Statement Made

 

From Johnny Boychuk's heat-seeking wrister in the first minute to Tyler Seguin's roof shot just after time expired the Bruins had one message for the rest of the league last night as they routed the Habs:  B Afraid.

Zdeno Chara shined the brightest last night, securing the 1 star with his 3 assists and inspired play on defense.  After the game he simply said "The game on the ice, that was my first priority."  He was not alone.  The entire Bruins team was focused last night.  They were sharp, they were alert, they were crafty, and they were on target.   The game resembled a 60 minute Boston power play, and the Bruins now sit poised to bulldoze their way into the playoffs with a big old chip on their shoulder.


Tim Thomas had a fine game but was only challenged a few times, the Boston defense was physical, but not overly so.  They chipped passes, they timed their hits, they threw a wrench in Montreal's offense that the Habs were never able to remove.   On offense, the Bruins were just marvelous.   They peppered the overworked Carey Price with 18 shots in t he first period, netting 3.   In the second period they added 11 more shots but failed to score, however,  the Habs never got off the mat.  The  fifth minute of the third period opened with two more goals for Boston, a wrister from Horton, his second of the game, and a tip-in by Adam McQuaid at 4:03 and 4:29, respectively.   The McQuaid goal chased Price from the net and gave us a rare Alex Auld sighting.  He did not fair much better, as the Bruins managed to light him up twice and end the game with an even touchdown, 7-0.

 

With the victory, the B's have now moved to 5 points ahead of Montreal in the Northeast and barring a major meltdown have all but sewn up the division.   The warning flags were flying high and proud lately but after a tumultuous week the Bruins seem to be hitting their stride.   They won their last two games against two tough teams by a combined score of 11-1.  The Habs, meanwhile, are on a two game shutout, having lost to Buffalo and now Boston by a combined score of 9-0.

Last night, the Bruins did what few imagined they could do.  They routed the Montreal Canadiens while not even approaching goon status.   They were faster, stronger, and more confident, and they got the Habs out of their game early and never let them back in.  When Campbell broke away while the B's were two men short and fired one past Auld for lucky number 7, the statement had been made.

The Bruins told everyone in the building and watching around the league that when they're on, they can beat you any way they want.   With the playoffs right around the corner, I think everyone from Montreal to Miami heard them loud and clear.

 

-Christian Arcand

email: CArcand@bostonsportsradio.net