Bruins can't climb back from early 3-goal deficit; fall 3-2 to Devils

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Mar 15, 2010 9:59 PM EDT in Game Recaps

I think this daylight savings thing has the Bruins all messed up, because they showed up an hour late tonight. After giving up 3 goals in the first period, Tim Thomas was pulled for Tuukka Rask who stopped all 16 shots he faced, but the damage was already done. Patrice Bergeron scored with just over a minute left in the third period, but the Bruins couldn't pull off the comeback and fell 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils.

Rob Niedermayer scored his 9th goal of the season to put the Devils up 1-0 9:58 into the game off an offensive zone face-off win.

New Jersey made it 2-0 with 2:37 left in the first when goalie Martin Brodeur sprung David Clarkson on a breakaway with a long tape-to-tape pass from the goal line to the other side of the red line. Clarkson's goal was his 8th of the season and first since November 16th for the injury-plagued winger.

The Devils extended their lead to 3-0 with 1:52 left in the opening period when Zach Parise found a loose puck in front from Mike Mottau's shot and put it away with a backhander.

The Bruins got on the board 43 seconds into the second period when Blake Wheeler deflected Mark Stuart's slapper past Martin Brodeur.

Patrice Bergeron made it a one-goal game with 1:03 left in the third with a deflection in front from Dennis Seidenberg's shot from the right point, but the early three goal deficit was too much to overcome.

Final - 3.15.2010	1	2	3	Total
Boston Bruins	0	1	1	2
New Jersey Devils	3	0	0	3

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Notes:

- Mark Stuart hit Jamie Langenbruner with a big open ice hit. The much smaller Rod Pelley challenged Stuart to drop the gloves following the hit on his captain. Stuart landed a few shot but Pelley scored the takedown.

- Shawn Thornton and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond squared off in lengthy bout early in the first period. Thornton landed some hard punches at the end of the bout but lost his footing.

- Tuukka Rask came out to start the second period after Tim Thomas (3 goals allowed on 12 shots) was lifted from the game by Claude Julien.

- The Devils put the puck past Tuukka Rask 8:53 into the second period, but the goal as quickly waved off after it was determined that Rob Niedermayer played the puck with a high-stick.

- Blake Wheeler has scored a goal in each of the last 3 games and 4 of his last 5.

- For the second straight game the Bruins have dug themselves a hole early in the first period.

- Versus had a nice montage of how bad Dennis Wideman was tonight.

- It think it is pretty clear that Tuukka's time is now. I still think that Thomas can be a valuable (yet over-priced) mentor to Rask and should get some starts, but I think Rask has won the #1 job.

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“I think it is pretty clear that Tuukka’s time is now. I still think that Thomas can be a valuable (yet over-priced) mentor to Rask and should get some starts, but I think Rask has won the #1 job.”

You can’t mentor someone who is better than yourself. Thomas is 34 yrs old and not good. If Tuukka got the start that game was 1-1 going into OT. I guess we will stick with Thomas and play our way out of the playoffs!

If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you.

by Parental Advisory on Mar 15, 2010 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

The whole team is not good. It’s not Timmy’s fault the Bruin’s are last in goal production in the league. Rask has yet play an NHL playoff game either. I wouldn’t throw Timmy away just yet. Though if they did it would pretty much be situation normal for Boston goaltending.

Dennis Wideman once again logs 2nd on the team in time on ice. Can someone please explain this logic to me? Are they showing him off to move this summer? “For a mere $3 million cap hit, this idiot can fall down and turn the puck over. A lot. Act now. Supplies are limited. If you call in the next 10 minutes disposable Matt Hunwick is included.”

by MattS on Mar 15, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You can throw Timmy away but his cap hit is here to stay unless another team takes him.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 16, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

You can’t mentor someone who is better than yourself.

I don’t know, Bruce Boudreau wasn’t ever exactly superstar material and he ended up a pretty good coach.

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

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 16, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I suppose your right about Boudreau. I also realized how poorly Wideman has been playing and how Emrick seemed to be pointing that out all night long. Boychuck and Stuart has been playing well, but maye the defensive pairing need to be reaaranged. I don’t know. We need some wins though.

If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you.

by Parental Advisory on Mar 16, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas has never been a good goalie. His numbers last year were a product of the defense and team in front of him. We NEVER saw any numbers like that before last year when the team struggled. Plus, in the playoffs Thomas is hardly a series stealer himself. Montreal died before they started last year and then the B’s just didn’t have it in the 2nd round. Was it Thomas’ fault? Not entirely… but being a goalie myself and knowing a few goalie coaches who work with pros…Thomas was horrible. His rebound control is horrid, his positioning is simply not there. His recovery is only second to a fish out of water. Really he’s no better than a career backup. What about making the Team USA team? How many US born goalies are in the league? I rest my case.

Tuukka’s time is now without a doubt. The team plays more confident in front of him. On top of that their breakout is a thousand times better with Tuukka. Why? Because usually half the team is in the net trying to save Thomas’ ass. How can you start a breakout with one forward high and everyone else in and around the crease? You can’t. Rask has nothing to learn from Thomas.

by LukeD on Mar 16, 2010 1:38 AM EDT reply actions

"Rask has yet play an NHL playoff game either"

Goalies not ever starting a playoff game means nothing. Didn’t Roy win the cup in 86’ his Rookie season? Look at how well Varlamov played in last seasons playoffs. It all about streaks

Luke I couldn’t agree with you more. I am aso a goalie, and being a goalie gives you a unique advantage on judging the play of one. Thomas made team USA strickly off of last seasons acalades. Burke already promised him and Miller the spots. The third was up for grabs between Quick, Howard and Anderson. Howard might win rookie of the year, he is an incredible goaltender. Rask should just be put in now. Let him take his bumps, that is how he will learn. Thomas isn’t taking this team anywhere, so let Tuukka try. If he gets burnt in the playoffs so what? He will learn from it and become that much better.

If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you.

by Parental Advisory on Mar 16, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions