After a rough few minutes to open the game the Bruins did what they needed to tonight and cleaned up.  In a game against a division rival, one that was an early season must win, the Bruins pulled together, focused their energy and played a complete game at both ends of the ice; the exact opposite of the routing handed to them on Tuesday by Carolina.

So what did we learn tonight (or at least get reminded of)?

1. Tyler Seguin is breaking out.

Oh hi Tyler, didn't see you there.  You're ready for the spotlight? Great!

While many said Stamkos was an aberration, it appears as if Seguin could follow the same sophomore path to success.  In 7 games now Seguin has racked up a team leading 8 points.  He's shown the willingness to shoot, an increased understanding of the game leading to better decisions, a dedication to solid play in his own end, and the size and effort required for one to engage in the dirty areas and make plays happen.  Tonight his play with Lucic brought back memories of when a different fast young winger lead scoring opposite Lucic.  The only difference in this case appears to be the dedication to a well rounded game and a vision opening up passes that not many others in the league could make.

If things continue in this fashion, expect to see the Lucic-Krejci-Seguin line to come soon and to become a fixture on this team.  Especially when we consider that….

2. Horton is a natural fit on the Bergeron line.

What appears to have been the test tonight worked well for the Bruins.  Nathan Horton after the first few shifts fell into sync along side Marchand and Bergeron, both of whom brought their A games like every night.  Horton's size, speed and ability to play all areas of the offensive zone make him an ideal fit here.  The line brings constant pressure, wins battles and has 3 guys who can share the puck and each have the ability score with the hard shot or the hard work down low as shown by Bergeron and Horton respectively tonight.  If this line can continue to gel it can become a highly effective trio and balance the Bruins attack (while still being strong in the other 2 zones).

3. Pouliot may be one of the best steals of this off season

While the jury is still out on this one, Benoit Pouliot continues to progress in the black and gold and is doing what he needs to do to make fans forget he ever wore those other 3 dreaded colors.  The effort is there, the intensity and the dedication to playing a game at each end is there.  He didn't end up on the score sheet tonight but he created chances and after taking a penalty, went right back out and gave 110%, drawing a tripping call and putting the Bruins on the power play where Chara made the score 2-1.  For what the Bruins had to give up (nothing) and dedicate to him (1 year, < 1mil), we might end up with one of the steals of this past off season.

4. The power play changes are creating the additional movement and space up high needed to make it a force once more

Biggest difference from last year; the power play.  While it still hasn't been extremely productive (but where have we been productive offensively outside of select instances), it has been generating chances and passes the eye test.  An increase in high to low movement added to both a down low cycle and high cycle (pending on where the puck play is) is creating space for the unit to operate.  Tonight, that space early on was found up high and lead to the Chara goal (Seguin drives the slot, forces the defense to collapse, feeds Ference who has too many options with the added space and can easily feed Chara for the 1 timer that I haven't seen stopped before).  Toronto did adapt in the second and brought an increased pressure high and on the puck but that almost lead to goals down low.  Moral of the story, if you keep the cycles going, get in front of the net all while moving the puck high to low, good things will happen.

5. This team is like a shark, once it smells blood it goes into a frenzy.

There isn't another way of describing this; when this team gets going and they get emotionally involved, they boil over and appear to be unstoppable.  Tonight was one of those instances as every additional goal, close play, big hit put them up another notch.  Tyler Seguin's shifts personally could be looked at in this manner as the assists drove better play and eventually lead to him netting one of this own before coming out looking to put a few more behind Gustavsson

What we saw Tuesday, while I believe was helpful for this team in the long run, is not the type of game that will help this team make the playoffs and succeed. The game they brought tonight, the refined and focused game driven by that energy and frenzy of emotion, that game will get this group wins and lead them far in their quest to repeat.  This group will look to keep it under control but will never get rid of that emotional attachment to their play.  As long as they continue to harness it, good things will happen.

Looking Forward

Saturday brings the San Jose Sharks to town.  This will be quite the challenge for the Bruins as the Sharks continue to be one of the forces in the west.  Tomorrow will likely show what the lines will be for this contest so keep an eye out for what happens in practice.

