Thursday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

I was afraid of last night. Generally, they haven't played well against the new expansion teams - NASH, CBJ, ATL & MINNY

Tonight's game is definitely winnable as we all know how badly the Craps have played this year...The only bad thing is that the Craps have had the last 5 days off while the B's flew home last night after the OT loss to the Trash

BOSTON BRUINS vs. Washington Capitals
Thursday, November 20, 2003
FleetCenter; Boston MA
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Tonight?s Game
The Bruins host the Capitals tonight in the first of four games between these teams this season and the first of two games of this season?s series at FleetCenter. The Bruins are 10-2-3-3 thus far this season with a 3-1-2-1 home record. The Capitals are 5-12-1-0 thus far this season with a 2-7-1-0 road record. The Bruins are 0-2-1-1 this season vs. Southeast Division opponents and are 2-2-2-3 vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Capitals are 0-3-1-0 vs. Northeast Division opponents and are 5-6-1-0 vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 56-30-20-1 lifetime vs. Washington with a 386-294 scoring advantage in those 107 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 31-15-8-0 lifetime vs. the Capitals with a 203-146 scoring edge in those 54 contests. The Bruins are unbeaten in their last four home games vs. Washington at 3-0-1-0 with their last loss to Washington in Boston a 2-0 setback on Dec. 2, 2000. They are unbeaten in their last two games overall vs. the Capitals at 1-0-1-0 with their last loss to Washington a 5-3 loss in Washington on Dec. 19, 2002.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins had their four-game win streak and five-game unbeaten streak (4-0-1-0) snapped with a 5-4 overtime loss in Atlanta on Nov. 19. They have taken points out of each of their last ten games at 6-0-1-3 with a 5-2 win at New Jersey on Oct. 25, a 2-0 win in Montreal on Oct. 28, a 1-0 overtime loss to Montreal on Oct. 30, a 3-2 overtime loss in Pittsburgh on Nov. 1, a 5-5 tie with San Jose on Nov. 6, a 4-1 victory over Dallas on Nov. 8, a 4-3 win vs. Edmonton on Nov. 11, a 4-0 win in Columbus on Nov. 14, a 2-1 overtime win vs. Vancouver on Nov. 15 and the 5-4 overtime loss in Atlanta on Nov. 19. They have taken points out of 15 of their last 17 games at 10-1-2-3 and have taken points out of 16 of their 18 games overall this season at 10-2-3-3.

The Bruins are unbeaten in their last four home games at 3-0-1-0 and have taken points out of six of their seven games on home ice this season at 3-1-2-1.

The Bruins have taken points out of each of their last ten road games at 7-0-1-2, including a six-game win streak and seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1-0) from Oct. 11-28.

Recent Capitals Games
The Capitals have split their last two games with a 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Nov. 14 and a 2-1 win in Carolina on Nov. 15. They are 2-4-0-0 in their last six games and are 4-5-0-0 in their last nine games following an eight-game winless stretch (0-7-1-0) from Oct. 11-29.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins next face a two-game road stint, playing in Philadelphia on Nov. 22 (7:00 p.m.) and in St. Louis on Nov. 25 (8:00 p.m. ET). They will then return home for a two-game home stand, hosting Nashville on Nov. 28 (12:00 noon) and Phoenix on Nov. 30 (7:00 p.m.)

Upcoming Capitals Games
The Capitals next host the Panthers on Nov. 22 before facing a two-game road trip to Detroit on Nov. 24 and Buffalo on Nov. 26.

Bruins Injuries
None reported.

Bruins Recent Transactions
Oct. 23: Sergei Zinovjev recalled from Providence/AHL; Martin Samuelsson and Milan Jurcina assigned to Providence/AHL.
Oct. 30: P. J. Stock loaned to Philadelphia/AHL from Providence/AHL.
Oct. 31: Ted Donato assigned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 4: Zdenek Kutlak recalled from Providence/AHL.

