Saturday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Sorry I'm late today. Tonight is a 4/6 for the Bruins while Philly is playing back to back with travel last night. Good luck tonight

BOSTON BRUINS at
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Saturday, November 16, 2002
First Union Center; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Boston Globe Pre-Game Report
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins visit the Flyers tonight in the first of four games between these clubs this season and the first of two games of this season's series at the First Union Center. The Bruins are 11-2-2-1 overall and are 6-1-1-1 on the road thus far this season. The Flyers are 9-3-4-0 overall with a 5-1-2-0 record on home ice thus far this season. The Bruins are 2-0-0-0 vs. Atlantic Division opponents this season and are 7-0-1-0 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Flyers are 3-1-0-0 this season vs. Northeast Division opponents and they are 7-3-3-0 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 74-49-18-0 lifetime vs. the Flyers with a 477-436 scoring advantage in those 141 games. On the road, the Bruins are 30-31-8-0 lifetime vs. Philadelphia with the Flyers holding a 231-201 scoring edge in those 69 games. The Bruins and Flyers split last season's series at 2-2-0-0, with each team winning their two games on the other's home ice.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won their last four games and have outscored their opponents by a 21-6 margin over that span. They are 5-0-0-1 in their last six games with a 3-2 victory over the NY Rangers on Nov. 2 as Bryan Berard netted the game-winning goal at 19:21 of the third period, a 2-1 overtime loss in Detroit on Nov. 7, a 7-1 win over Ottawa on Nov. 9, a 6-1 victory over Edmonton on Nov. 11, a 4-3 win in Buffalo on Nov. 12 and a 4-1 victory vs. NY Islanders on Nov. 14. The Bruins have taken points out of 14 of their last 15 games at 11-1-2-1, including an eight-game unbeaten streak at 6-0-2-0 from Oct. 14-30. Their lone loss regulation loss in that span was a 4-1 setback to Anaheim on Oct. 31.

Recent Flyers Games
The Flyers are winless in their last four games at 0-2-2-0 with a 1-0 loss to New Jersey on Nov. 7, a 4-1 loss at Washington on Nov. 9, a 1-1 tie with Florida on Nov. 13 and a 1-1 tie in Carolina on Nov. 15. That follows a six-game win streak from Oct. 24-Nov. 5.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins will complete their two-game road stint in Toronto on Nov. 19 (7:30 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will return home for a four-game home stand, hosting Carolina on Nov. 21 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio), Buffalo on Nov. 23 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio), Calgary on Nov. 26 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio) and Montreal on Nov. 29 (12:00 noon; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Flyers Games
The Flyers next face the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Nov. 19 before returning home to host San Jose on Nov. 21.

Bruins Injuries
Mike Knuble: Mild concussion suffered Nov. 12 in Buffalo; day-to-day.
Martin Lapointe: Fractured foot suffered Oct. 17 in Calgary; out indefinitely.
Sergei Samsonov: Wrist sprain suffered Oct. 17 in Calgary; out indefinitely.

Bruins November Transactions
Nov. 1: Jarno Kultanen assigned to Providence/AHL on a conditioning assignment.
Nov. 3: Peter Hamerlik returned to his junior team in Kingston/OHL from Providence/AHL.
Nov. 5: Jarno Kultanen recalled from Providence/AHL.
Nov. 12: Brantt Myhres recalled from Providence/AHL; returned to Providence/AHL after the game.
Nov. 14: Matt Herr recalled from Providence/AHL.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Injuries
Sergei Samsonov RW Wrist Ques Sat
Martin Lapointe LW Foot Out indefinitely
Kyle McLaren D Holdout Out indefinitely
Bruins website is also reporting Mike Knuble is day to day with a mild concussion

Philadelphia Injuries
Justin Williams RW Shoulder Early Dec.
Radovan Somik RW Groin Late Nov.

 

[the mugs]

Definition of a mild concussion...A concussion that happens to somebody else. Otherwise, they all suck

 

[the mugs]

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
4/2/2002 Phi. 2 Bos. 4 0,-155/5 Bos./O (01-02)
3/4/2002 Bos. 1 Phi. 4 0,-115/5.5 Phi./U
12/15/2001 Bos. 2 Phi. 5 0,-110/5 Phi./O
11/29/2001 Phi. 2 Bos. 3 0,-200/5 Bos./P

3/5/2001 Phi. 6 Bos. 4 0,-200/5.5 Phi./O (00-01)
2/6/2001 Bos. 4 Phi. 3 0,115/5.5 Bos./O
12/19/2000 Bos. 4 Phi. 4 0,125/5.5 P/O
10/7/2000 Phi. 1 Bos. 5 0,-240/5.5 Bos./O

4/8/2000 Phi. 3 Bos. 0 0,-340/5.5 Phi./U (99-00)
3/19/2000 Phi. 6 Bos. 2 0,-260/5 Phi./O

 

[the mugs]

Recent Trends
The Bruins are 7-2 ATS on the road.
The over is 6-3 when Boston is away.
BOS is second in offense with 3.68 goals/game scored.
The over is 7-2-1 in the past 10 meetings.
PHI is 0-4 ATS in their last four overall.
The under is 7-1 in the Flyers last eight overall.

