B's Turnaround?

[jdwyer]

What's the take outside Boston about the Bs blowing the lead against the Sabres on Thursday night?

Here, it's a mixed bag. At first, it was shocking--to have a three goal lead against the NHL's best team and then to lose it--but today, I'm thinking the Black and Gold can channel the positives from that game for 60 minutes against the Lightning. If they don't, however, I think you'll see some changes. I think we need another five games to see how the reunited line of Bergeron-Boyes-Sturm (back from injury) performs and see how Kessel does back at center, but I think most Boston fans will clamor for a trade.

[charlio lemieux]

Sabres are just dominating this year. I was more surprised Boston got the lead.

[jdwyer]

Most teams--no matter how bad they are--have a good run or two during a season; "good," in this case is the last ten games, when the Bruins have won eight, most of them nail-biters, like last night. Last year, the Bs won one shoot-out.

The Black and Gold has made a substantial turnaround without having had to press the panic button, i.e., trade Thomas!.

Will this good run end? Maybe. Will they make it to the play-offs? If the season ended today, no. But, the goaltending has improved, big name players like Bergeron, Boyes, and Sturm are finding their groove, and overall positioning is better. Simple. No panic, certainly not from Thomas, who stoned eight shooters in the shootout session.

A short, interesting bit on Thomas' performance last night:

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2006/12/01/thomas_quick_as_lightning/

[Max Power]

Other then the Leafs little slump there's no catching ground in the NE with Buffalo, Montreal, Boston and Ottawa winning on a regular basis

[slapshot™]

The Black and Gold has made a substantial turnaround without having had to press the panic button, i.e., trade Thomas!.

What an unbelievable save Thomas made on St. Louis! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge45FmyuabA)

[jdwyer]

Other then the Leafs little slump there's no catching ground in the NE with Buffalo, Montreal, Boston and Ottawa winning on a regular basis

Buffalo: the Bs probably won't catch the Sabres. Or Atlanta in the Southeast division. Montreal is going to be tough to catch too. Ottawa, Toronto, and even the Rangers (atop the Atlantic division) are all in reach, though. Right now, 27 points is good enough for eighth place; the Bruins have 26. Too soon to tell, and I don't want to get my hopes too high...but Boston is in good position.

[Madferret]

The NE is a worse pig than last year. Should be interesting to see how it ends up.