Tuesday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

This is the B's 3rd in 4 days as the have laid the wood to Ottawa and Edmonton the past two games. Both games were at home and this is on the road. Bruins may benefit from yesterday's game an afternoon start and Buffalo is struggling today. Leaning to a no play on this one.

BOSTON BRUINS at
BUFFALO SABRES
Tuesday, November 12, 2002
HSBC Arena; Buffalo, New York
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Boston Globe Pre-Game Report
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins visit the Sabres tonight in the first of five games between these clubs this season and the first of three games of this season's series at HSBC Arena. The Bruins are 9-2-2-1 overall and are 5-1-1-1 on the road thus far this season. The Sabres are 3-8-3-0 overall with a 2-3-1-0 record on home ice thus far this season. The Bruins are 2-0-1-0 vs. Northeast Division opponents this season and are 5-0-1-0 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Sabres are 1-0-0-0 this season vs. Northeast Division opponents and they are 3-4-1-0 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 93-81-29-1 lifetime vs. the Sabres with a 683-668 scoring advantage in those 204 games. On the road, the Bruins are 36-50-15-1 lifetime vs. Buffalo with the Sabres holding a 371-304 scoring edge in those 102 games. The Bruins won the last game between these teams with a 2-1 victory in Buffalo on Mar. 21, 2002. They were 3-1-1-0 vs. Buffalo in last season's series, 2-0-1-0 at home and 1-1-0-0 in Buffalo.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins are 3-0-0-1 in their last four 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 and a 6-1 victory over Edmonton on Nov. 11. The Bruins have taken points out of 12 of their last 13 games at 9-1-2-1, 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 Sabres Games
The Sabres are winless in their last eight games at 0-6-2-0 with losses to New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Columbus, Carolina and Atlanta and ties with Vancouver and Edmonton in that span. Their last win was a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Oct. 22.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins will next return home to host the NY Islanders on Nov. 14 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will then face a two-game road trip, playing in Philadelphia on Nov. 16 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio) and in Toronto on Nov. 19 (7:30 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Sabres Games
The Sabres will conclude their current three-game home stand hosting Toronto on Nov. 15 and will then face a two-game road trip to Ottawa on Nov. 16 and at New Jersey on Nov. 19.

Bruins Injuries
Martin Lapointe: Fractured foot suffered Oct. 17 in Calgary; out indefinitely.
Sergei Samsonov: Wrist sprain; day-to-day.

Bruins Recent Transactions
Oct. 27: Jarno Kultanen assigned to Providence/AHL on a conditioning assignment.
Oct. 28: Jarno Kultanen recalled from Providence/AHL.
Oct. 31: Tim Thomas returned to Providence/AHL.
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.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Injuries
Sean Brown D Suspended Elig. Tues
Sergei Samsonov RW Wrist Doub Tues
Martin Lapointe LW Foot Out indefinitely
Kyle McLaren D Holdout Out indefinitely

Buffalo Injuries
Henrik Tallinder D Shoulder Out indefinitely
Alexei Zhitnik D Suspended Elig. Nov 15
Miroslav Satan LW Hip/Back Ques Tues
Maxim Afinogenov RW Concussion Out indefinitely

 

[the mugs]

Recent Meetings

Recent Meetings

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
3/21/2002 Buf. 1 Bos. 2 0,-115/5 Bos./U (01-02)
3/1/2002 Buf. 4 Bos. 3 0,-125/5 Buf./O
2/5/2002 Bos. 2 Buf. 2 0,-185/5 P/U
12/8/2001 Bos. 4 Buf. 2 0,-160/5 Bos./O
11/17/2001 Bos. 3 Buf. 1 0,-165/5 Bos./U

4/4/2001 Buf. 2 Bos. 3 0,-200/5 Bos./P (00-01)
3/6/2001 Bos. 1 Buf. 3 0,-115/5 Buf./U
1/26/2001 Buf. 1 Bos. 2 0,-200/5 Bos./U
1/1/2001 Buf. 3 Bos. 4 0,-200/5.5 Bos./O
12/12/2000 Bos. 0 Buf. 3 0,110/5.5 Buf./U

 

[the mugs]

Trends

Trends

Recent Trends
BOS is 4-2 ATS in its last six games overall.
BOS is 6-2-1 ATS in the past nine meetings.
BOS is 6-2 ATS in road games against the puck line.
BUF is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
The under is 7-2-1 in BUF's last 10 games overall.

BUF is 98-55 ATS vs. division opp. thelast 3 years.
(How many of these wins were with Hasek?)

 

[the mugs]

Boston Globe 11/12/02

Boston Globe 11/12/02

Rolston making point

Veteran center boosts power play

The Bruins have put together a pair of one-sided home victories, with yesterday's 6-1 thrashing of Edmonton following Saturday's 7-1 domination of Ottawa.

''We're playing well right now,'' said center Brian Rolston, who had two goals against the Oilers, both in the second period. ''It's good to come home and get two wins like that because we haven't been playing that great at home. The last two wins have been good efforts from our team.''

