Bruins Spank Hapless Coyotes 4-1, Now 7-1 Under Butch
Last night at the Garden, the Bruins certainly didn’t play their best game under Bruce Cassidy in their first home tilt after their successful venture west of the Mississippi. Fortunately, they were playing the absolutely terrible Arizona Coyotes so they still coasted to a 4-1 win, getting goals from four different guys as the team got its seventh win in eight tries with Cassidy at the helm.
Colin Miller (5), Riley Nash (4), David Backes (13), and Brad Marchand (28) provided the offense. Tuukka Rask, who was the biggest beneficiary of the team’s bye week timing, had 22 saves to earn his 30th win of the season (his fourth straight with at least 30).
The game had what has become known as a “scary moment in the NHL” when Miller cleaned Alexander Burmistrov’s clock with a clean check after the worst buddy pass this side of Michael Kennedy. The Bs d-man delivered a textbook check and, unfortunately, Burmistrov was, as the kids say, knocked the fuck out.
Not fun to see but it’s hockey. It happens. Sometimes people play by the rules and motherfuckers get dropped like bad habits. In recent years, the out-of-an-abundance-of-precaution stretcher has heightened the drama and increased the pearl-clutching. And while it looked ugly…
Dude was on Insta less than an hour later. And he left with the team. In years past, a guy would come to, be helped to his feet, and led down the tunnel. Today, a KO gets the full amber lamps treatment. Even if the dude is out of MGH before the game is over. Fucking Millennials…
The win gave the Bs 72 points to pull even with Ottawa though the Sens are in second due to the two games in hand. Toronto’s loss in San Jose means the Bruins once again control their own destiny as far as the Atlantic goes. The Bs also have a pretty ample tie-breaker cushion over the Leafs. As long as they continue to win, they don’t need to concern themselves with what happens behind them.
The difference between this iteration of the Bs and the last days of Claude couldn’t be more striking. Playing with a clean slate and a fresh start, several Bruins have so far thrived under their new coach with Colin Miller and Ryan Spooner the most glaring examples. David Krejci also seems to have gotten a goose from the new voice in the room.
In the span of just a few weeks, the feeling around this team went from impending doom to unbridled optimism. Even the Bruins media’s FCC (Fellate Claude Committee) has to admit that firing Julien was indisputably the correct move by the team.
The Bs continue their playoff charge tomorrow night when the Rags come to town for what is always a spirited affair (7PM).
A few more buds for your first bowl of March…
*The fucking mumps again, Minny? Mix in a goddamn MMR shot one time.
*The Habs picked up Steve “The Pirate” Ott for 6th rounder to make the Canadiens somehow even more hateable. And to be honest, I kind of wish the Bs grabbed him for some bottom six depth. He’s a PITA to play against, can play PK, take face-offs, score the odd goal, and his teammates love him everywhere he goes. I know most Bs fans abhor the guy. But I’d rather him on Bs than Habs. Especially for a 6th.
*Kevin Shattenkirk to the Caps?
*Catch up on the latest ep of Spittin’ Chiclets featuring Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils. It’s “highly entertaining and informative” per the Edmonton Journal.