Saturday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

NEW YORK ISLANDERS at
BOSTON BRUINS
Saturday, January 12, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
UPN-38

Tonight's Game
The Bruins host the Islanders tonight in the second of four games between these teams this season and the first of two games of this season's series at the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 25-12-3-4 overall this season with a 15-5-0-3 record on home ice. The Islanders are 21-15-5-2 overall this season with an 11-8-1-1 record on the road. The Bruins are 6-2-0-2 vs. Atlantic Division opponents thus far this season and are 20-7-0-4 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Islanders are 2-5-2-0 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 16-9-4-1 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 56-37-16-0 lifetime vs. the Islanders with a 388-336 scoring advantage in those 109 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 29-14-10-0 lifetime vs. New York with a 202-151 scoring edge in those 53 games. The Bruins have won the last four games between these teams with their last loss to the Islanders a 4-2 setback in New York on Oct. 31, 2000. The Bruins have won the last two home games in this lifetime series with their last home loss to the Islanders a 5-2 setback on Jan. 8, 2000.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won their last three straight games and four of their last five contests with a 6-3 win in Carolina on Jan. 2, a 2-1 loss to Toronto on Jan. 3, a 7-4 win over Washington on Jan. 5, a 3-2 victory in Pittsburgh on Jan. 8 and a 5-0 win over Los Angeles on Jan. 10. They are 9-2-0-0 in their last 11 games, including their longest win streak of the season with a five-game win streak from Dec. 20-29, are 11-4-0-1 in their last 16 games, and have taken points out of 16 of their last 21 games at 14-5-0-2.

The Bruins are 10-3-0-1 in their last 14 home games and are 8-2-0-1 in their last 11 road games.

Recent Islanders Games
The Islanders have lost their last two games and are 2-3-0-0 in their last five games with a 4-2 win over Pittsburgh on Jan. 3, 3-0 loss to Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 3-2 win in Atlanta on Jan. 6, 5-2 loss to Calgary on Jan. 8 and 4-0 loss in Montreal on Jan. 10. They are 3-6-0-0 in their last nine games and are 6-10-3-1 in their last 20 games overall.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins will next travel to Washington to face the Capitals on Jan. 14 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will then return home to host the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 17 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Islanders Games
The Islanders continue their current five-game road trip (0-1-0-0 thus far) at Calgary on Jan. 15, in San Jose on Jan. 17 and at Los Angeles on Jan. 19. They next return home to host the NY Rangers on Jan. 22.

Bruins Injuries
Kyle McLaren: Dec. 28 surgery to repair a torn right wrist ligament; out indefinitely.
Total Man-Games Lost: 96

Bruins Recent Transactions
Dec. 27: Recalled Jonathan Girard from Providence/AHL.

Islanders Injuries
Steve Webb: Broken hand; 6-8 weeks.
Roman Hamrlik: Right knee injury; 3-6 weeks.
Kevin Haller: Groin injury; out indefinitely.
Radek Martinek: Torn knee ligament; out for season.

 

[the mugs]

B's starting goalie not known yet...

B's starting goalie not known yet...

When I find out who is starting, I will post it ASAP...

Flu-bitten Dafoe may be ready

Saturday, January 12, 2002

Sergei Samsonov was sick for several days and missed two games when he battled the flu recently. It was even worse for assistant coach Wayne Cashman. ``I couldn't eat for a week and I ached from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet,'' said Cashman.

But apparently the flu bug that struck B's goaltender Byron Dafoe during Thursday's 5-0 rout of the Kings - a game he had to exit after one period - is not nearly as severe. Though Dafoe did not practice yesterday, coach Robbie Ftorek said he was feeling much better and did not rule out his starting tonight at the FleetCenter against the New York Islanders.

``I'm sure Byron will be fine, I know he will be,'' said Ftorek. ``We'll see how it is (today) and go from there.''

The B's could go again with backup John Grahame, who has played in four of the last nine games and is on a five-game winning streak. Grahame, of course, could end up the B's primary puck-stopper if Dafoe leaves via a trade or impending free agency, and Ftorek said yesterday he already views the 26-year-old as a co-No. 1.