Bruins Facts

The Bruins have converted eight of their last 16 power play opportunities over their last four games for a 50.0% proficiency in that span.

The Bruins have won 61.5% of their faceoffs over their last five games with a 192-120 record over that span.

The Bruins have 13 sets of back-to-back games this season. They are 2-1-0-1 in the first game of these sets and are 2-0-1-0 in game two of consecutive-night contests.

 

[the mugs]

RECENT TRENDS

RECENT TRENDS

? WAS is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
? The last four meetings have played over.
? WAS is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 as the underdog.
? BOS has won their last three home games ATS.
? BOS is 4-1 ATS in their last five overall.
? BOS is 3-0 ATS this year in the 2nd game of a B2B.

 

[the mugs]

Recent Meetings

Recent Meetings

Date Home Away Line ATS
3/8/2003 Bos. 5 Wash. 4 -0.5,110/6 Bos./O (02-03)
1/20/2003 Bos. 3 Wash. 3 -0.5,-115/5.5 Wash./O
12/19/2002 Wash. 5 Bos. 3 0.5,-150/5.5 Wash./O
10/30/2002 Wash. 2 Bos. 7 -0.5,110/5.5 Bos./O

1/14/2002 Wash. 1 Bos. 0 N,N/N -/- (01-02)
1/5/2002 Bos. 7 Wash. 4 0,-175/5.5 Bos./O
12/13/2001 Wash. 2 Bos. 1 0,-140/5.5 Wash./U
10/8/2001 Bos. 4 Wash. 0 0,105/5.5 Bos./U

1/5/2001 Wash. 1 Bos. 1 0,-185/5.5 P/U (00-01)
12/2/2000 Bos. 0 Wash. 2 0,-130/5.5 Wash./U

 

[the mugs]

Injuries

Injuries

Washington Injuries
Player Pos Injury Status
Brian Sutherby C Back Prob Thurs
Matt Pettinger LW Concussion I-R
Sebastien Charpentier G Leg Ques Thurs
Michael Nylander C Leg Mid Nov

Player Pos Injury Status
Jonathan Girard D Hip out for season

 

[the mugs]

Boston Globe 11.20.03

Boston Globe 11.20.03

This is interesting - not much of a help for capping but what the hell...

They make quite a team

In a recent interview, Bruins goaltenders Felix Potvin and Andrew Raycroft discussed their early-season success and the evolution of their position:

Q to Potvin: It's going great for the both of you guys. Beyond the obvious, why do you think it works so well for the two of you?

A: Andrew from Day One in training camp had a very good camp. As for myself, I used that training camp to get ready for game No. 1. It has been a while since our last year . . . since my last game was. And obviously, the team's playing great in front of us. And that always helps the goalie when you have good guys playing in front of you.

Q to Raycroft: You and Felix . . . I'm just curious of what your thoughts are on why it has worked so well for the two of you to be in this partnership.

A: I think the main thing is we are pretty similar personality-wise off the ice. We're both pretty low key. We don't get to high or too low at any point at all. We like coming to the rink and having fun. It's easy to come in and talk to him and see what's going on. He talks about kids. He tells me what's going on. It's just a real easy relationship.

Q to Potvin: You've had some huge years in terms of games, 68 games, 70, in [Los Angeles] you had 71. Is that type of workload when you're at your best?

A: I've been used to [it], throughout my career ever since junior . . . that's what I like. I like playing a lot. But this is a situation where Andrew is playing tremendously well and I just look at it as a bonus. It's early in the season. We both play well. We get wins and that's all that matters. We'll see what happens in the future, but right now it's working.

Q to Potvin: This stereotype which has existed forever with goalies . . . that they're crazy. Do you agree? Are you nuts?

A: Well, there's a lot of forwards who are crazy. I don't think so. Everybody's different. I think you have to have a certain different frame of mind. But as soon as I leave the rink, I'd like to think I'm pretty normal.

Q to Raycroft: The age-old stereotype that goalies are nuts. Are you?

