Ryder rises to the occasion for Bruins in playoffs again
Ryder/By S. Bradley
BOSTON — You can rightfully batter Michael Ryder for some brutal stretches of regular-season hockey over the last couple campaigns.
But you also have to give him credit for coming up big in some of the Bruins’ most dramatic postseason victories over the last three years.
If Ryder doesn’t get signed this summer as an unrestricted free agent, the Bruins should definitely consider waiting until playoff time to re-sign him. He was huge in the four-game sweep of Montreal two years ago, as the Bruins won a playoff series for the first time in a decade.
He came up big last season as the Bruins advanced to the second round for the second straight year with an upset of Buffalo.
Tonight with the season on the line in the Eastern Conference Final, Ryder made sweet music with rookie Tyler Seguin and produced a two-goal, three-point night en route to a series-tying 6-5 win over Tampa Bay.
It was just a couple months ago that Ryder was a healthy scratch so the Bruins could put Seguin into the lineup. Then by the end of the regular season and start of the playoffs, those roles reversed. Now they’re combining for some much-needed offense during the Bruins’ drive to a championship.
“That’s the way it goes, I guess. I think we learned a lot from that, me and Segz,” said Ryder after the game. “I was there before. So … Seguin, he did a great job. I think his first playoffs, it’s been a huge two games for him and it’s definitely going to give him some confidence. We need that from him.”
Seguin finished the night with two goals, two assists. The pair — who were centered by Chris Kelly and saw their ice time increase from Game 1 when they were centered by Rich Peverley — also clicked on Seguin’s goal in the first game. This could be a match made in heaven, especially as Ryder finishes up his career with Boston before free agency. He could be the guy that helps get Seguin’s NHL career off the ground.
“Yeah, I think I always felt we were clicking throughout the season. He gave me my first NHL goal in the regular season and my first playoff goal, so I’ve got to give a lot of credit to that guy,” said the 19-year-old. “So, I think I try to use my speed and I’ve always been a decent playmaker and he’s got a tremendous shot. So really when I’m in their zone, I’m just looking for that guy and I know he’s not going to make a mistake.”
At least in the playoffs, you can say that about Ryder. And when it comes down to it, isn’t that when it really, truly matters?
I think Ryder is playing really well (he was kind of MIA in the Philly series) right now and doesn’t deserve the PB either. I think he is way overpaid and rather inconsistent. I wouldn’t cry if they resigned him for a much lower cap hit, but honestly I would like to see the team start to use some of its younger players and bring them up.
But I wouldn’t complain about Ryder nearly as much if his cap hit came at 1/4 the current one.
Ryder had a 20 goal season, which if you think about it is actually really good for a 3rd line guy….granted Ryder is vastly overpaid and wasn’t signed to be a 3rd liner, but I wouldn’t be mad if boston resigned him for 1mill per to score 20 goals from the 3rd line…..I think boston needs to start bringing up its youth though like Caron and trade Hammill before he wastes his promising career in the AHL. I’m still very upset we traded colbourne
This is when it counts,throw out the season NOW IS OUR TIME and I don’t care who gets us there.If these two can keep it rolling till Lucic and company can get back so be it.Right on nifty some people just come on here to try and bring down OUR TEAM.
GO BRUINS GO!!! ALL OF EM.
The guy has produced some big goals this spring. Give him a *$&%(in break already. It’s funny how people rag on the guys that are actually playing and cannonize the thin skulls in the press box. Value to me is the guy that is playing.
I thought Ryder was everywhere yesterday
Top shelf backhand 3 feet in front, that type of skill and poise you cannot teach – a true enigma
I think Ryder and Seguin showed good chemistry back during the regular season. They can play well together and create some magic together, and I think Kelly makes a good center for them (he is defensively responsible enough to cover a bit for the Ryder and Seguin lapses).
I think when a line is clicking like they were last night, you keep them together-so even if/when Bergeron comes back, I think Ryder, Kelly and Seguin should remain intact. I think Thornton should sit. Seguin has just earned 6 pts in 2 games-I think he earned his spot and doesn’t deserve the press box.
Thornton doesn’t deserve it either, but Thornton’s role isn’t really needed in a play off match up with Tampa, leaves what to do about Peverly and Recchi (who would be the odd men out-and I would seriously consider moving Recchi to the 4th line and putting Peverly on Bergeron’s wing-or alternating some of the lines a bit).
Not sure, but Seguin and Ryder were definitely creating some magic last night.
I knew I would wake up to see a post that sniffs Ryder’s butt. I’m glad he capitalized on Seguin’s great play last night. It is a shame it takes pressure from a 19 year old to motivate Ryder, who now has played 2 good games out of 13 this playoff season (1 more than Lucic at least). I can’t wait for Ryder to be on another team. I hope he signs with Buffalo so they play against him a lot.
Ryder should thank Seguin for getting his game back.
What I want to know is how is Boston going to replace Recchi this offseason after they win the cup and he retires? The guy has been pretty irreplacable since coming to Boston.