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Bahtendah Wisdom - Pay Attention!

The B's have now lost four of their last five games, with their lone victory coming in overtime against a weak Columbus team. Thursday night's effort in a 4-3 loss to the Predators was abysmal, replete with bad penalties and a power play that continues to struggle, going 0 for 3 in Nashville. Tuuka Rask has been solid lately but his teammates have been letting him down. Goalie Tim Thomas hasn't looked like the world-beater he was for the first half of the season for awhile now.

Maybe it's just the "dog days" of the NHL schedule or maybe this is what the real Bruins are. A team good enough to stay in the upper echelon of the league during the regular season, but a team maybe not capable of getting past a couple of rounds in the playoffs.

With only 12 games left in the season, there's not a lot of time to right the ship. And these games are important. First place in the Conference is probably out of the question, but if Boston plans to finish ahead of Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Montreal, they'll need to finish with a flourish.

And I do mean "finish." Finishing, to me, is the biggest problem with this club. They need to finish checks, finish scoring chances, and perhaps most importantly, finish man-advantage opportunies. Until they do, they're looking like a second round bust. It starts tonight in Toronto against a team desperate for points. It's time to stop monkeying around - let's see if the boys from The Hub can "finish" the deal.

Bahtendah Wisdom - Pay Attention!

After the smackdown the Bruins put on the Canadiens in their last game, the question is - Will we see a repeat performance or will the Habs be floppin' all over the ice like they usually do? Most times Montreal players drop like they've been hit by a sniper as soon as you touch 'em. The last game, Feb. 9th, was a little different with fights all over the ice and the Bruins coming away with an 8-6 win.

Montreal leads the season series 3 games to 1, so the B's could use another win to maintain their position in the standings and show Les Habs that they're a cut above this year. This game could be pivotal as we head down the stretch and teams jockey for playoff position. The Bruins are only 2 points behind the Flyers and the Canadiens are just 5 back of the B's. Time to catch up to Philly and put a little distance between Boston and the Frenchies from Mount Royal.

Fights or not, this should be a good one. Pay attention!

Bahtendah Wisdom - Pay Attention!

Tuuka Rask pitched his second shutout of the season last night against the Ottawa Senators in a 1-0 win and the B's continued to crush this latest road trip. It's starting to look like Peter Chiarelli and the Bruin's brass not only traded for the right players but they did it at exactly the right time. There's no better way for a team to bond than on an extensive trip away from home and away from the pressures of the local fandom. A trip like this allows the players and coaches to work in a kind of neutral crucible, get a little work done and see if the old guard can bond with the new.

One of the best signs last was another big goal from Nathan Horton, a guy who started the season with a bang, dropped off for a little while, but now seems to be throwing his weight around a little and spending some more time in front of the net. His re-emergence could be a key down the stretch.

The red-hot B's are now tied for second in the East and only 5 points behind the Flyers. Tim Thomas, the best goalie on the planet this year is getting a little rest and it looks right now like the trades were a total master stroke. Gonna be a fun run when the boys start growin' their playoff beards!

The Big Bad Bruins continue to rock on. Last night they rolled over Les Habs like a steamroller, preventing them from tying the B's in the standings. Games like this one and the recent victory/brawl over the Dallas Stars are the types of games that build teamwork and unity - the types of games that the Bruins didn't have last year. This team seems to have a special blend of heart and character that's been missing in the past and bodes well for the playoffs. The way they played last night is the way you should play a rivalry game, especially in your own house.

One other thing: Andrew Ference is quickly becoming one of the key players on this team. He's been the Bruins' policeman all year and was again last night. Wanna take a cheap shot against the B's? You better hope Ference isn't on the ice because if he is you're gonna get decked. You go, Officer Ference!

If you didn't see it, do yourself a favor and check out these highlights. The Bruins brought back "Fight Night At The Garden" last night and literally pounded the Stars into submission. The shot of the night for me was McQuaid dropping Sutherby like a bad habit in the third fight of the first period. Maybe, just maybe, the "Big Bad Bruins" are back. And oh yeah, final score? Bruins 6, Stars 3. Efforts like this are what brings teams together and win championships. Do we dare to dream?

Nice job, boys. You probably saved Claude's job for awhile. But you still have a long way to go before you surpass the baddest ass that ever played in this town: