The Boston Bruins come into Pittsburgh today still in need of points in their playoff race but they are in a much better position than they were from just one month ago. It is now likely the Bruins are making the playoffs whereas before it was a little dicey.
Ottawa playoff chances up to 21%. Not quite dead yet. pic.twitter.com/ClOhWkRwAG
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) March 14, 2015
A huge reason the Bruins are able to find success is their trio of superstar players. This trio includes Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and Tuukka Rask.
Patrice Bergeron consistently outperforms his role the Bruins place him in which is a complete shutdown center. By being able to shut the opponent's best players down while also generating his own offense is truly a luxury to have. Patrice Bergeron belongs in the dCorsi Hall of Fame.
Zdeno Chara may start to slow down in the very near future but he is still a quality player and one of the better defenseman in the league
Anything above 0 means they are outperforming the role the coach is putting them in. Considering Claude Julien is putting them in really difficult roles and they are still significantly above zero that is very impressive.
Since Bergeron's concussion his possession game has aged like a fine wine.
.@SteveBurtch Bergeron pic.twitter.com/05naP130Ix
— Muneeb Alam (@muneebalamcu) February 10, 2015When Julien combines Bergeron with the Zdeno Chara Dougie Hamilton combo it makes life extremely difficult for the opposition.
As for goaltending Tuukka Rask is consistently one of the best at the position.
Needless to say the goals won't come as easy as they did against Edmonton on Thursday night.
The Bruins aren't without their flaws though. They have their very own Tanner Glass in Gregory Campbell. Campbell famously broke his leg and finished his shift after "heroically" blocking an Evgeni Malkin slapshot. He still plays like he has a broken leg.
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Doug "Crankshaft" Murray has joined the Calgary Flames on a tryout basis. Doug Murray has not suddenly improved. Because Murray was not an active NHL player we did not have access to his HERO chart, until now.
Limited Edition HERO Chart: Douglas Murray (2011-12 to 2013-14) @GunnerStaal pic.twitter.com/K7QNI0Td5h
— Domenic Galamini (@MimicoHero) March 13, 2015
Two second round picks...
I also requested another HERO chart that was previously unavailable. Toronto's new star center.
You asked for it... @GunnerStaal pic.twitter.com/fiyNKRbfAh
— Domenic Galamini (@MimicoHero) March 13, 2015
The Penguins will be wearing Pittsburgh Gold today. The sharp looking black and gold combo was actually introduced to the NHL by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925 before Boston.
To this point it hasn't significantly impacted his play on the shot generation front.
Before the injury he was generating 2.22 shots per game. Since coming back it is 2.29 shots per game.
His goals per game is slightly down. It was .34 goals per game before the injury. It is now .29 goals per game. However, I view that more as natural regression than injury related. Comeau is shooting 14.6% on the year (15.5% before injury, 12.5% after). That is higher than his 24 goal season with the Islanders when he shot 13.6%. . Last but certainly not least today. Sidney Crosby is starting his own hockey school in August of 2015.
Sid will be teaching kids how to play hockey in his hometown on his birthday this year. Good stuff.
Attention Sidney Crosby fans: Well this has been a long time coming. #87 #coleharbour #penguins pic.twitter.com/wdq6OkD55z
— Paul Hollingsworth (@PaulHReporter1) March 14, 2015
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Edit 9:57 AM
I had an oversight this morning. How could I have forgotten about the fourth Bruins Superstar?
@GunnerStaal pic.twitter.com/2ZmzNTew81
— Nick Case (@Nick422) March 14, 2015
Thanks for reading!
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