Thomas, Seguin steal shootout victory in Chicago for Bruins
Thomas/By S. Bradley
As the third period started tonight in Chicago, the Bruins were staring at a potential point-less two-game road trip.
However, some shootout heroics by two of the Bruins’ best players so far in this early season made sure they took two points from the Blackhawks before heading home.
Tyler Seguin scored the lone goal in the shootout and Tim Thomas made three saves against three of Chicago’s best players to earn Boston a 3-2 win and a split of its two-game road trip.
The Bruins lost the first game at Carolina Wednesday, and were riding a two-game losing streak overall. Thomas stopped Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp to seal the win. The Bruins goaltender made 27 saves on 29 shots in regulation and overtime.
Here are a couple quick-hit observations:
•It’s about time Nathan Horton scored his first goal of the season. The goal came 7:56 into the third period and tied the score at 2. It was also his first, and only, shot on net. The Bruins are going to need Horton to build off this game. More on that later.
•You’ve got to give Johnny Boychuk for doing most of the work on the Horton goal, as he chased his own dump-in and then made the pass out front. Boychuk was credited with three shots on net and six hits on the night.
•Despite the loss, I’m really liking my preseason pick of Chicago as Stanley Cup champs. Remember, the ‘Hawks were without Marian Hossa due to injury.
•Chris Kelly and Dennis Seidenberg both hit the post. Rich Peverley missed the net on the breakaway. Yes, the Bruins could’ve ended this one a lot earlier.
•I’m not even going to mention the Bruins’ power play. Or maybe my analysis for tonight is just as invisible as that special teams unit.
My only problem with the “Barely Legal Line” — kudos to Karl for the name — is that I watch on TV and sometimes have a hard time telling the difference between 18 and 19 on the screen. LOL
I would like Krejci back with Looch and Horton; however, I would like to see how Seguin would do with Marchand and Bergeron. I also think there is chemistry with Peverley and Kelly. They got the 1st goal against the Hawks and played together on the same line last year (IMO very well) before Horton got injured and Pevs moved up.
I think Seguin should stay between those two lugs. His speed makes them skate. When Krecji is out there, the pace is quite slower.
Karl love the barely legal line name! That’s funny!
Cormac
I looked early in the year, but this is good news. I did defend Knight a while back ago, and Hamilton, hopefully, makes the Canadian Junior Team. Having good stats will help! Hopefully, Knight puts it in the face of USA Hockey for the way he was treated last year.
Although the B`s have started slow, I take comfort in who they have beat. They won the cup based on a team effort. If different players elevate their game every night (Like the Johnny Rocket did yesterday), we`ll find ourselves picking up the 2 points more often than not.
krejci who? starting to dig the barely legal line (17-19-18).
Thomas’s play won the cup for us.lets hope he continues to play like that this year
Bruins16, Have you followed Knight and Hamilton? They’re both tearing up the minors in scoring for the London Knights and Niagra Ice Dogs.
Knight is 6-3-9, +10 in 7 games and Hamilton is 5-12-17, even+/- in 9 games…YIKES!
The bad luck Lucic and Peverley are having, around the opposition net, will certainly change, as it always does over a season….remember Horton from mid-December into January last season? He never stopped working and then from Feb. through the playoffs he was great!
‘cmon Pevs, you gotta bury that. Would have given me the GWG and +1 goal in fantasy maaan.
On a more serious note, it’s not time to change up the lines – yet. Gotta give the guys some time to get rolling before we decide to blow it all up.
As far as CJ goes – the guy just won a goddamned Stanley Cup. If you’re saying he’s the one with no clue, chances are that person is actually you.
Lucic needs to start shooting higher. A lot of the “good” shots he has had have been low and saved by the goalie’s skate. Elevate!
Greg
Claude Julien has no clue? The B’s have their first Cup in 39 years and you say this? Which of the past coaches, who missed the playoffs, do you want to return? CJ has the Bruins playing an unselfish, disciplined, defensive system which will keep them in the hunt for many years. Say, maybe you’d like the type of management the Red Sox had this year.
Cormac
You make a good point about Boychuk. Overall, I think the defense has played well this year, especially Sidendberg and Boychuk. As well, Corvo has a made a nice transistion to his new surroundings.
More indecision from claude.Luc is the problem ber seg and march .thats your first line.But claude has no clue
Remember the Bruins were without Krejci due to injury.
Certainly hit the bull’s eye about TT and Seguin.
Without Boychuk’s play tonight this would have been a B’s ‘L’.
Peverley missing the net on a down and out Crawford in the OT, UGH!
I’m viewing this B’s ‘W’ as the start of a turnaround of fortune for them. Krejci should be back against the ‘Canes Tuesday night, YIPPEE!