Friday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Game 2. Just like last year, we lost game 1 and are looking to rebound. If you guys check out ddubs thread asking me, Cooz & Prospector about the game, you will see an EXCELLENT write up by the Cooz man. His perspective of the game was dead on.

Don't think you can go wrong taking the B's at +1.5 pucks. Like last game, I'm gonna take the 1.5 pucks and go for it on the ML too. The season series was tight with three, one goal games and a tie and Game 1 was no different. So, like last game if you do the 1.5 & the ML you break even...God forbid a Devil empty netter:nono:

Go B's!!!

BOSTON BRUINS at NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Friday, April 11, 2003
Continental Airlines Arena; E. Rutherford NJ
7:00 PM (ET) - Gametime

Tonight?s Game
The Bruins visit the Devils tonight in the second game of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series. The Devils lead the series, one game to none.

2003 Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Series
Game One: Wednesday, April 9 at New Jersey
The Devils took game one of this series by a 2-1 score. Jamie Langenbrunner scored both New Jersey goals with one in each of the first two periods, while Bryan Berard tallied for Boston with a third period goal. Martin Brodeur took the win in net for New Jersey facing 27 shots and Steve Shields earned the loss in goal for Boston facing 28 shots.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins and Devils are meeting for the fourth time in post-season play with the Devils holding a two-to-one series lead, a 12-7 edge in playoff games played and a 57-53 scoring edge in those 19 post-season games. The Bruins won the first series between these teams with a four games to three victory in the 1988 Prince of Wales Conference Championship series. The Devils won the next two series with a four games to two victory in the 1994 Eastern Conference Semi-Final series and a four games to one win in the 1995 Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series. The Devils currently lead this series, one game to none.

Bruins Regular Season Recap
The Bruins finished the regular season with a 36-31-11-4 record, 23-11-5-2 at home and 13-20-6-2 on the road. The Bruins were 9-9-1-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents and were 27-22-9-2 overall vs. Eastern Conference opponents. They outscored opponents by a 245-237 margin while outshooting opponents, 2636-2322, on the season. They finished the season taking points out of six of their last eight games (3-2-0-3) and 12 of their last 17 contests (8-5-3-1). The Bruins were 3-3-3-0 in the nine games since Mike O'Connell replaced Robbie Ftorek behind the bench on Mar. 21.

Recent Devils Games
The Devils finished the regular season with a 46-20-10-6 record, 25-11-3-2 at home and 21-9-7-4 on the road. The Devils were 13-2-5-0 vs. Atlantic Division opponents and were 33-15-10-2 overall vs. Eastern Conference opponents. They outscored opponents by a 216-166 margin on the season. They finished the season taking points out of their last 11 straight games at 6-0-4-1.

Upcoming Series Schedule
The Bruins and Devils next return to Boston for game three on Sunday, April 13 (3:00 p.m.) and game four on Tuesday, April 15 (7:00 p.m.). All games will be broadcast on both NESN and WBZ Radio. If necessary, game five will be in New Jersey on Thursday, April 17 (7:00 p.m.), game six in Boston on Saturday, April 19 (time TBA) with game seven in New Jersey on Monday, April 21 (7:00 p.m.).

Bruins Injuries
Jeff Hackett: Finger injury suffered Mar. 15 vs. Florida; day-to-day.
Sean O'Donnell: Foot injury suffered Apr. 3 in New Jersey; day-to-day.
Krzysztof Oliwa: Back strain suffered Apr. 1 in Ottawa; day-to-day.

Bruins April Transactions
Apr. 3: Andy Hilbert recalled from Providence/AHL.
Apr. 5: Andy Hilbert and Andrew Raycroft returned to Providence/AHL.

 

[the mugs]

Daily Scoop

Daily Scoop

BostonBruins.com

UPDATED: April 10, 2003

MONTCLAIR, N.J. ? The Boston Bruins held practice on the campus of Montclair State University at Floyd Hall Arena this afternoon. Tomorrow night, the Bruins and the Devils meet in Game 2 of the teams? Quarter-Final series.

