Thursday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Sorry I couldn't help out with the goalie situation last night. I saw a post with Grahame playing but couldn't confirm it. Then got a call from a friend with car problems...Missed like 99% of the game

I did hear DaFoe in a radio interview say that he intends to play tonight and he's wearing a new mask for St. Patrick's Day...I don't know what St. Paddy's Day is like for the rest of the country and for my non-American friends but I can say this about Boston...We have more bars per capita than 99% of the world. So, it's kind of a big drunk weekend here.

Whatever.

Unless something crazy happens - expect DaFoe in net tonight for the B's

 

[the mugs]

Healthy return for McLaren

NEW YORK - He admitted being nervous before taking the ice last night for the first time in 32 games. But Bruins defenseman Kyle McLaren and his surgically repaired right wrist came through with flying colors against the Rangers.

McLaren logged 19 shifts over 10 minutes 42 seconds in the Bruins' 3-1 victory. He was credited with one hit, had one shot on net, and blocked three shots. All in all, it started out a little anxiously, but wound up as a relief.

''It was nerve-racking, actually,'' said McLaren, when asked about his return. ''I felt good all day. I slept good [Tuesday night]. I had a shower before I left for the rink and I said, `Now it's time.' After that, my stomach had butterflies. As soon as I got [to the rink], I had butterflies. After about the 10-minute mark of the first period, I was settling myself down and getting back into the groove.''

McLaren kept his shifts short, per his coaching staff's orders, and tried to play conservatively.

''The coaches prepared me well for the game,'' he said. ''When the team is on a roll and playing well, it helps. It takes a lot of pressure off. It was a good steppingstone. It's somewhere to begin.''

If there was any area where he was rusty, it was in joining the offense. Rather than take a chance, even though he was sure he was right, McLaren opted not to.

''I'd rather play on the cautious side than be too aggressive, especially where we were up, 2-1,'' he said. ''The puck came around the boards one time and I could've pinched and I am 100 percent sure I could've got it, but I just didn't trust myself. Hal[ Gill] got back and it was a two-on-two. Nothing happened, but it was just the point of me not going down there. I was a little disappointed but no harm, no foul, and we won.''

McLaren was on the ice for the Rangers' only goal. He blocked Matthew Barnaby's initial shot but couldn't do anything about the rebound.

''I know he was disappointed that the goal went in there but I don't think he had anything to do with it,'' said coach Robbie Ftorek. ''Then he wanted to stand in one time, but Hal took the shot and if Hal is in deep and Kyle stands in ... he made a good play even though he was upset he didn't do a different thing. We thought he did a good job.''

Down and out

As expected, neither center Joe Thornton(shoulder) nor right wing Martin Lapointe(hamstring) was able to play. General manager Mike O'Connell said he expects Thornton to be out another week, which will mean he'll miss the upcoming three-game homestand that begins tonight against Toronto. The Red Wings are in town Saturday and Phoenix on Tuesday. O'Connell said he wasn't sure about Lapointe. It's possible he could be back a little sooner. O'Connell opted to take the train to New York yesterday afternoon rather than fly. Part of the reason was to be able to keep his cellphone on as next Tuesday's trade deadline nears. O'Connell said there was nothing hot to report. Although most teams, including the Bruins, are in the market for an offensive defenseman, O'Connell pointed out that only 23 blue liners in the league have 30 or more points.

Rangers forward Radek Dvorak was lost for the season last night when he injured his right knee as a result of a hip check by Bruins defenseman Gord Murphy. Dvorak will have an MRI today. He suffered a grade 3 sprain of his medial collateral ligament and a possible tear of his anterior cruciate ligament.

 

[the mugs]

Guerin, DaFoe & Lapointe

Guerin, DaFoe & Lapointe

B's may take a Flyer

Bruins fans clutching for an iota of hope that free-agents-to-be Bill Guerin and Byron Dafoe will not walk away this summer, with the B's getting nothing in return, might find some solace in the way the Philadelphia Flyers dealt with John LeClair last year.

