St. Louis The Biggest Threat In The West?

The St. Louis Blues have shocked the hockey world by rising to the top of the Western Conference

This season has been a shocking one for the Western Conference. The San Jose Sharks are fighting for a playoff spot, the Kings are fighting for their playoff lives despite the acquistions of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, and the 7-11 seeds are mere single digit points away from each other in the standings, Dallas is sitting in playoff position threatening to overtake San Jose and the three seed, and the Blackhawks and Red Wings are in a heated race for the second spot in the Central Divison.. And to top it all off, the St. Louis Blues have overtaken the conference and currently sit in first place with 103 points, just two ahead of the Vancouver Canucks. The Blues' success stems from consistent effort night in and night out, contributions from young guns T.J. Oshie and Alex Pietrangelo, and depth throughout the lineup that includes solid point contributions from Valdimir Sobotka, David Perron, Patrik Berglund, Chris Stewart, and veterans such as Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner.

The Blues' top line of Perron - Backes - Oshie has been on fire this year, combining for a total of 143 points to lead the charge in St. Louis. The team's depth goes beyond that though, and despite the lack of a pure goal scorer (it is very likely no player on the Blues will reach the 30 goal plateau), the Blues have players that contribute both offensively and defensively night in and night out. Their third line of Alex Steen - Jason Arnott - Jamie Langenbrunner provides a good veteran presence with two players (Arnott, Langenbrunner) who have experience in deep playoff runs during their years with the New Jersey Devils as well as providing solid offensive contributions (combining for a total of 78 points to date) and playing well at both ends of the ice. Rookie Jaden Schwartz, the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has played well in his four games played, scoring two goals and notching one assist for three points. While that may seem like nothing, three points in five games is very good for a player with no previous NHL experience, and he projects to be a solid contributor during the Blues' upcoming playoff run.

On the back end, young studs Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk have stepped up big for St. Louis, contributing 49 and 41 points respectively, very good numbers for defensemen. Carlo Colaiacovo and Barret Jackan have provided shutdown qualities, contributing to the Blues' league leading goals against average, currently under 2.0 per game. They also have allowed the fewest shots per game in the league.

The Blues are very much like our Boston Bruins. They don't have a true superstar, but they are a team. They have a great amount of chemistry and are built from the goalie out. Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot have both been stellar this year, their defense is high quality, and their offense has been playing extremely well. St. Louis is a team that is poised to make a very deep run into the playoffs, and don't be surprised if you see them make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Assuming the Bruins can make it out of the East again, the Blues are most definitely the biggest threat to them repeating as champions, and they are also the biggest Western Conference threat and have a very good chance of taking home Lord Stanley this season.

Time For The Bruins To Make A Statement

For Bruins fans, Tuesday night may have been the night that turns any patience that may have been left and turned into utter frustration and dissapointment. A 6-1 blowout at the hands of the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning. On a night where the only highlight for the Bruins was Steven Stamkos scoring his 50th goal of the season against them, the team came out flat and never receovered. Within 4 minutes they were in a 3-0 hole, with head coach Claude Julien forced to pull veteran backup Marty Turco and replace him with the extremely fatigued and disiniterested Tim Thomas on a night where Thomas was supposed to get rest. Things didn't get much better, and Turco was returned to the net after the first period as all hope was lost when it came to winning the game or even scratching a point out of it. It was a night where not one single player could be called out and held responsible. It was a team effort, or lack theoreof. The entire team sucked. The offense was nowhere to be found, the defense left Turco and Thomas out to dry, and the only players that seemed to really care about winning were Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Jordan Caron, and Shawn Thornton. towards the end of the first, Thornton dropped the gloves with Tampa Bay defenseman Mike Commodore, who made the mistake of obliging as he got the ever living crap kicked out of him, in order to attempt to spark something in his team. The Bruins failed to respond though, and came out just as flat, if not even more flat, in the second and third periods.