====

Getting ready for Game 2

Interim coach/General Manager said his team has put Game 1 behind them and are concentrating solely on winning Game 2 on Friday night. Down 1-0 in the series, O?Connell said it is important to find a way to win Game 2 before heading back to Boston.

?I don?t think anyone approaches any game any other way,? said O?Connell. ?It?s a must game. I haven?t been coaching that long, but as a player it was always a must-win game ? that?s the only way you can ever go into a game. Wherever you are in a series, you have to consider every game as a must-win situation.?

=====

Popular Joe

Joe Thornton spent most of Game 1 with New Jersey center John Madden as a shadow, and O?Connell said he expects more of the same in Game 2. But he also said he is not concerned.

?Joe will be fine with that,? said O?Connell. ?He expects it. All the great players expect it. I?m not worried about Joe Thornton.

?Every team is going to try to stop him. Whoever we play, it?s going to be one of the things that Joe is going to have to deal with for the rest of his life, because he is a dominant player.

?You don?t get 100 points by chance. Every team all year has tried to stop Joe, he just has to rise above it.?

=====

Game 1 assessment

O?Connell said he was happy with the way that Game 1 went, but he expects an even better Game 2.

?I was pleased with the overall effort,? said O?Connell. ?But we have to give more.

?I think our second and third efforts have to be better. I think our first effort is good, but on the second and third plays, we have to make sure we are sharper.?

And by second and third effort, O?Connell didn?t mean just going after rebounds in front of the New Jersey net.

?[I want to see it] all over the ice,? said O?Connell. ?Our second and third efforts have to be as good as the first play we make. I think we have to work at that a little bit.?

=====

Starter to be named tomorrow (4-11)

O?Connell declined to name a starter for Game 2, saying he had not yet made his decision.

That being said, O?Connell said he can empathize with Game 1 starter Steve Shields, who would like another shot.

?Of course I can [feel for him],? said O?Connell. ?He?s a professional athlete and he wants to play all the time. He?s a terrific guy too.?

?After I talk to the coaches [I?ll make a decision]. Either later today or tonight.?

=====

More switching in the future

O?Connell said that he envisions employing the same Joe Thornton/Jozef Stumpel switch that he used in the second period of Game 1, in Game 2 as well.

?We have Sergei back, so it gives us some flexibility,? said O?Connell. ?Sergei and Joe have had success in the past and Murray and Stumpel have had success in the past, so it?s something that we will continue to look at.?

=====

Latest lines

Though the Bruins did not wear colored practice jerseys, it appeared that the following combinations were used during practice:

First line: Joe Thornton, Glen Murray, Mike Knuble
Second line: Jozef Stumpel, Sergei Samsonov, Marty McInnis
Third line: Brian Rolston, Martin Lapointe, P.J. Axelsson
Fourth line: Michal Grosek, Rob Zamuner, Lee Goren

Defense ? Bryan Berard, Ian Moran
Defense ? Hal Gill, Nick Boynton
Defense ? Don Sweeney, Dan McGillis

 

[the mugs]

Injuries

Injuries

Boston Injuries
Sean O'Donnell D Foot Doub Fri
Richard Brennan D Ankle Out indefinitely
Jeff Hackett G Finger Ques Fri

New Jersey Injuries
Scott Gomez C Neck Ques Fri
Sergei Brylin C Wrist Early May
Mike Danton F Suspension Out indefinitely

 

[the mugs]

Recent Trends

Recent Trends

The under is 10-2 in BOS's last 12 overall.
BOS is 9-20 ATS in their last 29 road games.
The Bruins have won the past three meetings ATS.
NJ is 2-6 ATS in its last eight overall.
NJ's last four overall have played under.
The Devils are first in defense at 2.01 gls/gm.