Even further down the line, next Thursday and Saturday have us playing a home and home series against the Montreal Canadiens and the newly returned Max Pacioretty.  While I have a hard time believing he'll go after Chara to drop them, these are likely to be highly emotional affairs.  To be successful, the Bruins will need to bring that frenzy play while staying away from the distractions that land them in the box and disrupt their flow.  The more 5 on 5 play they have, the better the chance they have at achieving a rhythm in the game.  Bring that type of rhythm against Montreal and unless Carey Price can call upon the spirits of Roy and Dryden, the Bruins could look to deal loses to 2 division rivals in a week.  With that, they'd be right back on track and driving into November

While the 2nd period wasn't bad for the Bruins, it certainly wasn't the first.  As the old adage goes though, no harm no foul.
Harm was close though as the 2nd began to resemble Tuesday night's affair with referees becoming heavily involved.  A 4 on 3 for the Leafs gave them a few chances but a mixture of Tim Thomas and the post kept the score at 3 to 1.  

At the other end of the ice the Bruins were able to create a few chances of their own but not as many as the first.  Brad Marchand short handed was able to pull off a play from NHL 12 lifting the puck over the defenders stick and going through him to the net for a quality chance.  Tyler Seguin working in front of the net almost added a goal to his earlier power play assist.  Then a strange play by Gustavsson on a dumped in puck almost gave the Bruins an empty net with Kelly feeding it out front to Peverley.  Still, the score ended at 3 to 1.

Biggest difference from period 1 to 2 was the Bruins power play or rather, the Toronto penalty kill.  The first period found the Bruins creating space up high with a good rotation and movement high to low.  The result was time for defensemen to make plays, take shots and create chances.  The second found the Leafs adjusting, sticking on the puck more, playing high in the zone and creating more trouble for the Bruins on the power play.

In the 3rd expect both teams to continue to adjust.  Toronto will not go down easy but the Bruins know that by now.  Expect Chara and Seidenberg to get significant ice time against Toronto's top line and top threat Phill Kessel.  Also, don't be surprised if Krejci does take shifts with future line mates Tyler Seguin and Milan Lucic

The changes the Bruins applied for this game appear to be in working order.  After going down early to Toronto off a David Steckel shot from the high slot, the Bruins stormed back to dominate the first period.  Leading the way so far has been the Bruins power play.  With the Bruins converting both chances (Nathan Horton down low and Zdeno Chara on the one timer), the extra man play appears to be on fire.  Compared to last year, the play shows a world of difference; better puck movement, more play down low, better rotations and a feel of more skill and creativity overall on both units.

The Bruins wouldn't stop with just the two power play goals though, Chris Kelly would add to the total with the Bruins first even strength goal of the game.  After receiving a pass down low from Lucic, Kelly proceeded to outwork the Toronto defense to secure a shot and rebound to put over the stretched pad of Gustavsson.  The 3-1 lead would be where the period ended with a team that has been frustrated lately going to the locker room with a sense of renewed faith.

The guys on fire tonight appear to be Benoit Pouliot, Zdeno Chara and none other than Andrew Ference who contributed with an assist on all three goals giving him a new personal best for points and assists in a single game.  Both power play goals provided points as well to the Bruins' captain who has shown a mix of offensive and physical play in the first.  Pouliot, while not being on the score board has shown why the Bruins have welcomed his play so far this season.  His intensity, hard skating and always looking to make a play have lead to chances as well as the drawn call that gave the Bruins the power play goal and lead tonight.  If he is able to keep this game up for the season he will be one of the best pick ups for the money across the NHL this past off season.

Correcting the pregame notes, Davide Krejci is back and playing this evening, sending rookie Jordan Caron upstairs this evening.  Krejci, while appearing slightly rusty his first shift or two, seems to be right back into the mix at this point; skating well, active on the power play and even taking shifts centering who else but Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin.  While it looks as though Kelly will still get the majority of the time between the two this evening, the plan to get Krejci back in there soon could come to fruition Saturday when the Bruins host the Sharks.

