A little bit of optimism

The Bruins aren't playing up to the expectations that were set for them, don't get wrong, but luckily we play in a fairly even division. The team is still only 5 points out of first in the division (third in the conference), even while playing some horrible/disappointing games. Lucic and Savard coming back will be huge, not because they can single handedly increase the scoring themselves, but increase the options. Right now the teams scoring is focused around two players who are coming off major injuries (Sturm and Bergeron), a player who season after season starts slow (Ryder), some young guys (Krejci and Wheels), and an old man (Recchi). Teams can easily shut down the Bruins forwards, because they don't have many options. Lucic and Savard returning gives the team more scoring options which will make it harder for teams to shut them down.

Lucic    Savard    Ryder

Sturm   Bergeron   Recchi

Wheeler   Krejci    Paille

Thornton  Begin   Bitz

(Maybe interchange Recchi and Wheeler)

That lineup will potent on three lines for offense meaning second and third line D-Pairs against top-notch offense, The Defense and Goaltenders have been very good (minus the past two games). I feel the D-Men have been playing too cute the past couple of games to try and jump start the O leading to bad plays in the Defensive Zone. The Offense will come around when the team gets it's options back, leading to the Defensemen  settling down and playing smarter, leading to less Defensive Zone breakdowns, which hopefully will lead to more wins.  Pretty much the meaning of this drunken spew of words is I can't wait to see whats on the horizon when the Bruins start playing with a full healthy team.