Bruins Hit 'Em With The Heinen And A Sharp Dobby To Nip Sharks 2-1
After a 1-2 roadie that ended with some uninspired play in Sin City (and gave lost asset Malcolm Subban his first NHL win…so predictable), the Bs got ace pivotman Patrice Bergeron and veteran forward David Backes back into the line-up for the start of their current four-game homestand and looked like a different team. They exploded for six goals Thursday vs. the Canucks and four more while pissing away the dreaded three-goal lead Saturday night against the Sabres.
Last night at North Station, the Bruins did something they couldn’t do early last season—rely on back-up Anton Khudobin. Even though Tuukka Rask was cleared to return after his concussion from a practice collision, the Bs gave Dobby his fourth straight start, likely due to his solid play. He did his best Tim Thomas imitation and made 36 saves on 37 shots, including several big ones in the last couple minutes of the game to secure the 2-1 win over the so far middling San Jose Sharks.
Danton Heinen, who was recalled from Providence earlier in the day to fill the void created by David Krejci’s injury (upper-body), provided all the offense the Bs would need in scoring his first two NHL goals. The rookie has looked much more comfortable this season than he did in his audition to start last season and was rewarded on the penalty kill 9:41 into the first (above Tweet). After Old Man Joe Thornton tied it halfway through the second, Heinen responded less than three minutes later for the eventual GWG.
Overall, it was a pretty solid effort by the Bs to get back to the way they’re capable of playing. Not perfect but they got the two points which is the most important thing when they’re already chasing the division leaders before Halloween. They’ll look to make it two in a row vs. the scorching-hot L.A. Kings tomorrow night at home. The Kings are 8-1-1 on the year and should be a tough out.
A few more buds for your Halloween bowl…
*Dobby has three wins and the OT loss Buffalo with a 2.52 and a .926. As long as he stays at or near those numbers, Rask can take all the time he needs to come back. People forget that he was such a good back-up here, he left for some nice dough and a chance to unseat Cam Ward in Carolina
*Heinen was efficient as hell, scoring both of his team’s goals despite logging just 8:39 in ice time. He has three helpers for a 2-3–5 in 12 GP. He works well with Tim Schaller out there creating havoc on the forecheck, which is what led to his game-winner last night.
*Sean Kuraly had a game low 4:26. Bruce Cassidy stapled him to the bench after he took his third penalty halfway into the game and essentially gave himself 11 forwards.
*Zdeno Chara tallied a monster 26:40 in ice time to lead all skaters in shutting down San Jose’s big guns (save for Thornton’s goal-mouth tap-in). Z remains a stalwart on the back-end and, despite turning 40, is still essential to the Bs. And at $4M this season, he’s one of the best bargains in hockey.
*Speaking of old guys getting it done, Thornton is still a key cog for the San Jose offense and is yet another elite passer who could still dole out velvety feeds when most guys his age (38) hung it up years ago (think Adam Oates). He’s also gone from hockey’s Spicoli to its Obi-Wan in the 20 (!) years since he first suited up as a Bruin. If San Jose is out of contention at the deadline (and nothing would surprise me in a stacked West), I wonder if Joe would look to go elsewhere for a run. He’s on a one-year deal and can simply sign back with the Sharks after the season. And at 38, his chances at getting a kick at the can are going to be few.