Bruins Overtime is a postgame feature providing extra news, notes and analysis from each game. Boston defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 2-1, on Thursday night in Boston, MA.
Well, you could say the Bruins are streaking again. They have won four of their last five games, encountering the little blip of Vancouver last Saturday. But since then, they have been back to their winning ways, regardless of how pretty (or ugly) they have been.
In Thursday's game against the Montreal Canadiens, there was very little to point out that would make one say "They are going to need that come playoff time," but they still managed to come out with the two points and stay atop the division and stay close in the top of the league.
In the span of those five games, the Bruins have outscored their opponents 25-9 and have just four regulation losses total since the beginning of November.
HOME SWEET HOME
After the month of October, in the span of seven Bruins losses, five of those came at home. Since then, the Bruins have put up both impressive numbers in Boston, as well as on the road. They are 15-7-1 (that's right, two losses since October) at TD Garden, and 12-4-0 when they are on the road.
Last night against the Canadiens was the last game they will play in Boston for nine days. They have a tough schedule coming up playing four road games before traveling back here to play against the Rangers on Saturday the 21st.
Judging by their road record, I think it's safe to say they feel comfortable and are effective regardless of where they lace up their skates and play.
KREJCI STREAKING THROUGH
Bruins forward David Krejci picked up an assist last night on Milan Lucic's goal in the third period. That assist extended his point-streak to ten games--a career best for the 25-year-old centerman. In that span, Krejci has 5-8=13 totals and that is the longest such streak in the NHL so far this season.
Also for the Bruins, Lucic now has 10 points in nine games and Nathan Horton has seven points in his last five.
NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE THEY'VE SEEN
The Montreal Canadiens have been in the spotlight for the better portion of a couple of weeks, whether it's been due to their uni-lingual coach or because a top forward Mike Cammalleri was making comments that didn't support a broken and distressed team.
It's a known fact that the Habs have struggled through the season, sitting last in the Division and with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel.
So when Cammalleri makes comments about a "loser mentality" you can bet something's going to happen. Just no one expected it to occur in the middle of the game.
Coming back into the third period, Cammalleri was absent from the bench and was removed by the team. While it was unknown during the game, it was eventually turned into a trade, just 15 or so minutes after the end of the game.
Players didn't seem to be aware why he wasn't on the bench, and coach Randy Cunneyworth said it was an obvious move by the management to "improve our team," by trading him away. He was eventually traded away to the Calgary Flames alongside Karri Ramo and a fifth-round draft pick for Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland and a second-round draft pick in 2013.
Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier said the idea of the trade had been in place for a while and Cammalleri's comments did not help hasten the trade.
"Absolutely not," Gauthier said. "I just want to add to my answer. One of the reasons that we were delaying this trade is that Mr. Bourque was suspended. Now he’s only got one game left, so it was more appropriate to do it than with a five-game suspension."
NEXT UP:
The Bruins head out to Carolina tomorrow and will play against the Hurricanes on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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