Thursday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Thursday, January 3, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Bruins Digest
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins host the Maple Leafs tonight in the fourth of five games between these teams this season and the second of three games of this season's series at the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 22-11-3-4 overall this season with a 13-4-0-3 record on home ice. The Maple Leafs are 22-12-3-3 overall this season with a 9-7-2-3 record on the road. The Bruins are 6-3-0-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 18-6-0-4 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Maple Leafs are 4-2-2-2 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 14-9-3-3 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Tonight's game will also determine the coaching staff for the North American Team at the NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles on Feb. 2. The coaches of the two teams with the best points percentage in the Eastern Conference as of Jan. 4 will comprise the North American All-Star coaching staff. There are three Eastern Conference coaches vying for the two spots - Boston's Robbie Ftorek, Toronto's Pat Quinn and Philadelphia's Bill Barber. The Flyers (Barber) have a .615 win percentage. The win percentages for Boston (Ftorek) following tonight's game will be .646 with a win, .634 with a tie or overtime loss, and .622 with a loss. The win percentages for Toronto (Quinn) following tonight's game will be .634 with a win, .622 with a tie or overtime loss, and .608 with a loss.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 247-238-98-1 lifetime vs. the Maple Leafs with Toronto holding a 1758-1707 scoring advantage in those 584 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 158-85-47-1 lifetime vs. Toronto with a 953-767 scoring edge in those 291 games. The Bruins are 1-2-0-0 vs. Toronto in this season's series thus far with a 2-0 loss in Toronto on Oct. 23, a 2-1 overtime win in Boston on Oct. 25 and another 2-0 loss in Toronto on Nov. 24.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won six of their last seven gaems, including their longest win streak of the season with a five-game win streak from Dec. 20-29. They have a 5-0 win over Montreal on Dec. 20, a 4-2 win at NY Islanders on Dec. 22, a 3-2 victory over Ottawa on Dec. 26, a 7-1 win in Florida on Dec. 28, a 5-4 overtime win at Tampa Bay on Dec. 29, a 2-1 loss in Dallas on Dec. 31 and a 6-3 win in Carolina on Jan. 2.

The Bruins are 8-3-0-1 in their last 12 games, have taken points out of 13 of their last 17 games at 11-4-0-2 and they are 15-6-0-2 in their last 23 games overall. The Bruins have taken points out of 26 of their last 35 games with a 19-9-3-4 record in that span.

The Bruins are 8-2-0-1 in their last 11 home games and are 7-2-0-1 in their last ten road games.

Recent Maple Leafs Games
The Maple Leafs snapped their three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win at Tampa Bay on Dec. 31. That followed a 4-3 loss in Carolina on Dec. 26, a 5-4 loss in Atlanta on Dec. 28 and a 4-2 loss in Florida on Dec. 29. They are 7-4-1-0 in their last 12 games overall.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins will host Washington on Jan. 5 then will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Jan. 8.

Upcoming Maple Leafs Games
The Maple Leafs conclude their current five-game road trip tonight. They will next face a home-and-home series with Ottawa, hosting the Senators on Jan. 5 and playing in Ottawa on Jan. 7.

Bruins Injuries
Kyle McLaren: Dec. 28 surgery to repair a torn right wrist ligament; out indefinitely. Total Man-Games Lost: 92

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

Maple Leafs Injuries
None reported.

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

anyone think that the LEAFZ are looking ahead to the BIG SHOWDOWN against the SENZ...???

I'm staying away from the LEAFS for awhile.

 

[the mugs]

I thought maybe they would be looking ahead but the fact the B's took over first place last night while the Leafs were watching in their hotel room might give them some extra incentive.

I read in today's paper that Bill Guerin & Don Sweeney openly talked about some extra effort so they can get Ftorek to the All Star game as the Eastern coach.

I think with the B's playing and traveling back last night and with the way the Leafs have been playing lately that the over is the way to go.

 

[the mugs]

Just following up on the last post...


Ftorek may see stars

Bruins Notebook/by Stephen Harris

Thursday, January 3, 2002

RALEIGH, N.C. - An interesting subplot has emerged this week for the Bruins: Can they get themselves into first place in the Eastern Conference by the end of play tomorrow night, and thus earn Robbie Ftorek the honor of coaching in the NHL All-Star Game next month in Los Angeles?

``I'm sure he'd love it,'' said Bill Guerin before notching a hat trick in the Bruins' 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes last night. ``Coaches like things like that, too, they're human. It'd be great for him. Donnie (Sweeney) said something to me (yesterday) about this. I didn't even realize.

``It'd be great if we can do it. He deserves it. It'd be a sign of what he's done. You don't get to coach in the All-Star Game, you know, just because. He's done a great job here.''

 

[spits]

According to other forums I have read, the B's are playing their 5th game in 7 nights tonight. Extremely tough stretch here and they are playing well, but how much gas is left in the tank. Word is they also had trouble getting home after the game in Carolina because of weather. Apparently the players didn't get into their beds until 4:30 am EST.

I am on the Leafs tonight, I don't think they are looking ahead to the Sens this weekend because this game is for first place!!!!

SPITS

 

[ND2002HORNS]

spits,

I am with you on the Leafs. Keep in mind whoever wins tonight will be considered first place for the coaching selections for the all star game. It might not mean anything but could be added motivation. I don't think Pat Quinn wants to be Ftoreks assisant in L.A. at the all star game. Leafs win and Quinn is the head coach for North America at the all star game.

GL

HORNS