 

[the mugs]

Road-tested Bruins tuning up on the fly

WILMINGTON - Even the most optimistic Bruins fan has to acknowledge this season's start has exceeded all expectations. After all, Boston leads the Eastern Conference with 25 points and sports an 11-2-2-1 record, including a 6-1-1-1 mark on the road.

The Bruins' next road test comes tonight in Philadelphia (7 o'clock) when Robbie Ftorek's troops face another Eastern Conference giant, the Atlantic Division-leading Flyers (9-3-3-0).

Philadelphia is flourishing under former Dallas Stars coach Ken Hitchcock, and has been particularly tough at home (5-1-2-0).

The usual suspects lead the way for Philadelphia, including John LeClair (8 goals, 13 points) and Jeremy Roenick (5 goals, 13 points). Mark Recchi and injured Justin Williams have 12 points apiece. Also in the mix are dangerous forwards Simon Gagne and Keith Primeau (8 points each).

Defensively, the Flyers are also solid. Former Bruin Eric Weinrich (plus-14), Kim Johnsson (plus-12), Eric Desjardins, and former Northeastern star Dan McGillis backbone a unit that has allowed just 29 goals.

Between the pipes, Roman Cechmanek (6-3-2, 2.07 goals against average, .914 save percentage) gets the bulk of the work, though backup Robert Esche (3-0-1, 1.51 GAA, .936) could start for a lot of teams.

''Philly's playing really well right now,'' said Ftorek. ''They're playing very disciplined, they've got real good scorers. They've got good size and their goaltenders are playing well, so they're a good hockey team.

''We've got to make sure we're sound and playing a good, solid game ourselves as well as be disciplined. We don't want to be in the penalty box against them because they've got really good, talented people.''

Bruins right wing Glen Murray is similarly impressed with Philadelphia, especially the Flyers' ability to thrive in both high-scoring affairs and defensive struggles.

''It's going to be a tough game for us, but we know we're a good team so we're going to be ready,'' said Murray. ''Everyone knows the Flyers are coming in with a new coach, one who is starting from scratch, but their players are playing hard so we have to be ready.''

Though comparisons to the Broad Street Bullies may be a stretch, this Flyers team is more than willing to play smashmouth hockey. Bruisers Donald Brashear (33 PIMs) and Todd Fedoruk (32) are always more than happy to make their presence felt.

''They play a physical style, no question,'' Murray said. ''They've got big guys. We're a big team, but they're bigger than us so we have to be ready to be physical, too.''

One group of people that haven't been surprised by the Bruins' fast start are the guys wearing the black and gold sweaters.

''We're not surprising ourselves,'' said Murray, reminding all the Bruins are the defending Eastern Conference champions. ''We knew we were a good team even though we lost a few key guys, but we've proven everyone wrong.''

There are some things about last year, especially a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Canadiens, that Murray and his mates would like to forget. ''They outplayed us, no matter what our seed was in the playoffs,'' he said. ''Montreal had the hot goaltender [Hart and Vezina trophy winner Jose Theodore] in the playoffs.

''It stung for a while. It hurt, but we knew we didn't play well, so we're hoping it doesn't happen again. We know there are a lot of good teams in the East and that we're one of them.''

Murray is flourishing on the top line with Joe Thornton, scoring 18 points (7 goals), second on the team behind Thornton (9 goals, 22 points). Ftorek has made it a point to tell Murray to shoot first and ask questions later.

''We look for each other a little too much, but we're going to try to change that and keep shooting more,'' Murray said. ''I can definitely have some more goals, I've missed on some good opportunities, but Joe and I are playing well together. Hopefully, we can keep putting the puck in the net.''

P.J. Axelsson has been bitten by the scoring bug, but you won't hear him complaining. The wafer-thin left wing has 5 goals and 11 points. ''For sure, I'm scoring more, but I don't know if I'm shooting more, but the puck's been going in. A lot of this has to do with confidence. Plus, I've been working on my shot a bit. I knew I had to, I don't have the best shot around. Everyone pretty much told me that.'' Ftorek is delighted. ''It's nice to see P.J. finishing off his plays,'' the coach said. ''He's shooting to score, not just to shoot the puck.'' ...

