Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Game 64 Preview: Bruins vs. Philadelphia AGAIN ALREADY?

Mar 3, 2009 7:00 PM ET
TV: NESN
Radio: WBZ 1030 AM
vs. Philadelphia Flyers (33-18-10)
Notes:
  • The last time Philly came to town, it was similar to the caps game on saturday - devastating OT loss.
  • Tonight's Refs are Dave Jackson and Chris Rooney.  Combined, their home-team win/loss ratio is 67-34-10.  Jackson is #5 on the top homer referees list on Covers.com.
  • Philly is fourth in the east right now, but only 6 points ahead of 8th.
  • The Bruins magic number is 14. This is important because that's when I stop shaving.
  • Hunwick played well as a winger.  He's on the top line in the morning skate.  Fluto says he's in as a winger again, and Lucic is still out with a busted hand (officially, "upper body injury").  Expect stupid trade rumors.
  • That picture up there is one I took of the flyers kicking a soccer ball around outside the away locker room before the last flyers@Bruins game.
  • The Gahden ranked 10th in Illegal Curves' Arena Rankings: "Situated in the heart of Beantown, the fans are finally back!"
  • As expected, looks like Fernandez in net.
  • Trade deadline tomorrow. As I mentioned, I'll throw anything up here that happens that's bruins-related.
  • Naoko Funyama does a mailbag on trades.  Interesting stuff.
  • The Bruins lay out their Deadline Day plans.  IT'S HOCKEY CHRISTMAS!
  • Avery is officially a New York Ranger again.  And the Minnesota Wild signed Niklas Backstrom!  Huzzah!  Everyone else is on waivers.
  • Hockeybuzzhogwash is awesome.
Previous games:
  • Game 54: Bruins lose 3-4 in OT off a deflection off of Ference's leg. Ouch.
  • Game 52: Bruins win 3-1, on the strength of shots from the point.
Other Previews:
  • Cameron Frye: "For those of you who are in the media and want to kill a few hours for waiting for nothing to happen - but want to be somewhere where's snacks....you're in luck!"
  • Kynch's Korner: "The Broad Street Bullies are back in the city of brotherly glove dropping. Philly is second in the league in fighting majors with 59. They're also the most penalized team in the league. Riley Cote (18) and Arron Asham (15) lead the parade to the sin bin. Cote is one entertaining fighter. Defense? Who needs defense when you can just keep swinging until your arms fall off?"
  • Hub Hockey: "Both teams though are entering tonight suffering a tough loss in their last games and could use a Conference win to boost team morale."
  • Stanley Cup of Chowder: "Danny Briere is back in the lineup for the Flyers after missing significant time with a groin injury."
  • The Bear Cave: "One interesting note about the season series is that ten different players have been responsible for scoring the eleven goals. The only player with multiple tallies is Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell, who leads the way with two goals and an assist. Joffrey Lupul and Jeff Carter each have two assists for the Flyers, while Shane Hnidy and Mark Stuart have each dished out a pair of helpers. David Krejci and Dennis Wideman are the two other players with multiple points, with one goal and one assist. 13 members of the Bruins have found the scoresheet in the two games, while ten of the Flyers have picked up at least one point."
  • Matt Kalman: "But in the grand scheme of things, the Bruins didn’t get to the top of the Eastern Conference through any sort of magic or act of congress. They roll four lines, have a solid performer on defense one through seven and sport one of the best goaltending tandems in the land. They allow the fewest goals per game and score with the best offenses the league has to offer."
  • NESN First Shift: "the Flyers are the only team in the NHL to not allow a shorthanded goal this season. They have never gone the entire season without allowing a shorthanded goal. The fewest for an entire season was two in 1967-68 and 1978-79."
  • Papers: Globe | Herald
  • bruins.nhl.com: Preview | Game Notes (pdf)
Stats:
It's true. (thanks, SA)
GO BRUINS!

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