Thomas/By S. Bradley
He’s the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and last summer’s Conn Smythe victor.
Now Tim Thomas can clearly add another title next to his name: King of the Road.
With a 1-0 shutout of Montreal at the Bell Centre tonight, Thomas has now recorded three straight shutouts on the road. He has gone 222:16 without allowing a road goal, dating back to Oct. 15 in Chicago. His road numbers are amazing — 4-1-0, a 0.99 goals-against average and a .965 save percentage.
Thomas needed to make 32 saves against the Habs to make sure Andrew Ference’s goal stood up as the game-winner in Boston’s ninth straight win. Many of the Canadiens’ chances were great ones, including during four power plays over the course of the second and third periods. The last Montreal power play even became a 6-on-4 after the Habs pulled goaltender Carey Price with time winding down in regulation.
The Bruins are now 1-2-0 against Montreal, but more importantly they’re in first place in the Northeast Division.
Bruins16,
You’re way to forgiving of Emelin. Passes up the middle, passes up the middle to no end. Commits when he shouldn’t, gets caught flat footed, shows up to camp with a gut hanging over his belt… He’s just not a pro yet.
It’s not saying much to say the current team doesn’t stack up to those past teams. We’re talking about the greatest dynasty in sports history if you exclude all those championships Steinbrenner purchased.
I totally disagree about who you think gets the most praise on this site. There’s a lot more Bojangles types in Boston than people that appreciate speed and skill. The fact that Emelin is the only D that shows up on the B’s fans radar kinda proves this. Maybe he’ll get better but 3-4 Emelins wont make up for one Subban or Markov.
Finally, there’s a penalty for embellishing. If the habs actually were embellishing, they’d be penalized for it. I think you guys are frustrated that you’re guys always grab the bait and commit infractions.
RD:
You are correct about a good fan bases in Montreal and Boston. However, the way Emelin played on Monday, he is going to play ahead of some of those other defenseman. You mention some good hockey names, and I don’t think one of them ever embelished in order to draw a penalty. Your teams in the past had more character than your present squad.
Boston does play a physical game, and I think that is one thing the Habs are trying to address. I also think that the three players that have got the most positives, on this blog, would be Seguin, Thomas, and Bergeron. These players are noted for aspects of their game other than hitting/body-checks.
Lastly, I always like to ‘rib’ Hab fans when the B’s are successful against them. I know I get it when it goes the other way. Where is JPT?
Something else…it really goes to show what the emphasis is in Boston. Everybody is talking about Emelin. The truth is that he can barely crack the lineup and is only getting minutes because Spacek, Markov and Gill are out. Sure, he’s a highly touted prospect but he can’t pass, can’t skate and makes very bad hockey decisions. He can only hit.
So the kid gets his trial but if he stinks, I don’t even think he’ll be an NHL defenseman.
Bojangles,
The bruins could try playing disciplined hockey. You get offended when you see opposing players draw penalties. I get offended when I see players get concussed. We each have our own reasons for throwing up in our mouthes. Play clean, and you wont get penalties.
I am from Montreal. I grew up watching Lafleur, Robinson, Gainey, Shutt, Roy, Richer, Naslund, Muller, Damphousse, Markov etc etc. I am a habs fan to the end no matter what. It’s probably the same reason why Bruins fans remain Bruins fans. Afterall, last year excluded, your team history is less than stellar and yet you have always had a very loyal fan base. We all stick to our favorites through the good and bad.
Bojangles
I think without the Habs-Bruins rivalry, the NHL would have a lot less flavour. I think the Habs do themselves and their history a disservice when they do “flops” in order to get penalties. No wonder Guy Lapointe now roots for the Bruins.
RD – I was really liking what I saw in Emelin – rock solid body checker – until he played the role all the Canadiens have mastered, and flopped like a stinky flounder.
How can you root for that team?! They make me throw up in my mouth. It just disgraces the game.
It was a good game. Frustrating to get shut out but Thomas and the Bruins D were too good.
Yeah, we’re really happy with Cole. He’s not only been very effective, but he’s setting up a prototype for Pacioretty to follow. Cole would have been pretty expensive compared to Pouliot but yeah, I kinda warned you guys that Benoit was not going to be an effective player on the 3rd and 4th line. He just doesn’t have the heart for that. He deserves a trip to providence.
