Bruins: At Their Best Against the Better?

by Michael Taylor on Feb 23, 2012 1:00 PM EST in Stat Tracker

I know it's Winnipeg, but the 2 points still count David.

One of the ugly internet memes of late has been that the Bruins success between November 1 - January 22 was flukish because of the fact that they played such an easy schedule. Not a lot of games, mostly against non-playoff teams, a lot of games at home. But was that really the problem with the 2011-2012 Boston Bruins? A look at the schedule as we approach the 3/4 of the season mark paints a vastly different picture, and may indicate that the Bruins problems are some combination of "easy" games and maybe Henrik Lundqvist.

Last night's win over the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center (the Blues first regulation loss at home in 22 games), ran the Bruins record this season against current playoff teams to 20-6-2. That's a 123 point pace over 82 games. But it gets better (if you're a Bruins fan) still. Against the two divisions that most fans around the league agree have been the best in the NHL so far (the Atlantic and the Central) the Bruins are 13-3-2. That doesn't even get into the road game thing. The win over the Blues ran the Bruins record against current playoff teams on the road to 12-0-0. That sort of trend will hopefully come in handy on Saturday night when the Bruins travel to Ottawa for a crucial division matchup.

It's possible that these are small(ish) sample size flukes, but even in couple seasons prior to this one, it's always felt like when the Bruins are tested, they're more than able to respond. The fact that they've been wildly successful against playoff teams this season, but were swept by the Carolina Hurricanes of all teams, may lend credence to the belief that this team, while most wouldn't recommend it, is pacing itself between playoff runs.

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The fact that they’ve been wildly successful against playoff teams this season, but were swept by the Carolina Hurricanes of all teams, may lend credence to the belief that this team, while most wouldn’t recommend it, is pacing itself between playoff runs.

I believe this in part, but I also think they tend to underestimate teams with worse records than their own (see: Carolina).

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Feb 23, 2012 1:21 PM EST reply actions

Altho that may be true, let me add the other sign of the coin. These teams, i.e. bottom-feeders, see the Champions come into town and think, “this is our chance to prove ourselves against the best. Let’s do it.” In Carolina’s case, I don’t think Cam Ward likes beating any team as much as he does the Bs. We may be coming to the same conclusion from different angles. In these lesser match-ups, we just don’t meet their intensity level.

by gravitymike on Feb 23, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

on a side note about last nights game. I think krejci really set the tone to start that game with his physical play.

by inmyiroc on Feb 23, 2012 1:27 PM EST via Android app reply actions

He had a great game last night!

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Feb 23, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

seriously

check out his hit behind the net that sets up the Lucic Laugher

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Feb 23, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

Krejci’s physical game? Where the hell did that come from. In the last few games he’s been coming around, but just a coupla weeks ago it seemed he get knocked down by just having a player skate by him. Claude’s been coaching his ass off through this stretch and finally, finally the combos paid off. Now if we can do this thru the weekend, their confidence can set them up for the playoffs.
Kelly’s plays down low in the slot, as opposed to Krejci’s normally playing up high, seemed to be a big difference.

by gravitymike on Feb 23, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

Fear Da Krejci!

by pemci on Feb 23, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

it seemed like, before last night, they weren’t really putting anyone in the slot, which was obviously not helping them at all!

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Feb 23, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

And as you said previously, not hitting. Or helping the D by creating short pass opportunities. Brick mentioned last night how StL likes to play one side (laterally) of the ice. And the Bs seemed to make a short pass to clear the zone and quickly find a long cross ice pass to that open side.

by gravitymike on Feb 23, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions