Thursday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Islanders had a tough one last night in Buffalo. This is their 3rd/4 nights and back to back road games...Really like Boston tonight - and I'm gonna be there. Last row of the balcony, hanging with God. No, Bobby Orr won't be sitting up there

Here we go...

NEW YORK ISLANDERS at
BOSTON BRUINS
Thursday, April 4, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Bruins Digest
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins host the Islanders tonight in the fourth and final game between these teams this season and the second of two games of the season at the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 42-22-5-7 overall this season with a 22-10-1-4 record on home ice. The Islanders are 37-27-8-4 overall this season with an 18-15-3-2 record on the road. The Bruins are 8-5-1-2 vs. Atlantic Division opponents thus far this season and are 31-16-2-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Islanders are 6-8-4-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 27-18-7-3 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 56-38-17-0 lifetime vs. New York with a 395-344 scoring edge in those 111 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 29-15-10-0 lifetime vs. the Islanders with a 206-156 scoring advantage in those 54 contests. The Bruins are 1-1-1-0 vs. New York in this season's series thus far with a 4-2 win in New York on Dec. 22, a 5-4 loss in Boston on Jan. 12 and a 3-3 tie in New York on Feb. 26.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won seven of their last eight games with 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, 3-2 victory in Carolina on Mar. 26, 2-0 loss to Carolina on Mar. 30 and 4-2 win in Philadelphia on Apr. 2. They are now 10-2-0-0 in their last 12 contests and are 16-7-2-0 in their last 25 contests overall.

The Bruins are 3-2-0-0 in their last five home games and are 9-5-1-1 in their last 16 home contests. They have won their last seven road games, are 10-3-1-0 in their last 14 road games and are 15-6-1-2 in their last 24 road contests. Their current seven-game road win streak is their longest such streak since a club-record eight-game road win streak from Mar. 15-Apr. 14, 1993.

Recent Islanders Games
The Islanders are 2-2-1-0 in their last five games with a 4-1 loss to Ottawa on Mar. 27, 5-4 win in Toronto on Mar. 28, 4-2 loss in Washington on Mar. 30, 4-2 win over New Jersey on Apr. 1 and 1-1 tie in Buffalo on Apr. 3. They are 5-4-1-1 in their last 11 games overall.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins next host the NY Rangers on Apr. 6. They will then travel to New Jersey to face the Devils on Apr. 7, host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Apr. 9 and travel to Ottawa to face the Senators on Apr. 11. They will close out the regular season with Fan Appreciation Night at the FleetCenter, hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Apr. 13.

Upcoming Islanders Games
The Islanders next return home to host Washington on Apr. 6 and Carolina on Apr. 8. Following a two-game road trip to Nashville on Apr. 11 and Tampa Bay on Apr. 12, they will close out the regular season hosting Philadelphia on Apr. 14.

Bruins Injuries
Jarno Kultanen: April 1 knee surgery; out for the season.
Joe Thornton: Shoulder injury; out indefinitely.
Dennis Bonvie RW Abdominal Doubt Thurs
Total Man-Games Lost: 166

Bruins April Transactions
Apr. 2: Tim Thomas re-assigned from Karpat/Finland to Providence/AHL.

Islanders Injuries
Kevin Haller: Groin injury; out indefinitely.
Radek Martinek: Knee injury; out for the season.

 

[the mugs]

Joe wants in...

Joe wants in...

Thornton wants to be put on ice

Thirty minutes before practice yesterday afternoon, Joe Thornton skated onto the FleetCenter ice. It was a microcosm of his season, a frustrating stop and go.

Thornton looked at his stick and grunted. He noticed some of his teammates had played a practical joke and autographed his stick. That wouldn't do.

Thornton retreated to the bench, ripped off the tape, and applied another wrap.

A minute later, he was back on the ice with Mike Knuble, backup goalie John Grahame, and a couple of defensemen. Coach Robbie Ftorek ran the session, with all the players taking target practice at Grahame.

What could be sweeter for the Eastern Conference-leading (and doesn't that sound nice) Bruins than to have their star center back in the lineup?

Afterward, Ftorek said the pre-practice workout was to give Grahame some work. But in Thornton's eyes, it was a chance to strut his stuff and show the coach he's ready for action.

Whack. Whack. Thornton blistered Grahame with missiles from the right circle. He then redirected slap shots from the point and collected rebounds and stuffed them past Grahame.

