Stanley Cup of Chowder - Full Coverage: Bruins vs. OilersDavid Pastrnak is legend.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11233/stanley-fave.jpg2018-10-19T10:47:51-04:00http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/rss/stream/177582292018-10-19T10:47:51-04:002018-10-19T10:47:51-04:00Bruins Grab 1 of 4 Points in Back-to-Back
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<img alt="NHL: Boston Bruins at Edmonton Oilers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kx2O4uFX8wQgqzeU-ury2qF11Sg=/0x0:2764x1843/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61834805/usa_today_11468412.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Disappointing effort in Alberta</p> <p id="6K7a4i">When the puck dropped last night in Edmonton, it felt like a new game. The <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a> lost in disappointing fashion against the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a> Wednesday night, 5-2. The Bergeron line started the game with a solid shift. The Krejci line, now featuring <span>Danton Heinen</span>, dominated with offensive zone time on their first shift. Less than thirty seconds into the third lines shift, the Bruins were hit with an obstacle. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another look at the hit on Backes from Benning. Not good. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a> <a href="https://t.co/pBuoQB54hx">pic.twitter.com/pBuoQB54hx</a></p>— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1053093769522958336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2018</a>
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<p id="Io9B9o"><span>David Backes</span> would miss the rest of the first period after taking a high hit from Matt Benning. After the game, Bruce Cassidy said Benning’s elbow was down, but was a shoulder to the head and he expects the league to take a look at this. Luckily, <span>Backes</span> was alright, and the Bruins took the right precautions. </p>
<p id="cuXXjl">However, the Bruins didn’t let this bother them in the first period. They dominated in shots and scoring chances. 5v5 shot attempts were 20-9 in favor of the Bruins, and scoring chances were 10-3. The Bruins also had a powerplay opportunity where they got 3 of 6 shot attempts through to the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> goaltender, but there was no score after one.</p>
<p id="GsKW6p">Backes was back for the second period, but the rest of the Bruins weren’t. The Oilers controlled play in the second period, outshooting the Bruins 23-10, with 14 scoring chances to the Bruins four. The Bruins took the lead midway through the second with a Krejci goal off of a beautiful pass from Matt Grzelyck, but it didn’t last long as <span>Kailer Yamamoto</span> scored his first NHL goal off of a wonderful stretch pass from <span>Adam Larsson</span> to tie the game just a couple of minutes later.</p>
<p id="OO8Pm3">The third period started out pretty even. Both teams traded momentum in the first few minutes until <span>Charlie McAvoy</span> took a penalty to lead into the first media timeout. <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> was able to make the Bruins pay after putting one home on a behind-the-net bank pass from <span>Connor McDavid</span>. </p>
<p id="dxwuSo">The Bruins either picked themselves up after that goal, or the Oilers caved, but Boston dominated from then to the end of regulation. <span>David Pastrnak</span> came up with another clutch goal to tie the game at two midway through the third. Then the Bruins pelted <span>Cam Talbot</span>, but nothing got through. </p>
<p id="yAL2mH">After a Marchand stretch pass to Bergeron failed in the opening seconds of overtime, the Oilers had a 3 on 2 the other way. Marchand played <span>McDavid</span> aggressively, taking himself out of the play, and securing the Oilers the victory.</p>
<p id="GGnIeR">Last night it was <span>Anders Bjork</span>’s game to sit out. After a few turnovers in the game against Calgary, we all had a feeling this was coming. <span>Ryan Donato</span> sat a game, and Danton Heinen sat two. Nevertheless, the Bruins third line was awful last night.</p>
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<p id="ThcZtV">The third line produced almost now offense while giving up a high rate of shots. They were on the ice for the only 5v5 goal the Oilers scored, and didn’t produce a single shot on goal when they were all together.</p>
<p id="M3DSaX">As we expect almost all season, there will most likely be lineup changes for Saturday’s matchup against the <a href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a>. Some have wondered whether or not Halak or Rask will start in goal Saturday, but my money would be on Rask.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/19/17999692/bruins-grab-1-of-4-points-in-back-to-backShawnFerris2018-10-19T08:25:09-04:002018-10-19T08:25:09-04:00Recap: Bruins stumble in OT, lose by a score of 3-2
