Satan parties like it’s 1999, Bruins finish off Sabres

The year is 1999. Bill Clinton is in office, Napster debuts, Spongebob Squarepants airs its first episode, Windows 98 is still on the rise, and, more importantly, Miroslav Satan helps the Buffalo Sabres knock off the Boston Bruins in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Now flash-forward 11 years. Clinton’s gone, Napster’s gone, Spongebob is trying to hang on, and who the hell knows

what Windows we’re working with.  Satan, on the other hand, is taking a page out of Prince’s book and still partying like it’s 1999.

In one of the most exciting Bruins games I’ve seen in years (along with Game 6 versus the Canadiens two years ago), Satan showed patience, intelligence, poise, and grace in scoring the game-winning and series-changing goal in the second overtime of Game 4.  Then, two games later, Satan provided an encore performance. He scored the Bruins fourth goal in Game 6, which turned out to once again be the game-winner. More importantly though, it was the series winner.

Considering the Bruins played the role of magicians and resurrected the seemingly dead career of Satan, I guess it hasn’t been a bad signing for the black and gold.

Satan had 9 goals and 14 points in 38 games during the regular season; not eye-pooping numbers, but respectable for a 35-year-old. After all, not everyone can pull a Joe Sakic, or even a Mark Recchi, in the twilight of his career. During this postseason, Satan now has two goals, three assists, and five points. Where Satan’s impact is most evident, however, is the wins column. The Bruins are 8-2 when Satan scores a goal (2-0 in the playoffs) and 12-5 when Satan records a point (3-1 in the playoffs). Now I’m not saying Satan is solely responsible for the Bruins winning those games, but I thought it was an interesting statistic to point out, and his two game-winners in this series have been crucial.

So let the puns out Bruins fans: Bruins fans sold their souls to Satan. Miller couldn’t overcome the power of Satan. Satan was hell on ice….Feel free to insert your own. The jokes are old, lame, and annoy the crap out me, but if Satan can continue to score goals of great magnitude, keep ‘em coming.

For now, the Bruins must play the waiting game. Montreal and Washington will play Game 7 on Wednesday night in Washington. If Washington wins, the Bruins will face Pittsburgh. If Montreal wins, the B’s will have a date with Philadelphia. I know that I’m pulling for Montreal because I think the Bruins have a better shot versus a banged up Flyers team. Either way though, expect Claude Julien to have his group ready for Game 1.