``I always say we've got two No. 1 goalies here,'' said Ftorek. ``Grahamer won the (AHL) Calder Cup a couple of years ago, he's been in the heat of the best battles, championship games, and won. He's a real good goaltender.''

=====

Learning to score

One key to the B's recent surge in goal scoring (47 in the last 11 games) has been detailed advance scouting of opposition goalies.

``We're putting a lot of time into studying the tendencies of other team's goaltenders, off the initial shot and how they leave their rebounds,'' said assistant coach Jim Hughes. ``We're starting to learn how to score goals and the guys are starting to enjoy scoring goals. It's something that's all of a sudden fun for them. Maybe before it was a chore and a duty, but now it's something they're enjoying. It's a mindset and hopefully we'll just keep it going.''

 

[the mugs]

Islanders

Date vs. Score Line ATS SF SA PP PK
1/10/2002 @Montreal 0-4 (L) 0,-135/5 L/U 26 25 0/2 2/8
1/8/2002 Calgary 2-5 (L) 0,-200/5 L/O 37 25 0/3 0/2
1/6/2002 @Atlanta 3-2 (W) 0,-260/6 W/U 27 25 2/2 1/2
1/5/2002 Los Angeles 0-3 (L) 0,-170/5 L/U 29 35 0/4 1/5
1/3/2002 Pittsburgh 4-2 (W) 0,-240/5 W/O 35 20 1/5 1/4
1/1/2002 @Washington 2-3 (L) 0,110/5.5 L/U 35 26 0/5 2/5
12/29/2001 Montreal 6-5 (W) 0,-220/5 W/O 36 30 1/3 0/2
12/27/2001 @Ottawa 2-5 (L) 0,135/5 L/O 29 38 0/5 2/8
12/22/2001 Boston 2-4 (L) 0,-150/5 L/O 26 30 1/5 0/1
12/21/2001 @N.Y. Rangers 2-1 (W) 0,105/5.5 W/U 30 29 1/2 1/3

Bruins

Date vs. Score Line ATS SF SA PP PK
1/10/2002 Los Angeles 5-0 (W) 0,-175/5 W/P 33 16 0/6 0/5
1/8/2002 @Pittsburgh 3-2 (W) 0,-150/5.5 W/U 31 30 0/1 0/5
1/5/2002 Washington 7-4 (W) 0,-175/5.5 W/O 39 23 1/3 2/4
1/3/2002 Toronto 1-2 (L) 0,-130/5 L/U 22 22 0/3 0/3
1/2/2002 @Carolina 6-3 (W) 0,110/5.5 W/O 33 29 1/3 2/5
12/31/2001 @Dallas 1-2 (L) 0,135/5 L/U 27 24 0/4 1/5
12/29/2001 @Tampa Bay 5-4 (W) 0,-130/5 W/O 39 28 0/1 3/5
12/28/2001 @Florida 7-1 (W) 0,-155/5 W/O 28 26 3/6 0/6
12/26/2001 Ottawa 3-2 (W) 0,-130/5 W/P 25 36 0/2 0/3
12/22/2001 @N.Y. Islanders 4-2 (W) 0,130/5 W/O 30 26 0/1 1/5

 

[fatdaddycool]

thanks

thanks

good post mugs thanks for the help

 

[the mugs]

Today's Transactions...

Today's Transactions...

Boston Bruins: Press Releases
Bruins Acquire Hogue From Dallas for Future Considerations; Pellerin Claimed by Stars Off Waivers
BOSTON (January 12, 2002) - The Boston Bruins have acquired left wing Benoit Hogue (pictured right) from the Dallas Stars in exchange for future considerations, it was announced today by Bruins General Manager Mike O'Connell. Hogue is not expected in the lineup tonight when the Bruins host the New York Islanders at the FleetCenter (7:00 p.m.; UPN38 & WBZ Radio).

O'Connell also announced that, in a separate transaction, forward Scott Pellerin was picked up by Dallas from the Bruins off waivers.