Rolston, who was named the game's No. 1 star, got his first goal 44 seconds into the second period to put the Bruins ahead, 2-0. Left wing P.J. Axelsson was in the slot and delivered a pass to Rolston on the right side for the forehand shot.

''I tell [Axelsson] every game, if he's going, then we're going,'' said Rolston. ''He's so smart. He's easy to play with. He made a great pass to me and I pretty much had an open net there on my first goal. He's invaluable.''

Rolston made it 4-1 on a power play at 16:43, blasting a slap shot from just inside the blue line past goaltender Jussi Markkanen's glove. The Bruins have six power-play goals in their last two games.

Rolston has played the point on the power play since his days with the Albany River Rats in the New Jersey Devils organization in the mid-1990s - when Robbie Ftorek was coaching the AHL team.

''I love playing there,'' he said. ''I feel very comfortable there, starting back in my days with Robbie in the minors.''

Rolston nearly had a hat trick, blasting a shot off the crossbar with 4:20 remaining.

''It wasn't meant to be on that one, I guess,'' he said. ''I just got the shot up a little too high.''

In all, five Bruins scored yesterday, and Rolston considers that a sign of the team's depth.

''If we get balanced scoring from everybody, it's not going to be so easy to shut down our team,'' he said. ''That's a huge thing.''

 

[the mugs]

Globe 11/12

Globe 11/12

Speedy Berard on pace to being scoring threat

''Slow down, you move too fast ... lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy.''

Remember the song? These days, it's the tune that Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek and his coaching staff play incessantly for defenseman Bryan Berard. Based on results of late, he seems to be getting the beat.

''It's the way I've always played,'' said Berard, who cashed in his fifth goal of the season yesterday in Boston's 6-1 thumping of the Oilers on Causeway Street. ''I like to play fast, but they're telling me to slow down a little and look for the play to develop.''

Berard made one of his patented dashes on the third Boston goal, racing deep up left wing before centering a soft dish to the middle for Rob Zamuner to drive home. Later, on a power play, he riveted in a 55-foot slapper for the 5-1 lead.

Berard has never scored more than 14 goals in a season, and prior to this season, he had five goals in 146 games over his previous two. After just 14 games, he now has five, a pace that could bring him close to 30 for the season.

''I try to explain to him: It's a simple game,'' said Ftorek. ''He likes to go 100 miles an hour all the time. Sometimes he would get more done if he went, you know, 75 miles an hour.''

Ideally, in Ftorek's world, Berard would rely less on his speed and more on game sense - spotting plays while cruising or standing still. Berard's speed causes defenders to back off a little, and Ftorek would like to see him take advantage of those inches of respect.

''He wants me to slow down and just play,'' said Berard. ''And he's still yelling at me to shoot more.''

Time heals

General manager Mike O'Connell said he didn't know all the details, but he assumes Sergei Samsonov underwent another round of MRIs and X-rays yesterday at Massachusetts General Hospital. Whatever the tests were, said O'Connell, the results were the same: Samsonov has nothing more serious than a sore wrist, and his return to the lineup is in the hands of Mother Nature. ''All we can do is wait,'' said O'Connell. ''No change from before - just wait.''...

=====

Sean Brown - a.k.a. the Brown Bomber - sat out yesterday's game at the invitation of NHL headquarters after a supplemental disciplinary hearing. Brown, tagged with a match penalty (intent to injure) for whacking Ottawa's Dennis Bonvie with a stick Saturday, was suspended for only one game. He is expected back in the lineup tonight when the Bruins play in Buffalo. ''I didn't think it would be more than that,'' said Brown, whose muscle provides a level of confidence for the rest of the squad. ''I figured the absolute worst would be one game, if that.'' Brown pleaded his case to Colin Campbell, the league's director of discipline, in a late-morning conference call. About a half-hour after hanging up, Brown received message of the suspension. ''A half-hour that seemed forever,'' said Brown. Like all pugilists, Brown figures he was innocent. ''My stick kind of slid up his arm,'' he said. ''I haven't seen the replay, but I'm not certain my stick ever touched his head. I don't go out and deliberately try to hurt players.''

 

[the mugs]

Boston Herald 11/12/02

Boston Herald 11/12/02

Murray breaks ice: After tough stretch, finally lights lamp

Glen Murray certainly couldn't complain about the chances he was getting.


In the two games prior to yesterday's 6-1 blowout of the Edmonton Oilers, Murray had 11 shots on net, several more that missed the mark and a penalty shot.

Still, he had no goals to show for all the rubber he'd been flinging around, and only one goal in his previous seven games.

That's why Murray, who can score on some of the prettiest shots you'll see, was not about to worry about style points for the ugly duckling that went in for him yesterday.

``That's the way things go, eh?'' said Murray. ``Ten shots (on Saturday), eight shots the game before, a penalty shot and you get that kind of crazy one that goes in. Hopefully, that will get it started.''