 

[the mugs]

Recent Meetings

Recent Meetings

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
4/9/2003 NJ 2 Bos. 1 -1.5,140/5 Bos./U PLAYOFFS 03

4/3/2003 NJ 1 Bos. 1 -0.5,-200/5 Bos./U (02-03)
3/13/2003 Bos. 4 NJ 3 0.5,-145/5 Bos./O
2/21/2003 NJ 3 Bos. 2 -0.5,-150/5 NJ/P
12/30/2002 Bos. 0 NJ 1 -0.5,105/5 NJ/U

4/7/2002 NJ 3 Bos. 2 0,-155/5 NJ/P (01-02)
11/15/2001 Bos. 5 NJ 4 0,110/5 Bos./O
11/3/2001 NJ 1 Bos. 2 0,-230/5 Bos./U
10/30/2001 Bos. 3 NJ 4 0,110/5 NJ/O

4/6/2001 NJ 5 Bos. 2 0,-240/6 NJ/O (00-01)

 

[the mugs]

Boston Globe 4-11-03

Boston Globe 4-11-03

Bruins: Trying times

MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- Second efforts. Third efforts. If the Bruins have a chance at bumping off the Devils tonight, in Game 2 of their best-of-seven, first-round series, their general manager/coach believes it will take a more determined approach than they showed in Wednesday night's opener.

''The first effort's good,'' said Mike O'Connell, following an early-afternoon workout in which all the lines practiced in the same combinations that rolled out in the 2-1 loss less than 24 hours earlier. ''The second and third have to be as good as the first effort we make.''

Now roll the calendar back about three weeks. When O'Connell turfed then-coach Robbie Ftorek and took charge of his sagging troop, one of his key points for making the decision was the squad's oft-shaky and inconsistent performance. He felt he needed to capture their attention, simplify the message they heard, and he expected, or at least hoped, they would buy into simplicity and respond with determined and focused play.

Reminded here yesterday that he had second and third efforts in mind when he made the decision to fire Ftorek, O'Connell responded, ''I was more concerned about the first effort.''

Here's the first concern now with Game 2 set for 7 o'clock tonight: Since opening for business in the fall of 1924, the Bruins have never rallied from an 0-2 deficit and won a playoff series. That's never, as in 0-forever. If they lose tonight, they have some 80 years of history working against them, to say nothing of a Devils' Martin Brodeur-backed game plan that has a way of kicking buckets of sand into even the best goal-scoring machinery.

Second and third efforts were barely on display in Game 1, the Bruins rarely, if ever, fighting through checks in the offensive end after sending an initial shot Brodeur's way. OK, the Devils are proficient in not allowing rebounds (Brodeur's specialty) and clearing the few that do fall through the cracks. Nonetheless, the Bruins weren't inclined to hunt down the puck after first shots, making it an easy evening of sweep-and-clean for the New Jersey backliners.

''You're absolutely right,'' said checking-line pivot Brian Rolston, when asked about the dearth of follow-up scoring chances and lack of pressure on Brodeur. ''It's something we have to do. We've got to crash the net, create more traffic around the crease.''

All of that sounds much like last spring, doesn't it? When the playoffs ended, after six games with the Canadiens, the Bruins were left looking pretty sorry on the scoresheet. For all their high-profile forwards, including much of the bunch on hand now as well as the long-gone Bill Guerin, the scoring wasn't there. Rolston and Guerin led the way with four goals apiece, but no one else had more than a pair, and the big-shooting Glen Murray had only one.

When the third period ran down to 0:00 Wednesday, defenseman Bryan Berard had Boston's lone goal. The big line, centered by Thornton, combined for only six shots. Rolston, shut out on the shot board, saw wingers P.J. Axelsson and Marty Lapointe land only one apiece. Six forwards, eight shots, no goals. To underscore the limited scope of their effort: Devils checking center John Madden tallied eight shots by himself.

Someone among Boston's elite pack of centers and wingers has to find that second and third effort within, and in a hurry, or this playoff season is going to be only too hauntingly familiar.

John McKenzie, where are you? Johnny Pie was an energy guy, a true catalyst in the days of the Big, Bad Bruins. In times when shots were few and energy on a dip, or slow to come around, McKenzie would be the guy to rattle someone along the boards and then taunt the opposition with a wide smile across his Irish mug. ''Go ahead,'' his puckered kisser said, ''take a swipe.''

