“One Step Up…”

During the first half of March, the Bruins were a busy bunch, playing nine games in seventeen days. They won four and lost five, which has pretty much been the story of the year. To start the month, they suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss at home vs. the Flyers when Scottie Upshall (acquired from Nashville in the Forsberg mega-trade) poked in the game winner with five seconds remaining in OT. Two nights later, Le Club de Hockey Canadien arrived in town bringing about 8,000 of their faithful. It was an embarrassing moment for the Bruins. Now we know how Oriole and Tampa Bay fans must feel when the Red Sox come to town. The Bruins played well, and silenced the noisy Hab fans with a 3-1 victory on goals from Tenkrat (7), Bochenski (9) and Murray (28). The following night, the B’s traveled to the Meadowlands and put forth a terrific effort knocking off New Jersey 4-1. The hero of the night (“L’Etoile Premiere”) was goaltender Joey MacDonald whom the Bruins had recently picked up off the waiver wire from Detroit. In his first start for Boston, he made 26 saves. Aaron Ward (1/4) scored his first Bruin goal mid-way through the first. Marco Sturm (21) scored a shorthanded goal in the second and Brandon Bochenski (10) P.J. Axelsson (11) finished off the Dirty Divils in the third. Things were definitely looking up.

The B’s then proceeded to lose their next three vs. Colorado and Minnesota and at Philadelphia by a combined score of 8-2. In the Colorado game Chuck Kobasew finally made his Bruins debut, but the team was once again lethargic. Prior to the Minnesota game, it was announced that P.J. Axelsson suffered a broken wrist in a recent game and is likely through for the season. Once the puck dropped Jacques Lemaire’s crew shut down the B’s who didn’t score until Brandon Bochenski (11) tipped one in with 1:36 remaining in the game. Midway through the game Murray’s groin injury flared and he headed for the dressing room and hasn’t been seen since. The B’s power play (now at 1 for their last 25) appears to have vanished into the netherworld. On Saturday, the Bruins went down to South Philly and actually showed up for the first two periods before caving in the third, allowing three goals against the lowly Flyers. The only highlight was Jeremy Reich going toe-to-toe (or is it skate to skate?) with the Flyers’ heavyweight.

On Sunday, the 11th, the Bruins put forth one of their best efforts of the year, really taking it to the Red Wings in Detroit by a score of 6-3. It was a happy homecoming for Michigan native Tim Thomas and former Red Wing Assistant Coach Lewis. Sturm (22) gave the B’s an early lead, but the Wings came back with a pair and had a 2-1 lead after the first. Sturm (23) tied it on the power play early in the second and Tenkrat (8) put the B’s ahead for good after capitalizing on a rare Detroit turnover. In the third, the B’s banged home three more Patrice Bergeron (19), Chuck Kobasew’s (1/5) first as a Bruin and Phil Kessel (9). Jeremy Reich had another good fight against Bootland. All in all, a highly satisfying win for the Black N’ Gold. The B’s followed that win up with a shootout win at home against the Caps. After playing dismally for two periods and down by three goals. Andrew Alberts and Matt Bradley duked it out midway through the second, and Chuck Kobasew thrilled the fans with a mighty hit on former B’s #1 pick Morrisonn that sent him into the Capitals bench. The B’s offense came to life late in the second. Washington went down two men in the final minute, and that was the spark Boston needed. Marco Sturm’s (24) scored on the power play late. They followed up Sturm’s goal right off the bat with Brandon Bochenski’s (12) power play goal ten seconds in and Patrice Bergeron’s (20) power play goal at 1:35. The game went into overtime, and the B’s put on a furious attack in front of Kolzig to no avail. During the shootout, the B’s Wonder Boy, Phil Kessel did it again, scoring the game winning shootout goal for the fourth time this year.

Following Friday’s snowstorm, the B’s bussed down to Manhattan for a Saturday Night date with their old time rivals in Blue. Talk about a wasted trip: the B’s were utterly humiliated once more by Rangers, this time the final was 7-0. There was noting remotely worthwhile recapping here, except to state that the B’s gave up six goals in the second period. Joey MacDonald entered in relief of Thomas midway through the onslaught and allowed four goals in less than 15 minutes, whereupon the starter relieved him. The only guy who showed any heart was Jeremy Reich who unflinchingly took on both Ranger enforcers in the second and third periods. Coach Lewis was livid after the game, and rightly so.

The Bruins have eleven games remaining, and here’s where they stand in the playoff hunt:Seven points out. The odds are that Boston will be sitting out the playoffs again this year.

6. Tampa Bay 73 82
7. N.Y. Rangers 73 81
8. Carolina 73 80
9. Montreal 73 78
10. Islanders 71 78
11. Toronto 72 78
12. Boston 71 73
13. Florida 72 73
14. Washington 73 65
15. Phila. 72 51

The good news is that they’ve already exceeded their win and point totals from last year and have a number of young players who are ready to contribute. The bad news is that they’re still in the basement of the division this year and will be picking at or near the #10 spot in June’s Entry Draft. This is perhaps the only time since the pre-Orr days that Bruins have failed to make playoffs in consecutive years. While it’s disappointing to see, it’s not much of a surprise. The Bruins primary need is for a legitimate #1 goaltender. It all comes down to goaltending in the end. While no one can fault Tim Thomas’ efforts or work ethic, the fact is he’s a 1A goalie, not a #1 with a contending team. Unfortunately, the cost of securing the services of one of a handful of elite goaltenders who will hit the market this offseason will be cap-prohibitive. The Bruins have a stud waiting in the wings in Tuuka Rask, whom they acquired from Toronto last June. He’s one of the highest rated prospects in the world. Maybe Haannu Toivonen will regain his health and confidence and become the stopper Bruin fans have awaited for decades. Without a showstopper between the pipes, all is for naught.