In their last 14 games, the Boston Bruins have earned 27 of a possible 28 points. By now, you know the angles, too. Over that stretch they went on a 12-game winning streak, their lone loss came against the Montreal Canadiens (by way of the shootout no less), and their most recent victory was a 3-0 shutout of the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.
They’ve done OK.
Boston’s last effort that didn’t result in at least a point? Mar. 1 against the Washington Capitals. Today’s opponent? Those same Washington Capitals. Since that game, a 4-2 loss, the Bruins got their revenge against Washington by way of a 3-0 shutout less than a week later, a game where they held the Caps to just 16 shots.
And though the scene shifts to D.C.’s Verizon Center this time around for the Bruins’ lone visit to the Nation’s Capital this year -- one of the new pitfalls of last summer’s realignment-adjusted schedule -- it doesn’t seem to matter where the puck’s dropped these days.
Not for a Bruins squad that’s held opponents to just nine goals over the last nine games, anyways.
“We’re in the right position right now, as far as where you want to be at this time of year. Every, almost every game day morning, we spend time looking at an area where we feel might have slipped a little bit,… Boston head coach Claude Julien said following the B’s win over the ‘Hawks on Thursday night. “Satisfied is not a word that exists in our dressing room. Happy is one thing but you continue to strive to get better and there’s always parts of your game, that you want to get better at. We just want to stay on top of those things and make sure we keep our guys sharp.…
Sharpness hasn’t been an issue for the Bruins’ goaltending duo this month, and with today kicking off the final of six back-to-backs this month, Julien will turn to Chad Johnson this afternoon.
The 27-year-old Johnson, who’s morphed himself into a dependable start with each appearance, has been a model of success after a rocky start to his role with the Black-and-Gold.
“I think when you look at the beginning of the year, his first two games were a little rocky but at the same time I didn’t think we had a great opportunity in those preseason games to give him a good chance to get a feel for our game. We had a lot of goaltenders who deserved to play those preseason games, two of them right now are in Providence,… Julien said of Johnson earlier this week. “It was important for [Tuukka] to find his game. So again, it was a little tough for him but everybody sees what he’s done so far. Not only his wins and losses but his save percentage, his stats, I guess his save percentage per scoring chance which is what we keep internally – they’re really good.…
Entering today’s action with a 16-3-1 record and .925 save percentage, Johnson’s no longer a ‘gamble start’, and has been a key piece of the Bruins’ run throughout this memorable month of hockey.
“Well his play has allowed us to do that. In fact, I think he has played so well that it has given us the luxury of giving Tuukka a lot more rest. It’s certainly given ourselves the chance to prepare properly here for the upcoming playoffs – we’ve clinched it now so I can say it,… said Julien, adding, “But it’s just one of those things where it’s great to have another goaltender that can give you the confidence that’s needed for the team that’s playing in front of him.…
Johnson stopped all 31 shots his way back on Mar. 21, is a perfect 5-0-0 with a 1.20 goals against average in March, and boasts a 10-0-1 record and .931 save percentage since the start of January.
Washington gives the nod to budding Bruins killer Braden Holtby, who despite a 1-1-0 record against the club this year, enters play with a .950 save percentage against Boston.
Holtby’s won four of five against Boston in his career, and stopped 40-of-42 in his lone loss.
The 24-year-old doesn’t fret when it comes to taking on the Black-and-Gold.
An obvious plus for the Bruins as of late has been their offense, and it’s seemingly been a full 12-man attack throughout this month. But right now, with centermen Patrice Bergeron striking with a goal in five straight games, it seems as if puck-luck is on the side of the club’s second line.
“The puck’s going in I guess. There’s not much to say about it,… the always modest Bergeron noted. “It’s just you get those chances sometimes during the year and it doesn’t go in and now it is. Obviously it’s great any time I can chip in offensively and keep my two way game, I’m happy with it.…
The Bruins will scratch Matt Bartkowski today, putting Andrej Meszaros back into the lineup after a two-game stint as a healthy scratch. Meszaros has a goal and four points in eight games with the Black-and-Gold. He's still battling for a spot on the Bruins' top six come playoff time.
The Bruins can also clinch the division this afternoon, and a win would tie the franchise record for consecutive wins on the road. They have seven right now.