Also, we waited 3 years to get Emelin from the KHL so hands off!
MCK
Caron had a good camp, and I think he will improve. Claude has to give him more ice and Pouliot less. I do agree with your assessment of D-man. Two injuries and we would be in tough shape. I think Hamilton and Button are too far away to help yet. Has anyone seen Button play this year? How did he look? What about Providence’s other D-men?
MCK – I agree on all points. Especially your assessment of the D. They’re an injury away from the scary proposition of relying on Kampfer and Bartkowski, and two injuries away from the unspeakable..
Perosnally, I would much rather have Cole than Pouliot. How do you know he would have wanted more years/money? I would argue that he would come here on the cheap with a chance to win now. Imagine a line with him, Kelly and Peverley…as THE THIRD LINE!! That would be great.
The Bruins should focus their trade efforts, whenever they come, on a defenseman. They need another Seidenberg
I feel like the bruins put out just enough to win last night. I was impressed by certain players and as the game went on, most lines seemed to get better, but they gotta skate harder than that!
Also,
Cole would have wanted more money and term than we were willing to provide. We would have wanted a one year deal for how much he wanted and that wasn’t what I thought he was looking for. Overall, a better idea to take the small risk and keep the champs together.
Couple things –
1. Chara is so ridiculously taken for granted. I don’t want to hear another person call him out. What he gives up in nimbleness, he more than makes up for with that reach. He’s a monster, and we’d be a much worse team if he were ever hurt (knock on wood).
2. There were a select few of us clamoring for PC to make a run at Cole this offseason. We’ve got plenty of cap room and instead settled for Benoit ‘the headcase’ Pouliot. Ugh.
last night belonged to TT. the way Canadiens skate circles around the B’s will be a bigger concern with the return of Markov, Gill, and Spacek.
Any chance that the Habs want Pouliet back? We’ll take that kid that really doesn’t fit in on their team: Emelin.
What a great game! Both goalies were great, but Timmy just that much more. With that said, AF’s goal was an against the grain beaut, put in a perfect spot, with a nice set-up from Pevs & Kelly.
Yeah, how about Emelin? That was an impressive hit parade he put on.
Pouliot…ugh…Give us Caron.
I agree with the rest, the two most noticeable players were Thomas and Pouliot, for vastly different reasons. I also thought this was Chara’s best (defensive) game of the year, and probably the same goes for Ference. Glad to see there was no glove malfunction after that goal.
This was the first game of the streak Thomas had to steal. Thats what ive liked so much about the streak up to this point – team has been dominant. But we’ll take it. They have to play much better to get the streak to ten and keep the division lead against Buff. Caron was playing better before they took him out. A (minor) mistake in my opinion. He’ll obviously be back in next game.
Tim was outstanding! I thought Chara, Sidenberg, and Boychuk played well also. I think its time to give Caron about 5 games and see how he does. He shouldn’t have come out of the starting lineup in the first place. Pouliot needs some time in the press box or in Columbus. If Caron fails, which I don’t think he will, give Sauve the nod. Pouliot played like this for Montreal last year. He’s been with three teams now, sounds like a “red flag”. Hope Kelley gets Bruin of the week nod, he deserves it.
I agree with all. Pouliot sucks. He can’t skate. He’s on his but for most of his ice time. I’d rather see Caron – not that he has been great. He’s been losing too many battles.
What a great game for both goalies. The injury plagued Canadiens defense was all over the Bruins, Emelin was impressive to me. Claude made the right move benching Pouliot and using Campbell on the 3rd line, honestly I wouldn’t mind seeing them play together more in those situations.
Very good game; team is playing with great confidence. What a difference compared to the first two games against the Habs. Agree with Cormac: I’m sure Pouliot will be sitting vs Buffalo (if not longer).
BTW, correction required: Bruins are 1-2-0 against Montreal this season, not 1-3-0.
Timmy is the man! Singlehandedly won the game tonight… real nice to steal those 2 pts in Montreal!
Pouliot definitely needs to hit the press box after tonight. Get Caron some minutes.
Great old time hockey. TT was terrific as was Price… Ference gets the GWG, from last in the Division to 1st, WOOHOO!
Sit/trade/send Pouliot down, he sucks!