©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins survived the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 7 games in the series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The score in game 7 was 7 to 4. The difference was the 3rd period where the Bruins lit the lamp 4 times. They move on to the 2nd– round to take on the Tampa Bay Lightening. The series starts tomorrow in Tampa Bay. The Boston Bruins were lucky to knock off Toronto. They were leading the series 3-1 and let Toronto win the next 2 to force a game 7. Boston is looking to make a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2013 when they went to the Stanley Cup Final. The Bruins and the Lightening squared off 4 times this year. The Bruins skated off with a 3-1 record in the regular season. Tampa Bay avoided a season sweep by beating the Bruins on April 3rd, 4-0. The Bruins in this series must keep the offense going. Against Toronto, they averaged 4.00 goals per game. They have the

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins lead the best of 7 series over the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1.   The Bruins won games 1 and 2 handily, outscoring the Maple Leafs 12-4. Of course, that was at home in Boston. In game 3 the Maple Leafs needed a victory and were the better team. They came away with a 4-2 win. Game 4 is tomorrow night. The Bruins must play better in the neutral zone. They were unable to poke check the puck away from the Maple Leafs allowing Toronto to have scoring chances. The Bruins were lucky only 4 goals went in. It could have been much worse. Tuukka Rask saved them time and time again. The Bruins must convert on power play chances. On the road they were 0-1. If they had scored, it could have turned the game around. On the other hand, the Bruins didn’t kill off their only penalty of the night and the Maple Leafs made them pay. When the Bruins have their opportunity on the power play, set it up. They have one of the hard

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude   The Boston Bruins have their 1 st -round matchup for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. They will face the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins had trouble with this team in the regular season going 1-2-1. The series starts on Thursday. The Bruins have home ice advantage in this series which should help. They were an impressive 28-8-5 at home.   If this series goes to a game 7, at least Boston would play at home which could help them advance. The Bruins are going to be tough to beat because of their ability to score. During the regular season they averaged 3.26 goals per game, 6 th in the NHL. David Pastrnak leads the team with 35 goals. Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron also went over the 30-goal mark this season. The skaters must score early and often. The Maple Leafs are going to have to figure a way to shut them down. It won’t be easy because of the Bruins' speed. Boston plays decent

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins are 47-17-11 for 105 points and are 2 nd place in the Atlantic Division. Even though this year isn’t done, the Bruins are looking ahead to next season. Defenseman and captain Zdeno Chara agreed to a 1-year extension. This will pay him a base salary of $5 million and adds another $1.75 million with incentives. His current contract runs out at the end of the season. Chara has been the top defenseman for the Boston Bruins. His size at 6-foot 9-inches allows him to check opponents off the puck and block shots in the defensive zone.  On the offensive zone, he creates power with his slap shot to score goals and is the quarterback on the power play.  In his career Chara has scored 195 goals and added 432 assists for a total of 627 points. 92 of those goals are with the man advantage. This season Chara has played well for the Bruins with 7 goals and 16 assists for total of 23 points. 

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins face the Columbus Blue Jackets at home tonight before heading on a 4-game Western Conference road trip. It is possible they will have center Patrice Bergeron back in the lineup. He hasn’t played since February 27th due to a broken foot. According to masslive.com, General Manager Don Sweeny said, “I think he’ll get back on the ice and reintegrate. We don’t have a definitive timetable. The x-ray and the scan and our doctors will set sort of a hopeful timeframe, but, again, that’s the healing process. He may join us on the trip here, but we’re going to wait and see tomorrow and see where he’s at.” That is positive news for the Bruins.  Bergeron is one of the Bruins’ best forwards.  He scored 27 goals and 27 assists for a total of 54 points so far this season.  Bergeron is valuable in all situations.  On the power play, the Bruins can count on him to set up in front of the goaltender for tip-ins or rebound op

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins will be missing one of their most dangerous centers, Patrice Bergeron.  He has a fractured right foot and will be evaluated in two weeks.  This is going to hurt the Bruins in the long run.  According to ESPN.com, Bruins’ coach Bruce Cassidy said, “It’s gonna hurt -  but we’ve been through this early in the year with guys stepping up. Not one guy will replace Bergy.” Bergeron was important to the offense.  He is the one that sets up in front of goaltenders for tip-ins.  Bergeron also is able to create scoring opportunities with his speed.  His speed doesn’t allow defensemen to knock him off the puck.  He goes after rebounds when shots are taken by his teammates and puts them in the back of the net when the goaltender can’t hold onto it.  Bergeron has 27 goals and 27 assists for total of 54 points so far this season.  Nine of those goals came on the power play. This is a big loss offensively.  The Bruin

