Monday, June 30, 2014

The Team That Won the Cup

The Centers


Name: Patrice BERGERON
Age: 28
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 19 - Playoffs: 5
Assists: 38 - Playoffs: 15
Points: 57 - Playoffs: 20
Faceoff %: 64.7 - Playoffs: 59.1
Plus/Minus: +33 - Playoffs: +13

One of the most important players on the team. His all-round game, including his defensive play and faceoffs were huge. A major reason for the team having the best PK during the regular season.


Name: Logan COUTURE
Age: 25
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 34 - Playoffs: 17
Assists: 37 - Playoffs: 5
Points: 71 - Playoffs: 22
PPG's: 11 - Playoffs: 5
Plus/Minus: +10 - Playoffs: +9

Was the 1-2 punch at the center position along with Bergeron. Stepped up big time during the playoffs, scoring 17 times in 21 games. Also important on the PP (most PP goals on the team both during the regular season and playoffs).


Name: Martin HANZAL
Age: 27
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 15 - Playoffs: 1
Assists: 16 - Playoffs: 3
Points: 31 - Playoffs: 4
Plus/Minus: +5 - Playoffs: +2

Had a very solid regular season in a 3rd line role. Scored some important goals along the way (3 on the PP and 3 GWG's). Didn't have the same impact during the playoffs, but played a solid team game.


Name: Jeff HALPERN
Age: 38
Games: 79 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 1 - Playoffs: 1
Assists: 2 - Playoffs: 0
Points: 3 - Playoffs: 1
Faceoff %: 59.0 - Playoffs: 61.7
Plus/Minus: +1 - Playoffs: +1

An important part of the 2nd PK unit which helped the Bruins to the best PK record during the regular season. Improved his faceoff % in the playoffs and continued his strong play on the PK.

The Left Wingers


Name: Zach PARISE
Age: 29
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 33 - Playoffs: 6
Assists: 57 - Playoffs: 22
Points: 90 - Playoffs: 28
PPG's: 9 - Playoffs: 3
Plus/Minus: +26 - Playoffs: +12

The best point producer on the team both during the regular season and playoffs. Always important in all situations. Didn't score a lot of goals in the playoffs, but had over a point a game and was one of the most important players on the team.


Name: Andrew LADD
Age: 28
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 22 - Playoffs: 4
Assists: 31 - Playoffs: 16
Points: 53 - Playoffs: 20
PPG's: 8 - Playoffs GWG's: 3
Plus/Minus: +11 - Playoffs: +11

Had a solid regular season contributing in a secondary role. Important player on the PP, but also late in games. Only scored 4 goals in the playoffs, but 3 of those were GWG's. Had almost a point per game in the playoffs so his contribution was huge.


Name: Steve OTT
Age: 31
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 6 - Playoffs: 0
Assists: 19 - Playoffs: 3
Points: 25 - Playoffs: 3
Faceoff %: 57.3 - Playoffs: 59.5
Plus/Minus: - Playoffs: +1

Solid point production during the regular season, which dipped in the playoffs (less minutes played). But his defensive responsibilities, aggressive style and faceoff % were important for the playoff success.


Name: Kyle CHIPCHURA
Age: 28
Games: 77 - Playoffs: 2
Goals: 7 - Playoffs: 0
Assists: 2 - Playoffs: 0
Points: 9 - Playoffs: 0
Shooting %: 31.8
Plus/Minus: +2 - Playoffs: 0

Was able to contribute some goals as a 4th liner during the regular season with an impressive shooting %. Wasn't used for more than 2 games in the playoffs.


The Right Wingers


Name: Jeff CARTER
Age: 29
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 47 - Playoffs: 19
Assists: 27 - Playoffs: 4
Points: 74 - Playoffs: 23
GWG's: 10 - Playoffs Sh%: 20.2
Plus/Minus: +22 - Playoffs: +12

His goal production was vital for the success during the regular season and most importantly in the playoffs. Had an amazing 47 goals in the regular season and 19 in 21 in the playoffs. Was brought in to score big goals and did just that.


Name: Ryan CALLAHAN
Age: 29
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 36 - Playoffs: 9
Assists: 31 - Playoffs: 9
Points: 67 - Playoffs: 18
GWG's: 10 - Playoffs: 5
Plus/Minus: +11 - Playoffs: +10

One can not underestimate his value to the team. Scored timely goals both during the regular season (10 GWG's, tied with Jeff Carter) and 5 GWG's in the playoffs, more than anyone else. 4 (!) out of his 5 GWG's were scored in OT.


Name: Steve BERNIER
Age: 29
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 14 - Playoffs: 3
Assists: 6 - Playoffs: 0
Points: 20 - Playoffs: 3
Plus/Minus: +5 - Playoffs: +1

Did exactly what was needed in a 3rd line role, scoring some goals and playing solid hockey at both ends of the ice.