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<img alt="NHL: Boston Bruins at Edmonton Oilers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MZLhtuM1z5RdIVGWbPLP8w4ZBW0=/0x0:2193x1462/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61832849/usa_today_11468418.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A better effort, but not good enough.</p> <p id="2z8SX5">The <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>’ mini-skid continued last night with a 3-2 overtime loss to the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a>. Leon Draisaitl scored on a 2-on-1 just 37 seconds into the extra frame, sending the B’s to their second-consecutive loss.</p>
<p id="L0Tegn">The Czech Daves, <span>David Krejci</span> and <span>David Pastrnak</span>, were the goalscorers for the Bruins, while <span>Jaroslav Halak</span> made 19 saves in his first defeat in black and gold.</p>
<p id="1xVPA1">With much of the New England area focused on the Red Sox game in Houston, the Bruins quietly turned in an up-and-down performance that, while an improvement over the showing in Calgary, simply wasn’t good enough again.</p>
<p id="o4Hnx9">Some thoughts: </p>
<ul>
<li id="6AnCgz">
<span>Brad Marchand</span> gets the goat horns for the game-losing goal. You get what he’s trying to do: spring <span>Patrice Bergeron</span> for an overtime breakaway. However, the situational awareness needs to be better. <span>Connor McDavid</span> was in good position to break-up the pass, and if <span>Marchand</span>’s pass wasn’t perfect, there was a 99% chance it was going to come back to bite them. He made it worse when he attempted to confront <span>McDavid</span> at the blue line and promptly got turned inside out. Just an ugly play all around.</li>
<li id="pE2VtN">There’s not a ton that can be said about the performance of <span>Jaroslav Halak</span>. He was...there. Not spectacular, not bad. It’s hard to fault him on any of the goals, but something tells me the reaction would have been very different if it had been Rask who over-committed on <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span>’ PPG. Still, Halak kept the Bruins in it with some big saves and ultimately was beaten by a perfectly executed 2-on-1. Not much you can do about that.</li>
<li id="yBxGTU">Speaking of that 2-on-1, it wasn’t <span>Charlie McAvoy</span>’s best night. You can’t expect too much of him defending that play when it’s <span>McDavid</span> on one side, but McAvoy got burnt on Edmonton’s first goal as well. While the pass from <span>Adam Larsson</span> was great, McAvoy took a weird angle at <span>Kailer Yamamoto</span>; Yamamoto eased past McAvoy and walked in alone on Halak, finishing with a great shot.</li>
<li id="38bYjG">
<span>David Krejci</span> is quietly off to a solid start. His goal last night gives him six points (1G, 5A) in seven games. Considering he’s been playing with a revolving door at right wing since Game 1, his production has been encouraging.</li>
<li id="gELv6W">
<span>Danton Heinen</span>, Ryan Donato and <span>Anders Bjork</span> seem content to continue to pass the healthy scratch baton around. While Bruce Cassidy undoubtedly wants to get them all regular looks, he also must hope that at some point, two of the three seize their opportunities and make it impossible for them to sit. That hasn’t happened at this point. Heinen had an assist last night, but hasn’t looked as dangerous as he did at times last season. Donato has had flashes as well, but they’re mixed in with dekes that end up being turnovers. At some point, one can’t help but wonder if a guy like <span>Peter Cehlarik</span> gets a chance to claim a spot.</li>
<li id="6LV6cZ">
<span>David Backes</span> probably suffered another concussion last night when he was hit up high by Matt Benning. He left and went to the quiet room, eventually returning to the ice in the second period. One would hope that, given his history, if he was in fact diagnosed with a concussion, the Bruins wouldn’t put him back out there at all, so hopefully the quiet room was just a precaution. However, <span>Backes</span> certainly looked a little dazed on his feet. The hit by Benning might merit a fine, as he gets a little wiggle room due to Backes returning. It was an unnecessary hit, but probably won’t rise to the level of a suspension-worthy play.</li>
<li id="r65XB5">
<span>David Pastrnak</span>’s third period goal was his eighth of the season. With Auston Matthews held scoreless last night, Pastrnak remains second in the NHL, two goals behind the Leafs’ star.</li>