Ftorek said there's a chance Martin Lapointe could be back skating Monday. The right wing suffered a left foot fracture Oct. 19 and has been rehabbing in the pool.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Herald 11/16 (Injuries)

Boston Herald 11/16 (Injuries)

Thornton sits out B's skate

WILMINGTON - For there to be missing persons at a Bruins practice is nothing new this fall. But when one of those missing persons is captain Joe Thornton - the hottest player on the hottest team in the NHL - it sets off alarm bells.

In this case, apparently, it was mostly a false alarm as Thornton skipped practice yesterday at Ristuccia Arena because of a bruised hip incurred near the end of Thursday night's 4-1 win over the New York Islanders at the FleetCenter - the fourth successive win for the Bruins, who will bid to extend that streak tonight in Philadelphia vs. the Flyers.

Thornton was cross-checked in a small unprotected area of his left hip, but insisted yesterday there is no real injury.

``It's nothing,'' said Thornton. ``I'm definitely playing (tonight).''

The Bruins could ill afford to lose their top center, who has been close to unstoppable recently, with 8-6-14 totals in the last nine games.

The Flyers, meanwhile, were the quickest team out of the blocks in the NHL, sporting a 9-1-2 record after a dozen games. But they've cooled recently, and limped into last night's match in Raleigh, N.C., against the Hurricanes on a 0-2-1 winless skid.

The Bruins have been very busy lately (tonight is their sixth game in 10 days), but catch a break with the Flyers playing and traveling last night, as the B's rested in their Philadelphia hotel.

``I think that back-to-back game thing is sometimes a little more hyped up than it really should be,'' said Bruins forward Rob Zamuner. ``Sometimes you actually feel better in the second game. It's odd that way. But we do have so much confidence now. We're rolling. Still, we wouldn't be bothered if Philly (had) a tough game (last night) and (had) to go into overtime. This is a good test for us. I think they're definitely one of the top teams in the conference and the league.

``It's always a good challenge when you play the Detroits, the Colorados, the Phillys. It brings out the best in you. . . . There have been periods in a lot of these games where we haven't really played all that well. But we have so much confidence, when we get around the other team's net we put the puck in the net. It's a lot easier playing with the lead than trying to catch up.''

Bruins notes

Even with what was termed a mild concussion Tuesday night in Buffalo, winger Mike Knuble went through a couple of unpleasant days - and likely will miss at least three games.

``It's gotten like 100 percent better every day,'' said Knuble. ``But Tuesday night, the plane ride home really messed me up. That's when it hit me. Getting off that plane, I felt like crap. I still felt really bad Wednesday. It's really scary. It was like I was in another world. They told me I'm out for a week, minimum. I think it's a case of wanting to err on the side of caution.

``The fear is getting another concussion stacked right on top of this one, which would not be good.''

After Knuble was flattened, he tried to get up off the ice, but had a nasty case of rubber legs.

``It must have been good TV - like a car wreck,'' said Knuble of the hit he took from Rhett Warrener. ``Your instinct is to try to get back in the play. I was just hoping the puck wouldn't come to me. Fortunately, the referee realized what was happening and blew the whistle.'' . . .

Forward Matt Herr, who didn't look out of place skating on the first line in place of Knuble - who has been filling in for Sergei Samsonov - remains with the team. . . .

Samsonov, who has been letting his injured right wrist rest and heal since he had a cortsione injection Monday, plans to put the wrist to a substantial test Monday and may have an outside chance of playing Tuesday night when the B's travel to Toronto. . . .

Martin Lapointe (broken foot) will also skate Monday. The winger is hoping to play late next week.

 

[ddubs]

Good luck tonite, mugs. GO B'S!!!!!

 

[the mugs]

Hey dubs...I see you & Chenks on the B's tonight. How solid do you feel? I ask because, truthfully, I'm not a great capper and with B's games, I've got rose colored glasses on. I think the B's have a solid chance of beating Philly, especially with them playing a tough road game last night. Opinions?

 

[ddubs]

Hey, mugs. I do like this game a lot. A few reasons I'm not making this a 3 unit play.

1. My confidence is a little shot right now
2. Line looks screwy, as someone else put in his post.
3. Everyone's on the B's. Last time that happend....Minny lost

B's are red hot right now on offense, it's hard not to ride their streak until it ends. I put a lot of emphasis on the special teams this yr, since a lot more penalties have been called. Philly hasn't answered any of their offensive problems lately, esp. on PP. They're a pathetic 2 for their last 41, while the B's are 8 of last 22. B's PK has been on-fire, as well, only 3 goals in last 28 PP allowed. B's are playing with confidence, and will be up emotionally for this game, 4/6 or not. Philly has enough problems on their own trying to figure out how to score, let alone worry about who's coming to town. Plus B's are getting +ROI, makes this a good value play, IMHO.

Hope this helps.:shrug: