Defense And Dobby Lead Bs To 2-1 Win Over Kings
The youth-heavy Bruins got 27 saves from back-up Anton Khudobin and goals from their youngest defenseman then their oldest to nip the Pacific Division-leading L.A. Kings 2-1 to salvage two points on the SoCal portion of their roadie. The last few games vs. the Kings have been heavy, hard-hitting affairs and last night was no exception. L.A. was looking to get off their recent slide and the Bs were in desperate need for a W to keep pace in the Wales and the intensity showed on the ice.
Chucky Mac’s sick, top-shelf backhander against an excellent Jonathan Quick gave the Bs a 1-0 edge after one. Here’s another peek.
Drew Doughty’s rocket knotted things up after the Bs had a shitty change and some coverage issues.
Almost nine minutes later, the Bs finally caught a break when Zdeno Chara’s shot was inadvertently re-directed by L.A.’s Trevor Lewis past Quick to restore the one-goal lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
In the final stanza, the Bs stayed on top of the Kings and limited them to just five shots that Khudobin handled to increase his record to four wins and two OT losses with a 2.35 and a .928. Of course, that’ll just lead to the usual idiocy in many quarters.
But it was a win the Bs really needed and with a third of their line-up eligible to win the Calder Trophy, they gritted out the huge two points against a tough team and all-world goalie. Next up is San Jose tomorrow night at 10:30 to (likely) face the Bruins legend many said should never have been traded…Martin Jones.
*Torey Krug was the latest Bruin to join the Causeway St. outpost of the 4077th. The team is going through a hell of an injury stretch right now so you can’t really get too pissy about the team. If they’re losing with their full complement of players, then you can bitch.
*Bergeron had a rare 4 PIM night and both calls were within four minutes of each other. He got two minutes for roughing Christian Folin after taking exception to the King’s clean, crushing hit on Danton Heinen. He also whistled for hooking after doing a bit of water-skiing.
*Matt Beleskey was a healthy scratch. It’s been a tough run for the former Anaheim Duck since his signing a couple years ago. He has yet to tally a point in 13 games played.
*David Krejci returned to the line-up and while the power play did look much better with him out there, it still went 0-for-3.
*This week on Spittin’ Chiclets…