A: No. You're going to have to get someone else in here to prove it, I think. I consider myself pretty normal. I don't do anything crazy. I don't mind talking to you guys any time. It doesn't really matter to me. I like getting along with the guys. I don't like being on my own. I like having dinner with the guys. I like being part of the team.

Q to Raycroft: Do you wonder where that comes from?

A: I think back in the older days, guys like Terry Sawchuk. You hear stories about him. He was a little nuts. Glenn Hall, some of those older guys, they started it. It's hard to shake when legends like that have eccentric tendencies. Then all of a sudden every one gets kind of bundled in. Obviously, there's crazy goalies, but there's crazy defensemen, crazy forwards, as well. They just don't get noticed as much.

Q to Potvin: We've listened for years: Not enough scoring in the league, not enough scoring, not enough scoring.

A: I think the goalies have gotten a lot better. I've looked at the years I came into the league. If you had a 2.906 percentage you were among the top. Now you're last in the league if you have a 2.906. Everybody talks about the equipment. Every year they take stuff away and the goals keep going down. Unless you do like minor hockey and have new guys in goal every game, then maybe there might be more scoring. The guys are playing good.

Q to Raycroft: We sit in the press box. The fans sit in the stands. "We want more scoring. We want more scoring." Everything a goaltender doesn't want. How do you react to that?

A: I react that there would be a lot more scoring if it was not for the goalies. I think, in general, goalies are 15, 20, 30 times better than they were even in the '80s. The goalie position has evolved that much and become that important. You can watch tape of Wayne Gretzky scoring goals, taking slap shots at the blue line, guys getting out of the way. Guys didn't have helmets. You can't blame them. With our equipment, the innovations . . . guys just play the position extremely well. There's a lot of scoring chances. Just look at the game Saturday night. It could have easily been a 5-4, 6-4 game if not for the guy on the other end making great saves. That happened every once in a while in the '80s and '90s. Now that happens every night on a consistent basis.

Q to Potvin: Did you start as a goaltender?

A: Nope. When I was 10 or 11 I started as a forward. I kept bugging my dad to be a goalie, but he wouldn't let me until I learned how to skate and how to play out, but he let me try it finally. He was worried I wouldn't like it and that I would waste my time doing it.

Q to Raycroft: (On Grant Fuhr) You've only seen him on ESPN Classic. So growing up in Ontario, who did you like? Did you style yourself after anyone?

A: I never really, hockey-wise, styled myself over anyone. I just went out and played. I was a big Patrick Roy fan, obviously. Cat's [Potvin's] going to kill me, but I watched him a lot, too. I won't even say how old I was when he came to Toronto. I never idolized anyone. I never really took it that far. I just enjoyed watching hockey and enjoyed watching those guys play.

 

[the mugs]

NHL.com Preview

NHL.com Preview

Washington Capitals (5-12-1-0) at Boston Bruins (10-2-3-3).

Peter Bondra looks to notch another scoring milestone as the Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins at the FleetCenter.

Bondra is one point shy of 800 for his career -- all with the Capitals. The talented right winger is already Washington's career leader with 457 goals and 799 points. Mike Gartner is second in Capitals history with 789 points, including 397 goals.

A five-time All-Star, Bondra has only one goal over the last 10 games, and has six goals and three assists in 18 games overall. He was once Washington's top goal-scoring threat, but teammates Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang have taken over that role.

Lang is off to a fantastic start for the Capitals, registering at least one point in a league high-tying nine straight games. Lang leads Washington with 10 goals and 23 points.

Lang had an assist and Dainius Zubrus scored a power-play goal with 2:13 left to lead the Capitals to a 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

Four of Washington five wins have come against Southeast Division teams.

"We've always played well against our division," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "If we're able to get back into this thing a strong record against our division would be a way to do it."

Washington trails division-leading Atlanta by 11 points.

The Bruins are atop the Northeast Division despite suffering a 5-4 overtime loss to the Thrashers on Wednesday.

