5 things to be thankful for from the B’s
By: Joe Ballway, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
On Turkey day, it’s only appropriate that we recognize what we’re thankful for this season from the B’s, who are finally gaining steam after busting out of the gate with the energy of an overweight grandpa in a tryptophan-induced coma:
1. Patrice Bergeron’s return to form
Without a doubt, Bergeron has been Boston’s most reliable forward this season, resembling the star player he was becoming before Randy Jones nearly ended his career back in 2007. While it’s taken him considerable time to regain his edge, he currently leads the team in scoring and is already one goal shy of his total from last season. Monday night’s contest with St. Louis was an accurate summation of his value to the team: an assist on all four Bruins goals–one on the shorthand and two on the man-advantage–in 17:20 of ice time. It’s pretty scary to imagine what the Bruins’ offense would have been like last season with a healthy, aggressive Bergeron in the mix.
2. The emergence of Tuukka Rask as a much better and younger Manny Fernandez for Tim Thomas
While Thomas’ numbers have been solid (.918 SV%, 2.33 GAA), this season hasn’t exactly been a cakewalk for the defending Vezina winner, who sports a sub-.500 record and is currently sidelined with an undisclosed ailment (the Bruins are downright Belichick-ian in terms of secrecy with injuries). Rask spelled Thomas admirably in limited duty early on, and has really shined in his last seven starts (6-1, .937 SV%). Should Thomas begin to deteriorate over the next few seasons, it’s comforting to know that we have a promising young goaltender who can ably fill his shoes. Plus, he’s just as much of a hotheaded psycho.
3. The Winter Classic
For those of you who are worried (or glad, take your pick) that the Bruins’ slow start has emptied the bandwagon from last year, you’ll see how that changes on January 1st. Bruins fans past and present–whether or not they are self-proclaimed boycotters of Jeremy Jacobs’ product or just plain bitter souls about the Thornton trade–will be watching the NHL’s most exciting regular-season event. Even Boston fans that don’t have a clue about hockey will tune in just for the sheer spectacle. I think I know at least five people who are going that can’t name a single player on the Bruins; hopefully, after attending this game, they’ll see the light.
4. The recent state of affairs
Heading into the current road trip, the Bruins were presented with a pivotal juncture in the season: continue losing and face potential changes, or get their shit together and re-establish themselves as a team to be reckoned with. After sweeping the road trip in all-around impressive fashion, the Bruins appear to be getting the message. Couple that with the returns of Lucic and Savard and the Bruins look to be in good shape heading into the month of December.
5. The Maple Leafs
I don’t care if Phil Kessel scores 40 goals this year–as long as the Leafs finish terribly and we make the playoffs, it’s all good, because their first-round pick could ultimately bring us a much better player. Plus, it’s just funny to watch the most important team in hockey continue to flounder despite all the changes that have been made up there.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Edwards, Signs of life from Dennis Wideman, Shawn Thornton & Byron Bitz, Jeremy Jacobs’ enthusiasm and presence at home games (just kidding), the guy in the conductor hat who dances in the stands at games, Rene Rancourt.
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Hey Joe, overall nice blog in terms of writing style but I must say you sound like a delusional fanboy. In refrence to #5 your boy Jeremy Jacobs has been wanting this game for a long time knowing it would be a cash grab for him. Did you see how much he raised tickets this offseason after it was announced he got the game? A $10 last row seat now costs $37.50 this season. A “winter classic” jersey? $220!
I am also not sure what “light” your talking about the casual fans seeing. This team is certainly not built for a long playoff run. It has been 17 long lean years since the Bruins have even won a lousy second round playoff series! This team cannot score my man. PJK should have never been given the chance to leave. He is a rare 22 year old sniper who has only tremendous upside. Look at Ryder and Sturms salary and their ages and tell me that PJK at $5.2 million is not worth it! Give us a break dude.
You also need to chill with your first round picks are a lock theory as well. This organization has been abysmal with first round picks. When they do hit on one (Thornton, Kessel) they are quickly moved out of town.
In the long run look for another average season from the Bruins and a first or second round TKO.
Thanks for reading and responding, “Michael Holley.” Although “Negative Nancy” would have been a more fitting alias. Some points in my defense:
Nowhere in my article do I endorse the Jacobs family or their cheap and detached method of ownership. In fact, I blatantly poke fun at Jeremy Jacobs in the “honorable mention” section.
To me, rooting for a team and supporting an owner are not one in the same–Jacobs isn’t out there playing one-on-five against other teams. And I prefer to think of the players not as pawns for Jacobs’ continued profit, but as competitive individuals trying to win every time they’re on the ice. I root for those players, and I refuse to let my perception of the team’s successes and failures be clouded by the fact that the team has a grumpy, penny-pinching owner. Jeremy Jacobs isn’t the reason that David Krejci has just two goals this year, or that Lucic and Savard were out for a month with injuries.
I wasn’t as clear as I should have been in regards to the first-round picks. I meant that, if the Leafs can finish at or near the bottom of the league, we could have a chance at an extremely high pick that COULD develop into a better player than Kessel. I was merely saying we should be thankful that the Leafs have stunk it up so far this season–I was NOT saying that we should be pleased, at this point, with the loss of Kessel. There’s no arguing that we could use his offensive presence right now. And, in regards to the “light,” I simply meant that I hoped for my friends–who aren’t particularly big hockey fans (as indicated by the fact that they can’t name a single Bruin)–to gain some appreciation for the game.
In terms of the label “delusional fanboy,” I’d say there’s a big difference between delusion and optimism. When the Bruins are doing good things, I take notice of the positives, and when they stink, I’m more than willing to admit that they stink. This article is designed to address the positives. After all, it’s the holidays. And I’m not exactly declaring that the Bruins are going to win the Stanley Cup here. I’m merely pointing out that there are good things to be taken away from this team right now, even if Jacobs is the owner, and will be for the foreseeable future.
P.S. if you’re the real Michael Holley I apologize for the brashness…