Saturday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Starting early on this one boys. B's start at 1:00 here on the east coast. Like I've always said - I'm no super capper or the second coming of anybody - but this could be a fade position against the B's today as they are playing their first home game after a very successful (4-0-0) road trip. This is the back end of a home and home for the Bruins with the ex-Whale. The ex-Whale did play and win Thursday night at home vs. Philly

Here we go...

CAROLINA HURRICANES at
BOSTON BRUINS
Saturday, March 30, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
1:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
UPN-38
Today's Game
The Bruins host the Hurricanes today in the fourth and final game between these teams this season and the second of two games of the season at FleetCenter. The Bruins are 41-21-5-7 overall this season with a 22-9-1-4 record on home ice. The Hurricanes are 31-24-14-5 overall this season with a 17-12-4-3 record on the road. The Bruins are 14-2-0-2 vs. Southeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 30-15-2-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Hurricanes are 5-8-4-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 21-16-10-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 79-52-14-0 lifetime vs. the Carolina franchise (includes Hartford) with a 520-440 scoring edge in those 145 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 45-21-7-0 lifetime vs. the Hurricanes franchise with a 268-196 scoring advantage in those 73 contests. The Bruins are 2-1-0-0 vs. Carolina in this season's series thus far with a 6-3 win in Carolina on Jan. 2, a 6-2 loss in Boston on Feb. 28 and a 3-2 victory in Carolina on Mar. 26.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won their last six games and nine of their last ten contests with a 3-0 win at Atlanta on Mar. 8, a 3-2 victory over Calgary on Mar. 9, a 3-1 win at NY Rangers on Mar. 13, a 2-1 loss to Toronto on Mar. 14, a 2-1 victory over Detroit on Mar. 16, a 4-2 win over Phoenix on Mar. 19, a 2-1 victory in Buffalo on Mar. 21, 3-1 win in Florida on Mar. 23, 4-3 overtime win in Tampa Bay on Mar. 24 and 3-2 victory in Carolina on Mar. 26. They are now 9-5-1-0 in their last 15 games and are 15-6-2-0 in their last 23 contests overall.

The Bruins' current six-game win streak is their longest since Oct. 23-Nov. 6, 1999. They last won seven straight games during an eight-game win streak from Mar. 30-Apr. 14, 1993. The Bruins have also won their last six road games, their longest such streak since Oct. 13-Nov. 2, 1997. They last won seven straight road games during a club-record eight-game road win streak from Mar. 15-Apr. 14, 1993.

The Bruins are 3-1-0-0 in their last four home games and are 9-4-1-1 in their last 15 home contests. They have won their last six road games, are 9-3-1-0 in their last 13 road games and are 14-6-1-2 in their last 23 road contests.

Recent Hurricanes Games
The Hurricanes are 3-1-1-0 in their last five games with a 1-1 tie with Montreal on Mar. 18, 3-2 win over Florida on Mar. 21, 4-2 win in New Jersey on Mar. 23, 3-2 loss to Boston on Mar. 26 and 4-1 win over Philadelphia on Mar. 28. They are 6-2-3-0 in their last 11 games and are 8-7-9-0 in their last 24 games.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins next face the Flyers in Philadelphia on Apr. 2. They will then return home to host the NY Islanders on Apr. 4 and the NY Rangers on Apr. 6.

Upcoming Hurricanes Games
The Hurricanes will face the Senators in Ottawa on Apr. 2 and will then return home to host New Jersey on Apr. 3 and Atlanta on Apr. 7.

Bruins Injuries
Jarno Kultanen: Knee injury; out indefinitely.
Joe Thornton: Shoulder injury; out indefinitely.
Josef Stumpel C Groin Ques Sat

Total Man-Games Lost: 161

Bruins March Transactions
Mar. 1: Joe Thornton suspended by NHL for three games.
Mar. 5: Marty McInnis acquired from Anaheim for 2002 third round draft pick.
Mar. 5: Andy Hilbert returned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 16: Chris Kelleher recalled from Providence/AHL and returned to Providence/AHL after the game.
Mar. 19: Sean Brown acquired from Edmonton for Bobby Allen.
Mar. 19: Jeff Norton acquired from Florida for 2002 sixth round draft pick.
Mar. 19: Darryl Laplante acquired from Minnesota for Greg Crozier and assigned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 19: Benoit Hogue claimed on waivers by Washington.
Mar. 19: Gord Murphy assigned to Providence/AHL (did not report).