Boston blew several leads before Atlanta winger Ilya Kovalchuk scored 3:42 into overtime.

The Bruins got goals from Jeff Jillson and Martin Lapointe on their first two shots of the game, but couldn't play with the prosperity.

"I thought it was an opportunity for us to really energize our team, keep the momentum," Bruins coach Mike Sullivan said. "But we took a sigh of relief and didn't keep our edge."

Boston's loss ended a four-game winning streak.

More Head-To-Head Statistics
TEAM Home Win % Road Win % W L T OTL Points HOME ROAD
Boston .643 .773 10 2 3 3 26 3-1-2-1 7-1-1-2
Washington .375 .25 5 12 1 0 11 3-5-0-0 2-7-1-0

Top Scorers
Boston
Player G A Pts +/- PIM
JOE THORNTON 3 17 20 6 31
GLEN MURRAY 6 11 17 7 10
MICHAEL KNUBLE 8 8 16 10 8

Washington
Player G A Pts +/- PIM
ROBERT LANG 10 13 23 1 8
SERGEI GONCHAR 1 16 17 -5 18
JAROMIR JAGR 5 9 14 -2 8

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Maybe a good doggie spot fo the Caps but it is hard to back a team that has been the most inconsistent all year. GL

HORNS

 

[the mugs]

I don't know HORNY....Gill seems to shut down Jagr no matter what the situation or team has been. Bondra hasn't been anything special and that leaves Lang and the rest of the inconsistant crew. I may have my black and gold sunglasses on but I wouldn't take the Craps tonight at all...but I don't feel all that hot about the B's either...PASS tonight

 

[pirate fan]

how about the over? Coming off a big night of scoring and back to back for bruins may allow the caps to do some scoring. All 4 meetings went over last year. Any thoughts:shrug: Always appreciate your input. Thanks in advance

 

[the mugs]

Pirate - I'm having a terrible year as I'm down over 14 units to this point. But as bad as my year has been, I am horrible at totals - I guess this year, I'm just horrible :shrug:

I can see with the B's playing OT & travelling last night where they could be a little tired and give up a couple. I'm guessing Raycroft in net as Sully has alternated them. BUT - they had a B2B last Friday & Saturday in Columbo & then the Saturday at the Fleet and Raycroft was great in a 2-1 OT win. I will give you the Canuckleheads are better defensively than the Craps are so to get to 6 goals tonight might not be a stretch tonight (my O/U line is 5.5)

I'm passing again tonight - I think there are way better games out there - but I wish you the best if you take that over.

I haven't looked at the lines as I'm really swamped here at work but I like the Fly-Girls, Bolts, Canuckleheads and Sens at first glance. Vancouver - see Korn's write up - solid. Same deal with the Sens and Horns write up.

 

[the mugs]

Parlays are the devil...

Parlays are the devil...

Parlays are the devil...

Having said that...

Fly Girls -1/2 (-170)
Sens -1/2 (-180)
Bolts -1/2 (-135)

1.5 units pays 4.9

Philly & TB both hosting teams that played and traveled last night. Added Sens because I'm greedy. See HORNS write up

 

[ddubs]

Jimbo, good luck tonite, pahdna! Hope you nail your books with the parlay.

FWIW, 3rd string goalie starting for the Strangers tonite. I can't even pronounce nor spell his name, LOL. Sens/Avs parlay looks mighty tastey

 

[the mugs]

dubbah...strangers still going with their thrid stringah?

thanks for the info...

Parlays are the devil...

Parlays are the devil...

Parlays are the devil...

Canuckleheads -1/2 (-230)
Snowmen -1/2 (-170)

1.0 to win 1.3

 

[ddubs]

Yup, confirmed

Good luck, buddy

 

[the mugs]

Kids, make sure you are suprvised before ever trying a stupid stunt like this. Parlays are evel and I got lucky last night.

2-0 (+6.2 units)

down roughly 8 units for the season

Lets go on a streak