Tonight the Boston Bruins take on the Lightning in Tampa. These two teams have built up a rivalry over the past decade plus, so it’s often a good game to watch even if you may not like the result.
Tampa current resides in third in the Atlantic about 19 points behind the division (and league) leading Bruins. Having split their Western Canada/ Seattle swing with two victories (SEA, VAN) and two losses (CAL, EDM), they got back on their winning ways back at home against the Wild. While the previous two matches between the Bolts and B’s have been Bruins wins, it’s not a given that that will happen since this team has heated up a little more since they last met two months ago.
Tampa has the usual suspects as their stats leaders: Kucherov (68), Stamkos (55), Point (49). Pasta has a nice point total (37,32–69) (Oddly enough, their Viking defenseman, Victor Hedman has the same amount of points (31) as our Viking defenseman, Hampus Lindholm. So they have plenty of dangerous players. Andrei Vasilevskiy is having a down year (.917 SV%, 2.54 GAA) and the B’s have had success against him. Watch them play Brian Elliott who will have a Cam Talbot-like game against the B’s.
I would imagine that this game will be Ullmark’s in goal with Swayman taking Saturday’s tilt against the Panthers and Ullmark on the Canes on Sunday.
Morning all.
I’ve come down with case of the I Don’t Wannas today. Hope my boss doesn’t mind!
Funny, I’ve had a case of that for the past few months!
It’s bad, I keep telling myself “Oh right, there’s still Friday tomorrow. I can wait and do stuff then.” Cut to me tomorrow at the end of the day:
Good morning,
Big game tonight. Tampa is not a championship team right now, we’ll see what they do as the deadline approaches.
Speaking of the trade deadline, Colorado is getting the trade ball rolling. They picked up Matt Nieto and a dman prospect from San Jose for Jacob MacDonald and former first roumder Martin Kaut.
Got out on the snowshoes yesterday. No one has been on “our” trail in dog years. So pretty out there! Jury is out on today… rest (work at home) or explore. Ugh, need to fill the wood bins first.
Bits of snow in Slovakia but nothing like what you’ve had.
In two weeks we’ll be here!
Fortunately, they can make snow! Will you be skiing? I did play ski lift operator the other night. A six mile ride so the neighbors could do a two mile run. We do have a ski area or two within a few miles of us, if you ever come over in winter.
Ah nice. Yes there are several small ski areas within a 20min drive of Sonia’s parents’ home. Her family are big skiers – her Dad and brother are instructors (part time).
I enjoy skiing, but I like the atmosphere better than the actual sliding down a hill. Sometimes I just take a book, walk up the hill and sit outside the little snack cabin at the top and enjoy the peace!
So they got a two mile run out of that? That’s fantastic!
I had to look up their old roster to remind myself of what changed for them. Losing Tyler Johnson is a hard loss, and they still haven’t replaced him, bumping up Brayden Point (who probably does belong on a top line) and Anthony Cirelli (who seems a borderline candidate for 2C). I guess that changed them from “OMG, they’ve got too much talent” to “They’re not out of the running“. It should be hard to find something at the trade deadline that would give them that lightning in a bottle, but Jonathan Toews & Max Domi are UFAs…
Blake Coleman, Ondreh Palat, McDonough.. there are a couple others
Yeah, but they did bring in some serviceable guys too (Hagel & Paul). Losing McDonough doubtless hurt them, but losing TJ and not replacing him at all is just such a glaring loss. That’s why I focused specifically on the center.
Good morning.
The Lightning. Ah, they ain’t what they used to be. Obviously the Bruins will lose a few more games before the season is out but there’s no team I particularly fear right now. Usually there’s one or two whose style of play works against the Bruins but not really this year.
Here’s a question for you: Who has impressed you most this season – McAvoy or Lindholm? I’d have to go with Lindholm. Not that Chuckie has done anything wrong but Lindholm has had a stellar year. Their numbers are pretty similar, although HL has a significantly higher plus/minus.
So last night – the Punters got our revenge! A 10-3 win and a jolly good night. The other team are good lads and took it well. In 2023 we are 3-0 with a leg difference (think goal differential) of +25. We’ve never finished a season with a positive leg difference before! Must be the wine (the wine deal is back on, btw!)
Loving the season both guys are having, but Lindholm has impressed me more. I hadn’t seen a lot of him as he was with Anaheim. His skating is silky smooth and he has all the tools. The cool and calm under pressure thing. He’s the closest thing i’ve seen to Niklas Lindstom.
Hey, Chuck is no slouch and is just getting back to form, they both can play on my team anytime.
Congrats to you and your pals. Must have been a fun night!
I think that of the two, Lindholm has impressed me more, but my opinion may be unduly influenced by his early-season heroics. Still, both of them have been great, and it has contributed in a big way to the Bruins success this season.
Sounds like you’re really getting a leg up on the competition!
(I’ll see myself out.
)
I was going to say “25 legs? You’ll be a centipede before you know it!”
Congrats on the rematch win! That sounds pretty satisfying. It must be the wine!