After the disaster of week, the Bruins had last time out the California road trip was a crucial point in the season. If the Bruins struggles continued, we could have been looking at a long season, where the Bruins never really get going.
Fortunately, for fans and the team, the Boston Bruins had a really good California trip, and the main reason was Anton Khudobin. Yes, the Bruins recent success is mostly due to the stellar play of Anton Khudobin. The Bruins backup goalie started in both wins of the roadtrip.
With Tuukka Rask’s poor play at the moment, the Bruins should ride with Khudobin until he gives them a reason not to. To be perfectly clear, this is NOT a goalie controversy, but the Bruins need as many points as they can get right now. As crazy as it may seem, Anton Khudobin is the best bet they have.
Now on to the actual games, the Bruins possibly had the best week of the season. With a 2-1-0 record and the impressive wins against the Kings and Sharks, the Bruins finally have a winning streak and some momentum. Now, we’ll see if the Bruins can ride this new found wave of solid play right through Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season.
Game 1: Anaheim Ducks
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The Bruins got their first look at the Ducks this season in Anaheim at the Honda Center, and like most games the Bruins gave up the first goal of the game once again. Northeastern product Kevin Roy got his first goal of his NHL career and gave the Ducks the 1-0 lead late in the 1st period. The period ended with the Bruins searching for an equalizer but coming up short after 20 minutes.
In the 2nd, the Bruins came out flying. The Bruins had shot after shot after shot and kept the Ducks trapped in their own zone for most of the period. The tying goal came halfway through the period as Danton Heinen put the puck past John Gibson and the Bruins were looking for more.
However the Bruins crumbled as a seemingly harmless centering pass from Josh Manson banked off Zdeno Chara‘s skate and past Rask and all the momentum was gone. With under a minute to go in the period, Nick Ritchie crashed the net and added another goal to the ducks total, ending the period with the Ducks leading 3-1.
In the third, Derek Grant added a 4th goal and the game was all but over. Just before the game ended, Noel Acciari got the Bruins back within 2, but that was as close as they would get, losing 4-2.
Full recap here.
Game 2: Los Angeles Kings
Hoping to rebound from their most recent loss, the Bruins faced off against the Kings in Los Angeles in the Staples Center. The Bruins actually scored first in this one, after Charlie McAvoy showed his offensive skills as he jumped down the wing and backhanded one past Jonathan Quick to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead after the 1st period.
In the 2nd, the game featured more offense from defensemen. Early in the period, Drew Doughty sniped one on the power play to tie the game at 1-1. But later in the period, mere seconds after the Bruins power play expired, Chara scored to put the Bruins back up 1 and the period ended with the Bruins leading 2-1.
Entering the final frame, the Bruins were protecting a one goal lead and they knew they had to play strong defensively and they did. Led by goaltender Anton Khudobin, the Bruins held off the Kings and the Bruins finally got back into the win column, defeating the Kings 2-1.
Full recap here.
Game 3: San Jose Sharks
In the final game of the California road trip, the Bruins faced off against the Sharks in the SAP Center in San Jose. The Bruins fell behind rather quickly, as Timo Meier pounced on the puck near the crease as porous net front defense left the Bruins chasing the game and the lead.
The Bruins responded quickly as the equalized courtesy of Peter Cehlarik jumped on a rebound and smashed the puck past Sharks goalie Aaron Dell to score his first career NHL goal and tied the game for the B’s. Later in the 1st, the Bruins took the lead after a snipe by Jake DeBrusk and the Bruins had the lead 2-1 after 1.
The second period was scoreless for both teams, but the Bruins and Sharks each had chances to score. However, in the third, the Bruins were looking for some insurance and they got exactly what they were looking for. Danton Heinen banged one home in front of the net and gave the Bruins a two goal lead late in the game. The Bruins and Anton Khudibin held strong and finished off the game with a 3-1 victory.
Full recap here.
Next: Bruins in the mix for awards?
The Road Ahead
The Bruins are off until Wednesday, where they head to New Jersey to play against Taylor Hall and the Devils. Then on Black Friday, the Bruins have a home matinee against the defending Stanley Cup Champions Pittsburgh Penguins. To finish off the week, the Bruins host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
Predictions
After going 2-1-0 on the California roadie, I can see the Bruins riding this new found wave of momentum to duplicate the same record as this week and go 2-1-0 by defeating the Devils and Oilers, but falling to the Pens on Black Friday.