Thursday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Finally. They are back home.

Before the game, the Bruins are honoring/retiring Terry O'Reilly's #24 to the rafters. That means there will be a delay between the warmups and the drop of the puck. Last year, the Bruins retired Bourque's #77 and scored 5 1/2 minutes into the game. Unlike this year, that game was the season opener. The Bruins over the last 5 years are 3-0-2 SU after the annual west coast road trip.

OTTAWA SENATORS at
BOSTON BRUINS
Thursday, October 24, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins host the Senators tonight in the first of five games between these clubs this season and the first of three games between these teams this season at the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 4-1-1-0 thus far this season and are playing their first home game of the season tonight. The Senators are 3-1-0-0 thus far this season with a 1-0-0-0 record on the road. The Bruins are 1-0-0-0 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 1-0-0-0 vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Senators are 1-0-0-0 thus far this season vs. Northeast Division opponents and are 2-1-0-0 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 31-13-6-3 lifetime vs. the Senators with a 189-139 scoring advantage in those 53 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 17-7-3-0 lifetime vs. Ottawa with a 106-77 scoring edge in those 27 games. The Bruins have lost their last two games vs. Ottawa with their last win over the Senators a 5-2 win in Boston on Jan. 17, 2002. The Bruins have won their last two home games vs. the Senators with their last home loss to Ottawa a 5-3 setback on Mar. 8, 2001.

MOST OF THOSE 31 WINS CAME WHEN THE SENS FIRST CAME BACK INTO THE LEAGUE 10 YEARS AGO.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins are unbeaten in their last five games at 4-0-1-0 with a 2-1 victory in Colorado on Oct. 14, a 6-3 win in Vancouver on Oct. 16, a 3-3 tie in Calgary on Oct. 17, a 4-3 victory in Edmonton on Oct. 19 and a 4-1 win in Toronto on Oct. 21. That follows a season-opening 5-1 loss in Minnesota on Oct. 11.

Recent Senators Games
The Senators have won their last three games with 2-1 victories each Oct. 12 at Toronto and Oct. 15 vs. Phoenix and a 4-1 win over Carolina on Oct. 23. That follows a season-opening 2-1 loss to New Jersey on Oct. 10.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins open a two-game home stand tonight, concluding by hosting the Atlanta Thrashers on Oct. 26 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will then travel to Washington to face the Capitals on Oct. 30 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio) and will close out the month hosting the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Oct. 31 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Senators Games
The Senators open a three-game road trip tonight, continuing at Montreal on Oct. 26 and in Philadelphia on Oct. 29. They will close out their month's schedule hosting Pittsburgh on Oct. 30.

Bruins Injuries
John Grahame: Separated shoulder suffered Oct. 16 in Vancouver; out indefinitely.
Martin Lapointe: Fractured foot suffered Oct. 17 in Calgary; out indefinitely.
Sergei Samsonov: Wrist injury; day-to-day.

Bruins Recent Transactions
Oct. 5: Jay Henderson and Tim Thomas assigned to Providence/AHL.
Oct. 7: Shaone Morrisonn assigned to Providence/AHL.
Oct. 8: Joe Thornton named 17th captain in team history.
Oct. 10: Colton Orr assigned to Kamloops/WHL; Carl Corazzini assigned to Atlantic City/ECHL.
Oct. 17: Tim Thomas recalled from Providence/AHL.

 

[the mugs]

Injuries

Injuries

Ottawa Injuries
Chris Neil RW Fibula Early Nov.

Boston Injuries
Sergei Samsonov RW Wrist day-to-day
Martin Lapointe LW Foot Out 4-6 weeks
John Grahame G Shoulder Out 1-2 weeks
Kyle McLaren D Holdout Out indefinitely

Radio reports that Samsonov is doubtful for tonight

 

[the mugs]

Last 2 years results

Last 2 years results

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS

4/11/2002 Ott. 4 Bos. 0 0,-135/5 Ott./U
1/24/2002 Ott. 4 Bos. 3 0,-200/5.5 Ott./O
1/17/2002 Bos. 5 Ott. 2 0,-135/5.5 Bos./O
12/26/2001 Bos. 3 Ott. 2 0,-130/5 Bos./P
12/1/2001 Ott. 2 Bos. 1 0,-180/5 Ott./U

3/30/2001 Ott. 5 Bos. 4 0,-240/5.5 Ott./O
3/8/2001 Bos. 3 Ott. 5 0,120/5.5 Ott./O
11/21/2000 Ott. 2 Bos. 1 0,-280/5.5 Ott./U
11/9/2000 Bos. 2 Ott. 1 0,200/6 Bos./U
10/5/2000 Bos. 4 Ott. 4 0,120/5.5 P/O

 

[the mugs]

Trends

Trends

The under is 4-0 in Ottawa's first four games.
OTT is 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings.
BOS is 5-0 ATS in its last five games overall.
Home team has won the past six meetings SU.

 

[the mugs]

Samsonov still on wrist watch

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 10/24/2002

WILMINGTON - Sergei Samsonov skated before practice yesterday but won't be suiting up for tonight's home opener against Ottawa.

