All In a Good Night's Work

All in one night, the Bruins honored a 92-year-old legend got honored, and they pulled a win against Phil Kessel and the Leafs. Before the puck dropped, the Boston Bruins held a ceremony for legend Milt Schmidt. Schmidt was honored for the 75th anniversary of his signing with the B's. In his time with the team, Schmidt was a player, captain, coach, and general manager for the B's.

After the ceremony, the puck dropped between the two rivals and the game started. Phil Kessel was welcomed to the garden to boo's and taunting from the fans. During the game, Kessel was not able to score a goal with Tim Thomas. With that, his scoreless streak against the B's still stands.

In the meantime, Thomas got his fifth straight win in row to start the season, the fist time a B's goalie has done this since the 1937-38 season. Also, in another milestone of the game, Patrice Bergeron scored the first goal of the game, his first goal of the season, and his 100th goal of his career.

The other Bruins goal was scored by rookie Tyler Seguin, his 2nd of the season. Right after he scored, the Garden crowd started taunting Phil Kessel in cheering "Thank You Kessel". For those who don't know the story, to make it short: Kessel used to play for the Bruins, but in the offseason of '09 he basically wanted to leave, so the B's traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs (our oponent of the night) for the second overall draft pick in this year's draft. That pick ended up being Tyler Seguin, who scored the goal and thus, the chant.

So in the end, it was a great night. A legend was honored for his service to the team, and he got to watch that team win in a 2-0 shutout against their rivals. Thats what I call a successfull night.

I Love Off-Season Red Sox Talk but Let's Leave VMart Out of It

When baseball season is over and there aren't any games to talk about my inclination is to start discussing off-season moves. I really enjoy talking about the possibilities and changes that may occur. They are always tinged with regret though because usually I don't really want to give up anyone, just get new people, but the thought of what we could get and what it would take is exciting. Last year I worried about Jason Bay but wasn't particularly attached to him so when he left for the Mets I wasn't heartbroken. I also was concerned about Josh Beckett's contract last off-season but I knew that even if he didn't sign anything we would still have him for at least one more year. 

This off-season I am more than happy to discuss the utter impossibility of getting Cliff Lee, whether the Red Sox should go after Werth or Crawford, and if Youk will have to move to third because first basemen seem more plentiful than third. One thing I really don't want to discuss though, is Victor Martinez. All signs are pointing to him not staying here and the names being tossed about as his replacement don't make me happy. So unless you want to discuss how certain you are that we are going to keep VMart, let's just leave his name out of the discussion.

Tim Thomas Still Riding the Hot Hand

Last night, and even the game on Tuesday, Tim Thomas continued to show signs of his Vezina self. Playing Ovechkin and the Caps both nights, Thomas only allowed a goal in each game. Along with that, he made some incredible saves, showing that he can still stand on his head.

Thomas has started in 4 games in a row, allowing no more than a goal in each game. Add to that a .978 SV% and a .75 GAA, we can officially say that Timmy is no more of himself of lst year. No one knows yet who will start in net against the Rangers on Saturday, as everyone is staying mum.

As much as I love Timmy, I would like to see Tuukka in net, as its been a little too long since the last time he played. Plus, I don't want his record sitting there at 0-1. It would be nice to see him get a win.

Now whoever gets the start, I hope they can keep up the blockage in net. This is litterally the best start to a season the Bruins have had in years. In my point of view, this may actually be the year the B's make it all the way. But we will have to wait and see how well that goes.

Team Timmy or Team Tuukka

To tell you the truth, I don't know the exact point where the story of the 2 Bruins goalies turned into the hockey version of the Twilight Saga, but apparently it did. We're about to play game 4 of the season and fans are already choosing sides. I mean seriously, yes, I do have my favorite out of the 2, who doesn't? And I'm sure Im guilty of this, but to complain just because your favorite goalie isn't getting the start is just plain stupid. And annoying.

