Ryder/By S. Bradley
The Bruins’ lineup will be much younger tonight than it has been in recent weeks with second-year goaltender Tuukka Rask and rookie forward Tyler Seguin both in action on the road against Columbus tonight.
Seguin’s insertion as the 12th forward means Michael Ryder is a healthy scratch. Since coming to the Bruins, Ryder has missed just eight games — regular season or playoffs. In 2008-09, he missed seven games with a facial injury and one game with the flu. The veteran winger, who has scored just one goal in his last 14 games, played every game last season and had skated in all 68 contests this season until tonight.
Readers of TheBruinsBlog.net should be pleased since you overwhelmingly voted for Seguin to play over Ryder tonight:
Which F should be in the lineup vs. Columbus?
- Tyler Seguin (87%, 173 Votes)
- Michael Ryder (13%, 26 Votes)
Total Voters: 199
Loading ...Rask is making his first start since last Tuesday’s 4-1 debacle in Montreal. With most of his recent success coming against non-playoff teams, Rask seems like the right guy to get the start against the Blue Jackets.
Horton NEVER releases quickly, it’s one of his “little” foibles. Really should have had that one though.
So Seguin looked pretty much like Ryder (and himself) last night. This game he tried to take a check or two, and tried to throw a few as well. Neither with much success, mind you, but he did get the chance to try it out. The 3rd line they have assembled now blows. But keep it for a game and see if you can get some chemistry. As another reader has mentioned, this isn’t as much about winning now as it is about tuning for the playoffs. I actually wouldn’t mind a few more losses, as it will give them a sense of urgency that they might loose their 3rd seed. That urgency to actually need to win for something tangible will be invaluable come playoffs and has been what has really pushed a lot of teams deep to the playoffs the past few years.
That being said, if Claude determines Ryder has received his message, put him in and sit Recchi or Marchand. Recchi because he looks tired, or Marchand because he’s been making some stupid plays lately like that hit from behind last night. He’s starting to cross the line and really needs his leash shortened. If Julien is asking for accountability, then Marchand would be a good place to start. I disagree with scratching Horton because after watching him for the better part of the season, he has fragile confidence, and he is (or was) hot. A scratch will send too strong a message and will probably screw us over long term. I’d think to cut his ice time or bench him in OT.
Hopefully this helps Ryder in the long run.
On the other hand/line, I’ve given him a pass so far this season, but Horton should be next to sit. I still can’t figure out what he was doing there in the crease, all alone, trying to improve his shooting angle by bringing it to the forehand. You’re in the crease, alone! You’re angle, can’t get much better then that. Get rid of the puck Nathan!
I’ts about time..Hey ryder wake up