said. ``Actually, it's almost comical. You go eight months doing the same thing, then all of a sudden, everyone thinks we're inventing the wheel here.''
Raycroft, who finished the regular season with a sizzling 2.05 goals-against average and .926 save percentage, won't argue the experience factor. But that doesn't mean he'll concede it as an advantage for Theodore.
The B's goalie recently sought out advice from veteran backup Felix Potvin about the playoffs. Potvin just told him to be himself, and not to change a thing.
``I've never played in the playoffs, but it's still hockey,'' Raycroft said. ``I'm just going to go out and play the game.''
Yesterday, he listened to all the questions about his pending matchup with Theodore, and how he thought he'd fare against the more proven netminder, who posted a 2.27 GAA and .919 save percentage this season.
``We're out there together, but it's not like a defenseman taking on a forward,'' Raycroft said smartly. ``We're on our islands, doing our separate thing. Everyone wants to point to the goaltenders, but it's still a team game. I'm more worried about (Michael) Ribeiro and (Michael) Ryder.''
The good news for the Bruins is for the first time in a long time, they're not worried about their goaltender versus the other guy.
``All the top teams have excellent goaltenders,'' remarked Mike Knuble. ``It's like splitting hairs trying to separate the best of the bunch. Theodore has given them an aura of confidence, but the same applies to us with our guy. We're thrilled with our goaltending. We'll take ours against anyone.''
Rolston's words on bulletin board
By Stephen Harris/ Bruins Notebook
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
This is the time of year when a casual remark can blow up into headlines.
So it was for Bruin Brian Rolston, whose candid assessment of the Canadiens in the Herald March 27 - before the B's scored an overtime win over the Habs in a marvelously entertaining match at the FleetCenter - is now being used to fuel Montreal passions for the coming playoff series.
``I think as long as we do what we do well - get the puck, move it up, be aggressive on the forecheck with our `D' closing up the gaps - I don't think any team can beat us,'' Rolston said that day. ``If we bring that (that night against the Canadiens), I don't think they can compete with us. We're too big down low, and our defense and goaltending are solid, too.''
Sure enough, Rolston's quotes popped up in the Montreal papers this week, and drew responses from Canadiens players.
``Any hockey player should believe in his own team,'' ex-Bruin Joey Juneau said. ``We also have our own personal opinions. But the important thing is you should not say it publicly. It's a fact that they have big players. But we have big players, too. And we have small players who play like big players. It's the size of the heart that matters.''
Offered key defenseman Sheldon Souray: ``They won the division, and they have good reason to believe they're good. We must give them the respect they deserve. But we also believe in our team.''
Green gets in
The decision on whether center Joe Thornton plays or sits will likely impact three of the four B's lines. Either way, versatile forward Travis Green is likely to see action in all sorts of roles, from the fourth line to the first line.
``It seems like it's been that way all year,'' said Green, who has averaged 15:14 of ice time. ``I don't really think about it. It hasn't mattered to me where I've played, as long as you're playing. We have a lot of depth on our team. I guess my role depends on the nature of the game, the situation, injuries.''
Given the nature of the game, it seems unlikely tough guy Doug Doull's services will be required against the Habs. He accepts his position and, after spending six seasons in the minors, is simply glad to get a taste of the playoffs.
``It's just an honor to be part of this whole thing at this time of year,'' Doull said. ``I'm looking foward to it. There definitely isn't as much fighting in the playoffs, that's for sure. Both teams aren't really looking for it. Things are too important to risk doing anything stupid.''
Indeed, B's coach Mike Sullivan will hammer home the importance of avoiding unnecessary penalties, which have hurt the Bruins over and over this season.
``It's tough to win games if you march to the penalty box,'' said Sullivan.
B's short on power
Streaky all season, the Bruins' power play finished 17th in the NHL with a 16.0 percent success rate. All seven other playoff teams in the East had better power-play success, including Montreal (10th; 17.2 percent).
``The power play is huge. Huge,'' power-play pointman Sergei Gonchar said after the B's spent a good chunk of practice time yesterday on the man advantage. ``In the playoffs, there's not going to be that many power plays. If you're not using them, if you're not scoring goals, then it's going to be tough on you.''
Showing the sort of balance they'd rather avoid, the B's penalty killers also ranked 17th (83.6). . . .
The final bottom line for the B's: They drew 630,469 fans to the FleetCenter, an average of 15,377, with nine sellouts.
Joe should be a go: Thornton looks fine at B's practice
By Karen Guregian
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Just about every sign is pointing toward Joe Thornton making a return to the Bruins' lineup tonight to open their first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Yesterday, the Bruins captain practiced with the team for the first time since suffering his mysterious ``upper body'' injury in Thursday's game with Washington.
Thornton didn't seem the least bit hampered during the near hour-long workout. He skated in his customary spot centering the top line, and took part in every drill, although there wasn't much contact involved when it came to the B's star.
After practice, Thornton indicated if the decision was totally up to him, he would play. He's ready, willing and able to take on the Habs. Ultimately, coach Mike Sullivan and the training staff will confer with Thornton today before deciding if he'll suit up for Game 1 of the best-of-seven quarterfinal series with the rival Canadiens.
``Obviously, we're going to do everything we can to get me out there,'' Thornton said following the club's FleetCenter practice. ``We're just going to see how I feel in the morning, and that's pretty much the indicator if I'll play or not.''
He claimed pain wouldn't be an issue - at least not one that would prevent him from returning after missing the final two regular-season games against New Jersey.
``I don't think (pain) will be a problem,'' Thornton said. ``It's just seeing if I can move the way I want to move, things like that. I want to play. It's just going to be up to the training staff and coaches.''
Thornton wouldn't admit if he was wearing some kind of protective gear yesterday, such as a flak jacket to protect ribs, or some type of brace for a wrist problem. When he addressed the media after receiving his post-practice treatment, he came out wearing a windbreaker and kept his hands in his pockets. So there was no indication where, or if, any ice had been applied to the injured area.
The commonly held belief is Thornton suffered either a rib injury, a left wrist injury, or perhaps even both, after getting hooked by Washington's Todd Rohloff and crashing hard and awkwardly to the ice in front of the Caps' net.
Thornton didn't doubt the Canadiens would target him and try and test every part of his ``upper body'' with hits, clean or otherwise. Injury or not, that's usually how it is.
``Obviously, you don't want to aggravate it,'' he said. ``You know it's going to be physical out there. You know things might happen. But I just want to play.''
Thornton was the team's leading scorer during the season, finishing with 73 points (23 goals, 50 assists). While the Bruins do have depth and can still fill out two decent lines at the top without their captain, the task of taking the best-of-seven series from the Canadiens would be daunting without his presence.
Judging by Thornton's activity level yesterday, it's hard to imagine him being kept out of the lineup much longer.
Without question, the challenge for Thornton heading into the playoffs was to see if he could finally elevate his game during the postseason.
``The best part of hockey is the playoffs, so obviously I want to get out there starting Game 1,'' Thornton said. ``Hopefully it reacts good from practice today and tomorrow, I wake up and I feel good.''