Tim Thomas will be getting the start will be getting the start tonight against the Caps. I agree with the choice. Now before all you Team Tuukka people cut my throat out, let me explain. Or I can let Thomas' numbers eplain for themself: .984 save%, 0.50 GAA, 2nd in each of those categories; and a 2-0 win record. Yes, I agree, no one can rule Tuukka out because his first game wasn't the best, but why rule out Timmy? Yea sure, there was last season, but right now we're playing in this season, and so far Timmy's numbers are good for this year.

To be honest, all choices are made and should be made for the better of the team. If Tim Thomas is the starter for the game, I'll be happy. If Tuukka is the starter, I'll be happy then too, because he is also a part of the team, and he played a game where the loss wasn't completely his fault.

And to make another point, we have probably one of the best goalie pairs in the NHL. Both are good, both are dependable. I don't understand why some Bruins fans are choosing sides when we have 2 goalies who can both perfectly win a game. Not many teams have that. Then again, some teams don't even have 1 goalie thats good.

So if I had to choose a team, it would have to be team Bruins. If either goalie started, I'd be okay knowing that we always have the chance of winning the game. Now where do you stand? If you a person who prefers a goalie, which one?

Early Off-Season Moves Meet With My Approval

There will come a time this off-season I'm sure when I curse Theo Epstein's name and wonder why he wants to make my life miserable with the moves he has made. However, this early in the off-season I have nothing but praise for what he's done. Get rid of Kevin Cash? Yes! I have been hoping for that since Tek came off the DL. Get rid of Dusty Brown? I feel bad for the guy but I'm OK with that move. Get rid of Rich Hill to Pawtucket? Sure, why not? Sign Salty to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration? Yes, please! I also appreciate that all the reports that I heard about the Salty signing mentioned that the contract has different amounts based on whether he is in the minors or the majors last year. Perhaps that is standard on this kind of contract but I like the thought the option is still there to start him in Pawtucket and have Tek and Victor back as our catchers next year.  So I will hold onto my good feelings for Theo for now until he inevitably drops a bomb on me and makes me rue the day I ever started watching the Red Sox.

Bruins Posessed the Devils

After almost a week since their last game in Prague, the Bruins beat the New Jersey Devils 4-1. Quite the physical game, overall the B's played a great game. All the goals of the game were scored in the 2nd period.

Tim Thomas started in his 2nd straight game in net, and showed why he deserved to be there. Thomas made 31 overall saves, a few of them spectaculer and important. This game, along with the start from last Sunday, just may be a sign the 2008-2009 Thomas is back in form.

The first goal of the game was scored by New Jersey's Dainius Zubrus 3:45 into the 2nd period. After that, the B's had 4 unanswered goals to pull them to the win. Rookie Jordan Caron got his first NHL goal of his career to tie the game 5:38 into the 2nd period. Rookie Tyler Seguin then got his first assist of his NHL career, when Michael Ryder scored 5 minutes later. At 16:43, Shawn Thorton got his first goal since October 3 of last season, putting the B's up 3-1. Finally, at 18:09 in the 2nd period, Milan Lucic scored the 4th Bruins goal.

Overall, the Bruins played a great game. They were physical, scored goals, and made important saves. They played like they wanted to win. If I must say so myself, if the Bruins keep this up, they will have so much more success than last season.

Now, what do you think of the Bruins' play tonight? Leave your opinion in a comment below.

Because It's Never to Early to Start Making Predictions About Next Year

Now that I've had a little time to digest the fact that the season is actually over and there will be no Red Sox to watch for quite a few months now, I'm ready to turn my attention to next year. Although I love watching baseball and miss it I must admit that I really, really enjoy talking about off-season moves. October, of course, is much too early to really make any predictions about next year so all of my outlandish predictions I am about to make are based solely in my imagination and have just a slight handhold on reality.

