May 10, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing
Jaromir Jagr(68) reacts to being defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been 7 years since Jaromir Jagr donned a C on a New York Rangers jersey. In his brief 4 year stint in New York, Mario Jr netted one 50 goal season, and made 3 playoff appearances; his best in 2007-08 logging 15 points in 10 games (5-10). May 21st, 2013 will mark the first time in 17 years Jaromir Jagr has faced the New York Rangers in the playoffs and the sleeping giant has been slowly but surely regaining his once lost form. After being robbed by Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist during Game 2 on May 19th, Jagr returned to TD Garden for a late night skate by himself to hopefully get in touch with his sleeping skills. But Jagr isn’t the only sleeping giant that’s been waiting to wake up,
Tyler Seguin is still without a single goal in the 2013 Playoffs, he hasn’t really been playing like himself since the start of the post-season. Despite assisting on Bergeron’s game and series winning goal against Toronto in Game 7, he hasn’t netted more than a point in the last 9 games he’s appeared in. The snake bitten forward is struggling for the second time this year, the first time coming in the beginning of the year after returning from Europe. It’s obvious that Seguin can handle himself in the post-season, he’s done it before, but the huge glaring factor that is more than likely the major cause of his lack of production is the tour of Europe he did during the long off season. Seguin definitely burnt himself out and working himself double time to snap out of his European hangover in the beginning of the year hasn’t helped things. Seguin will return to his form, there is no worry about it, but if he doesn’t get into shape soon will Claude make a point of benching him in favor of another Providence call up? Or will he let Seguin work it out himself?. In an honest opinion, a Providence call up wouldn’t be half bad. Rookie defencemen Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski are both call ups out of Providence, and have impressed greatly, Krug netting 2 points in 2 games and Bartkowski just being an all around force on the ice. It would definitely be nice to see some future Bruins out of Providence.
The rest of the Bruins have been coming together and making great things happen all over the ice. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have rekindled their speedy magic and the KHL (Krejci, Horton, Lucic) line has been absolutely tearing it up. Hamilton and the third line need to show improvement, but a lot of slack can be given to Hamilton. Being only 19 in a situation like this (especially if you are a defencemen) isn’t going to be an recipe for instant success. Tuukka Rask has been absolutely standing on his head and living up to the number 1 goalie title and is more then ready to be a Stanley Cup winning goaltender. His defense needs to remember that he can’t do all the work, but it seems like things are working itself out in that department.
Clear Broadway, here comes the Bruins.