Soderberg shines, Bergeron returns in Bruins 2-0 win over Detroit.
Sep 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Carl Soderberg (34) celebrates a goal during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins were soundly beaten by the Detroit Red Wings at home on Thursday. Tonight, the Boston Bruins returned the favor, shutting out the Wings on their home ice in a 2-0 win. There were multiple good things about this win at the Joe Louis Arena, and all them spell good things for the Black and Gold.
1.) Bergeron back on the ice. For the first time since taking on a train wreck’s worth of injuries in last season’s playoffs, Bruins center (and future candidate for sainthood) Patrice Bergeron was taking contact hits from another team. There was even a moment where we saw a hint of ‘Paddy Cleary’ in the first period. Bergeron had a good game. He didn’t score any points for the squad, but having him on the ice skating was a fantastic morale boost for the Bruins.
Bergy, on how happy he is not to have to answer injury questions anymore..."it's great, obviously it's in the past, I can move forward" ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 22, 2013
2.) Carl Soderberg will likely be on the third line at the start of the season. (I’ll admit I was wrong here.) Soderberg played with a purpose tonight, scoring both goals for Boston. Those goals came within 1:45 of each other. The first one came with solid line work with Chris Kelly and Reilly Smith (This looks like the most probable third line for Boston at the moment.) The second one was Soderberg powering through to the net. He scored once on each goaltender for the Wings (Jonas Gustavsson and Petr Mrazek) Soderberg was awarded first star of the night for his actions.
Söderberg played wing tonight w/Kelly, Smith: "felt very comfortable from the start. Kells did really good job as always & I just fit in"^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 22, 2013
3.) Chad Johnson is back in the mix for the number two slot in Boston. Johnson had a rough game against Montreal allowing three goals on five shots. He redeemed himself fully tonight by earning the Bruins first pre-season shutout. He stopped all eighteen shots on goal, and finally looked comfortable in a Bruins uniform and in the crease. Johnson pulled up the second star for his shutout victory.
Johnson after 2-0 shutout;"not about proving to myself I can do it; it's proving to you guys & the org. that I can compete at this level"^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) September 22, 2013
This win gives the Bruins a 3-1 pre-season record, and it looks like the placement of the lines are starting to form. Coach Claude Julien was pleased with the team’s performance, and glad to see them shake off the surprising drubbing they got at the hands of Detroit just two days ago. The Bruins will attempt to continue their winning ways as they invite Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals to the TD Garden Monday night.