Bergeron, Stuart, Sturm – Rolling for Bruins

When Marc Savard went down with his concussion injury, everyone questioned the already lackluster Boston Bruins offense. With the playoffs just around the corner the big question was, if we do get in could we do any damage?

It seems that the Bruins answered a few critics with their handling of the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday beating them 5-1. Five different Bruins got in on the action. Patrice Bergeron has been playing great lately as he picked up a goal and two assists, giving him five points in the last two games. Marco Sturm was also a big factor as he scored his team leading 21^st goal while picking up an assist. Sturm now has five points in his last three games.

Tuukka Rask didn’t need to be the star of the game, but he answered when called on, robbing Simon Gagne on a few occasions and showing off his big glove. Rask was playing his first game after injuring his groin but showed no ill effects off the off time.

Both Bruin netminders have been playing well lately. Tim Thomas is coming off two losses, but played well in both. It seems the Bruins are going to mix things up with both goalies, but I believe we will know the clear-cut starter as we head in to the playoffs.

The Bruins are currently sitting in the 8^th and final playoff spot and have five points on the Rangers, who are 9^th. Boston does have three games in hand against division rival Montreal Canadiens, and they will face off Saturday night. Montreal is in the 7^th position currently and has two points on Boston.

It’s going to be a rough road for the Bruins until the playoffs. Without their top playmaker they are going to have to find a way to generate some offense. It was a good start against Philly, not so much against Toronto.  Guys like David Krejci, Mark Recchi will need to continue to play well. Recchi, 42, has been a big time player for the Bruins this season, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down and is a leader on and off the ice for Boston. Blake Wheeler is someone I expected a lot more from this season, although he opened the scoring with his 15^th of the year, he will need to find his offensive touch the rest of the way.

I am also going to give a big shout out to Mark Stuart. He has been the best defenseman on some nights and second, behind Zdeno Chara, on others. He got in two fights last night, one against Daniel Carcillo and Ian Laperriere, as well as throwing some big hits. This guy is going to be either a top four, or even top two, defenseman for the Bruins next season if he continues this play.

The Bruins next game is against the Habs on the 13^th in Montreal. Game time is 7:00 p.m. EST.

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