Bruins look flat as Gustavsson and Maple Leafs shutout B's 2-0
In his first game back from heart surgery, Toronto Maple Leafs rookie netminder Jonas Gustavsson turned aside 25 shots to record his first career shutout as the Leafs beat the B's 2-0. At the other end of the ice, Tuukka Rask (29 saves) looked sharp all night except for a soft goal by Tomas Kaberle in the second period, but couldn't get any help in the offensive zone tonight. The Bruins looked like a team that played back-to-back games as they were flat from the opening face-off and just could not seem to get anything going offensively.
The Maple Leafs got on the board first 2:24 into the second period when Tomas Kaberle put a shot on goal from the left circle. Tuukka Rask seemed to be in position to make the save, but somehow the puck trickled through his legs for the 1-0 Toronto lead.
Jason Blake made it 2-0 when he roofed a shot from the slot that got past a diving Adam McQuaid and goalie Tuukka Rask with 10:17 left in the third period.
Things got a little interesting with just under 7 minutes remaining when Johnny Boychuk lined up Matt Stajan for a BIG open ice hit. The Maple Leafs took exception to what looked like a clean hit and a 5 on 5 scrum ensued. No real punches were thrown and the Bruins ended up on the power play after Alexei Ponikarovsky was tagged with a roughing call for his actions during the altercation. Michael Ryder was whistled for a boarding call just a few minutes later and it looked as if a powder keg was about to erupt, but cooler heads (or a lack of emotion) prevailed.
Notes:
- I thought Johnny Boychuk's hit was clean. He only left his feet after the initial contact . Stajan got caught with his head down in the neutral zone and unfortunately in the path of a big kid who is trying to make an impression at the NHL level. You decide:
- Mike Komisarek always acts his toughest when he is being held back by two linesmen.
- Derek Morris missed the game with an undisclosed injury.
- When Andrew Ference is logging 28:22 of ice time, you know you have injury problems.
- Adam McQuaid was a -2 with 2 shots and 2 blocked shots. He got formally welcomed to the NHL when he was on the receiving end of a big hit by Colton Orr on his first NHL shift.
- Byron Bitz, was a -2 tonight and is -7 over his last 4 games.
- I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't tell you how Phil Kessel did: 21:48 TOI, 4 shots, 3 give-aways, 4 for 4 on face-offs, even.
- The Bruins need to put this game behind them and focus on Monday's game against the Senators in Ottawa.
- The only remedy for a loss like that is some good old fashioned Phil Kessel mockery: Phil Kessel is softer than an 85 year old man watching a Rosie O'Donnell nude scene. For more Kessel mockery follow me on Twitter (@cupofchowdah).
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17 comments
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Comments
Well then....
That was a tough loss. The Bruins did try though. PK was excellent (as usual). Now the big question…who will be traded? Ryder has been quite a let down. Bitz as well. Sturm was invisible, altthough he is untradeable. Something needs to change, and now. Hoping for a win against the Sens tomorrow.
They can’t make any moves until after December 28th due to the NHL Holiday Roster Freeze. I don’t think Sturm or Ryder are really the problem though. Sturm and Ryder are the top two goal scorers on the team right now. Bitz is in a bit of funk right now. I think part of that is more is being expected of him with the injuries. He has been taken off the 4th line where he is really a good fit. I don’t think you will see any major moves until the deadline.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 20, 2009 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
Also, we only had 2 out of 6 NHL defensemen.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
Chara – NHL Defenseman
Hunwick – NHL Defenseman
Ference – NHL Defenseman
Boychuck – NHL Defenseman
I count 4. There were only 3 or 4 regulars in the lineup though. Maybe you are making a judgment on ability, though.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 20, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Hunwick hasn’t been super this year, but you’re right about Boychuk.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
I think the Bruins are starved for some offense and they are going to have to face facts it’s time for a shake up…
Time for a trade but for who? Savard needs someone to dish the puck too.
Savvy needs to start looking for his own shot too. 1 shot in his last 5 games.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 20, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
It’s ridiculous.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
somebody like phil kessel would be perfect.. :)
I can wear it one day, then not wear it the next day. It's like a pair of glasses, some days I wear it, some days I don't. I'm not wearing any underwear either. There is no reason. - Mogilny "on Visors"
Toronto Maple Leafs: Blue Chip Dmen - www.akischennberg.blogspot.com
by AkiSchennberg on Dec 20, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
About ference’s ice time: He’s averaging 20:49 right now, 4th on the team. if you factor out last night’s total, he’s averaging 20:36. Considering this was game 34, thats a huge boost. Goddammit, injuries. I want my NHL defense back!
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions
By the time I realized how pointless that math was I had already done it. Deal.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
Also we now know that the leafs score 2 goals against us every game, and we just need to score 3+ and we beat them.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
maybe in time for the classic
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Doubt it. He said he isn’t rushing back for it.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 20, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

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