Sobotka
A rough 1-2-0 week for the Bruins, who scored just three goals in the three games and were shutout in New York Sunday, doesn’t provide one with a long list of candidates for Bruin of the Week.
So I had to dig a little bit and I determined that center Vladimir Sobotka was deserving, not just for his two-point effort in the lone win against Edmonton Saturday. Sobotka, who should sue the TD Garden stats keepers that didn’t credit him with a single hit against the Oilers, was awarded six against New Jersey Thursday and three against the Rangers.
A case could also be made for his linemates, Daniel Paille and Blake Wheeler. But both have to start finishing on their increased amount of chances since Sobotka became their center.
Other candidates were Patrice Bergeron (1-0-1, 31 of 54 faceoffs won) and goaltender Tuukka Rask (19 saves in his second career shutout).
No hits? Just goes to show you how ridiculous that stat is. Sobotka must have had at least a half-dozen in that game.
So here’s a story idea for you: Just who determines “hits,” and what are the criteria, if any?