Grahame, who took Thornton's best shots, said, ''I couldn't see anything wrong with his shot. It was as good as it's ever been.''

When practice began, Thornton centered a line with Knuble and P.J. Stock. At the end of practice, Thornton worked on faceoffs, the toughest facet of the game for someone coming back from a shoulder injury, which he suffered March 7 in practice.

''I'm ready to play,'' said Thornton after yesterday's session.

''Yeah, he wants to play,'' said Ftorek. ''He's trying to make all sorts of deals with me. He says, `OK, if we lose [against the Flyers], suit me up. If we win, I won't play.'''

Ftorek listens but doesn't act. He isn't taking any chances with his young star, who scored 22 goals and picked up 40 assists before being forced to the sidelines.

''He skated fine,'' said Ftorek. Can we expect to see Thornton in the lineup tonight?

''There's not a chance he'll play against the Islanders,'' said Ftorek. What about Saturday night against the Rangers? ''I wouldn't think so. He hasn't had enough contact. He's going to skate [this morning] and [tomorrow] and then on the weekend, and see how his shoulder reacts to it.''

Thornton isn't the first player with whom Ftorek has been careful. Martin Lapointe begged to come off the injured list when a hamstring injury shelved him March 8-16. He was frustrated when Ftorek wouldn't suit him up until he was 100 percent. He missed the only game the Bruins played against the Red Wings, his former team, a game he looked forward to all season.

The Bruins are 9-5-0 with Thornton out of the lineup, but that doesn't have any bearing, according to Ftorek.

''We're not rushing anybody,'' said Ftorek. ''The asset is too important. We don't want to rush anybody back. He tried to get cute with me yesterday and bargain his way on ice, but I told him it's not about winning and losing games. It's about being healthy.''

Thornton says he feels fine.

''This is the best I felt shooting the puck in practice,'' he said.

When does he think he'll return to the lineup? ''I honestly don't know, but I'll be ready.''

When he isn't on the ice, he is in the weight room or on the stationary bicycle, which he pedals for 40 minutes a day.

He believes working on faceoffs was the last step of his recovery, outside of full contact. ''I haven't had any contact yet, but I've done everything else. I don't think full contact is a problem.''

If Thornton wanted to prepare for full contact, it was suggested he could run the gantlet. That's when all the Bruins line up and give a player their best shots.

''That's a lot of hard work. I would just as soon miss that,'' he said. ''I've had some good practices. I'm not sure what coach is thinking and I'm not sure what the trainers are thinking. It's their deal right now. Obviously, I want to play. I want to be part of it.''

The harness he wears to protect his injured left shoulder isn't a problem. ''I've been wearing it for two weeks. It feels normal now,'' said Thornton, who would like to play in some games before the playoffs begin. ''I'm all over them. I want to start playing. I want to be part of this. They know how I feel. But whatever Robbie decides, I'll be fine with it.''

 

[the mugs]

Show me da money!!! (Guerin)

Show me da money!!! (Guerin)

Guerin turns game up a notch

PHILADELPHIA - When Bill Guerin's blast found its way between Flyer goalie Brian Boucher's pads with 2:45 left in the second period, the Bruins' sniper looked skyward as if he was thanking the heavens.

It was perhaps the biggest goal of the Bruins' impressive season, standing up as the game-winner in their 4-2 win over the Flyers last night at the First Union Center.

And it didn't come at a bad time for Guerin himself, either. Guerin had scored just two goals in his previous 14 games going into last night's contest and he picked the perfect time to get himself off the schneid.

``It's been awhile,'' said Guerin. ``It was a big goal for us. I haven't had much luck lately and it was just good to see it go in.''

Playing on a newly formed line with Brian Rolston at center and Marty McInnis at the left wing, Guerin demonstrated why he's a leader on this team, as he used his speed all night and fired the puck at will. He finished with a game-high 10 shots on net.

``He was in that playoff mode,'' said coach Robbie Ftorek with a wide smile. ``He and a lot of guys were.''

Guerin, who now has 37 goals on the season, liked the way the new line clicked.

``We played well together, I thought. Rollie played really well and Marty's more comfortable on the wing and it just worked out well,'' said Guerin.

As for the shots, Guerin said that's what he's paid to do.

``The opportunities were there and I took them. I'm supposed to shoot the puck and the shots were just there (last night),'' he said.