CSNNE Bruins Insider Joe Haggerty spoke to Captain Zdeno Chara yesterday at Bruins practice, where the team was preparing for tonight's game against the Florida Panthers. Chara said that the team "Needs to get angrier after they're scored on, needs to start playing more physical, and needs to get mentally tougher". Couldn't have said it any better myself Z. During yesterday's morning skate, Chara drove forward Milan Lucic hard into the boards, causing both guys to go down, and right there Chara was sending a message. A message that he is fed up with the way the team is playing and that if they're not going to hold themselves accountable, he will hold them accountable. Chara isn't normally a vocal leader, but the man was named Captain for a reason, and that reason is becoming very clear now. He leads by example, and when things go wrong, he has no problem calling guys out and speaking up in the locker room.

As of right now, the Bruins lead the Northeast Division by one point over the Ottawa Senators with just two games in hand. This team is in danger of slipping to 7th in the conference, and possibly even slippign out of the playoffs if their poor play continues. If the Bruins can get back to their grind it out, physical, in your face style of play, they can overcome their injuries for the time being and hold their lead in the division. They need to make a statement to the rest of the conference, a statement that they aren't just going to roll over and take a beating, but instead teams are going to have to give it their absolute best effort to play with them, and a statement that they are the same team that is not afraid to drop the gloves. In the past three years, there have been two games full of fights and penalties in which the Bruins showed that they not only have each others' backs, but that they aren't going to take any crap from anyone. In 2009, the Dallas Stars came to town with Sean Avery and Steve Ott. Everyone knows the story there, the Bruins didn't put up with anything and sent a message that they were not going to be an easy team to play. The same goes for last year's Montreal game. The Bruins didn't take any crap from the Habs, and ended up winning the game 6-5 while also recording a record amount of penalty minutes total in one game. So far this year, the best opportunity for that was the Vancouver game, in which the Bruins backed down and let the Canucks take it to them. They have one more game in which they can make a statement. And what better team to do it against than the Philadelphia Flyers? There has always been some bad blood between these two teams, and at this point in the season, it could be the only chance the Bruins get to finally show that theyare the same team that won the Stanley Cup last year, and that they are the same team that utterly dominated the league during the entire months of November and December.

Whatever the Bruins are going to do, they need to figure it out, and fast. Ottawa is closing in, and the Bruins could soon find themselves fighting for their playoff lives.

When It Rains It Pours

Ladies and gentlemen, your Boston Bruins!

Remember how excited everyone was to hear that at the beginning of the season? The banner raising, the celebration of the Cup victory, and looking forward to a possible repeat. Then came the 3-7 start, and everyone was calling for Chiarelli to clow up the team. Many of us fans, including myself, had patience (although I did think a trade was necessary), and the team came around, dominating the league and winning 10 games in a row. And when I say dominated, I mean they literally blew everyone out of the water. During that stretch, they averaged 4.7 goals per game and only allowed an average of 1.7 goals per game. That's just utter domination. They continued to play well up until the game in January against Vancouver, and at that point things turned very sour very quickly. Poor effort, sloppy play, and lack of focus has led to the Bruins inconsistency in winning games. Many people thought that the acquisitions of Brian Rolston, Mike Mottau, and Greg Zanon would give guys the boost they need, adding much needed depth as well as creating job competition. There's just one problem with that though. Although Rolston has been in the lineup every day since coming over from the Islanders, he's been a non factor, and Zanon and Mottau have been taking turns playing "Who can suck more than Corvo?". They're not the only players at fault though. Top defenseman and Captain Zdeno Chara has looked gassed for almost a month now, guys like Milan Lucic bring their A game every so often and then disappear for a while, and the man who's supposed to the go to goalie and the one you rely on, Tim Thomas, looks fatigued and just flat out disinterested.

The shameful thing about this is that the Bruins have strayed away from their game, the "bust your ass and use intimidation to your advantage" style, that made them so successful during last year's Cup Run and during their two months of utter domination. They've played sloppy, they've tried to be far too cute with the puck, they come out with very lackluster efforts, and they're making excuses (See: Tim Thomas "the lighting in MSG is pretty bad, I couldn't see the puck").

Last week, they strung together two wins in a row for the first time in over a month, and it seemed that perhaps maybe they were finally turning things around. They traveled to New York for a big matinee match up against the Rangers and came out completely flat. Tim Thomas gave up soft goal after soft goal, and afterwards couldn't take accountability for his poor play. instead, he came up with the excuse that the lighting in Madison Square Garden is fairly poor and therefore he couldn't see the puck. Earth to Timmy! Lundqvist plays there for half of the regular season, and then some extra games in the playoffs. He doesn't seem to have much trouble seeing the puck with the poor lighting. You shouldn't either.

