Tuesday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

ST. LOUIS BLUES at
BOSTON BRUINS
Tuesday, December 3, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Boston Globe Pre-Game Report
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins host the Blues tonight in the first and only game between these clubs this season and the Blues' lone visit of the season to the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 16-3-3-1 overall and are 9-1-1-0 on home ice thus far this season. The Blues are 13-7-2-1 overall with a 6-3-1-0 record on the road thus far this season. The Bruins are 0-0-0-1 vs. Central Division opponents this season and are 5-2-1-1 overall vs. Western Conference foes. The Blues are 2-0-0-0 this season vs. Northeast Division opponents and they are 5-0-0-1 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 58-37-18-3 lifetime vs. the Blues with a 442-341 scoring advantage in those 116 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 35-13-9-1 lifetime vs. St. Louis with a 247-157 scoring edge in those 58 games. The Bruins have lost their last three games vs. St. Louis, all in overtime, with their last win over the Blues a 5-1 victory in Boston on Jan. 30, 2001.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won their last five games with a 3-1 victory over Carolina on Nov. 21, a 4-1 victory over Buffalo on Nov. 23, a 7-2 win over Calgary on Nov. 26, a 4-2 win over Montreal on Nov. 29 and a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh on Nov. 30. They are 10-1-1-1 in their last 13 games and have taken points out of 20 of their last 22 games at 16-2-3-1, including an eight-game unbeaten streak at 6-0-2-0 from Oct. 14-30.

The Bruins have an eight-game home win streak in progress with their last home loss a 4-1 setback to Anaheim on Oct. 31. Their current streak is their longest since they won eight straight home games from Oct. 6-Nov. 17, 1983. The Bruins last won nine straight home games during an 11-game home win streak from Dec. 5, 1982-Jan. 29, 1983.

Recent Blues Games
The Blues are 1-2-1-1 in their last five games with a 3-1 loss to Colorado on Nov. 23, a 4-1 loss to San Jose on Nov. 25, a 4-4 tie in Colorado on Nov. 27, a 7-2 win over Calgary on Nov. 29 and a 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey on Nov. 30. They are 3-5-1-1 in their last ten games.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins continue their current three-game home stand hosting Atlanta on Dec. 5 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio) and Tampa Bay on Dec. 7 (1:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will then face the Rangers in New York on Dec. 8 (1:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Blues Games
The Blues next return home to host Ottawa on Dec. 5. They will then face a four-game road trip to Philadelphia on Dec. 7, Detroit on Dec. 8, New Jersey on Dec. 10 and Nashville on Dec. 12.

Bruins Injuries
None Reported. Finally!!!

Bruins Recent Transactions
Nov. 23: Shaone Morrisonn returned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 24: Andy Hilbert and Lee Goren returned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 26: Andy Hilbert and Lee Goren recalled from Providence/AHL; returned to Providence/AHL after the game.

 

[the mugs]

Injuries...

Injuries...

St. Louis Injuries
Tom Barrasso G Back Ques Tue
Jamal Mayers RW Knee Out for season
Brent Johnson G Ankle Out indefinitely
Rich Pilon D Wrist Out indefinitely
Chris Pronger D Knee/Wrist Exp out until Jan

Boston Injuries
Martin Lapointe RW Foot Prob Tues
Sergei Samsonov LW Wrist Prob Tues
Marty McInnis C Shoulder Ques Tues
Kyle McLaren D Holdout Out indefinitely

 

[the mugs]

Last year, the B's & Blues played a home and home right about the time the Blues went on a 10+ game winning streak...Bruins haven't beaten the Blues since 1/30/01

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/21/2002 Bos. 3 StL. 4 0,-130/5 StL./O (01-02)
1/19/2002 StL. 2 Bos. 1 0,-170/5 StL./U

2/24/2001 StL. 3 Bos. 2 0,-220/5.5 StL./U (00-01)
1/30/2001 Bos. 5 StL. 1 0,-125/5.5 Bos./O

3/30/2000 Bos. 2 StL. 3 0,190/5 StL./P (99-00)
12/18/1999 StL. 4 Bos. 0 0,-200/5 StL./U

10/10/1998 Bos. 3 StL. 3 -0.5,-130/5.5 StL./O (98-99)

2/5/1998 Bos. 1 StL. 3 -0.5,130/5 StL./U (97-98)
11/13/1997 StL. 4 Bos. 2 -0.5,-145/5 StL./O

2/8/1997 Bos. 3 StL. 3 0.5,-135/6 Bos./P (96-97)

 

[the mugs]

Trends...

Trends...

