WickedBruinsFan's Blog

The Bruins concluded their road trip last in New Jersey losing 4-3 in overtime. The Devils stretched their winning streak to eight games.

The Highs: Zdeno Chara, Glen Murray and Dennis Wideman all scored in the first period to give the Bruins a 3-0 lead… Both Martin Broduer and Tim Thomas made some phenomenal saves at key points in the game… Tuukka Rask saw some ice time.

The Lows: The Bruins ended up blowing a 3-0 lead in regulation, and only got a point out of the game… Thomas was injured late in the game with a lower body injury… The Bruins had no shots on goal in overtime.

The Bruins are home for one game to play the Montreal Canadiens (13-10-4), and then go back on the road this weekend. Thank goodness the Bruins return home next week and stay a while because I’m sure some of them are homesick. Okay, I admit maybe it’s me. I miss going to Bruins games and watching hockey in person.

As the Goalies Turn: With the Thomas injury further complicating the Bruins goaltending situation, the Bruins needed somebody to back-up Rask tonight for the Canadiens game. I highly doubt they were going to call upon Gerry Cheevers. They needed something a little more long term since Manny “being Manny” Fernandez was assigned to Providence today for conditioning.

Having all of this in mind, GM Peter Chiarelli went out and acquired a goaltender from the Phoenix Coyotes with a deal he had been working on.

Ever since Manny Fernandez suffered a herniated disk in his back a couple weeks ago, Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has been attempting to acquire another veteran goaltender to back up Tim Thomas and allow Tuukka Rask to play in the AHL. With Thomas suffering a lower-body injury in the closing seconds of regulation time Wednesday night in New Jersey, the need for a veteran became intensified – so Chiarelli closed a deal he’d been working on with Phoenix to acquire Alex Auld.

Auld was acquired in exchange for Nate DiCasmirro and a 5th round draft pick in the 2009 draft. Auld is expected to arrive in time for tonight’s game wearing #29 and back-up Rask. To think had the goaltender situation happen last month when Auld was on waivers, the Bruins could have just plucked him off for nothing. Timing is everything.

Across the Ice: The Canadiens will always be that team that is a thorn in the Bruins side. Heck, they’re the only team that continues to scare me because of their 326-257-103-2 lifetime record against the Bruins. The Canadiens have won the last six games against the Bruins, including the first three this season. The Bruins last defeated Montreal 3-1 on March 3, 2007 in Boston.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens have lost five of their last six games posting a 1-4-1 record. The win was a shootout victory.

In Between the Pipes: Rask (2-0-1, 2.90 GAA, .897 Sv%) will be starting tonight since our goaltenders seem to be dropping like flies and the opportunity is presenting itself. Thomas never really had a great record against the Canadiens anyway. Rask should see Carey Price (6-4-1, 2.94 GAA, .909 Sv%) in the other net. If it’s not Price, it will be Cristobal Huet (7-6-3, 2.35 GAA, .926 Sv%).

The Bruins will have another tough game on their hands tonight. The Canadiens practically own this team, and have throughout the years. Hopefully the Bruins can come out with at least one point from tonight’s game.

I’ll be at the game (woo-hoo!) and going all out with the camera and jersey. Give a girl a night off from work and I can be a totally committed Bruins fan. Look for the photos from warm-ups and maybe some of the game (since I have a spiffy seat [thanks Tracy!]) either later tonight or tomorrow just as long as I’m not constantly sneezing while snapping pictures.

One last thing: Go Bruins!