Hurricanes Injuries
Tommy Westlund: Back injury; out indefinitely.
Jeff Daniels: Concussion; day-to-day.
Darren Langdon LW Shoulder Day to Day

 

[the mugs]

This year's games and recent trends

This year's games and recent trends

This year's Meetings

Boston is 2-1 SU against the ex-Whale this year. The ROAD team is 3-0 SU this year with Boston winning twice down south and the bad guys pummelling the B's here in Boston right after the Olympic break. That's the night Thornton high sticked/cross checked Brind'Amour in the mug earning Joe a 3 game suspension. As we all know - Joe still isn't back yet.

Date Home Away Line ATS
3/26/2002 Car. 2 Bos. 3 0,100/5 Bos./P
2/28/2002 Bos. 2 Car. 6 0,-220/5.5 Car./O
1/2/2002 Car. 3 Bos. 6 0,-130/5.5 Bos./O

Trends

The over is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings.
The over is 19-9 for the Canes on the road this season.
CAR is 3-1 ATS in their last four overall.
BOS is 7-0-1 ATS on three or more days rest.
BOS has won the last six home games ATS.
The under is 4-1-1 in the Bruins last six at home.

 

[the mugs]

Injury Reports...

Injury Reports...

Stumpel feels strain

Center Jozef Stumpel strained a groin muscle in the second period of last night's win and wasn't able to return. ''I wanted to try it for the third period, but it wasn't good enough,'' said Stumpel. ''I didn't want to take a chance of hurting it more.'' Stumpel is hopeful of playing in Saturday's matinee against the Hurricanes at the FleetCenter ...

=====

Ftorek keeps an eye on Thornton

WILMINGTON - After nearly a week on the road, Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek was pleased to return home and find Joe Thornton had made some solid progress in his comeback from a shoulder injury.

``He's closer than he has been, by a lot,'' said Ftorek yesterday at Ristuccia Arena as his team prepared for tomorrow afternoon's back half of a home-and-home series with the Carolina Hurricanes at the FleetCenter.

But that's not to say that Ftorek could be nailed down on a return date for his big centerman. It's been speculated that Thornton could return next week when the Bruins play the Philadelphia Flyers (Tuesday) on the road, and the New York Islanders (Thursday) and the New York Rangers (Saturday) at the FleetCenter.

``To say this day or that day is crazy because he'll read it and then get excited,'' said Ftorek. ``I haven't gotten the OK (from the training staff) and that's the next step.''

Ftorek said that the possibility of Thornton rushing back will not be an issue.

``He won't rush things because he's got (the trainers) and then he has to deal with myself,'' said Ftorek. ``He would have wanted to play three weeks ago. And I think his teammates won't allow him to (rush back), especially the guys who've been held out a little bit and have had good success coming back.

Thornton skated before the rest of his teammates practiced and, though he's still prohibited from taking slap shots, felt no ill effects from taking wrist shots for the first time on Wednesday.

``I shot some more pucks again (yesterday) and it's feeling a lot better now,'' said Thornton. ``I was shooting a little bit harder and I'm hitting the net a little more, so it feels like it's coming back.''

=====

Stumpel takes it slow

Jozef Stumpel did not skate at practice as he continues to recover from a groin strain suffered against the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Stumpel expects to give it a try in today's practice and hopes to play tomorrow against Carolina, but he, too, is not about to rush back at this stage of the regular season.

``I don't want to get out there and do something to make it worse and be out for a week or two,'' said Stumpel.

Ftorek said he will wait and see how Stumpel skates before he makes a decision, but expect the coach to take his usual careful approach.

