Stanley Cup of Chowder: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Cowboy Altitude for Wyoming Fans!

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).

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

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.

by j3rockstar on Dec 20, 2009 9:39 AM EST reply actions  

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.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

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  

I don’t recall Defense being a problem last night, I think it was the inability to score.

by Eric B on Dec 20, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

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.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

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.

by Eric B on Dec 20, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions  

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.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

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!

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

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.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

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.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:24 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Anyone know when Looch is coming back?

by Eric B on Dec 20, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions  

maybe in time for the classic

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 20, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub.
Start posting about the Bruins »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

06-tuukka-rask_small
Kovalchuk Deal (and Savard Deal) Approved; NHLPA Caves (Again)
Cale_sbnationphoto_small
A Hockey Guide to Hurricane Earl
06-tuukka-rask_small
Major Development in Savard Contract
Rask23032010stats_small
Who on the Bruins would you protect in an expansion draft?
06-tuukka-rask_small
Bruins STILL Looking to Trade Savvy
Fatkidazdsafas_small
Goaltending: Rask's ice time
06-tuukka-rask_small
Murph: Bruins in on Bieksa
06-tuukka-rask_small
Why The Savard Deal WON'T Be Voided
Spokedb_onblack_1600x1200_small
Savard Deal to be Blocked?
T
Okay....so who's going to be on the left wing this year?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

NEWARK NJ - JULY 20:  Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils poses for photographs following the media opportunity announcing his contract renewal at the Prudential Center on July 20 2010 in Newark New Jersey.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) +28 updates

Deal With The Devil: Ilya Kovalchuk Saga Over As League, NHLPA Agree On New Contract Rules

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 16:  A fan of the Philadelphia Flyers holds up a sign reading "Next Goalie" behind goalie Carey Price #32 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wachovia Center on May 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Habs Finally Lock Up Carey Price, Sign Goalie To Two-Year Deal

Photo +1 updates

Report: Donald Fehr Hands NHLPA List Of Conditions On Becoming Union Leader

More from SBNation.com >


Captain

Mugshot_small Stanley Cup of Chowder

Alternate Captain

0113091832_2__small timmorrison23