Going into the 2nd period expect to see the Bruins come out and try to run away with this game.  Gustavsson being rusty has shown and the Bruins are doing what they need to to make sure he does not get comfortable down low.  If they can continue to keep the pressure up then this game could be over quickly.  Toronto will not go away easy though and any let ups by the Bruins could lead to an upset home crowd.  Don't be surprised if Mike Miccoli's pregame prediction ends up true though and the Bruins finish this up with a score of 6-2.

Tonight's game brings changes to the home team.  Earlier today defenseman Matt Bartkowski was sent back down to Providence after filling in as the 7th defenseman and the 6th when Adam McQuaid went down.  With Steven Kampfer returning to the line up tonight and Adam McQuaid being close to returning, Bartkowski's return to Providence was not much of a surprise.  The young puck mover has had sprints of high play but for the majority of his time on ice has shown the need for additional grooming in the AHL.

The bigger change that has gained attention this week though has been in the Bruins' offensive lines as Nathan Horton has be moved to Bergeron's right wing and Chris Kelly has been put between Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin.  This much more significant change seems to have caught many off guard.  While many expected a change to come, this was a more significant change than many expected.  In truth though, the move aligns with where many predicted the team to head this season.

Before the season began, many wondered when Tyler Seguin would have his breakout, expecting him to follow the exact same path to NHL stardom as Steven Stamkos.  While experts were hesitant to buy in to the idea this early on, the start of the season has shown that what fans expect, Tyler expects of himself.  The additional weight put on in the off season, the work with Gary Roberts and the desire to go for the cup again all have him taking off strong, playing a well rounded game and creating more chances some nights than the rest of the offense.

With Seguin looking closer to ready for NHL prime time, the question has thus been, where does he go?  Do the Bruins play the 3 strong center game displayed in seasons past?  Do they make the switch with Peverley and allow Bergeron to center the two young breakout wings (while reuniting Peverley and Kelly)? Or do they make a bigger move and attempt to recreate the style of Lucic-Savard-Kessel with the combination of Lucic-Krejci-Seguin?

This week's moves hint towards a strong possibility of the latter.  By sliding Kelly in between Lucic and Seguin the Bruins have effectively made a placeholder who can bring additional speed to the mix and the defensive coverage that is needed to let the wingers focus on the other end of the ice.  It also begins the experiment of Marchand-Bergeron-Horton a bit earlier and during a time where change is needed.

Horton should prove to be an effective wing on this line.  His style of play, work on the boards and shot enhance what this line can do in the offensive zone.  Three players who can go to the net, work the boards and play tough grind it out hockey while constantly threatening to score.  If the line is able to catch on and Krejci's appearance between Lucic and Seguin comes sooner than later, the top two lines of the Bruins have the potential of being more effective than the top of the league even strength lines of last season.  They also give the Bruins additional depth on the 3rd line and keep in tact the grinding fourth.

Watch for tonight to be a high energy game where the Bruins with their new lines show more focus and thought.  This could be a breakout game especially against Toronto as Gustavsson is only appearing in his first game of the season.  It is likely though to be one where mistakes show up and hopefully not in the defensive end as guys get used to playing with each other.  If they can get past those mistakes and start a rhythm, it may be something they can carry into the weekend where they may see the return of David Krejci and the new lines going forward.

Atlantic Division

Worcester Sharks (SJS)
The Sharks scored 4 power play goals in their 6-1 win over the Albany Devils on Saturday night. Goaltender Tyson Sexsmith saved 15 of the 16 shots he faced for the win. The Sharks outshot the Devils by a total of 31 to 16 through the 60 minutes of play. Benn Ferriero opened the scoring at 6:07 of the first and Matt Irwin extended the lead on the power play at 8:52. The Devils answered with a goal from Vladimir Zharkov but that would be their only offensive output. Ben Guite scored the only goal of the middle frame before James Livingston added another insurance goal just 28 seconds into the third. Mike Connolly scored just over a minute later on the power play for his first professional goal of his career; he had already assisted on the goals to Ferriero and Irwin in the first. Livingston capped the scoring with his second of the night, which was also the second of his professional career, at 5:32. 

