Bruins Beat: Bipolar Play Continues

Needless to say I am pretty happy that I'll be able to write about what I want on this blog in the foreseeable future and as far as I'm concerned that means the consummation of a weekly Bruins beat writing blog. As the regular season grinds on I'll be happy to share exactly how I feel about all aspects of the team, from roster moves to overall play. I hope you guys enjoy reading my opinions and sharing with me the elation and sometimes devastation that will come with being a fan of an in-between team like the Boston Bruins. Anyhow, lets talk about the week that was in terms of this Boston hockey club.
Unfortunately for myself and all Bruins fans, the past week since my last blog post has been dull beyond belief with only two games being played in a back to back road stint this past weekend. on Friday the Bruins traveled to the Centre Bell for the first time this season to challenge the league-leading Montreal Canadiens for the second time this season. There was a greater feeling of anticipation this time around for Bruins fans because Montreals stud goalie Carey "Literally Perfect" Price was sidelined with a lower-body injury. Unfortunately for the Bruins they instead had to face a red hot rookie net minder, and Hollistons own, Mike Condon who had been brick wall-esque in his first 6 starts with a 5-0-1 record and a save percentage of .941. The game that ensued that night turned out to be one of the worst officiated games that either Boston or Montreal has had the displeasure of playing this year. The Canadiens were subject to 4 minor penalties that night, 3 of which came early in the first period and allowed the Bruins to jump ahead on a power play goal by Loui Eriksson. The next period and a half was an example of great end to end hockey by both teams that were left tied at 2 after goals by Montreal Lars Eller and Bostons Frank Vatrano, his first NHL goal. However what looked to be a solid game for Boston that was headed for overtime was ruined quickly and concisely by one David Krejci who took his third minor penalty of the night with a little more than 2 minutes to go in regulation. Seeing as the Bruins had the worst penalty kill in the league heading into that night, many fans including me were left dumbfounded at how Krejci could be so undisicplined in the waning minutes of an important game. Boston of course subsequently allows the go ahead goal to Montreal with little more than one minute into the game, souring what could have been an amazing character-building win for the Bruins, or at least a much needed point. I myself felt almost obligated to put my fist squarely through my tv at that point but thankfully resisted that temptation.
The following day the Bruins played once again on the road but this time in the heart of Brooklyn facing off against the New York Islanders, a team that has been playing somewhat subpar in comparison to the big expectations the team had coming out of the gate. The game was quiet in the beginning with each team playing tired hockey for a solid ten minutes. Two quick minors for the Isles found them in a 5-3 situation which the Bruins powerplay, still ranked number 1 in the league, quickly cashed in on. The goal came off a nice passing play between David Krejci and Ryan Spooner and gave the Bruins the first goal in the game for the 13th time in 14 games. The Bruin would score again in the second when Patrice Bergeron tipped home a hard shot by Kevan Miller. This game was a great confidence builder for a strugglin Tuukka Rask who was able to play hockey reminiscent of last years domination he showed while in net. The Islanders only goal came from one dearly missed Johnny "Johnny Rocket" Boychuk late in the third which allowed the Bruins to coast to their 7th win of the season. One of the only negative things about the Bruins play on Sunday was their lack of discipline in the 3rd period, taking 6 minor penalties but were able to successfully kill of 5 of the 6.
All in all, not a bad set of games from the Bruins in a slow week, but I have a feeling that that Montreal game is going to stick in the back of Krejci's mind for a good part of the next month, which will hopefully lead to more disciplined, although most likely more careful play from him, which may turn out to be a blessing rather than a curse. The Bruin start a 5 game home stand tonight as I am writing this, taking  on the basement dwelling Colorado Avalanche.