Guerin was impressed with the way the B's handled the Flyers' initial onslaught, overcoming a two-goal deficit to nail down the victory.

``They got up early, but it's a long game and you've got to stick with it,'' said Guerin. ``We showed a lot of confidence (last night) and a lot of character. It was a good win for us.''

 

[the mugs]

There's alot of stuff today. Sorry for the long articles. It seems like the papers are jumping on the bandwagon much like the playoff fanbase. The B's have sold out the first two home games already. Back in October, they couldn't have had a sellout if it were 2 tickets for the price of 1...

=====

Attitude adjustment pays off

There are many reasons the Bruins have made their remarkable turnaround from a non-playoff team to the possible top seed in the Eastern Conference.

The most tangible is the fact that they were ready and willing to spend the money, opening the coffers to sign Martin Lapointe, Sean O'Donnell and Rob Zamuner.

Another is the fact that Byron Dafoe, plagued by injuries the previous two years, has remained healthy this year as his game has alternated between solid and spectacular.

But perhaps the biggest reason the Bruins are where they are today is one of their least measurable qualities - attitude.

Under first-year coach Robbie Ftorek, the Bruins have given a consistent effort just about every night. From the first day of the season, Ftorek has maintained a Jimy Williams-like concentration on the present. The previous game is over with and anything beyond the next one is immaterial.

The approach can be frustrating for feature writers, but absolutely necessary for any team that's missed the playoffs in three of its previous five seasons.

Ftorek is fully aware that reporters tend to roll their eyes when he launches into one of his cliche-ridden, one-game-at-a-time spiels, but he can't help it. It's all he knows.

``I remember seeing that baseball movie, `Bull Durham', and the older guy (played by Kevin Costner) is telling the younger player (played by Tim Robbins) about how it supposedly is in the big leagues and he's telling him all the things he's suppose to say, like `one-game-at-a-time' and `I'm just happy to be here,' '' said Ftorek. ``And I'm sitting in the theater steaming because (the character) is tearing apart all the things I believe in. And I believe it here (pointing to his heart).''

And perhaps no team in the league was more in need of that basic approach. In looking at the 2001-2002 schedule, the difference between this year and last is the fact that the Bruins are simply winning the games they are supposed to be winning.

Just take a look at their record against Atlanta and Florida, bottom dwellers of the Eastern Conference both this season and last. Against the Thrashers in 2000-2001, the B's failed to earn even one of a possible eight points. This year, they've nailed down seven of the possible eight. Against the mighty Panthers, the B's chalked up just two points in four games last year. This year, they're eight-for-eight. That's a 13-point improvement against just those two teams.

And where would they be today with 13 fewer points? Going into the weekend, they would have been tied with New Jersey for the seventh playoff spot, which is only slightly better than last season when they missed the playoffs by a point.

A healthy Dafoe and the influx of new players that also includes Glen Murray and Jozef Stumpel (obtained in the Jason Allison trade) clearly make them a more talented team than they were a year ago and have helped with the overall attitude. They're now a team that should be expected to do some serious damage in the playoffs.

But even without Dafoe and with the way the team was constituted last year, the Bruins were talented enough to have been much more productive against the league's lesser teams. They proved that by routinely beating the better ones.

And this year, thanks to an attitude readjustment, they're doing both.

 

[the mugs]

More on Joe...

More on Joe...

Another paper, similiar info...

Ftorek holds off Thornton

Perhaps Joe Thornton would be in the lineup tonight for the first time since March 8 if the coach of the Bruins were Monty Hall instead of Robbie Ftorek.

``He tried to make a deal with me (Tuesday),'' said Ftorek, who proclaimed there was absolutely no way he would insert the injured center into the lineup tonight at the FleetCenter against the New York Islanders two days after the B's stirring, 4-2 win in Philadelphia gave them a four-point lead in the Eastern Conference over the second-place Flyers.

``I said, `Joey it's not about winning and losing. It's about you being healthy.' He was song-and-dancing about something about if we win (Tuesday in Philadelphia) he doesn't come back. If we lose he does. I told him it doesn't work that way.''

So Thornton, who was the second-leading scorer in the NHL with 62 points in 61 games when he injured his left shoulder nearly a month ago, will miss his 13th game, and won't be back until Ftorek feels he's ready.