Name: Craig ADAMS
Age: 37
Games: 81 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 3 - Playoffs: 0
Assists: 3 - Playoffs: 0
Points: 6 - Playoffs: 0
SHG's: 1 - Playoffs: 0
Plus/Minus: +7 - Playoffs: +2

Along with Jeff Halpern he was an important part of the 2nd PK unit that had the best overall record during the regular season.


The Defensemen


Name: Ryan SUTER
Age: 29
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 6 - Playoffs: 2
Assists: 53 - Playoffs: 11
Points: 59 - Playoffs: 13
Plus/Minus: +24 - Playoffs: +10

Nothing flashy, but always does his job in every situation. Had the most points of all d'men on the team, as well as assists (53) and the best +/- (+24).


Name: Dennis SEIDENBERG
Age: 32
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 15 - Playoffs: 1
Assists: 41 - Playoffs: 6
Points: 56 - Playoffs: 7
Plus/Minus: +22 - Playoffs: +10

Had an impressive regular season where he put up more offense than expected, but also did his job in the defensive end. Didn't put up the same kind of numbers in the playoffs, but his partnership with Ryan Suter was important.


Name: Nick LEDDY
Age: 23
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 8 - Playoffs: 2
Assists: 22 - Playoffs: 8
Points: 30 - Playoffs: 10
PPG's: 4 - Playoffs: 1
Plus/Minus: +8 - Playoffs: +16

Contributed secondary offense from the blueline and his smooth skating helped both during the regular season and playoffs. Impressed with his defensive abilities alongside veteran Stephane Robidas during the playoffs.


Name: Stephane ROBIDAS
Age: 37
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 0 - Playoffs: 0
Assists: 21 - Playoffs: 11
Points: 21 - Playoffs: 11
Plus/Minus: +7 - Playoffs: +16

Didn't score a single goal during the season, but was the perfect partner for the almost 15 years younger Nick Leddy. They formed a successful pairing in the playoffs.


Name: Tim GLEASON
Age: 31
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 0 - Playoffs: 0
Assists: 16 - Playoffs: 3
Points: 16 - Playoffs: 3
Plus/Minus: +17 - Playoffs: +1

Never easy to play against and always does his job. Not a lot of offense, but was one of the reasons for the steady defense and PK (2nd unit).


Name: Roman POLAK
Age: 28
Games: 82 - Playoffs: 21
Goals: 0 - Playoffs: 0
Assists: 11 - Playoffs: 3
Points: 11 - Playoffs: 3
Plus/Minus: +16 - Playoffs: -2

An important part along with Tim Gleason who both had big parts on the PK (2nd unit) and all-round defensive game.


The Goaltenders


Name: Tuukka RASK
Age: 27
Games: 67 - Playoffs: 21
GAA: 2.24 - Playoffs: 1.75
Sv%: .903 - Playoffs: .931
SO's: 4 - Playoffs: 4
Record: 39-21-7 - Playoffs: 16-5

Was all but impressive during the regular season. Especially struggled late in the season where he couldn't win games for the club. All this changed in the playoffs though as he played as well as one could hope for. A major reason for the playoff success.


Name: Thomas GREISS
Age: 28
Games: 15
GAA: 1.39
Sv%: .926
SO's: 2
Record: 13-1-1

When Tuukka Rask struggled, he came in and impressed. Impressive numbers, although most of his starts came vs. non-playoff teams. Still, he got the job done when called upon.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Road to the Cup - AHL Season 11 Champions!

Last Season
The Bruins had high hopes last season, going into the playoffs as the team to beat. After the team added Brian Elliott and Patrick Sharp late in the season, the team was set for a Cup run. It ended in the Conference Finals to a very good Florida Panthers team. The Panthers then came up short against the San Jose Sharks who took home the Cup.

So it felt like the Bruins had something to prove heading into this season.


The Trades
The Bruins only made two deals that had an impact on the roster. But both those trades proved to be vital. Both trades came during the off-season with the first being a blockbuster deal with the New York Rangers.

The trade was:

To NYR: Rick Nash, David Backes, Patrick Sharp, Cal Clutterbuck, Tanner Glass, Michael Del Zotto and Bryan Allen

To BOS: Jeff Carter, Andrew Ladd, Martin Hanzal, Steve Bernier, Steve Ott, Nick Leddy and Trevor Daley

After not reaching the Cup final the season before, we felt we wouldn't reach our goal of winning the Cup if we'd just stand pat. We identified the needs and were able to bring in a pure goalscorer in Carter, a winger with allround qualities in Ladd, a complete third line in Hanzal, Ott and Bernier along with two useful d'men in Leddy and Daley.


