Tag Archives: NHL

Apr 17 2013

Boston Bruins Prepare For An Emotional Evening (LINKS)

The Boston Bruins expect Wednesday's contest against Buffalo to be emotional! (Photo Credit: New York Daily News)

The Boston Bruins expect Wednesday’s contest against Buffalo to be emotional! (Photo Credit: New York Daily News)

By NoontimeSports.com 

It is expected to be an emotional evening at the TD Garden as the Boston Bruins play host to the Buffalo Sabres.

The game, which is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. face-off, will mark the first time the Black and Gold skate on their home ice since Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings. And while we’re still a few minutes away from the contest, we thought we’d provide a few links from around the web about this particular contest.

Bruins-Sabres Links: 

* Bruins coach Claude Julien knows a win would be huge for the city

* FOX Sports has an article about how the Bruins will help with the healing process

* Black and Gold supporters should feel extra safe this evening as security will be “tight” at the Garden, according to the Associated Press

* Boston Globe’s Matt Peppin posted a few notes about this evening’s game on the Bruins Blog, along with a tidbit about Brad Marchand, who will be raffling off his suite for the team’s first home playoff game with all the proceeds benefiting Martin Richard‘s family.

* Boston Herald’s Steve Conroy blogged about the Bruins donations toward the families affected by the bombings

* Similar to the Bruins, the Sabres know this game will be emotional

* NESN will be updating their LIVE Blog throughout the evening and you can access it by CLICKING HERE

Jun 23 2012

Mass Hockey: NHL Draft Day 2 (LINKS)

By NoontimeSports.com 

Seven rounds of the NHL Draft have concluded, and on Saturday, June 23, a variety of local players from Massachusetts and New England were drafted. Also, numerous current and future members of the Hockey East were selected by various teams, too, and we’ve provided that link, as well as others from the world wide web below.

* ESPNBoston.com provided a breakdown of the second day, as well as a list of names that were selected in the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds.

* With the 85th pick in the draft, the Boston Bruins selected Charlestown’s Matt Grzelcyk, who spent the past year with the United States National Team Development Program U-18 (USHL). The 18-year-old will return to his hometown this fall and play hockey for Boston University.

* As noted in the Boston Heralds Bruins blog — Grzelcyk expressed his excitement about being drafted by the Bruins and stated, “This is so unexpected. I’m pretty over the top right now.”

* College Hockey News provided a list of the various Hockey East players that were drafted in all seven rounds.

Apr 26 2012

Chara Named Norris Trophy Finalist

By NoontimeSports.com 

The Boston Bruins and NHL announced on Thursday morning that Zdeno Chara is one of three finalist for the 2012 James Norris Trophy.

The Norris Trophy is awarded every year to the player who “demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”

Excluding Chara, the other two finalists are Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators.

Apr 25 2012

Boston Bruins-Washington Capitals Game 7 Questions/Thoughts

By Dan Libon 

Here are five questions and answers about Game 7 on Wednesday between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. 

1.) How does Boston earn its third consecutive Game 7 victory going back to 2011 against Tampa Bay?

Boston needs to crash the net! The harder it is for Braden Holtby to track the puck, the easier it is for the Bruins to score. They also have to get dirty goals and rebounds, too.

2.) Who’s ONE player to watch in Game 7?

Alex Ovechkin is too obvious, so I’d say, let’s keep an eye on Alexander Semin, who many believe doesn’t have a great deal of heart. However, he has been an impact player in this particular series with three goals. He’s also been a force on defense; so again, keep your eyes on him.

3.) What do you expect from Braden Holtby in Game 7?

Those waiting for the downfall of Braden Holtby have been horribly disappointed. At no point in this particular series has the 22-year-old second year goalie performed like a 22-year-old second year pro goalie. He is probably going to have a great night as long as the Bruins allow him to have a clear view of the puck. He hasn’t cracked yet, and I don’t see him cracking now.

4.) Will Tyler Seguin provide any last minute fireworks?

For Tyler Seguin to duplicate his performance, he is going to have to use his speed to create opportunities. With that being said, it’s not him that needs to get a big time goal again, but the top six forwards, who have been rather quiet.

5.) What’s your prediction for Game 7?