Recent Trends
STL is 7-3 ATS on the road this season.
STL's last three games have gone over.
The Blues are averaging three goals per game on the road.
BOS is 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games.
The Bruins are 8-3 ATS at home this season.
The under is 6-2 in BOS's last eight games.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Globe 12/2/02

Boston Globe 12/2/02

Thornton / McLaren

Captain stays in ranks

Thornton, Bruins agree on extension

He is captain of the team with the best record in the NHL's Eastern Conference, he is tied for second in the league in scoring, and he was just named Player of the Week. The Bruins obviously like what they see of Joe Thornton, and yesterday they signed him to a one-year contract extension that will keep him in Boston through the 2003-04 season.

''We came up with the numbers, and this is where arbitration would have pointed to if we had gone that route,'' said Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell, who negotiated the extension with Thornton's agent, J.P. Barre, in less than a week.

''Joe likes it here, he's well-paid, so it made all the sense to get it done. We know where Joe is going to, especially after 20 games, so it was a clear picture for us to come to.''

Thornton, who signed a three-year, $5.35 million contract in the fall of 2000, said he hadn't even been thinking about an extension; he figured it would get taken care of in the offseason.

''I never thought about this once,'' said the big center, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Bruins in 1997 and is in his sixth year with the team, though he turned only 23 over the summer. ''I just wanted to go out and play. I hadn't thought about this at all.

''I hope this happens with everyone on our team. I want to play for a championship team, so we have to do this with more players. I love the city of Boston and wanted to stay around.''

According to a source with first-hand knowledge of the deal as it was forwarded to the Players Association, Thornton's current salary, $2.1 million, was bumped to $2.5 million.

In addition, the added year calls for a salary of $5.5 million, with a number of bonuses that could net an additional $2 million. Thornton would have been arbitration-eligible next summer.

The framework for this deal was the two-year pact signed by Calgary's Jarome Iginla last summer. Iginla, who had 52 goals and 96 points last year, will make $5.5 million this season and $7.5 million next season.

With the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the Players Association set to expire in 2004, the Bruins are one of the teams unwilling to guarantee money to players beyond that date.

O'Connell said the subject of extending Thornton came up over the summer with Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs.

''He brought it up to me, asking me how we were doing with our younger players,'' said O'Connell. ''So we batted numbers around a bit before we decided what we were going to offer him.

''We met in Buffalo about a month ago, batting around ideas. We were very pleased to get it done today. It went very smoothly.''

The next item on the agenda may be Sergei Samsonov, who is in the last year of a contract that pays him $2.2 million and is due to become a Group 2 (high compensation) free agent next summer.

''I don't know where we stand with Sergei's contract,'' said O'Connell. ''We think you can see his numbers and what he's been doing when he plays, though. We know Sergei's value better than anyone.''

Thornton had 68 points and a career-high 46 assists in 66 games last season. He is ahead of that pace with 33 points in 23 games this year, tied with Pittsburgh's Alexei Kovalev for second in the league behind Mario Lemieux's 46 points. Thornton's 13 goals are two off the league lead, shared by four players, including Kovalev.

Yesterday, the NHL named Thornton Player of the Week after he had 7 points and was a plus-9 in three wins.

Meanwhile, O'Connell said there has been no movement in the Kyle McLaren situation - either toward signing the holdout defenseman or trading him.

''His agent keeps sending me a fax, telling me, `There's no way that he wants to come back,''' O'Connell said. ''So every time I mention Kyle to the media, his agent sends the fax to me again, and I don't want to read that fax again.''

 

[the mugs]

Globe 12/3

Globe 12/3

Lapointe is ready to roll

WILMINGTON - After missing six weeks and 16 games, Bruins winger Martin Lapointe returned last week, playing against Montreal Friday, but was held out of Saturday's game in Pittsburgh.

''Now he's ready to go,'' said coach Robbie Ftorek. ''He has a little bit of a history with hamstring problems, and with the stops and starts in playing back-to-back games, and with the quick moves, he might pull it, and we didn't want to see it regress.''

Lapointe hurt his foot against Calgary Oct. 17, and during his rehabilitation he worked with Bruins strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides, swam, and rode the stationary bike to stay in shape. He got back to practice two weeks ago.

''I thought it be would terrible being out six weeks,'' said Lapointe, who played about 11 minutes against the Canadiens. ''With the timing, the positioning, I wasn't in tune with the other players. But it went pretty well.

''Robbie likes to take one step at a time, bringing injured players back slowly. He's got a game plan. Before he sits you out, he'll tell you why.