Like the Bruins with their winger (Guerin) and goaltender (Dafoe), the Flyers opted not to negotiate with LeClair during last season. But at season's end, Philadelphia did put together a viable deal and re-signed the star winger before he attained Group 3 status and went on the open market.

The B's apparently will take the same approach with their players.

``I think that Philadelphia just waited until after the season to see how things played out and made a determination on what the market might be based on conversations with a number of clubs,'' said B's general manager Mike O'Connell on Tuesday. ``You also find out what alternatives there might be, what other players will become available. You take all the information and try to make a decision on the business side and on the competitive side. You try to make the best deal you can to put the best possible team on the ice next year.''

Dafoe is the Bruins' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for ``perserverence, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.''

Lapointe of no return

Martin Lapointe (hamstring) sat out against the Rangers and will do so again tonight at the FleetCenter when the B's play the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The winger hopes to return Saturday against his old team, the Detroit Red Wings, but that seems doubtful. The imperative is that he avoids further injury and is healthy for the playoffs.

``I'm hoping for Saturday, but we'll see,'' said Lapointe. . . .

 

[cooz3]

hey mugs...im from boston as well...well everett..close enough.. and i was under the impression that grahame was starting last night..so i laid off...i come home about 9 and dafoe playing great...pissa..anyways ...i know boston has had it's share of trouble with toronto but that in my opinion was a large part due to cujo..with him out of lineup i'm leaning towards a B's play..just dont like the back to back aspects of this matchup..but bruins seem to be playing much better defense as of late...and philly missed about 4 brakewawys the other night..as well as an open net...any thoughts?

 

[the mugs]

From NHL.com

From NHL.com

Injury report about the "bad guys"...

If there were any doubts about whether or not Alexander Mogilny is ready to return to action, they were answered Wednesday during a Maple Leafs practice. The Toronto sniper had no idea he was going to test his cracked vertebra that kept him out of the last 13 games, but he and rookie backliner, Karel Pilar, collided in a non-contact drill, causing the entire squad to hold its breath.

But Mogilny was able to get up and skate away, which was good news for the Leafs. The talented winger's next test will come tonight when he's in the lineup against the Boston Bruins.

"It still hurts but what can I do? It's not going to get worse, I hope," Mogilny told Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star. "Structurally, there's nothing wrong with it. I just have to get all the tissue healed up and get my game timing. Boston is a big, powerful team. I think I can deal with it. It's no big deal. Everybody plays hurt."

Snap Shots is a round-up of news and views from media outlets across North America and is published every weekday. The opinions expressed in Snap Shots are not necessarily those of the NHL.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compiled by John McGourty
Thursday, Mar. 14, 2002

But Mogilny's return is a big deal. Toronto can't afford to have him hurt and out of the lineup, as he's a game-breaker who can turn a game a round in an instant. The team also hasn't put more than three goals in the net in the last seven contests, so having Mogilny in the lineup should also increase their production. Despite missing the last 13 games, the Leafs' forward remains tied for third on the team in goals with 17.

The Toronto squad may also have some more good news come gametime, as Mikael Renberg, who has missed the last three games with a strained left hamstring, may also be back in the lineup. The winger traveled with the team to Boston and said he is "hoping" to play tonight as well.

Renberg, who was to undergo further massage and acupuncture treatments last night in Boston before a decision is made on his status today, said he'll just be happy to get back in the lineup.

"I'm probably 50/50," Renberg said. "But if I keep improving the way I've been improving, I probably will play."

Mogilny's back in business

 

[the mugs]

What's up Cooz? Me? I live in Quincy but like you said, close enough.

Not sure what to do about tonight just yet. After seeing Mogilny & Renberg want in for tonight, I'm thinking about passing. They will probably be rusty and there's a good chance the B's will be sloppy/tired. Add in the fact Schwab has been extremely well in the net and I'm watching this one with my black & gold colored glasses tonight.