``It's a tricky injury,'' said Ftorek. ``It's one of those things you don't want to hear about.'' . . .

With the Bruins in the midst of a three-day layoff, Ftorek gave Bill Guerin an extra day away from the rink.

 

[the mugs]

Playoff preparations...

Playoff preparations...

No guessing about games

Ftorek isn't playing at playoff speculation

RALEIGH, N.C. - With last night's game against the Hurricanes in the books, the Bruins have 76 down with eight to go. As the club winds down the schedule, it is also gearing up for whoever it is they will face in the first round of the playoffs.

If the season ended yesterday, they'd be hosting the Montreal Canadiens. However, as we've seen the last several weeks, the standings can change in a hurry. The Bruins are competing for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with Philadelphia, and their schedule the rest of the way is favorable: five home games and three on the road. The Flyers have 11 contests remaining, with five away from home.

The Bruins could play the Habs or the Sabres or Capitals or Devils or Islanders. One person who hasn't been giving it much thought is coach Robbie Ftorek.

''I don't think we're going to know that for a long time,'' said Ftorek. ''The race is so close.

''From the first game of the year, I've always looked at the scoreboard. You want to see who's playing well and who's not playing well. Every night before the game, I try to figure out who's going to win and who's going to lose. I'm absolutely god-awful at it. I'm just terrible at it. But it gives you something to do during the time that you're killing. When you're on the bench, you talk to the players and the scores are there. If I was home, I'd be looking at the scroll [at the bottom of the TV screen] to find out who's winning.

''But I'm not looking to see who we might be playing. It's just interesting.''

The players admit to scoreboard-watching; the problem is, one win or loss yields very little information because the race is so tight.

''How many times have you looked at the standings and said, `I don't think this team is going to make it,' and then two days later, you say it about another team?'' said Ftorek. ''Well, what happened to the time you said [the first] team was out, because now they're in fifth?

''So I've given up on that years and years ago. You just feel completely ignorant. The other day I heard it in the dressing room: `[The Rangers] are out of it for sure.' Then all of a sudden, Montreal loses two games and New York is back in it.''

Although the Bruins can't prepare for a specific foe, Ftorek said he has met with assistant coaches Jim Hughes and Wayne Cashman, and they are getting their game plan set up for the playoffs.

''We'll start to get some broad-based stuff and then as it becomes more specific as to who we may be playing, it will get more specific,'' said the coach. ''But that probably won't be done until the last three days.''

 

[the mugs]

McLaren's happy return has been fun and games

WILMINGTON - Kyle McLaren remembers how the last two seasons ended for the Bruins, with the team shut out of the playoffs.

''It wasn't any fun,'' said the 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound McLaren, now in his seventh NHL season for the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins. ''You don't do anything when the season's over. You don't watch the Stanley Cup until the finals because you're disgusted with yourself because you didn't accomplish what you wanted.

''Now, it's fun. Every game is a challenge. I'm not shocked at all. It took us a while to get here, but we underachieved the past couple of seasons. Now we're having fun, getting to the rink and kidding with the other guys. There's still pressure, but it takes the business right out of it. You just play the game and not worry about anything but the game itself.''

The Bruins, who play the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow afternoon at the FleetCenter, have won their last six games and nine of the last 10.

''A lot of it has to do with chemistry, we've got a bunch of good guys here, we work hard as a team,'' he said. ''Everybody puts the team in front of themselves and no one really cares who scores each night, but it's a matter of the final result, the win.''

The team has been successful not only at home (22-9-1-4) but on the road (19-12-4-3).

''Fans are against you on the road and sometimes loud, but sometimes you block that out,'' McLaren said. ''The road is not a distraction but you get more rest at home, with the home-cooked meals. Both have their cons and plusses.''

As opposed to recent years, the Bruins can now send four solid lines over the boards at opponents.

''We've got a lot of players in here with a lot of experience and a lot of players who are stars, but not superstars,'' McLaren said. ''I can't really say, though, why we're a better team this year. We want to go all the way in the playoffs. That's everybody's goal in here, everybody's dream. If we play our type of hockey, take it day by day and game by game, we'll see what happens.