Any one goal can get lost in the shuffle of a 6-1 blowout, but Murray's was unmistakably big. The Oilers, off to a tough 4-6-3-1 start, were looking to build off an impressive victory over the New Jersey Devils Saturday night. And in the early stages of yesterday's game they looked like they'd be giving the Bruins some trouble.

All that seemed to change at 14:31 of the first period on Murray's fortunate deflection. Hal Gill had fired the puck wide left of Edmonton goalie Jussi Markkanen, and the rebound came off the end boards behind the net out to Murray, charging down the right side.

Murray, who had five shots on net yesterday, flicked the puck toward the net and it appeared to be going wide, but it went off Janne Niinimaa's stick and into the net for Murray's sixth of the season.

``I think it's huge,'' said Murray, who would later add two power-play assists. ``You ask any team, especially one that's been on the road for a few games. The home team gets the first goal and it makes it pretty tough. It puts them behind the eight ball, they start to press a little bit and then we got the second (at the start of the second period). It was a key goal for us.''

Murray's little goal-scoring drought couldn't exactly be called a slump. With his 15 points, he still trails only linemate Joe Thornton for the team lead in scoring.

And the production of the team's other lines has helped to keep pressure from building up on the first line.

``We know we're depended on to score goals, but some nights we're not going to get any,'' Murray said. ``It's always a good feeling to see the other lines helping out, and it shows we're a close-knit team.''

That close-knit team left the FleetCenter yesterday ranked first in the Eastern Conference. And the way Murray sees it, a win in November counts as much as one in March.

``It's always key to get those points early in the season,'' Murray said. ``It's a long season and everyone goes through their ups and downs, but you try to minimize the downs. Getting points early in the season is big.''

 

[homerh]

great stuff mugs
good luck to you

 

[ND2002HORNS]

mugs,

The under might be the play here. Usually when a team scores mutiple goals in back to back games like the Bruins have it is not uncommon for a team to have a tough time getting more than a few the 3rd game out. Thought?

HORNS

 

[the mugs]

HORNS

I agree with you. Start reading how great they are in the papers and stop doing the little unnoticed stuff and it can happen. Plus, this is their 3rd in 4 nights with travel yesterday...I can see them not doing much tonight.

Mugs

 

[ND2002HORNS]

mugs,

There are so many great games on the card it is hard to narrow it down. So far this year there have not been many nights where I liked more than one game but tonight is the night for mutiple games. I have not pulled the trigger on a mutiple night yet but this is as good a spot as any.

HORNS

 

[the mugs]

Already played Minny -1/2 (-120) over Edmonton

We all know about Edmonton's road trip but this is the 3rd in 4 nights for the Wild so I'm not playing it heavy as others are today.

Leaning towards:

Carolina -1/2 (-145) over Phoenix

Hurricanes are in game 6 of an 8 game home stand and haven't played since Saturday. Well rested...Phoenix, another 3 in 4 nights with back to back road games

Leaning towards the B's -1/2 (+120)

Back to back with travel yeasterday is the only thing holding me back...Right now Buffalo can't score, and they haven't won since 10/22...I just know if I pull the trigger, this will be the night the Sabres take 3 weeks of frustrations out on my money and my B's and that will really hurt.

I've got a feeling Colorado will kick the crap out of C-bus but it's way too expensive. Plus, the Aves are riding a 4 game loosing streak - I don't see how they can be that heavy of a favorite.

Mugs

 

[ddubs]

cut and pasted from TTM$'s thread.....

I thought about that, too. Also 1st home game for Minny after a road trip. But Minny is 1-0-1 this yr in 3/4 situation, and they won their 2 home games vs Col and SJ after their 3 game road trip earlier this yr. This 4 in 5 situation just doesn't come up very often. I think 4 out of 5 times Minny will win in this particular situation.

Also 1st time this yr I'm playing a 3/4 team on the road. Bruins are just red hot, and I like what Murray was saying that they want to try to get as many points early in the season as possible.

Good luck, mugs.

 

[Theboundbook]

Appreciate all the good info you bring to the forum. Keep it up!

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

who's gonna stop that bad bruin juggernaut!!!!!!!????

:toast:

 

[the mugs]

 

[ND2002HORNS]

mugs,

I saw the Bruins leading 4-1 with 3 min. to go and then the final was 4-3, what happened? I think the Sabres are a good play next game. They got booooed off the ice tonight. Stupid Wild, never showed up.

HORNS

 

[the mugs]

HORNS

Rob Ray baited Brantt Myhres into a fight at 12:23 of the 3rd period. Ray turtled as Myhres was started swinging. Buffalo got a 7 minute PP from that point as Myhres got the book thrown at him. Instigator, fighting, misconduct, game misconduct...B's held the under until there were only a couple minutes left. Buffalo got a late one with 30 seconds or so for the final.

All Buffalo got was a game misconduct to Boulton resulting in zero PIM's so it was all Sabres for the rest of the game.

Mugs

One thing that I'm still hesitant about Boston...Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but Ftorek was a great regular season coach in New Jersey with little playoff success. Had a great year last year and we all know what happened against Montreal in the playoffs. I'm happy that they are winning but I still have some doubt.