``Not a chance,'' said Ftorek. ``I wouldn't think so (for Saturday either against the New York Rangers) because he really hasn't had enough contact. We don't rush anybody. Now if it's playoff time, after the doctors say it's OK, we'd leave the decision up to the player a little more. But not now - your assets are too important to you.

``Our players are our assets and we don't want to rush anybody back in.''

Outwardly, Thornton seems to be taking things in stride. Inwardly, however, he's itching to play.

``I'm all over (Ftorek). I want to start playing. I want to be part of this. They know how I feel,'' said Thornton. ``Obviously you want to play, especially when the guys are doing so good. You want to be part of that. I've been pretty good. I've occupied myself with (conditioning coach) Johnny Whitesides, so I've been working hard. It's not the same (as a game). You definitely want to get in some games. Injuries are part of the game and I know that I've got to come back stronger.

``I haven't had any contact yet. Today was obviously a good day. I got some more muscle on my slap shots, so hopefully it's pretty close now. (The shoulder harness he wears) feels fine now. I've worked it for a couple of weeks.''

While Ftorek insists he wouldn't rush Thornton, it would be an interesting decision if the team were fighting for a playoff spot rather than sitting in first place in the East.

``We're in first place, we're fine, so I think we want everybody to be healthy. That's going to help me in the long haul to be playing without pain,'' said Thornton, who took another step on the road back when he took a few faceoffs for the first time. ``I only took about five or six draws but it felt pretty strong.

``I've done everything but the contact now. I know I'm going to get hit and I've just got to be ready for it and brace myself a little more.''

If Thornton returns to a line with Marty McInnis and Bill Guerin, there's a chance McInnis would be taking many of the faceoffs anyway, so that aspect might not be a huge concern.

There has been talk of postseason surgery, which is still a possibility for Thornton, who said he wants to see how he gets through the playoffs. The first order of business is trying to return for at least a couple of the six remaining regular-season games

 

[the mugs]

This year's games & trends

This year's games & trends

Teams are 1-1-1 this year with NY winning here in Boston in their only (so far) appearance. Boston is 1-0-1 at NY

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/26/2002 NYI 3 Bos. 3 0,-130/5.5 P/O
1/12/2002 Bos. 4 NYI 5 0,-185/5 NYI/O
12/22/2001 NYI 2 Bos. 4 0,-150/5 Bos./O

Recent Trends
The over is 3-1 in the Isles last four overall.
The over 9-5 when NYI play back-to-back games.
The last nine meetings played over.
BOS is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
BOS is 7-1 ATS & SU in their last eight overall.
The under is 5-1 in the Bruins last six at home.

 

[Terryray]

Fine stuff Mugs! more tidbits...

Fine stuff Mugs! more tidbits...

BOSTON - Recent ATS Trends

off an upset win as an underdog: 6-3 ATS this season, and 29-19 since 1996. over hits 2-6, and 18-28 since '96 here also.



NY ISLANDERS - Recent ATS Trends

after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game: 7-4 ATS, and over here hits 7-2

NYI 13-5 ATS in road game where total is 5.5

NYI 11-5 ATS on 0 days rest, and over here hits 10-5.

 

[Rakman]

Great stuff guys(as usual),

Looks like the over is the play in this one.

 

[Terryray]

Garth Snow may start papers say. Osgood was hurt a bit last night, but stayed in game.

over has hit 6-3 with Snow on road. 9-5 overall. But he was poor in last outing, and he usually bounces back decently.

 

[jakejj]

GARTH SNOW does not belong in the WCHL let alone the NHL! He was past his prime about five years ago! The B's put atleast 4 by him tonight if he is between the pipes!

 

[Terryray]

looks like Snow

looks like Snow

Newsday said this:

"Osgood said he was "stung" by the collision, but suffered only a bruise on his
back. He said he would be ready to start tonight's game in Boston against the
Bruins, but backup Garth Snow had been expected to get the call even before
Osgood went down."





........and faceoff has this:

"OZZIE SCARE: Chris Osgood suffered a slightly bruised back in an overtime
collision Wednesday in Buffalo but he remained in the game and made a few more
of his 34 saves.

Garth Snow was to start Thursday in Boston, leaving Osgood with just five
potential starts to catch Hall of Famer and current Isles goalie consultant Billy
Smith for the franchise record of 32 wins in one season."


.............................................................




and papers say that NYI need just four points in last 6 games to clinch playoff spot, no matter what else the other teams do.

 

[the mugs]