This is a big one - Toronto has played one less game than the B's. The last thing Boston wants is to be tied with the Leafs and played one more game. Plus, if they are tied, (I think) Toronto gets the tiebreaker and drops Boston down to 4th in the conference. A win tonight and they are up 4 points so if Toronto wins that extra game, no biggie - they still would be looking up at a Bear's butt :moon: in the standings. LOL!

As far as over/under...Slight lean towards the under as the teams will play it closer to a playoff game than a reg season night.

I hope my ramblings help you and anyone else that reads this one.

Jim

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

now, the question you have to ask yerself MUGS is that will the LEAFZ have a let-down after taking out the FLYERS....??

I look for a nice close, grinding game tonite.....

this LEAF team is really surprising me right now....they're actually coming closer together and supporting Schwab....but who the hell knew schwab could be a number one man in a mecca like toronto...and that new kid Karel Pilar, man, he's a rookie, but he's doin VERY well on the blueline since he was called up...!!!

 

[the mugs]

TV, I honestly didn't think the Leafs would have a let down. Like you said, they are coming together as a team and I looked at the Philly comeback as the first stone of the building block. As a team, I felt they could do nothing but go up after Tuesday night.

You know the team better than I so after what you said, is your lean towards the visiting Leafs tonight?

I'm not touching a side and I played the under @ 5.5 (-130)

I'm hoping for a result similiar to the Leaf/Flyer game. What would really bum me out is if Toronto wins and it goes over. That would hurt me & the Bruins.

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

well MUGS, here's some stats for ya.....

LEAFS AGAINST NORTH EAST DIV : 7-3-5-2

at home vs these same opponents: 6-1-2-0
on the road: 1-2-3-2 (they are VER Y competitive...)

BOSTON AGAINST NORTH EAST DIV: 8-7-1-1

at home : 7-1-1-0

on road: 1-6-0-1
(this is VERY interesting..didn't know this stat!!!)

all that being said and done..this is a VERY important game for both teams...very volitile because the LEAFS are a changing team every game..they're getting better....I'm staying away from the side...I just think the stats point to a better wager on the UNDER.

CHRIS.

good luck tonite.

 

[cooz3]

i agree a side is up in the air in ths one....i'm looking at the under myself....but schwaab still scares me sometimes..and philly had plenty of chances to put that game away the other night

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Great info and insight on the game tonight guys.

Mugs, great work with all the Bruins info.

GL to all of you!

HORNS

 

[infinii]

nice call on the under.

I know that loss stung so I won't rub it in that my Buds beat ur Bruins

Pretty good game though, Schwab played fabulous. You can tell he's getting more confidence. He likes to handle the puck alot and the more confident he is, the more he strays from net to handle pucks like Brodeur.

Bruins took some dumb penalties which IMO cost them the game. Even though Leafs didn't score on those, they were momentum killers.

 

[the mugs]

Infinii. Thanks for the kudos on the under. I agree that B's took some real dumb penalties last night. Oh yeah, the loss did sting. I appreciate you laying off of me as it would be easy to take shots right now. As far as this forum goes, last night was a winner for me with this call and in the POD thread so that makes things easier to take.

I wrote in one of TV's threads that I thought the Leafs would fade with Schwab between the pipes. From what I saw Tuesday against Philly & last night, I think I'm wrong. He's playing out of this world right now and if I were you I'd be psyched knowing CuJo is coming back and the "backup" is playing like this. As long as it keeps up, it could be like the Pats SB36 run...Brady playing great and if he falters, you only have Bledsoe to come in a clean up the mess.

It's gonna be a great race to the finish with your Leafs, Horns' Sens and my Bruins...Ahhh fun is an NHL playoff chase.

Look forward to your posts and good luck with your picks.

Jim