The Bruins win it because after having a reputation of blowing game 7’s, they are now the premier seventh game team after last season. This is a team that went 3-0 in game 7’s last year behind last year. Bruins 2, Capitals 1

Apr 22 2012

Sideline Observations: Boston Bruins 4, Washington Capitals 3 (OT)

Tyler Seguin recorded the game-winner on Sunday, which forced a seventh game on Wednesday at the TD Garden! (Photo Credit: CBS Boston)

By Matt Noonan 

Facing a win or go home scenario, Boston buckled down and defeated Washington on Sunday at the Verizon Center, 4-3 in overtime, and forced a seventh game in this particular Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.

Tyler Seguin netted the game-winner at 3:17 in the extra session, and also recorded an assist in his team’s third postseason victory, while Andrew Ference, David Krejci and Rich Peverley each potted a goal for Boston.

How The Game Was Won: The Bruins earned a 3-2 lead midway through the third period before the Capitals evened the score with an Alex Ovechkin tally at 15:08, which prompted an extra session.

In the fourth frame, Boston earned their second overtime victory of the series on their third strike by Seguin, who managed to weave past Washington’s netminder Braden Holtby, (27 saves) for the clincher.

Seguin’s Goal Cracked Holtby: With a chance to help his team punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Washington’s 22-year-old netminder deflected two shots by Boston in overtime, but couldn’t contain their third, as Seguin snuck the puck past Holtby for the game-winning goal.

Seguin’s strike propelled an animated postgame celebration on the ice, and pushed the momentum arrow toward Boston. It also exhibited that Holtby isn’t comfortable with traffic in front of the net, too.

Holtby has been rather impressive against Boston, but one might wonder, will he be able to rebound on Wednesday?

Two-Goal First Period: Entering Sunday’s afternoon affair, Boston had won 16 contests when they scored two or more goals in the first period.

Against the Capitals, the Bruins ended the opening period with a 2-1 lead, and wound up beating their first round foe by one goal.

Boston is now 17-0-0 when notching two or more tallies in the opening frame.

Game No. 7: Last season, Boston won two consecutive game sevens, and will attempt to earn their first of the 2012 playoffs on Wednesday.

Apr 19 2012

Sideline Observations – Washington Capitals 2, Boston Bruins 1

By NoontimeSports.com 

Washington’s Braden Holtby deflected 44 of 45 shots between the pipes, and yielded one Boston goal, as the Capitals defeated the Bruins at the Verizon Center, 2-1.

Boston and Washington have now won two contests — both at home and on the road — and will play at least two more contests.

Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin provided Washington with two goals, while Rich Peverley notched Boston’s only strike in the first period.

Tim Thomas concluded the game with 19 saves, too.

Boston’s power play woes continued, as they ended the contest 0 for 1, while Washington recorded a power play at 18:43 in the second period.

Both teams will return to the ice on Saturday afternoon, as Boston will host Washington for a critical fifth game of the series. Last year, Boston won the fifth game of their opening round series against Montreal, and wound up defeating the Canadiens in seven games.

What will happen this year? Thoughts? Ideas? Analysis? Feel free to post your comments about this particular series below!

Apr 17 2012

Daily Noontime – April 17, 2012

Zdeno Chara netted the game-winning goal on Monday, which helped Boston defeat Washington, 4-3! (Photo Credit: ChiTown Nation)

By NoontimeSports.com 

Happy Tuesday to everyone, and welcome into yet another tremendous edition of the Daily Noontime! Let’s jumpstart the day with some news and headlines from the city of… winners!

* The Boston Bruins earned one-game series lead on Monday, as they defeated the Washington Capitals, 4-3. Zdeno Chara netted the game-winning goal late in the third period, while Tim Thomas deflected 29 shots between the pipes.

* Boston will attempt to earn a two-game lead on Thursday when they return to the ice for Game No. 4. The last time the Bruins led a series 2-1 was against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, which Boston won.

* According to reports – Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom received a “match penalty” at the end of Game No. 3 on Monday, which means he’ll most likely miss the fourth game of this particular series. Also, the league will now have to review the play, too.

* Boston and Tampa Bay concluded their four-game series on Monday, and sadly, the Red Sox didn’t record a sweep, as Sean Rodriguez scored the only run of the day for the Rays. Daniel Bard lasted six and two-thirds innings, and managed to fan seven batters. However, Bard’s only mistake was allowing Rodriguez to score after walking Evan Longoria in the seventh inning.

* The Red Sox will look to snap their one-game losing streak on Tuesday when they welcome the Texas Rangers to Fenway Park — first pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm – Jon Lester opposes Colby Lewis.

