bruins 5 - hurricanes 1

The Bruins hosted their Conference rivals, the Hurricanes, this afternoon, in a match up that had the potential to go either way, given recent performances by each team.

Carolina had a loss in their last game, but had won 4-straight previously, and were riding a very hot Cam Ward and a (finally) warm-ish Rod Brind'amour in that span.

The Bruins, meanwhile, had won their last game, but lost their previous two, and had looked a little unorganized in their final three wins before the Holiday break.

In this afternoon's match-up, the Bruins brought in some younger players to fill in a few holes in the lineup. Byron Bitz had his first NHL start (registering an assist), Martins Karsums had his second NHL start (also recording an assist), and they joined comparative veterans such as Blake Wheeler and David Krejci (who registered a goal and two assists in the win).

Tim Thomas backstopped the Bruins, and he held a shutout until about mid-way through the final frame, and Michael Ryder continued his sharp-shooting ways, registering two goals in this afternoon's game. The Bruins are 14-0-0 when Ryder scores.

After the game, Coach Julien was asked about Michael Ryder's play and he offered the following:

"I don’t think his game is developing; he’s found his game. Put it this way, he’s just in one of those situations where, he is what he is right now. What I mean by that is, the Ryder you see right now is the Ryder that has been a player in the NHL and throughout his young career. He’s been like that for the most part. He’s a gifted goal-scorer, he’s a hard worker, he makes things happen when he’s at his best. We just have to keep pushing him and continue to help him move along in the right direction because he’s been a real helpful addition for our hockey club this year."

If I may offer a translation of Coach Julien's statements, suitable to my own reality here in Montreal: In your face, Canadiens' fans! You mocked this pickup in the offseason, and now you are forced to merely surround my building (with flaming torches!) every night.

The win brings the Bruins to a very impressive 31-7-4 record, tops in the NHL, as they pass mid-season and begin the home drive to the playoffs. Other than a 3-and-3 record against the Northwest Division, the Bruins hold a winning record against every other Division in the League.

Of Note: The Bruins brought Tuukka Rask up from Providence for tonight's game, in place of Manny Fernandez as backup; The Bruins welcomed a sell-out crowd for the matinee match-up; the Bruins chased Cam Ward from the nets, and are 8-0-0 when they play a team forced to change goalies.