Tonight's Bruins game was attended by none other than GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke.  When asked if he expected Thursday night's game to be any different than tonight he simply responded, "no, I expect that this is how they'll be playing for awhile now".  The Bruins that appeared tonight, while they left with another loss under their belts, played the type of game fans expect of them and the type of game that gives them an edge- a strong, physical and emotional game.  The type of game that has been missing since the end of last year's playoff run.

While tonight's game lead the Bruins down a path that pushed them further from a win, it might be exactly what helps them in the long run.  Until this point, the Bruins have been tamed, unemotional and in a state that many have described as the "Stanley Cup Hangover".  Going down for a 2nd time in a week to Carolina did something though- it made the team angry, it made them involved and it made them actually take on accountability.  Before tonight, the team was on a hall pass- the excuses were given; they ran up against good goal tending, they're being gunned for, guys were hurt.  But tonight- the team decided they needed to become involved and it started with their leader, Zdeno Chara.

Chara's jumping into the fight with Harrison set the tone- not only were they going to fight, they were going to pull up whoever they were fighting and make sure they got their shots in.  Up and down the line up guys were involved, going to bat for each other and asking whoever they could if they wanted to go.  While some fans might complain about this, this type of play is what drove them last season.  The games that they were involved in emotionally, they dedicated their game to. Dallas, Vancouver- these games the team came out fired up, and became hardened and sharp- willing to exchange blows as needed but focused to a point on getting the win.  The emotion also carried over often and helped them get through streaks of games.

It seems to work and is needed this season because the physical and emotional game help them create havoc, force turnovers and frustrate opponents.  While the Bruins can play a strong puck possession game and dictate play, it doesn't always seem as though they can generate the right chances like a team such as the Red Wings are able to in a similar style.  Blame it on them not being a Euro-style team or what you will, it just doens't work out often.  When that possession game collides though with that physical and attacking style it leads to a flow that isn't seen really elsewhere in the league currently.  What comes out is a crash the net, force guys out of position, get rebounds and force goals type of game.  Exploited defenses, frustrated opponents, and a home crowd making the Garden feel like, the Garden.

So where does tonight's game leave us?  It leaves us with a disappointment in another loss but with the hope that we might actually see the team that carried our emotions on a rollercoaster high last season back again on the ice.  It opens the door for a group of guys to come out Thursday night against a hot division rival and be a force for a full 90 minutes.  And it leaves the Bruins at a fork in the road with one leading to a hot streak digging the Black and Gold out of a rut and the other to more suffering and a range of questions to ask about the state of this team.  Which path they'll take we'll find out Thursday night.

The 2nd period started looking much like the first- chances for Boston, another goal for Carolina.  After another failed power play attempt and a goal from none other than Joni Pitkanen, the frustration that has been filling the Garden early in the season boiled over.  After Shawn Thornton failed to find a dance partner, a raging Nathan Horton forced some action with Jay Harrison.  Horton wouldn't end up the one with Harrison though as the captain himself, Zdeno Chara felt the need to dive into the action and take on the Carolina D man, knocking him down and then picking him up to give him some more.  Lucic and Horton would both pick up partners themselves and find time in the box for roughing.  In an interesting turn of events, Cam Ward  would come out and start scolding Chara post fight which of course lead to an annoyed Tuukka Rask coming down ice to challenge his counter part.  While the cheers of the fans asked for the fight, Ward would not oblige.

The result of the scrum was Chara with a 10 minute game misconduct and Lucic and Horton both serving minors to give the Canes a 5 on 3 opportunity.  The Bruins penalty kill was up for the job and would even kill a subsequent penalty to Seidenberg.  What they along with the the even strength and power play lines would fail to do though is get a puck past Cam Ward and into the back of the net.  Through 2, the Bruins beat Ward with the shot 5 times- only to find iron on all 5 shots.  It's no wonder that the frustration finally boiled over as it did in this period.

