| Jonathan Volpe. 28th January, 2008 - 12:43 pm
 When Patrice Bergeron went down, many thought so would the Boston Bruins' season. But that has not been the case, as the Bruins have been one of this year?s mid-season surprises.
The Bruins currently own the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference and are finding playing that boring brand of hockey on a nightly basis works for them. Night in and night out the Bruins frustrate their opponents by playing the dreaded trap and depend upon solid goaltending to bail them out.
But how can you blame them?
When Bergeron went down the Bruins were an easy pick to be the league?s new worst NHL team, but certain players have stepped up while others have not.
All-star goalie Tim Thomas, who looks sometimes similar to a seasoned beer league goalie, has been magnificent as his numbers and play have been bar none. In 33 games, Thomas has 16 wins, a 2.34 G.A.A. and a .928 save percentage. This has been a pleasant back-up plan for the Bruins who signed Manny Fernandez in the off-season.
Fernandez, who has been injured for most of the year, has played four games posting two wins, two losses, a 3.93 G.A.A, and a .832 save percentage.
Another disappointment has been the play of Glen Murray. Murray has missed 15 games and has 19 points in 34 games which should have been a huge loss if not for the play of Marc Savard.
Regarded as the most underrated player in the game today, Savard earned himself another all-star appearance and is enjoying a close to career best year. This all without Murray, who might be very well traded by the deadline.
In Murray?s absence, Marco Sturm, Chuck Kobasew, and Phil Kessel have all stepped up and reaped the benefits by playing alongside Savard.
Although losing Bergeron and the disappointment of Murray and Fernandez are both recipes for a losing season, the Bruins have found a way to remain competitive and find themselves in the middle of a very competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. |