''You get some hot players, a hot goaltender, and you can ride that all the way. But we haven't proven anything to ourselves yet in the playoffs. We're first in the conference and first in our division, but that doesn't mean anything unless it takes us deep into the playoffs.

''There's a lot of confidence in this room. We've gotten better and better.''

With the conference race so tight, has McLaren started to watch the out-of-town scoreboard?

''If we win our share of games, that's all you can worry about,'' McLaren said. ''You don't worry about Philly or other teams.''

McLaren, who has recorded seven assists in 30 games, reports all is well after he was forced to miss 31 contests with a torn ligament in his right wrist.

''I feel great, especially after having four games in six days,'' he said. ''I just knew when I returned that one whack to my wrist wasn't going to hurt it.''

=====

It's not known when center Joe Thornton will return. He's been out of the lineup since injuring his left shoulder in practice March 7. ''Joe's closer than he has been, by a lot,'' said coach Robbie Ftorek. ''He's doing much better, but there's been no time set yet on his return.'' ... Jozef Stumpel missed practice with a groin strain and Bill Guerin and P.J. Stock got a day of rest ... Ftorek's father, Steve, and his uncles attended the workout, something they do about once a week.

 

[cooz3]

road team is always a good play in this series....would you agree mugs?

 

[the mugs]

Cooz - I usually don't like going back more than 1 season as teams change so much but for these two teams and this series, you have a point. The away team is 7-3 SU going back the last 10 games played.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
3/26/2002 Car. 2 Bos. 3 0,100/5 Bos./P AWAY WINNER
2/28/2002 Bos. 2 Car. 6 0,-220/5.5 Car./O AWAY WINNER
1/2/2002 Car. 3 Bos. 6 0,-130/5.5 Bos./O AWAY WINNER
2/18/2001 Car. 5 Bos. 4 0,-140/5.5 Car./O
1/18/2001 Car. 4 Bos. 2 0,-135/5.5 Car./O
12/16/2000 Bos. 4 Car. 1 0,-120/5.5 Bos./U
11/24/2000 Bos. 1 Car. 3 0,-120/5.5 Car./U AWAY WINNER
3/10/2000 Car. 3 Bos. 5 0,-320/5.5 Bos./O AWAY WINNER
1/6/2000 Bos. 3 Car. 7 0,-150/5 Car./O AWAY WINNER
11/22/1999 Car. 1 Bos. 2 0,-130/5 Bos./U AWAY WINNER

Good luck today as I'm not touching this one.

To all the local guys here - Rolston wins the 7th player award. (At least that was my vote)

 

[cooz3]

ROLSTON IS A NO BRAINER..AGREE 100%

 

[cooz3]

ALSO CAROLINA IS 7-1-1 LAST 9 AT BOSTON

 

[the mugs]

Cooz - Guerin for the 7th player?

Geesh - it just shows how much of a popularity contest it's become. He won it last year too. Just what did he do this year that was "abvove and beyond" and wasn't "expected" of him?

 

[ND2002HORNS]

With ya on that one mugs. Rolston leads the league in short handed goals with 7.

HORNS

 

[cooz3]

EXACTLY MUGS...THAT WAS A ROBBING..I HAVE ALWAYS CONSIDERED THE 7TH PLAYER AS AN AWARD FOR THE "UNSUNG HERO" ON THE TEAM....NO WAY GUERIN FALLS INTO THAT CATEGORY AND NO WAY HE HAS PERFORMED ABOVE AND BEYOND THIS YEAR....

BY THE WAY I ENDED UP TAKING THE HURRICANES PLUS A GOAL...MY BOOK HAD EM PLUS A GOAL ...WHY? DONT KNOW...I INTENDED TO TAKE EM SMALL BUT A GOAL WAS JUST TO GOOD TO PASS ON AS A BIG PLAY...SOMETIMES LIVING LOCAL HURTS YA ..SOMETIMES IT HELPS YA...GOOD WAY TO START THE DAY