Stanley Cup of Chowder - Bruins (6-6-1) at Islanders (7-4-3) Complete CoverageDavid Pastrnak is legend.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/11233/stanley-fave.jpg2015-11-09T10:17:57-05:00http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/rss/stream/94572332015-11-09T10:17:57-05:002015-11-09T10:17:57-05:00Rask Plays Stopper, Bruins Win 2-1
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6oNpgk7wGfYly7Ma7lmS9duT62k=/0x12:2600x1745/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47616263/usa-today-8375444.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If you were waiting for Tuukka to heat up, this was your night.</p> <p>It's as I mentioned the last time I was on recap duty: this season is going to be more full of ups and downs any one in recent memory, and some nights that makes for pretty exciting hockey, even when the Brooklyn ice is a bit choppy.</p>
<p>The second trip to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a> was a redux of the first, result-wise, but it was a much different game than October 23rd's 5-3 victory. This became the old "score a couple and let Rask shut down the opposition," model of victory, which has been largely missing this year, and it was good to see. Heck, it was good to see any kind of victory, given the circumstances; the Bruins were coming in on the second half of a road back-to-back, playing their third game in four days, against an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> squad on a more normal schedule.</p>
<p>Signs of fatigue would eventually appear, but there was no such thing in the first. The Bruins and Islanders played a rather frenetic first, each team pouring eleven shots on goal, with the only marker being Ryan Spooner's PPG which gave the good guys the lead at [time]. Rask stopped all eleven of the Islanders shots, which would be a theme for most of the night.</p>
<p>As mentioned in the preview, the Bruins really could use a shot in the arm from their third unit, which has been struggling of late. In this one, it ended up that a member of that line provided the vaccine from the man-advantage, with Spooner snapping a shot home from the right side to finish a tic-tac-toe play on the 5-on-3.</p>
<p>The Islanders are a good team, and they came out firing to start the second. Sadly for the Isles and happily for Boston, the all-important "next goal" went to <span>Patrice Bergeron</span>, who flung a shot that deflected off Islanders defenseman <span>Nick Leddy</span>, who was about to make <span>Brad Marchand</span> couldn't deflect it in, and by <span>Jaroslav Halak</span> at 14:13 of the second. 2-0 Bruins, and things were made worse for the Isles when one of the few shots that actually beat Rask on the night rang harmlessly off the post. Compounding this, Rask also robbed <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span> on a shorthanded chance. Did I mention that <span>Tuukka Rask</span> played well?</p>
<p>The third was a penalty parade for Boston that still makes it feel somewhat surreal that the Bruins managed to win without overtime being involved. Thank Tuukka. Here's what the penalty summary for third period was like:</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C5YJLCRmjZV_iDWi--aV7jlILTE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4246163/bruinspens3.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Given the ineffectiveness of the Bruins Penalty Kill to date, you might expect a 2-0 advantage to evaporate rather quickly. Yet somehow, the Isles ended up 1-for-7 on the night (1-for-6 if you discount Beleskey putting them on a two-second Power Play at the end of the game).</p>
<p>Well, we said "1-for-7," and the score is in the post title, so sorry for the spoilers. But when the Isles finally did get on the board, it came in the form of a totally unstoppable 5-on-3 rocket from old pal Johnny Boychuk. While Rask has had his own struggles this year, it's worth noting that there have been some absolutely ridiculous goals scored against him and the Bruins. This one might have been near the top of the list in terms of shrug-worthy goals allowed. Boychuk was set up by <span>Kyle Okposo</span> for a 5-on-3 one-timer after <span>Kevan Miller</span> (a rather ticky-tacky high sticking) and <span>Joonas Kemppainen</span> (a totally brainless face-off violation) went off, and Johnny absolutely killed it off the post and in. That made it 2-1, since this Bruins team doesn't do "easy," particularly well, with seven minutes to go.</p>
<p>Rask and the Bruins would hold out, though, with the only other noteworthy chance in the third being an earlier quick whistle that may have stopped <span>Frans Nielsen</span> from roofing one</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>The Bruins improved to 7-6-1. With most of the Atlantic struggling to put winning streaks together out of the gate, this is good for a tie for 4th with Detroit, and only two points back of 3rd-place Tampa (with two games in hand).</span></li>
<li><span>It has to be said: the Bruins were not really rolling four lines in this one, as the fourth line barely played in the third period. I'm all for shortening the bench if you have an ineffective unit and you're trying to hold the lead, but it's worth noting that Julien et al picked this current fourth line. If it's not effective to roll for a couple shifts on the third game on four days, on a back-to-back, to give the big guns more of a breather, than it's not effective enough to be an NHL fourth line.</span></li>
<li><span>Rask has a shutout on the season, but in my estimatedion this 36-saves-on-37-shots performance topped that. The Isles were the fresher team, and showed it down the stretch. This is absolutely one of those games where you get out of town and thank your goalie for securing the two points.</span></li>
<li><span>Remember Jaroslav Halak? Yeah, he played extremely well too, stopping 25 of 27. The Bruins two goals were off a 5-on-3 and a deflection off an Islander, yet he took the loss. This is known as "being Tuukka'd."</span></li>