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins made a pair of moves to solidify their Stanley Cup aspirations.  Boston traded for forward Rick Nash and signed Brian Gionta. Rick Nash was acquired from the New York Rangers for forwards Ryan Spooner and Matt Beleskey, prospect defenseman Ryan Lindgren, a 1st round draft pick this year, and a 7th round draft pick in 2019. Gionta reached a 1-year deal worth $700,000. General Manager of the Boston Bruins Don Sweeney said, “Our players have made a push and I wanted to inch that along if we could, and reward it in a way.” The Bruins gave up a lot for Nash.  He is a “superstar.”  This season, playing for the Rangers, Nash was unstoppable scoring 18 goals and 10 assists for a total of 28 points.  He can play on the power play and power kill situations.  He sets up in front of the goaltender for tip-ins on the power play.  On the power play kill, his speed makes it difficult for opponents to knock him o

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins made a trade ahead of Monday’s trade deadline.  The Bruins sent defenseman Rob O'Gara and a 3rd-round 2018 draft pick to the New York Rangers for defenseman Nick Holden.  Holden is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season so he might be a "rental" for the final 25 games. Holden is 30 years old and will help this Bruins team.  He can block shots from getting to the goaltender, poke-check the puck away ending opponents scoring chances, and check skaters off the puck. Not only can Holden do it on the defensive end, but he can also help offensively.  Holden shoots the puck from the blue line with one-timers or slap shots.  He has 3 goals and 9 assists for a total of 12 points, all coming on full strength. If they need him to do so, Holden is able to play on the power play and power play kill.  In his 7-year NHL career, he has 7 goals and 11 assists on the power p

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The New York Rangers are looking to trade Ryan McDonagh.  Two teams are interested in the defenseman: the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins.  The Bruins could use him to improve the defense.  According to stanleycupofchowder.com, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said, “Ryan McDonagh, I mean he’s one of the biggest names on the market right now.  A lot of teams are looking at Boston and saying, A: they can do it, we mentioned Tampa and B: there may be a fit on the left side of their defense.” McDonagh is an offensive defenseman.  He can skate, block shots, score goals, and he can feed his teammates on the open ice for goals.  McDonagh has played in the NHL for the last 7 seasons, all with the New York Rangers.  This season, he has 2 goals and 24 assists.  In his career, McDonagh has lit the lamp 51 times with 187 assists for 238 points. And the Bruins could use an offensive defenseman.  They have Zdeno Chara who ha

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Celtics retired Paul Pierce’s number on Sunday.     Pierce played 15 NBA seasons with the Celtics from 1998 to 2013.     In his time with the Celtics he established himself as one of the best players in the NBA and in Boston Celtics’ history.     He averaged 21.8 points, 3.9 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game.     Boston went to the playoffs with him 10 times and won the NBA Championship in 2008.     Pierce was deserving of this highest honor since most of his career was spent with the Celtics.      Another member of the 2008 NBA Championship team who may have his number retired is Kevin Garnett.               Garnett spent 6 years of his 15-year NBA career with the Celtics.     In those years he was one of their top defenders averaging 8.3 rebounds, 1 block, and 1.2 steals per game.     His presence took pressure off of Pierce on defense.     On offense Garnett played down low near the basket allowing him t

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The NHL trade deadline is February 26th.  The Arizona Coyotes are looking to shop center Max Domi.  Domi is going to be a restricted free agent this summer.  The Coyotes are sellers since they are an NHL worst 12-31-9 for 33 points.  Domi is a forward the Bruins should want. Domi is not a goal scorer but can set up his teammates.  This season he has 3 goals and 19 assists for 22 points.  In his career so far he has 30 goals and 82 assists for 112 points.  Domi can play on the power play and at full strength. On the power play, Domi sets up near the net where he can tip the puck past the goaltender or find his teammates for scoring chances.  That tactic often ends in power play goals.  Domi has a total of 3 power play goals and 25 power play assists. On full strength he is able to skate around defense-men for scoring chances.  If Domi doesn’t score, he can feed to an open skater allowing teammates to score while the d

