Dec 10, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins right wing
Jarome Iginla(12) warms up against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
It’s certainly taken him a few games, but Jarome Iginla is finally fitting into being a Boston Bruin.
Since his first shift in October with the team he has fit into their style of play, but his scoring touch hasn’t come until now.
He didn’t score against Calgary but potted 2 goals in the 4-2 win over Edmonton bringing his season total up to 8. Along with 11 assists, he is good for 4th on the team in points with 19.
It’s certainly taken him sometime to fit into the Bruins scoring sheets but his play with Lucic and Krejci has not gone unnoticed. He’s been playing every shift like it’s his last and has put a tremendous amount of effort into each shift he’s played over the past 32 games. He will have another chance tonight against a long time Calgary rival in Vancouver as the Bruins near the end of their Western Canada roadtrip.
Vancouver recently went through a coaching change swapping John Torterlla with Alain Vigneault in New York. Under Torts the Canucks are 19-10-5 and sitting 4th in the Pacific Divison behind the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks have won 6 straight games allowing no more than 2 goals since dropping 5 against the New York Rangers back in November.
The Canucks are riding a hot hand but the Bruins haven’t been slouching against tough teams. The Bruins have are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and despite a massive amounts of injuries and missing Shawn Thornton to a 15 game suspension, the Providence call ups have been working well on the big club. Reilly Smith continues to produce at a rapid rate sitting third on the team in scoring with 21 points. Providence call ups Matt Fraser, Ryan Spooner, and Nick Johnson are all performing well despite not scoring any goals and have been working well together as a cohesive unit and have had many chances since all being called up in the wake of the injuries. All of them had great chances against Calgary and Edmonton and blueliner Kevan Miller has been playing well in the absence of Dougie Hamilton and already has 2 points in 7 games and is a +3
The Bruins will certainly have their hands full tonight and things will certainly be chippy especially with the longtime flame captain returning to Vancouver this time a member of Vancouver’s new rivals the Boston Bruins. But maybe they will show him the same gratitude he showed Trevor Linden in his final game with the Canucks.. or not who knows.
Game time is 10:00 PM (EST). Can the Bruins extend their win streak to 5? Or will we be returning to Boston 8-3-0?