The next day they had another important game, this time in Pittsburgh. Not only did the Bruins come out flat, but they remained flat and made it look like the Penguins were scrimmaging a CHL team. The top line of Krejci - Lucic - Seguin had a good game, but they can't provide all of the offense, and not only that, but they can't play all of the defense. They're not on the ice at all times, and the other 3 lines and all of the defensive pairings need to play up the level they're capable of playing at.

Coaching is starting to become a problem as well. With the injury to Tuukka Rask, the Bruins signed free agent veteran goaltender Marty Turco to a one year deal to backup Thomas. The consensus assumption was that the workload for Thomas would be the same. Instead, Julien sends Thomas out there for eight straight games, including back to back matinees. After the first period, Thomas had to be pulled due to the soft goals he was giving up and his clear disinterest in what was going on. Turco came in in the second period and played very well, making all the saves Thomas wouldn't have, including one save that he very clearly pulled straight out of his ass. He did give up two goals, but those goals were on the defense, not him.

The injury bug has now bitten the Bruins as well, and it has bitten very hard. The Bruins left Pittsburgh with eight injured players: Benoit Pouliot, Daniel Paille, Adam McQuaid, Tuukka Rask, Nathan Horton, Rich Peverley, Patrice Bergeron, and Providence call up Maxime Sauve. When the Bruins are fully healthy, they are a dangerous team with a very good defense and a potent offense when playing at their peak. But, with eight players injured, it's hard to play well when you have a major lack of depth in your minor league system. With Ottawa creeping up on the Bruins in the Northeast Divison, it's a very real possibility that the Bruins fall out of the top 3 and down into the bottom 3, where they will have to fight for their playoff lives, and I personally am not sure they would make the playoffs in that case.

The frustration is mounting in fans, and it's only a matter of time before this team either picks it up and gets back to their normal play or completely implodes and falls out of playoff contention.

Bruins, Turco Agree To Deal

The Bruins have agreed to terms with free agent goalie Marty Turco

With the "lower body injury" to Tuukka Rask, the Bruins were in clear need for goaltending help. They had called up Michael Hutchinson from AHL Providence to warm the bench during the game against the Rangers, but it was clear to all fans that Hutchinson isn't capable of filling in once or twice per week to give Thomas some rest.

So, Peter Chiarelli decided to look outside the organization for help. And by outside, I mean way outside. He and former Dallas goalie Marty Turco agreed to terms on a one year contract that won't become official until he clears waivers. If he clears waivers, that is. Turco had been playing for a European League team out in Austria, and there's a 50/50 chance, according to Chiarelli, that Turco clears waivers. According to Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe, two teams that may place a claim on Turco are Ottawa and Tampa Bay (Tiwtter Link).

Personally I would be surprised by an Ottawa claim. They recently recalled the recently acquired goaltender Ben Bishop from the AHL, and are likely to let him try and prove himself down the stretch before making any sort of move for a goalie. Tampa Bay would also be a bit surprising. They're more or less out of the playoff picture, and although Dwayne Roloson is a mere shadow of the goalie he was last year, making a short term move for yet another aging goalie would be a poor decision by Yzerman,

In any case, assuming Turco clears waivers and joins the Bruins, this is a strong addition by Chiarelli. Turco is aging, but he is still a year and a half younger than Thomas, he has a lot of previous NHL experience, despite his big flop year in Chicago, and he's ten times better than picking up some scrub out of the NCAA and praying he can fill in.

If Turco doesn't clear waivers and is indeed claimed by another team, Plan b for the Bruins is to give Hutchinson a start or two in the next couple of weeks until the organization's number 3 goalie, anton Khudobin, is healthy, at which point Hutchinson would be sent down and Khudobin called up to back up Thomas until Rask can return to the lineup.