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins are looking like a team that will make the playoffs.  They are 28-10-8 for 64 points, 2nd in the Atlantic Division.  The Bruins may want to make a trade so that the offense is even more dangerous.  One player who might be available at the trade deadline is Ottawa Senators' left-winger Mike Hoffman. The Senators at this point look like they will be sellers at the trade deadline.  They are 16 points from the 2nd Wild Card spot, which is occupied by the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Senators are looking to shed his salary.  Hoffman is owed $5.650 million the next 2 seasons. Hoffman is a fit in Boston.  He is a scorer who can capitalize on the power play as well as perform in full strength situations.  This season Hoffman has 12 goals and 18 assists for a total of 30 points.  On the power play he totaled 4 goals and 8 assists.  Hoffman makes the Boston Bruins an even more dangerous offensive team. 

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins are halfway through the NHL season, standing 24-10-8 for a total of 56 points, 2nd in the Atlantic Division.  If the playoffs were to begin now, at the midway point of the season, the Bruins would face the Toronto Maple Leafs with Boston having home ice advantage for the 1st round. One of the biggest reasons for the successful season is the team's offense.  Boston can score, averaging 3.19 goals per game, 6th in the NHL.  The Bruins skate the puck into the offensive zone creating scoring opportunities - shots on goal scoring or generating rebound opportunities.  The Bruins are also making teams pay on the man-advantage, scoring on 20.7% of their power play chances. Boston is proving to be a decent defensive hockey team.  They don’t allow teams to spend much time in the defensive zone.   Boston gives up an impressive 2.52 goals per game, 3rd best in the NHL. And, when Boston takes penalties, team

©  2108 Jordan Long  Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude The Boston Bruins look to be an improved defensive team.  One player would be a good add is Cody Franson, recently cut by the Chicago Blackhawks.  The Bruins may want to put a waiver claim on him. Franson is an offensive defenseman.  He performs on the power play as well as full-strength situations.  On full strength, Franson checks opponents entering the defensive zone.  Those checks limit opponents’ scoring chances.  He uses his body to block shots.  In the offensive zone, Franson shoots from the blue line for goals.  When there is traffic, his teammates will tip the puck into the back of the net resulting in assists for him. On the power play Franson is the quarterback to set up the play.  He has a hard slap-shot and one timer for goals and rebounds.  He has 4 power play assists this season.  In 23 games for the Blackhawks, Franson’s play was poor with 1 goal and 6 assists for a total of 7 points, far from the lev

  © 2107 Jordan Long Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude! The Boston Bruins are on a roll with a 4-game winning streak heading into tomorrow night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. In Boston’s last 17 outings they are 13-3-1.  The surge puts them at 19-10-5 overall with 43 points, 3rd in the Atlantic division.   The main reason for their terrific play is goaltender Tuukka Rask who was named the 1st NHL Star of the Week for his play. Rask has been unbelievable in December to this point with a record of 7-0-1.  According to bostonherald.com Rask said, ”The last month was good.  We’re trending in the right direction and playing the way we want to play, and it’s been resulting in wins." Rask is the reason they are winning hockey games.  He is been able to stop the puck from entering the net.  Teams need to ride a hot goaltender for victories and that is what Boston is doing with Rask. It is not all on Rask though.  The Bruins have to give credit to their defe

© 2107 Jordan Long Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude!      The Boston Bruins will have an important defenseman back in the lineup soon -- Adam McQuaid.  He has been out since October 19th because of a broken right leg.  But he practiced with his teammates Monday as part of his rehab program.  According to NBCSports.com, Bruins Head Coach Bruce Cassidy said, “He’s still got a ways to go, so I don’t want to even speculate [on a return date].  We’ll start to sort the pieces together when he’s truly ready to play, but it’s nice to have him around.  He’s a great guy and his teammates all love him.” McQuaid is a large part of the Bruins’ defense.  He plays on the power play kill and full strength.  McQuaid is able to poke check the puck from entering the defensive zone.  Teams are thwarted from setting up in Boston’s zone because of his checking.  McQuaid brings value by blocking shots from being on net.  When the Bruins have the puck in the offensive en

