If you decided to skip last night’s regular season ending game against the Washington Capitals, I can’t blame you. When you heard that the game roster would only include a few of the usual suspects (Nick Ritchie, Jake DeBrusk, Curtis Lazar, Chris Wagner, Steven Kampfer, and Connor Clifton) and mostly KIDS, you might have scheduled this not only as a loss but as a brutal one.
The lineup for the regular-season finale.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/7LBfakPB1A
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 11, 2021
However, while it was a loss, it was a surprisingly good show by the young ones which was only lost in the last couple of seconds.
The kids really held their own throughout. Buoyed no doubt by the leadership of the alternate captains Nick Ritchie, Steven Kampfer, and Chris Wagner and coached up to brim, the young players didn’t get intimidated and proved that they deserve to be on the same ice as the Caps, who basically iced their complete team.
🅰️ ³#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/HCrGnnbvKj
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 11, 2021
All three goals scored were at even strength because by and large, all the penalties canceled each other out; 12 PIM each. And nothing was scored on the initial 4-on-4. In fact, it took a while for anyone to get on the scoreboard. The Bruins were first with Curtis Lazar tapping one in netfront after Jarred Tinordi fed it to him. The puck was in between his skates but a swift move made it 1-0, Bruins.
Jarred Tinordi feeds Curtis Lazar in front.
1-0 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/QeC4cU6j58
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 12, 2021
Six minutes later, the Caps would score to tie it up.
Big bad Tom Wilson was having a heck of a night. No one was intimidated by him. He kept trying to pick on Urho Vaakanainen but Jarred Tinordi would remind him to knock it off. Wilson is awfully brave when picking on the smaller bodied and those in awkward defenseless positions. But the Bruins have Trent Frederic, who may or may not be clinically insane, who likes to chirp and play punchyface with Wilson, the same Wilson who really doesn’t like that aspect of the game. Well, Freddy had some words with Tom and they both got thrown out of the game for 10 minutes.
10 minute misconducts given out to #ALLCAPS Tom Wilson and #NHLBruins Trent Frederic
🎥 @NBCSWashington pic.twitter.com/nci2Q1C22P— Here’s Your Replay ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) May 12, 2021
That would be that for game penalties. Play resumed and Jeremy Swayman continued to hold off the Caps, who outshot the Bruins 32-25.
Jeremy Swayman makes the stop on Alex Ovechkin. pic.twitter.com/kU7SWgOLiQ
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 12, 2021
Jeremy Swayman: confirmed good pic.twitter.com/bJYJ7JXvLe
— Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards) May 12, 2021
With three seconds to go, Michael Raffl scored the game winner.
What a first goal in red for Raffl🚁! pic.twitter.com/x5ModpcKCt
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 12, 2021
You win some, you lose some. The kids did well.
After the game, Bruce Cassidy announced his decision to have Jeremy Swayman back up Tuukka Rask in the playoffs. It’s a role that he’s earned.
Cassidy confirms that Jeremy Swayman will be Tuukka Rask’s backup going into the playoffs.
“I think he’s earned that.”
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 12, 2021
Jeremy Swayman’s season (so far):
10 games
7-3-0 record
.945 save percentage
.895 high-danger save percentage
9.94 Goals Saved Above Average— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 12, 2021
Unfortunately, that means Jaro Halak is the odd man out. He’s a good one to have as a backup to the backup, however, it’s clear that his time with the Bruins is coming to an end. It was a good run, Jaro.
Morning all. Guess I needed sleep. Was out like a light right up to the alarm.
Maybe something in the air last night…. I slept profoundly.
Went back to bed after making Jo’s brekkie.
Morning folks.
I admit, didnt see a thing of the game- first time all season! Thanks for the recap, sounds quite entertaining, might have a look at the highlights later.
I completely forgot Tinordi is on the team! Not really feeling Reilly lately. I was impressed with him at first but the opposite recently. Tinordi or Kampfer for me (no idea which side they play, I have a mental block on lefts and rights, as my driving instructor would attest).
That’s rough on Halak, hes been such a good servant, but it’s the right decision. Hopefully he winds up on a decent team.
Believe it or not I’ve already been to the pub! Got a rare free day, so I went up to my favourite vintage market, which is just down the road from our darts team’s home venue. Met a workmates there for a lunchtime pint of Guinness. Nice to give some business to the landlord there.
Pints of Guinness make you strong!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaHZ-fUv1UQ
That’s a new one on me!
It is an Irish pub this place. In New York there were so many “Irish Pubs” that I started to wonder whether that’s just what Americans call a pub!
I really like Against Me! Transgender Dysphoria Blues is one of my favorite records. And Laura Jane Grace’s memoir is really good.
Yeah, Irish pubs are kind of like Starbucks in our neck of the woods. They do seem to be everywhere!
There are more Irish people in the northeastern US than in Ireland. (not joking)
I had heard that!
True that! #therealanonymous
Good Morning! Stripes Anonymous!
On the road all day yesterday. Saw about half the game and was really pleased…
Fuck the Caps!
I feel for Jaro, but clearly Swayman has seized the moment and deserves that spot.
yeah, fuck the caps!
i saw some odds on the eventual winner of the cup, and while the caps, penguins & bruins were all close-ish, the odds were different enough that i have to think they’re full of shit. the 3 teams all have roughly the same records against each other. there’s no daylight between the odds of each team getting out of the division, and no info to compare them against other divisions. must have been betting odds, skewed to spread out the money.
Any more insight? I have write a piece on Friday and I dont know anything about the other divisions!
I was thinking of picking the Pens on the strength that they should have a relatively easy series, while the Bs-Caps is likely to he brutal
That’s a good bet. The Islanders are a tough out, and they were certainly headhunting a little bit on Monday, but the caps are just plain built to beat up an opponent. There’s better than even odds that the Bruins squeak through the first round with the win, but with several key pieces limping along and at least one player out due to injury.
I don’t think I have much insight on the other divisions. Vegas, Colorado & Carolina have been leading the league for a while. Vegas has been up (or above) with Boston as far as having a stout PK. Colorado scares me as a Bruin opponent, but they seem to always get eliminated I give them a slight edge over Vegas in a head to head. Toronto seems hot, and I don’t see any of their 3 opponents beating them, but on the other hand, I don’t trust them in the playoffs. Don’t trust Carolina for that matter. Not sure what to think of the two Florida teams.
Thanks!
I was surprised to see Tampa not dominating. They’ve had key players out though, as I understand it.
Hard to know what to make of that Canadian division. Is it as weak as people say? Are the winners going to hey a shock when they have to play a ‘proper’ team? Who knows?
Can’t say I know much about the other divisions, but don’t rule out St Louis or Tampa. I’ve watched a bit of the other divisions, those teams will compete.