Bruins 3 Stars of the Week

Jan 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) and right wing Reilly Smith (18) and center Carl Soderberg (34) and left wing Loui Eriksson (21) celebrate Hamilton scoring a power play goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Bruins defeated the Stars 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

This past week was an average one for the Boston Bruins. They ended the third week of January with a 1-1-1 record. After dropping a game to Columbus last Saturday they Black and Gold rebounded to top Tyler Seguin’s Dallas Stars 3-1 in their Tuesday night face-off. In their second game in as many nights (and 663 travel-miles later) the Bruins took on the dangerous Colorado Avalanche. In their only previous meeting of the season Colorado’s Danny Briere scored a buzzer-beating game-winner. Boston looked to avenge their closing-seconds loss, however came up short in a disappointing shootout effort. The Bruins will get some much needed off time this weekend as the All Star festivities kick off in Columbus.

Third Star- Tuukka Rask

Tuukka has found his way after dealing with some early season struggles. He started all three games of the week including the back-to-back games in Dallas and Denver and allowed only six goals out of a whopping 104 shots. The Bruins’ defense is not playing at their best, but the Vezina winner has shown how valuable an elite goaltender is, coming up with key saves when his team needs him most. In addition to the defense’s sloppy play, the Bruins have found themselves in the penalty box far too often as of late. They say goalies are the most important penalty killers of all, and Rask has proved that saying true this past week.

Second Star- The Penalty Kill

As mentioned earlier, the Bruins have found the sin bin far too many times, averaging 5 times a game this past week, but have still been able to stay in games and even come up with a win because of their Penalty Kill’s excellence. The PK went a perfect 15-15 this past week and made Tuukka Rask’s job a whole lot easier. By blocking shots, and dumping pucks the Bruins PK has kept them in a confident position knowing they can take a penalty when needed. If not for their stellar play, this article, and the teams record might look a whole lot different.

First Star- Patrice Bergeron

As surprising as this may be to Bruins fans Patrice Bergeron finds himself in his first All Star game this weekend. While it is known across the league that Bergy may be the most underrated player in the NHL (and by the end of his career, possibly the most underrated player ever) he is finally getting the recognition he deserves by being named one of the league’s best. He may be the Bruins’ lone representative, but arguably he is the only Bruin that has played at a consistent All Star level since October. His first-star-status goes beyond his All Star honors however, Bergeron continues to see the most ice time among all forwards, and this ice time comes against opponent’s top lines. To continue the theme of the week, Bergeron is also the best penalty killer in Boston so his play has a lot to do with the PK’s and in effect Tuukka Rask’s stellar play.