Bruins Look to Get Back on Track Against NHL-Worst Blue Jackets

by Cup of Chowder Staff on Dec 10, 2011 2:00 PM EST

The last time the Bruins and Blue Jackets faced off, Boston was at the beginning of a tear and Columbus was the worst team in the league.

Only one of those things has changed in the past 23 days.

The Bruins, losers of two in a row, look to right their leaking ship and get things back on track at the tail end of a stretch in which they've played four games in six days, an exhausting schedule that's found the Black and Gold struggling once again to get the puck in the back of the net.

After a dominating 3-1 win at Pittsburgh on Monday, the Bruins fell 2-1 at Winnipeg, despite a strong effort for most of the game. On Thursday, they returned home and outlined the goal, hitting five posts but never getting a puck into the net in a 2-0 loss against the Florida Panthers.

But the Panthers are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference, and the Blue Jackets are at the other end of the spectrum. Curtis Sanford is no Jose Theodore and the Blue Jackets aren't exactly the Penguins.

But that doesn't mean it'll be an easy task for a tired Bruins team.

With Daniel Paille out with a concussion, the lines should look like this:

Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Nathan Horton

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Tyler Seguin

Rich Peverley - Chris Kelly - Benoit Pouliot

Shawn Thornton - Gregory Campbell - Jordan Caron

Zdeno Chara - Johnny Boychuk

Joe Corvo - Dennis Seidenberg

Andrew Ference - Adam McQuaid

Tim Thomas

Tuukka Rask

For more from the other side, check out The Cannon

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Comments

Not that I want to start a war on head hunting again...

but any word on if the hit on Paille is being reviewed at all? Not saying a suspension is worthy as I havent really looked at it but from what I was told is that first point of contact was Dan’s already mushy face.

They did it for Savy, they did it for Horton, they did it for each other, they did it for us. I give you the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions....The Boston Bruins!!

I wish Matthew Stafford was Drew Brees. (This is what happens when you back your team and they lose),

by beachguy113 on Dec 10, 2011 3:07 PM EST reply actions

I havnt seen a good replay, but as I see it, it isn’t a hit to suspend over. The blown up picture Jack and Brick showed, that highlighted the shoulder to face contact, makes it look like Paille was leaned over with his head in a vulnerable position. It looked from the one replay I saw that Paille got into this position almost simultaneous with the contact from Batch. The charge was the right call, but I don’t see a suspension or hearing necessary…course I may go try and find a good video, and may retract everything I just said lol.

by Dangles-McDonnybrook on Dec 10, 2011 5:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Nah

Here it is (as well as the ensuing fight).

The league probably won’t even have a hearing for it and really it wasn’t all that dirty. Not from the blindside or behind, no elbow, he’s not leaping when he hits Paille. Just a big dude hitting a smaller guy with his head down.

A two minute penalty is about all that’s worth since he did line him up pretty good but nothing to get outraged about.

by Sinnach on Dec 10, 2011 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the link

After seeing it im more disappointed the Paille wasnt more aware of a guy like Barch on the ice. Gotta a know a guy like that is gonna finish every hit he can.

They did it for Savy, they did it for Horton, they did it for each other, they did it for us. I give you the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions....The Boston Bruins!!

I wish Matthew Stafford was Drew Brees. (This is what happens when you back your team and they lose),

by beachguy113 on Dec 13, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

The Mask

Hopefully it wasn’t the Mask of Movember that brought all the wins…. Paille has sat out 4 games for a bad hit last year, he should see thet justice prevails with at least 2 games on that hit. There are young legs on this team, 4 in 6 is only an excuse…did Seguin cause bad karma…. nnope, 2 close games with lots of shots, 2 hot goalies, and we know what that’s all about… go Bruins go, it has been christmas all year, time to start a new streak

by Paintgirl04 on Dec 10, 2011 4:57 PM EST reply actions