Hello Puckheads, and welcome to one of DailyFaceoff.com’s newest features, tentatively titled “Ben’s Bruins Brief” (catchy, isn’t it?). In this column you will find everything that you need to know about the Bruins and its players. Is Dennis Wideman’s slow start holding you back on the blue line? Are you frustrated with Tim Thomas’s unexplained injuries, or more notably, lack of victories? Have no fear; we here at “Ben’s Bruins Brief” have you covered.
The NHL season is quietly approaching the one-third mark, with every team in the league playing in at least 23 games. How have your Bruins performed thus far, and what should you expect of them from this point on? We are going to marinade those questions and many more in the Bruins One-Third Review, starting from in goal on out.
Goalies
Tim Thomas- 15 games started: 6-6-3, 2.36, .915%, 3 SO.
How He Got Here: While Thomas’ peripheral numbers are not bad, his most startling stat is his below-average 6 wins in 15 starts. Add those numbers to the fact that Thomas has missed 6 straight games due to a broken hand, and you have some pretty frustrated fantasy owners.
What to Expect: Contrary to his figures, Thomas has often been one of the Bruins’ best players, keeping them afloat as they were struggling with injuries and slow starts. Before he went down to injury, Timmy had been playing solid hockey while having little to show for it at the end of the day. Now that Boston has found its groove, reclaiming its mantle at the top of the Northeast Division, expect last year’s Vezina winner’s numbers to improve. He is still one of the top fantasy netminders out there, and his value from here on out is only going to rise. To all of you owners out there who took Thomas as a top pick, just sit back, stay patient, and reap the rewards that are bound to head your way.
Tuukka Rask- 11 games started, 7-2-2, 2.02, .929%, 1 SO.
How He Got Here: One man who has benefited from the Bruins unexpected slow start has been the “backup”, Tuukka Rask. The former first round pick is one of the few Bruins that has played consistent solid hockey all season long. Rask has shown that the hype that has surrounded him is legit and that he is definitely capable of being a number 1 guy in the league sooner rather than later.
What to Expect: While Rask is one of the main reasons for Boston’s climb back to the top of their division, Tim Thomas’ return from injury is going to send him back to the bench. His stellar play when called upon will undoubtedly earn him more starts in the future, but his value right now is limited to a reliable handcuff for Tim Thomas owners.
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara- 26 games played, 1-13-14, +1, 42 PIMs.
How He Got Here: One of the most highly regarded rearguards in the league, Chara owners know what to expect: 10-20 goals, 25-35 assists, and 100+ PIMs. Big Z, like most of his teammates, got off to a slow start. His play has steadily improved and he is currently tied for second on the team in points.
What to Expect: While his 1 goal over 26 games is alarming, Chara has picked up the slack in almost every other category. He is currently on pace to set a career high in assists, and while it is probably too late for him to match the 19 goals he put up last season, you can still count on him to at least eclipse the 10 goal mark, which he has done in 6 of the last 7 seasons. His penalty minutes are always a bonus, and he leads the Bruins in shots on goal with 68, another plus for those in leagues that track that figure. Zdeno is a top defenseman, on the ice and for fantasy purposes. Feel confident rolling him every night.
Dennis Wideman- 26 games played, 2-7-9, +/- 0, 12 PIMs.
How He Got Here: Expectations were high for Wideman after his breakout season in 08/09 saw him put up 50 points and a spectacular +32. Unfortunately, the 26 year-old Ontario native has disappointed thus far.
What to Expect: Wideman owners who have patiently held on to him have been rewarded recently, as he has put up 5 points and a +2 in his last 6 games. While owners can expect a slight improvement to Wideman’s numbers across the board, especially his power play figures, it is entirely possible that Wideman reached his fantasy peak last season. Set expectations to a 10 goal, 30-35 assist year, and you shouldn’t be let down.
Forwards
As the Bruins are one of the deepest offensive teams in the league, this week we’re just going to focus on their top three centers, a trio that is one of, if not the, best in the league.
Marc Savard- 11 games played, 4-6-10, +3, 8 PIMs.
How He Got Here: Fantasy owners are all too familiar with Savard’s troubles so far; he missed 15 games starting in October due to a broken left foot. His absence can be directly correlated to the Bruins struggles offensively, and more precisely on the power play.
What to Expect: It is no coincidence that Boston has earned 7 out of a possible 8 points since Savvy has rejoined the lineup. After being blanked in his first game back, Savard put up 3 assists in the next 3 games to go along with a +2 rating, all while averaging just under 20 minutes of ice time per game. Savard has established himself as one of the best playmakers in the game, and his new penchant for being a plus player is only the icing on the cake. Assuming that he stays healthy, expect Savard to regain his above a point-per-game average that he has consistently shown in the past.
Patrice Bergeron- 26 games played, 7-11-18, +/- -4, 8 PIMs.
How He Got Here- After missing big chunks of the last two seasons due to concussion problems, one didn’t know what quite to expect of Bergeron. He has rewarded those who took the gamble, as his 18 points are tops on the Bruins. It is easy to forget that Patrice is only 24 years old, and he has been the object of constant praise of Boston fans and head coach Claude Julien so far this season.
What to Expect- Bergeron has picked up the slack in the absence of key forwards Savard and Milan Lucic. With the depth that the Bruins are fortunate enough to have down the middle, it will be hard for Bergeron to match the 73 and 70 point seasons that he put up in 05-06 and 06-07 seasons, respectively. He has been given more responsibility, constantly given the task of shutting down the opposition’s top line. With that said, it is entirely possible that Patrice puts up 60+ points this year if he keeps up his solid play. Add on top of this the fact that he is currently 2nd in the league in face-offs won and Bergeron becomes an even more important contributor in leagues that track those stats.
David Krejci- 24 games played, 3-9-12, +3, 8 PIMs.
How He Got Here- After an offseason surgery to his hip had him questionable to be placed into the lineup at the start of the season, Krejci’s struggles thus far should probably have been expected. A bout with the dreaded H1N1 virus that forced him to miss 2 games in early November only compounded on the young Czech’s early-season struggles.
What to Expect- In the last 10 games since returning from his spell with the flu, Krejci has put up 2 goals and 5 assists; numbers that are on par with his breakout 73 point season last year. Krejci has looked better with each game he has played in, and even though the Bruins are jammed up the middle, it is not out of question for him to bounce back from a slow start and put up comparable numbers to those of last year. Also, Krejci owners should rejoice in the fact that December is coming up, as that is statistically his best month of the year: In 14 career December games, the 23 year old pivot has put up an impressive 22 points. While it is unlikely that Krejci matches his league-leading +37 rating of last season, he is a reliable player that you can count on to help you out in that category. All of you patient Krejci owners out there will not be let down with his totals once the season comes to an end.
Thus, we come to the end of our Bruins One-Third Review. Next week, we will cover the Bruins wingers and secondary scorers, as well as looking at what the Bruins face in the upcoming week and how fantasy owners should set their lineups accordingly. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday. Go Bruins!
Ben Shaham
Ben’s Bruins Brief
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