The Bruins opened the 2009-2010 season with a five game home stand. After losing the season opener 4-1 to the Capitals, the Bruins put up a 7-2 beating against the Hurricanes.
With a four day layoff after the Hurricanes game, the Bruins played one of their worst games against the Ducks. Marco Sturm put the Bruins on the board first, and then the rest of the game was all Anaheim. The Ducks won the game 6-1 and the Bruins were put through the paces at practice the following day. Coach Claude Julien ended Friday's practice with sprints.
The message didn't quite get through until the third period of Saturday's game against the Islanders. The Islanders, looking for their first win of the season, had a 3-0 lead going into the 3rd period. The Bruins finally came alive after Marc Savard scored. Byron Bitz and Matt Hunwick would follow with goals coming within six minutes. The Bruins tied the game and with Tuukka Rask between the pipes, were headed to a shootout. Blake Wheeler shot first and scored. Patrice Bergeron missed. Then Savard was the last shooter and scored. Rask made the final save and got his first NHL shootout victory. His celebration looked as if he just won game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
On Columbus Day, the Bruins hosted the Avalanche and looked the same as they did in the majority of the earlier games. This time around, the Bruins were down 2-0 heading into the 2nd period. Mark Recchi and Wheeler scored to tie the game. Colorado later added a power play goal and a shorthanded goal to regain their two-goal lead. Michael Ryder scored in the 3rd period to cut the Avalanche's lead to one. But that was it for the attempted comeback. The Avalance won 4-3.
The Bruins hit the road today. They play in Dallas tomorrow and in Phoenix on Saturday. The Bruins haven't seem to find their game yet. They trail teams too often and have to fight to come back. That's not a formula for a team that has a lot of expectations this season. Let's hope during the two game road trip they can find some of their characteristics and good habits from last season.
This season has been on big case of heartburn. They better turn it around quick or they will dig themselves a hole, they wont be able to get out of.
Joe Gill
http://boston.sportsthenandnow.com/
As long as the hole doesn't get any bigger with this little road trip, they'll be fine. If not, there's going to be a lot of drinking going on.