* The Boston Celtics will look to earn their third consecutive victory on Tuesday when they travel to New York to face the Knicks — tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm.

* Finally, Wesley Koir and Sharon Cherop won the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday.

Apr 16 2012

Sideline Observations – Boston Bruins 4, Washington Capitals 3

Zdeno Chara's third period goal lifted Boston past Washington, 4-3! (Photo Credit: Zimbio.com)

By Matt Noonan 

For the second time in five days, Boston ended a contest on the winning end, as the Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals, 4-3 at the Verizon Center.

Here are some postgame reactions and thoughts.

How The Game Was Won: With roughly two minutes remaining, and the score tied, 3-3, Boston’s Zdeno Chara whipped a shot from the nearside wing past Washington’s Braden Holtby, (25 saves) which clinched the victory for the Bruins.

Boston’s Fourth Line Sparked The Offense: Let’s give some props to the Bruins fourth line, which tied this particular match in the second period when Daniel Paille wristed a shot past Holtby. That strike rejuvenated the Black and Gold, and helped them register two more tallies before the buzzer sounded.

It All Starts With Defense: With a chance to earn a 2-1 lead in the series, Boston’s top defensive unit – Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg – ramped up their  intensity, and provided some physical blows late in the third period, which helped set up the game-winning goal.

Both players finished the contest with 11 combined hits, and five shots on net.

The Bruins Power Play: Once again, Boston ended another postseason contest with no power play goals. The Bruins are currently 0-for-11 against the Capitals when they have an extra skater, and will attempt to snap their scoreless streak on Thursday, Apr. 19.

Other Notes:

* Washington outshot Boston, 32-29. 

* Washington ended the game with one power play goal, but failed to capitalize on their second, third and fourth chances.

* The last time Boston led a series, 2-1 was against Tampa Bay in 2011 during the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bruins wound up winning that particular series, 4-3, and then defeated the Vancouver Canucks to claim their sixth Stanley Cup championship.

Apr 16 2012

Daily Noontime – April 16, 2012

David Ortiz recorded his second double and his 10th RBI of the season on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays! (Photo Credit: USA Today)

By NoontimeSports.com

Happy Patriots Day! It’s going to be a scorcher, but before we melt away, let’s kick-start the day with news and headlines!

* The Boston Red Sox earned their third consecutive win on Sunday, as they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-4. David Ortiz recorded a double, and his 10th RBI, while Cody Ross smacked his second home run of the season. Also, Mike Aviles went 1-for-4 with a home run and RBI.

* Boston and Tampa Bay will conclude their four-game series on Monday at 11AM – Daniel Bard opposes James Shields.

* On Sunday evening, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine told WHDH-TV’s SportsXTra that he doesn’t think Kevin Youkilis is “physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past for some reason.”

* The Boston Celtics concluded the weekend with a 2-1 record, as they defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 94-82. Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass both registered 22 points, while Rajon Rondo tallied 20 points and 16 assists. The Green and White will conclude their road trip on Tuesday when they travel to New York to face the Knicks.

* Finally, the Boston Bruins will attempt to earn their second win against the Washington Capitals on Monday, as both teams return to the ice for Game No. 3 of this best of seven series. Washington won Game No. 2 on Saturday, 2-1 in double OT, while Boston captured the first contest, 1-0 in overtime.

Apr 14 2012

Sideline Observations – Washington Capitals 2, Boston Bruins 1

Nicklas Backstrom evened the Bruins-Caps series with a double OT goal! (Photo Credit: Baltimore Sports Report)

By Brian Willwerth 

Two games, two overtime thrillers. And what started, as a best of seven is now a best of five.

On Saturday afternoon, Nicklas Backstrom scored early in double-OT to give the Capitals a 2-1 victory over the Bruins. The Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series is tied at a game apiece.

Game 3 is Monday night at the Verizon Center.

How the game was won: The Caps won a faceoff in the offensive zone.  Backstrom ended up with it in the left faceoff circle and wristed it past Tim Thomas for the game-winner.

As even as it gets: Through two games, each team has one win. Each team has scored two goals. Each team has scored one overtime goal. Both goaltenders have been stellar, with an edge to the Caps’ Braden Holtby (72 saves in the series.)

Other notes:

Thomas’ postseason shutout streak ended at 161 minutes, 41 seconds, as Troy Brouwer scored in the second frame. Thomas hadn’t allowed a goal since Game 6 of last year’s Stanley Cup Final.