Going into the third the Bruins need to keep the emotions up as it is when they play their best hockey.  They require a physical game and as suggested earlier, may go into dump in chase mode and really lay it on the Carolina defense.  The outcome of the exchanges has to be Carolina defense caught behind their net and forwards turned to miss their assignments.  The Bruins need to use this to continue to create the gaps and generate scoring chances (while following it up with crashing the net).  Ward isn't a goalie that is easy to score one on so they need to do their best to make his life difficult in the third.  While it's unlikely that the Black and Gold will go back to the fighting antics of the 2nd, don't be completely surprised if they show back up early with the 4th line causing a stir and keeping emotions high.

It's going to be a rough and tough 3rd- a storm is brewing in Boston.  The question is, who's going to weather it?

The first period found the B's coming out strong against the Canes with the top 2 lines dominating play early. The Bruins had 3 scoring chances all within the first minute of the game coming from the sticks of Rich Peverley, Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin. While it looked as though they would be the ones to strike first in this outing, Cam Ward held strong and the guys in front of him found a fortunate puck down low and put one by Tuukka Rask, coming from the stick of Anthony Steward.

The feel of the first few minutes were replicated throughout the period- strong pressure by the Bruins for multiple shifts with scoring chances only to have an off shift where Carolina was able to bang it through the neutral zone and create a chance down low. While the effort when the shifts have been positive has been good, the B's have received failing scores on their bad shifts.

Not receiving bad marks in the first tonight: Tyler Seguin. Continuing with the rocket start he's had for his sophomore season, Seguin has created a number of chances- in the first minute of the period, the last minute and a few in between. The young center has seemed to become more comfortable playing with left wing Milan Lucic and his chemistry with Horton still grows. Many have said that he's been the Bruins best player this season and it's an argument that holds strong. Outside of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Tim Thomas, there aren't many that can claim to have brought more to the ice than Seguin. With David Krejci's continued stint on the sidelines the question in the minds of many is now, what do you do when Krejci comes back?

Going into the second the Bruins need to become a more physical team once more and bring the force that drove them through the playoffs on every shift. They may even need to step away from the puck possession game and start playing some dump in chase just to give themselves the opportunity to create havoc in the offensive end and wear out the Carolina defense. Also look for the team to step up slightly more in the neutral zone so that they can turn the puck around quicker and trap Carolina in their own zone and away from the change. Finally, be cognizant of changes in the forecheck where the Bruins may start sliding a forward into the slot to attempt to catch a Cane's defenseman using a lane previously opened for the outlet pass. They've been successful with this in the past against Carolina and may very well present the same trap tonight. The challenge of Ward will still remain though- and that will be a tough challenge to overcome.

North Division

Toronto Marlies (TOR)
Jussi Rynnas made 21 saves in his first start as the Marlies shut out the Lake Erie Monsters on Sunday to bring their overall record to 3-1-0-0 on the season, which is good for best in the North Division. Joey Crabb and Joe Colborne are tied for the team lead in points so far through 4 games. Before shutting out the Monsters, the Marlies won their season opener against Binghamton, then dropped a game against Grand Rapids on Friday in which two former Providence Bruins, Matt Lashoff and Colborne, scored the team's only two goals. The Marlies also beat Lake Erie on Saturday. Their schedule continues with two games next weekend, against the Amerks and the Monsters.

Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)
The Baby Habs are 2-1-0-0 to start the season, winning their home opener against Rochester and splitting a two-game series on the road at St. John's this past weekend. In a particularly ugly loss to St. John's by a score of 6-2, goaltender Nathan Lawson allowed six goals on 35 shots, and opposing netminder Peter Mannino allowed two on 20. Through 3 games, recently returned from the KHL Brock Trotter has 7 points for the team lead, and UNH product Phil Desimone has two goals. The Bulldogs can attempt to pull even with the division-leading Marlies tonight with a game against the Grand Rapids Griffins.
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No team ever wants to be down 5-1 in a game, but what about when you’re the goalie heading to the crease in relief? Moreover, what if coming into the game is your American Hockey League debut?

All of that was the case for goaltender Karel St. Laurent when he was called upon to take over for Anton Khudobin in Friday night’s game against the Manchester Monarchs.