Devil of a Time

A performance like Thursday could have spelled the end of the 2006-07 season for the Bruins. No joke, I wanted to leave the building during the first period. I felt like I was watching a practice, even after the Bruins took an early 2-0 lead.

And it turned out that I was right. The Bruins certainly were not prepared to play a game - a must win game. The Flyers took it to them in every way possible. Shots came in at Thomas from every angle possible.

And just when it seemed Thomas and the Bruins might escape to a shootout where anything can happen, Scottie Upshall beat Thomas with one of those body one way, stick drag the other way goals. It's a move that usually works but it is up to the shooter to execute well. Sure enough, Upshall did just that and sent a very small and quiet crowd home with no hopes of a playoff run.

Last night those hopes were reimagined as the Bruins, can you imagine, showed up to play a hockey game. I'm sure the sellout crowd helped but this team needs to be ready every night. Apparently, the east end of the Garden was filled by Canadiens fans chanting "Go Habs Go." No surprise there. As we left the Boston Sports Grille, there must have been a group of 10 people come in with Canadien/Canada jerseys.

As for the Sports Grille, that place has to be the best around to watch a game. Located at 132 Canal Street, the Grille must have over 100 screens in the house including one miniature version for each table, very helpful for someone like myself with poor vision.

Tonight, the Bruins face the Devils in a matchup they have no faired well in lately, with the exception of the most recent game when Scott Clemenson started in place of Brodeur. Cam Janssen will be out of the lineup of course after his questionable hit on the Leafs' Tomas Kaberle on Friday. Not that Janssen would be the difference maker in this one especially considering the Bruins usually don't fight anyways.

While the Devils are contending for the top record in the East and in the NHL, this game looms larger for the Bruins, who could move to within four points of Carolina if the Canes don't reverse a current 1-0 first period defecit to the Thrashers.