Hogue, 35, is in his 16th professional season and 14th in the NHL, and Boston becomes his seventh NHL team. He was drafted by Buffalo as their second pick, 35th overall, in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and turned professional with the Sabres organization in Rochester/AHL in 1986-87 at the conclusion of his junior career in St. Jean/QMJHL. After spending most of his first two pro seasons in Rochester, he broke into the NHL to stay in 1988-89 and remained in Buffalo for three full seasons until his October, 1991 trade to the NY Islanders in a multi-player trade also involving Pat LaFontaine.

The 5'10", 194 lb. native of Repentigny, Quebec enjoyed his most productive offensive seasons with the Islanders with three consecutive 30-or-more-goal seasons from 1991-92 through 1993-94 and career-high 75-point campaigns each in 1991-92 and 1992-93. He played three-plus seasons with the Islanders before going to Toronto in April, 1995 where he remained for parts of two seasons.

He was traded to Dallas in a multi-player deal in January, 1996 and ended the 1995-96 season second in the Stars' scoring race with 64 points. He played two-plus seasons in that first of three stints with Dallas before signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent in July, 1998. He played 62 games with the Lightning in 1998-99 before returning to Dallas in a trade for Sergey Gusev on March 21, 1999 and his 1998-99 season culminated in a Stanley Cup championship with the Stars. He missed the first four months of the 1999-2000 season as an unsigned free agent before signing with Phoenix in February, 2000 and playing the remainder of that season with the Coyotes. He re-signed with the Stars again as a free agent in January, 2001.

Hogue had played in 32 of Dallas' 43 games this season with three goals and three assists for six points and 24 penalty minutes in those 32 games. His career NHL totals to date are 218 goals and 316 assists for 534 points with 864 penalty minutes in 837 career NHL games.

Pellerin, 32, is in his tenth full professional season since signing with Boston as a free agent on July 26, 2001. He had one goal and five assists for six points with six penalty minutes in 35 of Boston's 44 games this season.

 

[the mugs]

Still no word on DaFoe

Still no word on DaFoe

Grahame stays at the ready

For now, Bruin OK with backup duty

WILMINGTON - Byron Dafoe had recovered yesterday from the flu-like symptoms that caused him to leave the Bruins' 5-0 win over Los Angeles after the first period Thursday night.

But Dafoe was not feeling well enough to practice, leaving the team with only one goaltender during a workout at the Ristuccia Center. Nor has coach Robbie Ftorek made a decision between Dafoe and John Grahame as the starting goalie for tonight's game against the New York Islanders.

''I'm sure [Dafoe] will be fine,'' said Ftorek. ''We'll see how it goes [today].''

Grahame, who started in the Bruins' 3-2 win over Pittsburgh Tuesday and relieved Dafoe two days later, has been involved in only one losing game this season, a 5-3 defeat to Minnesota Nov. 8. But Grahame, 26, is not expected to escape backup status, at least until after the season, when Dafoe becomes an unrestricted free agent.

''Whoever goes in net is No. 1 for that night,'' Ftorek said. ''John has been working well in practice and he played well against Pittsburgh. He was thrown into a tough spot [against the Kings]. He got no credit for that game, but he has had some good games.''

Though this might not be Grahame's season, he appears on the verge of emerging. Grahame has spent most of his pro career in Providence, where he compiled a 25-7 record in American Hockey League playoffs.

''He's played in the Calder Cup, been in some of the best battles, the championship games, and he's won,'' Ftorek said. ''We'll see how he responds in games, because the schedule is cramped and we have to get Byron some rest. But I have no qualms about throwing him in there.''

Grahame has accepted the reserve role but remains ambitious.

''I go with what the situation is,'' Grahame said. ''Obviously, I want to play as many games as I can and do what's best for the team.

''Any time you get a chance to play it's great. Obviously, we're in the race and every point is important. We have some great chemistry going and a great bunch of guys, everything is going together, everything is working on all cylinders. When everyone is playing with confidence it makes everyone's job easier.''

Dafoe faced four shots in the first period, then Grahame made nine second-period saves as the Bruins virtually clinched the victory over the Kings.

''I didn't face that many shots, and that's a good testament to what the team did,'' Grahame said. ''[The Islanders] are a good team and we've got to be ready to fight for first place every night because everyone wants to beat the No. 1 team.''