The one guy who could fill that role here now is Lapointe, but the Bruins have been waiting two years now to see the high-priced free agent bring that kind of game and attitude. P.J. Stock has the spunk, plenty of it, but he's more a puncher than an agitator. Axelsson has the speed and savvy, but not the personality.

Energy guys don't put the puck in the net (boy, Lapointe's got that part down), but with one good shift they can spike the adrenaline level of a whole bench. Before you can say, ''Gentlemen, dinner is served,'' they've already broken the dishes, pocketed the silverware, and tossed the three-layer cake in the goalie's face. That's the kind of second and third efforts Bruins fans of long ago always anticipated. Just a little would go a long way in the spring of '03.

Thirty-eight seconds into the third period Wednesday, newcomer Ian Moran looked inclined to be the agitator when he stepped up and croaked an advancing Turner Stevenson. It was Stevenson who opened the game with a vicious hit to Berard's back, catching the Boston defenseman with a charge from behind that should, at the very least, have been a two-minute minor. Nothing was called on Stevenson. But for his wallop on the Devils forward, Moran got tossed for two minutes (interference).

''He cut through the middle, and I thought the puck was there,'' explained Moran. Late hit. Two minutes. Right idea. Wrong outcome. If he can keep it a little cleaner, the Acton-raised Moran could be a McKenzie-in-waiting with plays like that.

Strategy is always important, but it will take more than X's, O's, and impressive resumes scribbled across stat packs to get the Bruins, shall we say, engaged in this series. They took at least 10 minutes to warm to the task in Game 1, and really didn't play their best -- not that even that was good enough -- until the deficit read 0-2. If the series reads 0-2 after tonight, they'll just be playing out the rest of the series to fill the final paragraphs of their 2002-03 obituary.

''We definitely could have more traffic,'' said the 30-goal-scoring Mike Knuble. ''I don't know, it's like sometimes the Devils make it look too easy. It's like they want you to put it in on Brodeur, and when you do, it's headed right back out. We have to be smarter about where we put pucks, and get people to the net. I'd defintely like to see us get more people to the net.''

Come one, come all, with efforts first, second, and third. Believe it or not, tonight is probably your last chance.

 

[the mugs]

Globe 4-11

Globe 4-11

Turnover made his stomach turn

MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- When Michal Grosek's pass out of the right corner in his own zone ended up on the stick of Devils forward Jamie Langenbrunner and a split second later was in the back of the Bruins' net, no one in the building felt worse than Grosek. A 1-0 New Jersey lead in Wednesday's Game 1 was suddenly 2-0 at 11:38 of the second period and wound up being the one that sunk the Bruins in a 2-1 loss at the Meadowlands.

''I wanted to puke,'' said Grosek. ''Because I don't do that, I don't make mistakes like that, big ones. It made me upset. Especially in a 1-0 game. A two-goal lead is too much against those guys. Especially [against Martin Brodeur].''

That his miscue followed a brilliant save by Steve Shields on Devils center John Madden's backhand bid didn't help. Madden called the save ''a donkey kick,'' referring to Shields somehow kicking his right leg out and knocking the puck out of the way.

''It should've been 2-0 there,'' he said. ''You can't make mistakes like that. Shields made that save but you don't expect him to make another until the next game. It's hard.'' Translation: When your goaltender makes a stop that tough, you can't reward that effort by giving up a bad one. Grosek said he saw Rob Zamuner and thought he could hit him with a pass that would lead to a scoring chance. Instead, the puck hit off the stick of Devils forward Joe Nieuwendyk -- who was battling with defenseman Hal Gill -- right to Langenbrunner.

''When that happens, I should do something different and I saw something and thought I could make it,'' said Grosek. ''My mistake cost us. It was a bad play.''

But he believes his team will recover from the loss and will come out strong in Game 2 tonight. ''Obviously, we're facing a good team,'' said Grosek. ''I don't think it's a big deal. You have to win four games. We still have to get the first win. Silly mistakes cost us. But they happen, that's hockey.''