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<p id="E2a01i">The Bruins are back at it tomorrow night in Vancouver. 10 PM start on the East Coast!</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/19/17999256/recap-bruins-stumble-in-ot-lose-by-a-score-of-3-2-connor-mcdavid-david-pastrnak-bruins-losing-streakCup of Chowder Staff2018-10-18T22:13:20-04:002018-10-18T22:13:20-04:00David Backes leaves game briefly after another hit to the head
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<img alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jZCZMQULMk0nvJQ065vWdUarzmA=/0x47:3000x2047/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61829971/usa_today_10794259.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Injured on the first shift on a hit by Matt Benning</p> <p id="JLZYqR">We will update this as details come out. <span>David Backes</span> left the game during his first shift after a hit from <span>Matt Benning</span>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another look at the hit on Backes from Benning. Not good. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLBruins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLBruins</a> <a href="https://t.co/pBuoQB54hx">pic.twitter.com/pBuoQB54hx</a></p>— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1053093769522958336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2018</a>
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<p id="RRn7Ih">The hit did not draw a penalty from the refs. <span>Backes</span> has had concussions before, and we presume this is what was the cause for his early exit.</p>
<p id="OC4cTq"><strong>UPDATE: </strong>David Backes came back for the second period. Hopefully that means Backes just had the wind knocked out of him.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/18/17998470/bruins-injury-news-david-backes-head-injury-vs-oilers-matt-benning-suspension-head-hitShawnFerris2018-10-18T20:30:02-04:002018-10-18T20:30:02-04:00Public Skate: Bruins vs. Oilers
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<img alt="NHL: Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/avOlZMGkiMoNG5o_F1qsiwvtTUs=/0x0:3568x2379/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61828313/usa_today_11435743.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="uHIB1v">What’s the score tonight?</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/18/17997350/public-skate-bruins-vs-oilersShawnFerris2018-10-18T19:26:15-04:002018-10-18T19:26:15-04:00Tonight is Zdeno Chara’s 900th NHL Game for the Bruins!
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<img alt="Zdeno Chara #3" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2xFEIHPpJmopEVvpslSgSbuHyUQ=/0x647:2040x2007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61827887/362030.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>This image is older than some people who will watch this game. Feel the ravages of time across your skull.</p> <p id="gQiZTf"><span>Zdeno Chara</span>, captain of the B’s, will be taking the ice tonight as their first pairing defender once again. He will also be doing so for the 900th game of his career with the black and gold; one of only 6 Bruin players to play this many games for the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>.</p>
<p id="EExXWH">Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of those players ended up wearing a C or an A in their extensive NHL Careers; like Wayne Cashman, Ray Bourque, <span>Patrice Bergeron</span>, and Johnny Bucyk. He also happens to work under another one of his contemporaries in the 900 games club; Don Sweeney!</p>
<p id="1R0C1n"><span>Chara</span> was a pickup from the <a href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Senators</a> back in ‘06 due to the team being run by Eugene Melnyk and his insatiable need to save and acquire money (there was more to it than that, but most issues regarding the Sens tend to end with that), and almost immediately was inked to his first big money deal and given the captaincy, being only the third Slovak captain in NHL history, and eventually, the 2nd true-blue European born captain to win the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a>. </p>
<p id="vC8YuN">Because he’s 41, many outside-of-Boston (and some inside Boston) analysts have often wondered how long he can actually keep this up. But because Chara was probably an ex-soviet supersoldier experiment, there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of stopping this titan of the game from going for 1000, barring injury or regression which...seems to be somehow not happening fast enough for it to matter.</p>
<p id="6KII7U">Happy 900 to Big Z, and let’s hope tonight’s contest is a win to put the cherry on top!</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/18/17996702/zdeno-chara-hockey-bruins-boston-nhl-900-games-bostonSkyonAir2018-10-18T14:39:41-04:002018-10-18T14:39:41-04:00Who's playing for the Bruins tonight against Edmonton?