© 2107 Jordan Long Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude! The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks will meet at the 80,000-seat Notre Dame Stadium for the Winter Classic January 1, 2019. According to ESPN, Bruins President Cam Neely said, "The rich history of Notre Dame Stadium is well documented, and our team looks forward to playing at such an iconic venue.  We hope that, by participating in these large-scale and unique NHL events, we can bring Bruins’ fans new hockey experiences, and that we can use these opportunities to help grow our great game and attract new fans." The game is a year away.  The Bruins have played in two of these outdoor games, winning in 2010 against Philadelphia 2-1 in Fenway but losing to Montréal at Gillette Stadium last year 5-1. For the Bruins, Chicago is the right pick.  The Bruins and the Blackhawks are original NHL 8 teams.  Both teams have a rich history, not only in the NHL but playing each other. Another reason the NHL picked

© 2107 Jordan Long   Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude! The Boston Bruins are going Ducks hunting Wednesday in Anaheim.  Center David Krejci has been out of the lineup since October 19th due to a back problem.  Boston has gone 3-3-3 in his absence.  According to masslive.com/bruins, Krejci has not been ruled out for the game. The Bruins need Krejci in the lineup.  Not only can he play on full strength, but he is valuable to the power play.  On full strength, he is able to win face-offs and carry the puck into the zone.  Krejci’s speed allows him to create scoring chances by himself or pass to a teammate for a shot on goal, usually ending in goals. On the power play Krejci is screening the opponents' goalie.  From there he can tip the puck past the goaltender.  Other times he feeds  teammates with a pass giving them a wide open net to score.  Krejci has scored 1 goal and 5 assists.  His lone goal came on the power play.  He also has 3 power play assists. The Bruins

© 2107 Jordan Long Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude! The Boston Bruins are one month into the hockey season.    Their record is 4-3-3 for a total of 11 points.    They have 72 games left in the season. The Bruins are doing a decent job scoring goals.    They average 3 goals per game.    The Bruins are able to spend time in the offensive zone and are creating scoring chances; more times than not those end in goals. The Bruins are playing well on special teams, taking advantage of opponents’ penalties, scoring on 28.9% of those opportunities.    The Bruins are not allowing rival teams to take the puck away from them.    Boston is setting up the power play and is able to shoot pucks on net.    Those become rebounds that can end up in the back of the net.    On the power play kill, they are not allowing teams to set up in their defensive zone.    When they do, the Bruins block the shot before it comes to the goaltender.    They will fire the puck to the other end to t

© 2107 Jordan Long Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude! The Boston Bruins look to go above .500 for the first time this year.    They host the San Jose Sharks tomorrow night.    The Bruins have a goaltender controversy early in this young season between Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin. Rask may start in net for the Bruins.    He missed the last 2 games with a concussion.    Rask’s year has been poor to this point.    His record is 1-3 with an unimpressive goals against average of 3.30.    His save percentage is .882. Rask can make some saves, but he has allowed too many goals.    When opponents shoot the puck, Rask can stop the puck but gives up rebound chances for the opponents.    Those rebounds come to an open skater who puts it in the back of the net for goals.    It hasn’t been all his fault since his defense isn’t playing well in front of him but he still must cover the puck. On the other hand Anton Khudobin is far outplaying Rask.     Khudobin is 2-0-1 this

© 2107 Jordan Long Sports-Scoop.com | Sports with Attitude! 
The Boston Bruins are off to a tough 2-3-0 start for 4 points, 6th in the Atlantic Division.  Boston won’t play again until Thursday when they host the Vancouver Canucks. 
There are many reasons for the slow start.  Boston isn’t able to stop opponents from scoring.  They allow them to spend time in their defensive zone creating scoring opportunities that frequently end in goals.  They give up a far too many 29.2 shots per game giving opponents an average 3.60 goals per game.   
The Bruins are having difficulty on the power play kill, squandering 80% of their penalties.  They don’t shoot the puck to the other end to kill time off the penalty.  When they do, opponents block the attempt and set up their power play.  Teams will screen in front of goaltender Anton Khudobin and Tuukka Rask for tip-ins ending in goals. 
Boston hasn’t been able to generate offense.  They are scoring 2.80 goals per game.  That is