Marc Savard, Mark Stuart and Dennis Seidenberg aren't available for Boston, yet they're coping fine. We’re seeing a team that has found themselves during this first round against the best goalie in the league.
Tuukka Rask has outdueled Ryan Miller, and Mark Recchi has proven that age is just a number. Sobotka has come out of no where to show everybody it's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog. Johnny Boychuk has delivered punishing hits, Dennis Wideman and Michael Ryder have suddenly found their game (finally), and the captain Zdeno Chara has played exactly how the captain should, he's upped his intensity and aggressiveness, and is playing really great playoff hockey.
Performing well in game three, Buffalo's undoing was a lost battle by Tim Kennedy to Mark Recchi. That's it, but that's all it takes. Ruff is a great coach, his team is going to drive to the net, screen Rask and take the body. As lights-out as Tuukka Rask has been, the Bruins goaltender is receiving some good luck. There were pucks he had no sight of, but they hit a part of his body somehow. But good fortune never lasts forever. If they keep firing pucks at Rask, a few are bound to take a strange bounce or deflection and start finding the back of the net.
Most importantly The bruins have destroyed the Sabres on the boards, the Bruins need to continue to win that battle, they are forcred to outworked buffalo, because overall they fall short talent wise.
Buffalo has the ability, but Boston has taken up the mental aspect of the game. They believe they can and will defeat the Sabres. The bruins are showing their toughness and Johnny Boychuk has gotten inside the Sabres' heads. Eliminating Vanek for the time being and crushing Matt Ellis with a terrific hit. But this series isn't over yet. It's only beginning for the Buffalo Sabres, who didn't fight through 82 regular season games to roll over and face an early playoff exit. The Bruins need to continue the gritty play, pay attention to the details and outwork Buffalo in all three zones.
Watch for Buffalo to try to regain form and bring the pain to the B's, they have decided to add a little muscle to their lineup and have called up Cody McCormick from the Portland Pirates, a 6'3" 215 lb grind it out forward.
- Mark Recchi is the only player on either team to score a power play goal in this series. The Bruins are 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Sabres are 0 for 12.
- Mark Recchi is the third oldest player to score an NHL playoff goal.
Boston Loves Mark Recchi.
#91 Update
Marc Savard skated for two consecutive days this week, and most importantly, he passed his neuro-psych test on Tuesday afternoon, which cleared him to practice with his teammates. Savard is not in physical game shape yet, but if Savard can get himself conditioned, a return to action during the course of this series is not being ruled out.
"I have to be realistic, here, and when I'm 100 percent condition-wise and mentally positive I can do this, I'll be ready to go," Savard said on Tuesday at Ristuccia Arena. “ I’m getting my wind back still, but head-wise, everything’s clear.”
With the Bruins leading their series with Buffalo 2-1, there is caution on the side of the Bruins' coaching staff to not rush Savard back into the lineup too soon. Remember, it’s an injury to his brain we’re talking about here, not a broken foot. The Bruins need to be sure Savard is 100-percent ready.
Hopefully Savard can make an appearance in the playoffs. We will be right there waiting when #91 returns to his position on the top line.
***Grind now, shine later team.
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