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<img alt="NHL: Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ksv5M6djBWfVuEpKKizVKnKdgdc=/0x0:3751x2501/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61824455/usa_today_11401625.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Another change up front.</p> <p id="8KtuWR">Back at it in Edmonton!</p>
<p id="jrteiB">Per the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>' <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1052982773454127105">Twitter account</a>, there will be a few tweaks to the lineup tonight. </p>
<p id="hvVkkw">The main ones: <span>Anders Bjork</span> is out, <span>Danton Heinen</span> is in, and <span>Chris Wagner</span> is playing on the third line.</p>
<p id="BYGYmI"><span>Brad Marchand</span> - <span>Patrice Bergeron</span> - <span>David Pastrnak</span></p>
<p id="4mv42T"><span>Jake DeBrusk</span> - <span>David Krejci</span> - Danton Heinen</p>
<p id="ryYDAo"><span>Chris Wagner</span> - <span>David Backes</span> - <span>Ryan Donato</span></p>
<p id="qEBwfq"><span>Joakim Nordstrom</span> - <span>Sean Kuraly</span> - <span>Noel Acciari</span></p>
<p id="9e5C8P">Cassidy also said that he might make some changes in defense pairs, but didn't offer any insight. </p>
<p id="v5Ovfr">If nothing changes, expect:</p>
<p id="wLmp1O"><span>Zdeno Chara</span> - <span>Charlie McAvoy</span></p>
<p id="6D89tD"><span>Matt Grzelcyk</span> - <span>Kevan Miller</span></p>
<p id="gvOWKp"><span>John Moore</span> - <span>Brandon Carlo</span></p>
<p id="nLz32q">In all likelihood, any changes he makes will be flipping a player or two, maybe moving Carlo up or Grzelcyk down.</p>
<p id="qmjpAe"><span>Jaroslav Halak</span> will be in goal.</p>
<p id="MIFAHA">See ya tonight!</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/18/17996068/bruins-lines-vs-edmonton-oilers-danton-heinen-anders-bjork-chris-wagner-jaroslav-halakCup of Chowder Staff2018-10-18T07:00:04-04:002018-10-18T07:00:04-04:00Preview: Bruins take on the Oilers
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<img alt="NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Boston Bruins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uLzHUHcDqVBWVvvU81claA2mzFU=/0x0:4533x3022/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61815839/usa_today_11420314.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The second half of a back to back</p> <h2 id="O0kARj"><strong>Just the Facts</strong></h2>
<p id="iV7ksV"><strong>Who: </strong><a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> (2-2-0)</p>
<p id="5ocpcl"><strong>When: </strong>9 PM est</p>
<p id="MxOkOx"><strong>Where: </strong>Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB</p>
<p id="4GVRoq"><strong>How to Follow: </strong>NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub</p>
<p id="6eMwLJ"><strong>Rival SBN Site: </strong><a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Copper and Blue</a></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="eC1wnL">
<h2 id="HMCAtL"><strong>Know your Enemy</strong></h2>
<p id="j9vrZS">The Oilers have won their last two games. This will be their home opener as they spent the opening week in Europe playing the <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> before playing three games on the road in North America. The Oilers offense is <span>Connor McDavid</span> and only <span>Connor McDavid</span> so far. He has nine points on the Oilers’ ten goals. When the Oilers came to the Garden last week, he scored the only goal in a 4-1 victory for the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>.</p>
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<h2 id="6tMDcL"><strong>Game Notes</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="GA6PwB">Last time these two teams played there were a couple of fights. I wonder if we see the same emotion tonight.</li>
<li id="2nQQgl">The fourth line saw some significant time against the <span>McDavid</span> line last game. I highly doubt we see that again.</li>
<li id="zkxGou">
<span>Ryan Donato</span> wasn’t in the lineup the last time these two played. The Bruins scored a pair of powerplay goals that night. Bruce Cassidy mentioned the coaches saw a weakness in Edmontons penalty killing coverage close to the net. This is an area where Ryan Donato tends to succeed.</li>
<li id="L3uwCJ">The Oilers are a team with a ton of speed. Playing them in a back to back situation is not going to be fun. How will the Bruins match their intensity in the first ten minutes of the game?</li>
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<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="DOhd3d">
<h2 id="3lNtYK"><strong>Never Forget</strong></h2>
<p id="8wu4SE">Oh this just happened a week ago...</p>
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https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2018/10/18/17993064/preview-bruins-take-on-the-oilers-hits-star-matchupShawnFerris