The Bruins, though, attacked the Kings with the aggressiveness of an underdog and the Kings displayed road-weariness.

''There are always going to be games when you don't feel like playing, whether it's health or fatigue or whatever,'' Ftorek said of the Kings. ''If it was a case where they were tired, it doesn't matter. There are going to be games where we are tired and we still have to go out and play. Our club is focusing on playing one game at a time. They know that if you don't get 2 points when they are available to you it is going to hurt you in the long run. We just have to go out and play our game, skate, finish, be patient, get position, play with intelligence.''

The Islanders will be missing right wing Steve Webb (broken right hand) and defenseman Roman Hamrlik (right knee). Webb was injured during a fight in Sunday's game against Atlanta.

 

[wigs]

thanks for the updates, gotta think isles blue line probs should look enticing for the B's,

 

[Frogy]

posted by myself on thursday:

i have look at their record and thaught it was just going to come back. I'm not impress at all against montreal tonight.

Stupid penalities, no momentum, not finishing their play, Giving lots of shuts on goal and lots of opportunities on those shuts,playing open at center and blue line.........you name it they do it or dont.

I'll keep this thread open 'cose its a serious case let down and we might be interested in fadding them on the coming game.
Also see centre ice comments under same thread

 

[the mugs]

From the "bad guys"

From the "bad guys"

Time To Get Things Straightened Out
New York Islanders (21-15-5-2) at Boston Bruins (25-12-3-4)
Gametime: 7:00 pm EST
By Kerry Gwydir


Boston, MA (Jan. 12)) Adversity builds character. And the Islanders are going to need a lot of that as they go into Boston's FleetCenter to play the hottest team in the NHL right now in the Bruins.

Call it a wakeup call for the Islanders who were shutout for the second time in four games on Thursday against the struggling Montreal Canadiens. The Islanders have been plagued with poor starts in their last two games. They were down, 3-1, to Calgary on Tuesday after the first and were trailing 2-0 on Thursday going into the first intermission. No doubt this is an area Peter Laviolette wants his team to improve upon.

And you can bet Laviolette wants this game more than anything since it's his first game back in his home territory after not getting the Bruins head coaching position over the summer. Laviolette was a Bruins' assistant coach last year and coached the B's top developmental affiliate in Providence from 1998-99 and 1999-2000. He won the AHL's Calder Cup in that first year behind the Baby Bruins' bench.

Got To Get Yashin Going Again
For the Islanders to succeed, there's no doubt that Alexei Yashin has to be involved in the team's offense. Yet, the center has no goals and two assists in the last six games. Worse yet, he has points in just three of the Islanders' past 12 contests.

Schultz Up From Sound Tigers
D Ray Schultz was recalled on Friday. That gives the Islanders' eight healthy defensemen. No doubt that if Schultz gets in the lineup, he's going to add plenty of bang.

Did You Know?
The Islanders have not had a three-game losing streak all season? Let's hope they don't start one tonight.

Islander Injury Update
RW Steve Webb (broken right hand surgery on Tuesday, out 6-8 weeks), D Roman Hamrlik (arthroscopic knee surgery, 3-6 weeks), D Radek Martinek (ACL knee surgery, out for season) both had successful surgeries last Wednesday. D Kevin Haller (groin) is also on the injured reserve.

This Season's Series
Boston's Rob Zamuner, Glen Murray and Brian Rolston scored in a 4:27 span of the second period as the Bruins posted a 4-2 victory at Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 22.

Bruins Steaming Along
Boston has won nine of 11 and are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They are doing so without top D Kyle McLaren, out since the end of December with a with a torn wrist ligament.

Lots Of Scoring On The B's
Boston is the first team in the NHL to have three players reach the 20-goal mark this season. Bill Guerin has 24 goals, Brian Rolston (21) and Glen Murray scored his 20th on Thursday in a shutout of the Los Angeles Kings.

Big Joe Coming Into His Own
With the trade of former captain Jason Allison to Los Angeles, it meant C Joe Thornton would be thrust into leading the Bruins in many different ways. He's taken the challenge and gone right with it. Thornton is one of the league's top players who blends speed, scoring and a snarl. So far this season, he's posted 19 goals and has six goals and five assists in a five-game point streak.