''I didn't think my wind would be as good as it was, but it was fine. The timing of passes and being in good position all the time was off.''

Lapointe has played in only six games - tonight against the Blues will be his seventh - and has just one goal. But he is proud of the Bruins' record - 16-3-3-1, tied for best in the league with Dallas - and is looking forward to contributing.

''I just want to keep helping the team win games, always going in the right direction,'' said Lapointe. ''We've got good chemistry here.''

The Blues come to town with a 13-7-2-1 mark, fifth in the Western Conference. ''They're a very good team and we've got to make sure that we're on the ball,'' Ftorek said. ''It's a real good team in transition, with dangerous scorers.'' ... Sergei Samsonov, back in action and wearing a brace on his right wrist, had a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over Pittsburgh Saturday. ''My wrist didn't swell up after the game, a good sign,'' he said. ''We're pretty sure what's wrong with the wrist, but I have to play through the pain while wearing a brace. It's sore and aching, but it's something I have to deal with and get through, taking it day-by-day.'' ... Marty McInnis, who has sat out the last two games with a leg injury, said he feels fine and is eager to get back in the lineup.

 

[the mugs]

B's / Blues thumbnails

Records: Boston is 16-3-3-1, first in the Northeast Division; St. Louis is 13-7-2-1, second in the Central Division.

Goals: Cory Stillman 10, Eric Boguniecki 10, Doug Weight 9.

Assists: Pavol Demitra 17, Weight 15, Stillman 14, Petr Cajanek 14.

Goaltenders: Fred Brathwaite (8-4-2, 2.66 GAA), Tom Barrasso (1-4-0, 3.28).

Head to head

This is the first meeting of the season. The Blues swept a home-and-home series last season, both games in overtime.

Miscellany

Boston and St. Louis are 1-2 in the league in scoring, at 3.57 and 3.48 goals per game...

Cajanek is the league's leading scorer among rookies with 17 points...

The Blues are 1-2-1 since Keith Tkachuk's return from a monthlong stint on the injured list with a broken foot...

Chris Pronger, the league MVP in 2000, is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his wrist yesterday.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Herald 12/3/02

Boston Herald 12/3/02

Samsonov sore, but still ready

Bruins Notebook/by Steve Conroy
Tuesday, December 3, 2002








WILMINGTON - Sergei Samsonov particpated in practice yesterday and he plans to play tonight against the St. Louis Blues (NESN, 7) at the FleetCenter, but there's a level of pain with which he must deal.




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Samsonov made his comeback from an Oct. 17 wrist injury Saturday night and played well, but he has experienced some soreness in the wrist the last two days.

``The biggest thing is it didn't swell up after the game,'' Samsonov said yesterday. ``It's just kind of aching and that's a good sign, I guess, in a way. But at the same time, it's still there and I feel it. It's just matter of pain and how much you can take and how long you can tolerate it.''

Despite the pain, Samsonov remained on an even keel.

``I wouldn't say it was disappointing,'' Samsonov said. ``It was pretty good during the game, it's just the past couple of days have been tough. I haven't had anything like this before so I don't know what to compare it to. But it was a little bit better (yesterday), so hopefully (today) I'll have nothing to worry about.''

Samsonov is trying not to let his mind get too far ahead of his body at this stage.

``We don't even know how long it's going to last and how long I'm going to play with it, and for me to make a time and a date for when it's going to be better or not is tough,'' Samsonov said. ``So I'm just going to wake up every morning, go to the rink and test it, see how it feels. As long as I can hold my stick, I'll be playing.''

If the wrist gets any worse, surgery could be an option, though he said he's keeping that as a worst-case scenario.

``It's going to be a tough decision to make,'' he said. ``But for now, I'm just glad to be back on the ice and glad to be playing, and I'm taking it day-by-day.''

 

[the mugs]

Talking trade

General manager Mike O'Connell said he remains proactive on the Kyle McLaren front, making and taking calls on the unsigned defenseman who wants to be traded.

O'Connell said he's targeted certain players and that he'd want either a top-two line forward or a top-four defenseman.

``But it'll be a difficult trade to make because of the quality of players we're talking about,'' O'Connell said. . . .

=====

Nothing is etched in stone, but by the looks of practice yesterday, it appears Rob Zamuner and Marty McInnis could be the odd men out for tonight's game. As Martin Lapointe returned to the third line with Brian Rolston and P.J. Axelsson, Mike Knuble went down to the fourth line with P.J. Stock and Sean Brown.

 

[ddubs]

I've learned my lesson, not gonna fade the B's no more. But the Over sure looks good.

Good luck tonite, mugs.