Thanks For A Great Year Boys

Last night was a heart breaker. My hockey team, Arlington Catholic Cougars, lost our first game in the first round of the MIAA Division 1 North State Tournament. We played a good team in Chelmsford, but they're a team we could have and probably should have beaten. Perhaps we were looking too far ahead to the semi-finals against Medford, and maybe even the North Finals, and perhaps even all the way to the State Finals at the Garden. But, I can't make excuses for the boys, and they can't make excuses for themselves. Regardless, we had a great year, and I want to recognize the boys in an honorary post.

First, I just want to say to all of you guys that I had a ton of fun this year. Captains, Matt, Barry, and Jenry, I couldn't have asked for any three guys better fit to lead the team. You other seniors, Alex and Jimmy, you had a great year and I'm glad we got to be on the team together. You all stepped it up when it was most needed, and you set great examples for the younger guys on the team. We had a great four years together in the program, and I'm gonna miss playing with all of you, and I'll miss you all when we go our separate ways to college.

Juniors, OC, Vercillini, DJ, Kehoe, Clemente, Billy, Shawn, Huntie, Ronnie, Blanche, Liam, Chuck, Tim, Bastos, all of you guys, I'm gonna miss you. You guys played your hearts out this year and it's a shame that the season had to end this way. You guys have one more year left, so make it count. You have a chance to do great things next year with this squad and I want to see you make it happen. You're all great guys and I'm glad I got to be a part of the team with you.

Sophomores, Goggin, JL, Cook, Needham, Caira, Haytayan, you guys played great this year as well. I know the last three of you didn't play very much, but when you did you played with balls, heart, and determination, and you showed me and everyone else what you're capable of. Goggin and JL, you guys both had a terrific season. Being named CCL All Sars in your first full year of Varsity is a hell of an accomplishment, and I expect more of the same play I saw this year and last in your last two years. Aaron Cook, what can I say about you kid? You're one of the fastest guys on the team, and you use that to your advantage. You play with guts as well, you go into the corners and battle for the puck like your life depends on it all the time. It's the type of play that helps you succeed, and I want to see more of that in your last two years as well.

To all you freshmen, Snow, Smitty, Spags, Jason, Tierney, Rogers, Jake, you all played well when you played. Snow, Smitty, Spags, you three had great years. You've got a ton of talent, and you guys should put it to use in the next three years. Snow and Smitty, you guys both have a nose for the net. You guys scored some big goals for us this year and I enjoyed watching you guys solidify your spots on the second line. Spags, you're a playmaker kid. you see the ice very well. I may start calling you Matrix. Don't let that talent go to waste man, and don't let it discourage you from scoring either. You're a great player with a ton of talent and a ton of potential and I want to see you tearing it up over your next three years. Jason, you're a good player kid. It's a damn shame about your wrist, I'm sure you would've loved to play. You're talented, and you have a chance to be a consistent contributor on the squad, so make sure you give 110% every second of every shift and you'll be one of the better players. Tierney, Rogers, Jake, you guys only dressed a game or two each, but all three of you have potential, and I can see the talent that you guys have that got you your varsity call ups. Keep working hard and you three will be full time varsity next year. Lastly, to all of you freshmen, remember this feeling. Remember how it feels to lose a playoff game and get sent home. Don't forget how this feels. use it to motivate yourselves, and use to make sure this doesn't happen again.

I want to thank every single one of you guys for a great year. I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to play with and work with. I enjoyed every second of this season, and nothing will ever come close to replicating the year we had. I'll miss every one of you, and I wish I could go back and do this all over again. I would've given anything to be out there with you guys. I would've given anything for just one more shift. Just one shift. I would've given anything to get one. Don't forget that. Don't forget how lucky you are to be on the squad playing, because the feeling you have when you can't play is one of the worst. Juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, cherish your time here at AC. It goes by so fast, almost like the blink of an eye. Before you know it, you'll be walking out of the locker room like I was last night. In tears, knowing it's the end of your high school career, knowing you could've done more, wishing you could go back to the beginning and do everything over again. Wear the blue and gold with pride every game, and bust your ass and give 150% for every second of every shift you get. Never take a shift off, always give it everything you have in the tank, leave everything out on the ice. You have a chance for something really special next year. Don't waste it.

I'll miss you all, and I wish every one of the best of luck in your AC careers.

I'll never forget that year. 2010 State Champions. I am and always will be an Arlington Catholic Cougar.