Since Trading Their Captain
Since trading Allison and Mikko Eloranta to the Kings on Oct. 24, the Bruins are 21-9-1-4. C Josef Stumpel and RW Glen Murray, who both started their careers in Boston, have been important cogs for the B's and given them a second scoring line for opposition defenses to contend with. Murray has goals in five straight games and 16 points in his last eight matchups while Stumpel has recorded six assists in the past five games.

The Bruins' Last Game
Guerin had a goal and two assists, and RW Martin Lapointe, Murray, LW Sergei Samsonov and Thornton also tallied for the Bruins in a 5-0 win over Los Angeles on Thursday. G John Grahame, subbing for the ill G Byron Dafoe, who started the game, went the distance and finished off the shutout.

Keep An Eye On...
Boston C Joe Thornton is the catalyst for the Bruins. He recorded the ole' Gordie Howe hat trick against the Kings on Thursday - a goal, assist and a fight. He is second in the NHL in points with 50.

How To Watch/Hear the Game
The game is on Metro TV 2 at 7:00 pm EST. It can be heard on ESPN Radio 1050 AM New York or here at www.newyorkislanders.com.

Have A Question for Our Radio Tandem?
Want to test the knowledge or ask a question of our ESPN Radio 1050 AM tag team of John Wiedeman and Chris King? Email them your question along with your name and hometown at islandersradio@yahoo.com.

1050 ESPN RADIO's Chris King's projected lineups

Islanders
Forwards
(12) Oleg Kvasha-(79) Alexei Yashin-(15) Brad Isbister
(17) Shawn Bates-(27) Michael Peca-(37) Mark Parrish
(55) Jason Blake-(13) Claude Lapointe-(21) Mariusz Czerkawski
(16) Raffi Torres-(10) Mats Lindgren-(38) Dave Scatchard

Defensemen
(29) Kenny Jonsson-(47) Dick Tarnstrom
(33) Eric Cairns-(3) Adrian Aucoin
(36) Evgeny Korolev-(6) Ken Sutton
(45) Marko Kiprusoff, (39) Ray Schultz

Goaltenders
(35) Chris Osgood
(30) Garth Snow

Boston
Forwards
(14) Sergei Samsonov-(19) Joe Thornton-(27) Glen Murray
(20) Martin Lapointe-(16) Josef Stumpel-(13) Bill Guerin
(17) Rob Zamuner-(12) Brian Rolston-(11) PJ Axelsson
(62) Andrei Nazarov-(33) Scott Pellerin-(26) Mike Knuble
shrug: on who's in for Pellerin)

Defensemen
(32) Don Sweeney-(44) Nick Boynton
(25) Hal Gill-(21) Sean O'Donnell
(31) Jamie Rivers-(55) Jonathan Girard
(64) Jarno Kultanen

Goaltenders
(34) Bryon Dafoe
(47) John Grahame

Inside The Numbers
STANDINGS:
Islanders: 49 points, 3rd place, 5 points back, Atlantic Division.
Bruins: 57 points, 1st place, Northeast Division.

TEAM LEADERS:
Islanders: Mark Parrish, 22 goals; Alexei Yashin, 23 assists and 42 points; Eric Cairns, 83 PIM.
Bruins: Bill Guerin, 24 goals; Joe Thornton, 31 assists and 50 points; Andrei Nazarov, 121 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Islanders:
Power play: 17.9 percent (35 for 193), 9th in NHL.
Penalty killing: 85.9 percent (171 for 199), 10th (tied).

Bruins:
Power Play: 16.2 percent (23 for 142), 12th.
Penalty killing: 88.3 percent (173 for 196), 4th.

HOME/ROAD RECORDS
Islanders: 11-8-1-1 away from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Bruins: 15-5-0-3 at FleetCenter

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

GL tonight

 

[the mugs]

I hope my Black & Gold glasses...

I hope my Black & Gold glasses...

...don't fail me now!

1) BET ID=21796746
Straight Wager 01/12/02 18:10 ET
30.00/24.00 Result: Pending
Islndrs
Bruins 01/12/02 (19:05 ET)
Bruins -0.5 (-125)