Boston Bruins Weekly Predictions: Reclamation Of Dignity
The Boston Bruins are on a two game winning streak, but another loss to the Montreal Canadiens could send them back on a losing streak. The Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs are not what you would call formidable foes, so saying that the Bruins are on a two game winning streak isn’t really saying much. Even so, any win will make the team feel good about themselves and put them in better spirits and mindsets going into the following game. With only three wins in the year 2016, the Boston Bruins need to stop losing games that they are more than capable of winning. This needs to start in Montreal.
Puck Prose
Bruins v Canadiens
The embarrassing loss at the Winter Classic was just another way of saying that the Montreal Canadiens have had the Boston Bruins’ number for too long. The frustration needs to stop and the only way it will is if the Bruins give the Canadiens a loss like the Bruins suffered on January 1st.
Montreal is still without Carey Price and continues to struggle, for the most part. Their is no reason why the Bruins are unable to take advantage of this opportunity and win this game. Coach Claude Julien should have each player treat this game like a playoff matchup simply because enough is enough. The Boston Bruins need to show some more passion in this rivalry and regain some of the dignity that they lost at the Winter Classic. Unfortunately, the pit in my stomach believes that the Bruins are doomed to lose yet another game at the Bell Centre, this time with a score of 3 to 2 in overtime. I hope that I am wrong about this one.
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Bruins v Canucks
Another heated rivalry with a Canadian team occurs later in the week as the Bruins face off against their Stanley Cup Final foes, the Vancouver Canucks. Again, the Bruins have to bring extra motivation into this game, and I don’t mean just Brad Marchand. When the Bruins play angry, they don’t just win, they dominate. Boston has to fight hard for the puck whenever they don’t have it and dictate the play when they do. I feel that they will be able to do this against Vancouver.
If Boston loses to Montreal, they will be upset and desperate for a win. If Boston beats Montreal, they will be on a three game winning streak and feel good. I see the Bruins playing an impressive game no matter what and taking it to the Canucks, winning the game, 4 to 1.
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Bruins v Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are not having a good season and, like the games against Buffalo and Toronto, this game is Boston’s to lose. Once again, I feel that the Bruins will be in good shape for this game, regardless of what comes before. The playoff race is not getting any clearer, or easier, so every point matters. Boston will take it to Columbus and will tally four goals again, just like they will against Vancouver, with the score ending at 4 to 2.
I have Jonas Gustavsson starting against the Columbus Blue Jackets so I am counting on Tuukka Rask to have a big week playing in the other two crucial games. Like last year, it looks as though we will be witnessing some pretty good hockey teams miss the playoffs. In order to not be in that conversation, the Boston Bruins can’t just win once or twice a week like they have been lately. It is time to take control of the season and put the other teams on the bubble.
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