=====

It has to be Shields

General manager/coach Mike O'Connell declined to name his goalie for Game 2, although it's hard to believe, given his performance, that Shields wouldn't get the call. Jeff Hackett (broken right index finger) practiced again yesterday and O'Connell said he would talk to Hackett about his availability...

Defenseman Sean O'Donnell (bruised foot) is doubtful for tonight...

No one was surprised that the Devils focused their checking attention on center Joe Thornton and linemates Mike Knuble and Glen Murray. ''Every team is going to try to stop him,'' said O'Connell. ''Wherever we play, it's one of those things that Joe's going to have to live with for the rest of his life because he's a dominant player. I'm confident he'll rise above it.''...

O'Connell acknowledged that he asked the league office to review the hit on Bryan Berard by Devils forward Turner Stevenson. Stevenson said it wasn't a good hit. O'Connell declined comment on what he was told, but his demeanor suggested Stevenson would receive the same penalty he received in the game -- in other words, none.

 

[rc conditioner]

go bruins

good luck mugsy

 

[the mugs]

Boston Herald 4-11

Boston Herald 4-11

An all too familiar scene

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - The book is not yet closed, of course, on this strange Bruins season, but the team made one more entry Wednesday night in its unfortunate, months-long story. The theme of the tale is clear: The B's generally play quite hard and well, but can neither make the big play at the offensive end, nor avoid the deadly mistake in their own zone.

It was as simple as that in the Bruins' 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the opener of the best-of-seven series. The B's performed with precision, passion and patience. Their passes and dump-ins were crisp and well chosen; they took the body; they refused to get frustrated by the Devils' vexing trap.

And they got good work in goal from Steve Shields, who'll be back between the pipes for Game 2 tonight at Continental Airlines Arena.

But it all went to waste because the B's could not finish on a half-dozen excellent scoring chances against standout Devils netminder Martin Brodeur, and because of a couple of defensive-zone mistakes that led to the Devils' goals, both by Jamie Langenbrunner.

``There were a lot of good things, but we lost,'' said coach Mike O'Connell after his team's practice yesterday at Montclair State. ``We played hard, but we've got to play harder. I was pleased overall with everyone's effort. We just have to get more.''

O'Connell expounded on the notion that the B's must dig deeper for a more focused and complete effort tonight if they hope to send the series back to Boston tied. Game 3 is Sunday afternoon at the FleetCenter.

Going back to mid-February, the Bruins have won only two of their last 14 road games (2-7-4-1) - their performances on the road usually pretty good, but invariably doomed by small, crucial mistakes or a failure to do the job for 60 minutes.

``I think the second and third effort has to be better,'' said O'Connell. ``The first effort was good, but the second and third plays, we have to make sure we're better. It's all over the ice.

``It has to be a team concept. We have to make sure we make the first play, followed by the second play and the third play. And by the time you get to the third play, the effort has to be as high as it as on the first play - especially with a team like New Jersey, which tries to snuff things out early.''

O'Connell became part of the story yesterday, after a New York Post story that labeled the line juggling he did during Game 1 - swapping first- and second-line centers Joe Thornton and Jozef Stumpel for several shifts - ``a loser's move.''

The story went on to praise Devils coach Pat Burns, noting ``the Devils simply are not going to be outmaneuvered.''

This drew some ironic chuckles from the Bruins camp, and O'Connell said he may well juggle lines again.

``You'll probably see more,'' said O'Connell. ``We just got Sergei (Samsonov) back, so it does give us some flexibility. Sergei and Joe have played together and had success in the past, and (Glen) Murray and Stumpel have had success together, so it's something that we'll continue to look at. (Players) have to be prepared to make changes and adjustments and make sure they're open-minded, not only personnel-wise but also style of play.''

Bruins players remain confident they'll bounce back to take the home-ice advantage away from the Devils tonight.