Samsonov, who sprained his right wrist last Thursday night during overtime against the Flames, said he's improving but there is still some swelling and he doesn't want to irritate the condition. Samsonov skated with a stick in his left hand but didn't touch a puck.

''It's a little bit boring but at least I can skate and keep my conditioning,'' said Samsonov. ''It's getting there. We're taking it day by day but it's getting better day by day. We'll see how it goes. They're saying it's easy to reinjure and make it even worse. It doesn't make much sense [to return] unless it's 100 percent. Once you injure it again, you're back to square one and I don't want to do that.''

Samsonov was injured when he chipped the puck past a Flames player and jammed his wrist when he was trying to get by. It caused him to miss the final two games of the road trip. He's hoping to be back against Atlanta Saturday.

''It's early in the season,'' he said. ''It's still no fun sitting out and watching the games, but there's not much I can do right now. On the bright side, there's nothing major wrong.''

Grahame healing

Goaltender John Grahame, who suffered a separated right shoulder in Vancouver Oct. 16, expects to begin skating today and is shooting for a return either Wednesday in Washington or at home against Anaheim next Thursday.

''It feels good,'' said Grahame. ''Only in certain positions I notice it more than others. The trainers are saying it's normally a four- or five-week thing. That it's coming along this well already is a good sign. For some reason, my joints tend to heal fast so hopefully that will continue.''

Grahame said he can return sooner than a forward or defenseman because he isn't vulnerable to the pounding during a game.

''The good thing about it is I don't have to worry about getting hit into the boards,'' he said. ''That's why it takes longer for somebody else. I just have to be comfortable in my reactions, and just being able to move fast without pain.''

When Grahame returns, coach Robbie Ftorek is going to have some decisions to make because he has no intention of keeping three netminders and Tim Thomas and Steve Shields have played well. Grahame said it says a lot about his teammates that they haven't missed a beat since he was knocked out of the lineup.

''It's a great testament to the guys and the effort they put forth,'' he said. ''It just shows the depth that we have. Guys really stepped up and it's a credit to them.'' ... Martin Lapointe was still limping around the dressing room yesterday but said his fractured left foot is progressing. He met with team doctor Bert Zarins Sunday and was told he wouldn't need screws or pins to stabilize the break, which he suffered during the third period against Calgary. ''If they go in and put in a pin and it cracks, I've got more problems,'' he said. ''If you don't have to open it up, I think that's good news.'' Lapointe will have another X-ray next week to gauge the healing.



Senators thumbnails

Where: at the FleetCenter.

TV/radio: NESN, WBZ (1030), 7 p.m.

Records: Boston 4-1-1-0; Ottawa 3-1-0-0.

Goals: Petr Schastlivy 3, Daniel Alfredsson 2, Marian Hossa 2.

Assists: Alfredsson 3, Martin Havlat 2.

Goaltender: Patrick Lalime (3-1-0, 1.26).

Head to head

The Bruins were 2-3 against the Senators last season.

Miscellany

Lalime was 2-1 with a 3.14 goals-against average against Boston last season ... The Senators have played the fewest games in the NHL (4) ... The Senators had an eight-day layoff between last night's 4-1 over Carolina and last Tuesday's 2-1 win over Phoenix.

 

[kebbyc]

Mugs, being a Sabre fan, I have to hate Boston and Ottawa but just wanted to thank you for your input, it is always helpful when capping. Boston's road trip was excellent and I hope your team does well this year.

 

[Frogy]

Terry O'Reilly's #24

THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
I USE TO GO TO SCHOOL WEARING MY BRUINS SWEATER.


GO BRUINS
tx mugs for all the info.

 

[ddubs]

Re: Thursday's Bruins...

The Bruins over the last 5 years are 3-0-2 SU after the annual west coast road trip.

Hard to argue with that stat. Natural tendency is to go against a team's 1st home game after an extended road trip, let alone a coast to coast travel. I had a strong lean toward Ott, now it doesn't look so hot anymore.:shrug:

Thanks again, mugs, for all this info. You should change your thread title to BRUINS GAMEDAY CENTRAL from now on.


Good luck today!!:toast:

 

[Hailmary]

I take it you are on the Bruins????
GL & PEACE, HAIL

 

[the mugs]

Hail...I rarely ever bet Bruin games because I'm way too much of a fan. I'm never 100% sure that I'm looking at a B's game objectively. Tonight is a definite pass for me.

Mugs

 

[the mugs]

bump

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Sorry guys, should have posted this earlier. Bonk is out for Ott. and they called up Jason Spezza who has 3 goals and 3 assists in 4 games in Binghamton of the AHL. Lets see if they second overall pick from over a year ago comes up with a decent game.

HORNS

 

[ddubs]

Re: Thursday's Bruins...

Last year, the Bruins retired Bourque's #77 and scored 5 1/2 minutes into the game.

Wow, how about 32 secs into the game.

 

[Celyas]

Re: Re: Thursday's Bruins...

Re: Re: Thursday's Bruins...

Wow, how about 32 secs into the game.

It'll take some time to beat this one