1. Josh Beckett will return in 2011 as a soulless, pitching monster and rightfully regain his place as the Red Sox ace. This one is really a no brainer. Things can't get worse for Josh, they can only get better. So if one is to assume that next year is going to be better for Josh, let's go whole hog and say not only will it be better, it will be his ultimate year. You thought 2007 was good? It was nothing compared to what 2011 will be like.

2. Jason Varitek will return to the Red Sox for one more year and announce he will retire at the end of 2011. A win-win for everyone. Tek gets to stay with the Red Sox for one more year and leave with the dignity and send-off he deserves. In the meantime, he will continue to be Josh's catcher (thus ensuring Josh of his monster year, see prediction #1), do some great hitting when he is in the lineup, and continue to do an excellent job of backing up VMart. Which brings us to ...

3. Victor Martinez will sign a 4 year deal with the Red Sox for a reasonable amount of money. Victor doesn't want a huge payout, he just wants what he deserves and a little job security to go with it. I predict Theo will see that this is the way to go with Salty not being ready to be the full-time catcher and no free agent or trade available catchers who are better than Victor. Combine that with the fact that Clay loves him and really, I don't see why it is a question whether he should be signed or not.

4. Youk moves to 3rd base and the Red Sox get some new 1st baseman. I'm not ready to predict who they might get to play 1st base but I have a hunch that Beltre won't be back next year and 1st basemen seem more plentiful than 3rd basemen. I prefer Youk at 1st myself.

5. Darnell McDonald comes back as a utility man but Daniel Nava does not. Darnell I can easily see slipping into the Bill Hall role (although hopefully we won't need him as much as we needed Hall) but I think Nava will go on to smaller, greener pastures. I wish him the best of luck.

6. Jacoby Ellsbury will be back in centerfield and all will be forgiven all around. Look, everyone had bad feelings last year about the Ellsbury situation. He wasn't happy, the Red Sox weren't happy, the media wasn't happy (or maybe they were because it made a good story), fans weren't happy. I predict next year Jacoby will regain his place in centerfield, steal a million bases, be a fantastic lead-off hitter, and make everyone forget about this debacle.

7. Lowrie and Scoots will have a knock down drag-em-out fight during Spring Training for the shortstop position. And Lowrie will win. Scoots will be back up. Lowrie is tougher than he looks and could totally take down Scoots.

8. Jon Lester will win the Cy Young award. I predicted this would happen this year but that's not looking like it will pan out so I'm going with 2011 being his year. Now remember, Josh is having a monster year this year so that means Jon has to be a smidgen better. This will make Josh even more motivated for 2012.

9. Papelbon will start the year out as the closer but Daniel Bard will finish the year as the closer. Pap is still good and I'd love to see him bounce back but my prediction is he won't and Bard will be eased in.

10. J.D. Drew will continue to quietly kick ass. Yeah, J.D. had a slight off year in 2010 but I think next year he'll be back to form. No one will notice though because he will be so unobtrusive about it.

11. The Red Sox will win the World Series. Why not?

Prague Ends In a Split

For those that missed the opening Bruins series in Prague over the weekend, it ended in a split, 1-1, against the Coyotes.

It was a good start for rookie Tyler Seguin, who got his first regular season NHL goal on Sunday. Nathan Horton, also new to the team, had a good start himself on Saturday, providing the only 2 Bruins goals of the game.

Tuukka Rask took the start, along with the loss, in the season opener on Saturday. Tim Thomas had the start, and win, on Sunday.

The second game overall was better than the first. On Sunday, the Bruins played with more emotion and grit. This helped lead them to the win.

Though they've only played 2 games so far, and their next game isn't until this Saturday, I'm optomistic that this is the year of the bear. The front office made some needed improvements during the offseason, and they started to show on Sunday.

Hopefully, Marc Savard will recover soon enough and add to those improvements. With a 1-1 record to begin with. I can only see this team going up, and I hope its true.

What are your predictions for the season? Comment below with what you think.