<li><span>The Bruins defense had some rough moments, but generally didn't hang Rask out to dry until the third. This actually wasn't that great of a game for the Zdeno Chara-Colin Miller pairing in terms of getting the play going in the right direction, though they held their own defensively. In addition, <span>Zach Trotman</span> looked solid again. Can we keep him?</span></li>
</ul>
<div><span>~</span></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>The Bruins return to TD Garden for a five-game homestand, beginning with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> on Thursday. In the meantime, they've earned their three days "off."</div>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2015/11/9/9695800/rask-plays-stopper-bruins-win-2-1NHZ2015-11-08T19:56:42-05:002015-11-08T19:56:42-05:00Bruins Defeat Isles, 2-1! Rank 'Em
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Yx-QcUYckogRT7bfm6s5bRuWoRc=/0x87:2406x1691/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47613497/usa-today-8879594.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A much-needed two points in Brooklyn. Who gets the good thumbs?</p> <a class="rnkrw-widget" data-rnkrw-id="2247713" data-rnkrw-format="grid" data-rnkrw-rows="999" href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-coolest-hockey-team-logos-past-and-present?utm_source=widget&utm_campaign=widget_link" target="_blank">Hockey Team Logos</a><script id="rnkrw-loader" type="text/javascript" async src="//widget.ranker.com/static/rnkrw2.js"></script>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2015/11/8/9694038/bruins-defeat-isles-2-1-rank-emNHZ2015-11-08T18:48:32-05:002015-11-08T18:48:32-05:003rd Period Public Skate: Bruins 2, Islanders 0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ocAsXno0ebP9PL7_hnapOO5lttM=/0x158:1980x1478/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47613213/GettyImages-494511762.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Okay, so that's forty good minutes...</p> <p>Halak's been good, Rask's been better, and a <span>Patrice Bergeron</span> shot that may or may not have deflected off <span>Brad Marchand</span> has the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a> up 2-0.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2015/11/8/9693826/3rd-period-public-skate-bruins-2-islanders-0NHZ2015-11-08T17:55:09-05:002015-11-08T17:55:09-05:002nd Period Public Skate: Bruins 1, Islanders 0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yUvvW6URU8ZhI3c2-rFJZ4z7Pes=/0x220:3506x2557/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47612957/usa-today-8373420.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>So far, so good.</p> <p>Ryan Spooner on the Power Play. Rask with 11 saves. Pretty good first twenty, especially for the third game in four days.</p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2015/11/8/9693624/2nd-period-public-skate-bruins-1-islanders-0NHZ2015-11-08T12:49:08-05:002015-11-08T12:49:08-05:00Bruins (6-6-1) at Islanders (7-4-3) Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Gtb0SuT6fJQ8a38xk4NiOFqv5XA=/0x0:3018x2012/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47611031/usa-today-8879588.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Want points on this road trip? Today would be the last chance.</p> <h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Just the facts:</h3>
<p id="paragraph1" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">When:</b> 5 PM</p>
<p id="paragraph2" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Where: </b>Barclays Center, NY</p>
<p id="paragraph3" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">TV:</b> NESN, MSG+, TVAS</p>
<p id="paragraph4" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Radio:</b> 98.5 The Sports Hub, <a target="_blank" href="http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/RadioPlayer.htm?id=2015020202" data-ref-index="5" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #e3a228; font-weight: bold;">NHL Game Radio</a></p>
<p id="paragraph5" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">"Enemy" SBNation Site: <a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Lighthouse Hockey</a></b></p>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Game notes:</h3>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>Both of these teams lost to the Montreal Canadiens in their previous contests. The key difference being that the Isles have been off since Thursday's 4-1 loss, while the Bruins just played in Montreal less than 24 hours ago. </span></li>
<li><span>As is typical, John Tavares leads the Islanders in points, with 11 (5-6). Kyle Okposo is right behind him with ten, though he probably owes some of those to Tavares himself. Frans Nielsen is tied with Tavares for the Isles goal lead, with 5.</span></li>
<li><span>Jaroslav Halak is likely to get the start, and he's started this season strong, with a .928 SV% in seven games. Tuukka Rask is almost certainly back in after getting the Habs game off.</span></li>
<li><span>The Islanders, somewhat puzzlingly, sent Ryan Strome down to the AHL. Apparently Steve Bernier is taking his place? Yeah, you tell me.</span></li>
<li><span>The Bruins won the first game they played at the Barclays Center on October 23rd, with Ryan Spooner getting the GWG. That'd be more than welcome to happen again, as the Bruins could really use points on this road trip and the Spooner line could really use a pick-me-up.</span></li>
</ul>
<div></div>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 32px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 36px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Never forget:</h3>
<p>Uh...I dunno...that this was always going to be brutal road trip? But get some damn points, Bruins. Score a goal or two. Make saves. Hit somebody!</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufEtQcisrgg" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2015/11/8/9691814/bruins-6-6-1-at-islanders-7-4-3-preview-consider-getting-a-pointNHZ