Bruins catch a break from winter in Tampa tonight.

Feb 15, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman

(33) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins are currently 9-2-2. The only reason why they aren’t at the top of the division standings is that they’ve played fewer games than every one else. (Believe me, it’s a little odd to see the Habs at the top of the list. It’s downright disturbing actually.) They’re in the middle of their five game road trip, and tonight we find the Bruins in Tampa taking on the Lightning.  Personally, I’m confident in the Bruins chances tonight.

Tampa Bay’s head coach Guy Boucher was interviewed about the upcoming match.  They way he was talking, you would almost think they interviewed Claude Julien. “They are a very confident group — they don’t really have any big flaws that you can really attack,”  Boucher said. “Every team has strengths and flaws, and you want to attack their flaws and defend against their strengths. And they have depth at all positions, they have everything whether it’s on defense or in the nets. They have experience in winning and they have kept pretty much the core players for years and the same coach, so they have that culture that’s very strong, and when you play them you play more than just one team, you play that whole culture. And it’s difficult to beat them.”

Boucher continued on what a dominating presence the Bruins are. We’re not just regarded as the ‘Big Bad Bruins’ by him. “When I look at the Boston Bruins, I think they are well coached and they play smart,”  continued Boucher. “Their physicality, for me, is the second part of their strength, not the first part of their strength. I really believe that they just play smart.”

Now don’t get me wrong. Tampa Bay is no slouch either. They’re second in the Southeast Division, have a 8-6-1 record, and they’re on a two game win streak themselves. You have to admit that nothing gives a fan that extra boost of confidence as the opposing team’s coach heaping praise upon the Bruins.  It’s not just their coach either. Tampa Bay winger  Teddy Purcell chimed in about tonight’s game as well. “They are always one of the top teams in the conference, and they are off to a good start.  They are always a good team and we always have good battles against them. It’s going to be a good measuring stick for us and we’re looking forward to it.”