``I don't think our confidence level has dropped one bit,'' said Mike Knuble. ``We had a good effort. A couple of breaks for us, and it's a different score. We played well, we had shots and chances. I think we could get more people in front of the net and we need more from the power play. But it's just fine-tuning stuff. Overall, the big picture looks pretty good.''

The problem is that need for fine-tuning has been there for four months.

 

[the mugs]

Herald 4-11

Herald 4-11

Joe needs to step up

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - Mario Lemieux has seen his share of checking lines and opposing players shadowing him during the playoffs. So have other esteemed centers such as Steve Yzerman, Peter Forsberg, Mike Modano and Mark Messier.

History tells us the added attention didn't stop them from delivering in the playoffs. Their ability to dominate games expanded beyond the regular season. Their greatness wasn't checked during the big games.

The same should be said about Joe Thornton. It's his turn to show the superstar status he gained with a 101-point regular season won't stop come April. It's his turn to carry the Bruins on his back.

Forget John Madden's checking line, or having to contend with punishing Devils defenseman Scott Stevens every shift. If the B's captain wants to truly be considered in the same company as the current greats mentioned above, he will shine now, when it counts most.

As Bruins general manager/coach Mike O'Connell correctly stated yesterday following practice at Montclair State, ``all the great players rise above it.'' All the great players find a way to succeed even while being targeted, blanketed or rope-tied.

Thornton has to establish himself as a presence in this series, because if he doesn't, the B's have virtually no chance of advancing. There's no more waiting, no more coddling. Since he's gotten his regular-season act down, it's time for Jumbo Joe to blossom as a postseason player.

``I would think every team is going to try and stop him. Whoever we play, it's one of those things Joe has to live with the rest of his life because he's a dominant player,'' O'Connell said. ``You don't just get 100 points . . . every team in the league tried to stop Joe all year, so I'm confident he'll rise above it.''

A lot was made of O'Connell's decision to flip-flop Thornton and Jozef Stumpel between the first and second lines during the 2-1 loss in Game 1 to try and get Thornton away from the Madden matchup. One New York Post columnist even went so far as to call it a ``loser's move,'' taking Thornton off the top line with Glen Murray and Mike Knuble in the second period.

Granted, there is a certain panic quality to it, removing him from the B's go-to line that produced 252 points (110 goals, 142 assists). In the third period, however, the move and all the juggling seemed to be working because that's when the B's generated their best offensive chances on Martin Brodeur.

In the final analysis, however, it shouldn't matter which line Thornton centers, or how much space he has, or doesn't have. The 23-year-old has to perform like the big-time player he's turned into over the past two seasons.

He has to create chances for Murray and Knuble, or Samsonov, or whoever is on his wing. Or, he simply has to create them for himself, using all the talent and skill that's wrapped into his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame to break through every wall Jersey coach Pat Burns and the Devils put up to stop him.

Thornton surely knows the task at hand. He knows having one shot and one assist isn't going to cut it against the Devils, or anyone else. Playing just OK doesn't work in the postseason.

``I put a lot of pressure on myself, so it's nothing I don't want to have,'' Thornton said when asked if he felt the added burden of having to perform. ``I want to be the guy that makes the last play in the last minute of the game, so it's nothing too different for me.''

Only now, the stakes are much higher. Last season, the Montreal Canadiens managed to bottle Thornton up along with the rest of B's offense in their first-round series. With one game, one goal and one Bruin loss in the books, it appears the Devils are on their way to doing the same.

Thornton has to take the next step. He has to be that man among boys on the ice. He has to raise the level of his game because that's what all the great ones do to win championships.

 

[the mugs]

Starting Goalies

Starting Goalies

B's - Shields, Hackett is the backup

Devils - Brodeur

 

[cooz3]

cracking a brew right now mugsy....staying in for a few weeks going to vegas in May...


LETS GO B's...!!!!

cooz

 

[ddubs]

LETS GO B's...!!!!

WORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD!!!!!!!!!

 

[the mugs]

Playing just the ML...Outta here - got to watch some playoff hockey!

Go B's!!