For the second straight game, the Bruins were victimized by a hat trick.
Only this time, it cost them a game. Washington forward Mathieu Perreault scored a hat trick, including the game-winning goal at 7:18 of the third period, as the Capitals beat the Bruins, 5-3, in D.C. tonight.
The Capitals were not only missing Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green due to injury, but also missing Alexander Ovechkin due to a suspension. Boston was without the suspended Andrew Ference and injured Nathan Horton (concussion).
Philadelphia’s Scott Hartnell scored three goals against Boston Sunday, but the Bruins won, 6-5.
The Bruins will now take a week off before they hit the ice again, as the All-Star break starts now. The Bruins are back in action next Tuesday at home against Ottawa.
In their last seven games, six of which were on the road, before the break, Boston went 3-3-1. Most disturbing, however — even more so than Tim Thomas’ political leanings — is the collapse of the defense both in preventing goals and breaking the puck out of the defensive zone. Boston allowed 10 goals in the last two games before the break.
Everyone had a hand in the giveaway-fest tonight. You can bet general manager Peter Chiarelli will be looking hard for a puck-moving defenseman over the break and all the way until the Feb. 28 trade deadline. It’ll be kind of weird for Chiarelli to not have Tomas Kaberle at the top of his shopping list, I’m sure.
Was on vacation during the AS break.
And as you all figured out, other writing takes up enough time that I can’t really update this site like I want to. Sorry. Spending free time with my son more important than another Julien quote about consistency or more news about an “undisclosed” injury.
MK
I could start writing for Matt. Everyone in favour say ole.
I could start writing for him. Then I could really lay into these Bruins!
Not blaming Matt… I too like money. Maybe he could employ(for freeish) a host writer that could give us the updates and tidbits we are looking for. I’m sure someone out there would do it for a media pass to all the Bruins home games. Just saying.
I can’t blame Matt. I don’t work for free.
Yet, I do wish this was blog was updated more.
Ive always read the Globe site but this year reading the Herald, too. In fact, that page has replaced this as one of the permanently open tabs in my iPhone web browser.
RD agreed. This was my “go to” blog for info and good conversation. It has gone downhill since Matt started writing for money. It’s a shame. Gonna have to find a new blog for info. Anyone got any suggestions?
Nothing about the all-star game with Chara as one of the captains? disappointing…
Seems the same names keep popping in trade talks, Carter, Moen, Selanne, Gleason, Ruutu, Weber, Suter, L.Schenn, JVR, Brassard, Semin and possibly Pominville, Morrow, Clowe, A.Kostitsyn, Raymond Mason, Chris Mason.
I wonder who could be traded that’s not on anybody’s radar? Lots of potential BIG deals on the horizon.
PC will have his hands full if he wants 1 or 2 players to add to the B’s forward and defensive depth.
Did a little scouting research this morning. I decided to see what was the “happy” news in the Montreal Gazette opps. It seems Mr. Subban was screamed at again in practice tuesday by the coach for not applying himself in drills. I get the feeling that Canadiens managment and coaching staff can not stand this guy but the fans love him. Most fan comments were to put the blame on hal gill as one fan said “they let Gill board the plane a half hour before the rest of the team so they all get to there seats at the same time.” So I assume they are cutting P.K. a break cause he plays along side a tug boat. In other rival divsional news Ottawa is just happy to have Swan Lake, I mean the all star game in town, Toronto talks trade Burke loves his own ink, and Buffalo team goes break dancing to change there mojo. Get some rest B’s cause it would appear the break will not be helping our fellow divisional teams.
David
I agree, I think our defence for the most part took the night off. This was Boychuk worst game in a long time, but I don’t think we need to throw our defence under the bus just yet.
Sidenberg, next to Bergeron, has been our MVP. He has played well just about every night. As well, he plays with Corvo who has been our weakest defender in our own end.(Corvo
Last night was “brutal.” I use quotation marks because we were still in the game, but our defense is starting to look worse than Chicago’s! So much for best Defense in the NHL! Boychuck looked to be returning to his playoff giveaway best too. Now I think on a good night, Rask only gives up two goals, maybe even one because he didn’t look that great either, although he looked significantly better than the D in front of him, which is trying to get too cute. At least 3 of our lines looked O.K. to good last night.
All in all, it was “brutal” which for this team is still a one goal game. So really not that bad in the big picture.
Well, I’m happy that this week is over for the B’s. Between the distraction(s) and the embarrassing play, the best thing to do is put it in the books and look forward to next Tuesday.
B16: Kampfer did look better last year, but he also got a lot more ice time/games played.
Regarding the other rearguards, the whole group has looked pretty bad, except D-Seids, IMO. Even Chara has floated some pretty awful breakout passes in the last few games and yeah, Corvo is a liability in his own end. Last night was the best that I’ve seen him look at the attacking end of the ice in a long while, but game in and game out he looks lost in the other end.
I like the B’s players are looking forward to a week off. Team lately has not been all that sharp. I will agree about the D woes but I am putting some of this on the net minders as well they have not been sharp at all. It certainly is nothing to panic about I am a big believer that a week away from the game will bring back some fire when we restart. Basically Jan was filled with suspensions, personell days off and some travel which through off thier mojo.
Dr. Peter
We do need another d-man, but don’t lay it all at Corvo’s doorstep. McQuaid and Boychuck didn’t have their best games either, and I think Kampfer played better last year.
Sloppy all-around play by all is much better now than in April, May, June. But the B’s seem to need another D-man, cos for me Corvo ain’t cutting it. When was the last time he helped the PP–his apparent specialty. He never seems to shoot on net anymore. I vote for Gleason but i would not give up a top prospect…