The second trade was made to give the team another defensive d'man when Roman Polak was brought in.

The trade was:

To CAR: Trevor Daley, Brad Richardson, Dan Carcillo and Bos' 3rd rookie pick

To BOS: Roman Polak, Kyle Chipchura, Peter Mueller, Guillaume Latendresse and Colby Armstrong

Polak (and Chipchura) gave the team the depth needed to compete throughout the season. No big name players, but important parts of the puzzle. The rest were throw in players we knew would have no impact.


Before the trade deadline, the Bruins looked at making another deal. Just like when Patrick Sharp was brought in at the deadline the season before. We looked to add another top four, perhaps top two d'man. But in the end, nothing materialized. However, this meant we kept our 1st round rookie pick, so no harm done...


The Regular Season
The Bruins ended with the 3rd best record, going 52(W) - 22(L) - 8(T). A very productive regular season to be proud of. However, the last 17 games the team lost steam and not much worked. More on that later.

6th best offense
3rd best defense
7th best power play
1st overall box play


The Last 17 Games
The Bruins went 47-14-4 in the first 65 games, but ended with a dissapointing 5-8-4 record. For some reason this poor record came from the time Colton Orr was added to the team (after picking him up from free agency). However, Orr only played in two or three of those games so no reason to blame him. But one easily becomes superstitious at a time like that.


The Playoffs
Heading into the playoffs with a 5-8-4 record as well as poor play by Tuukka Rask down the road (had a very poor .903 Sv% during the regular season), there wasn't much hope of going far. Things just didn't click late in the season.

Fortunately, things changed in the playoffs as the team become better with each round.


Round 1 vs. Carolina Hurricanes (6 games)
4-3 (OT)
2-1 (OT)
1-4 @
1-3 @
3-1
4-1 @

Round 2 vs. Montreal Canadiens (5 games)
4-0
4-1
3-0 @
3-5 @
5-1

Round 3 vs. Winnipeg Jets (5 games)
5-0
1-0
2-1 @ (OT)
1-3 @
6-5 (OT)

Round 4 vs. San Jose Sharks (5 games)
4-1 @
1-3 @
3-2 (OT)
3-2 (OT)
10-2 @

@ = away games

Interesting notes:
6 out of 6 OT games were won
11 out of 11 home games were won (including 5 in OT)


The Lines
After game 4 in the 1st round vs. Carolina (series tied 2-2), the final line adjustment was made and was kept for the rest of the playoffs. Going 12-3 for the rest of the Cup run, it proved to be the winning formula.

Forward lines:
Patrice Bergeron / Zach Parise / Jeff Carter
Logan Couture / Andrew Ladd / Ryan Callahan
Martin Hanzal / Steve Ott / Steve Bernier
Jeff Halpern / Craig Adams (PK only)

D pairings:
Ryan Suter / Dennis Seidenberg
Nick Leddy / Stephane Robidas
Tim Gleason / Roman Polak

Goalie:
Tuukka Rask


The MVP's of the Regular Season
Players with the most 3 Star points:

Jeff Carter with 96 points (including 12 time #1 star)
Zach Parise with 94 points (including 8 time #1 star)
Ryan Callahan with 93 points (including 12 time #1 star)

Most productive players:

LW Parise 21.2 82 33 57 90 26 12 9 0 5 2 283 11.7
RW J.Carter 21.9 82 47 27 74 22 78 7 0 10 0 312 15.1
C Couture 20.7 82 34 37 71 10 14 11 0 6 0 346 9.8


The MVP's of the Playoffs
Players with the most 3 Star points:

Tuukka Rask with 32 points (including 6 time #1 star)
Jeff Carter with 31 points (including 3 time #1 star)
Logan Couture with 25 points (including 2 time #1 star)

Most productive players:

LW Parise 25.9 21 6 22 28 12 6 3 0 1 0 77 7.8
RW J.Carter 25.7 21 19 4 23 12 12 2 0 2 0 94 20.2
C Couture 22.9 21 17 5 22 9 0 5 0 2 0 115 14.8

And of course:
Rask 21 1338 1.75 16 5 0 0 4 39 567 0.931 25.4 86.1

Saturday, June 28, 2014

3 Stars - @ Sharks (Game 5)

Score: 10-2 (W)
Shots: 42-27
Faceoffs: 31-29
Hits: 29-20
Goalie: Rask (25/27) .926 Sv%
Scorers: Carter (4), Couture (4), Callahan, Parise
PP: 2/3
PK: 3/3



LOGAN COUTURE
4 goals
1 assist
5 points
8 shots
+3
8-2 passing
PPG
GWG



JEFF CARTER
4 goals
4 points
8 shots
+3
4-0 passing






ZACH PARISE
1 goal
4 assists
5 points
+4
4 hits
9-0 passing
PPG