(Photo Credit: NBC Sports Boston)
By: Evan Michael | Follow me on Twitter @Evan007onTV
For the 5th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES!
The only thing that makes the above even remotely tolerable is if you say it/sing it to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” But, that’s a small consolation for the Grinch-like woes we’re witnessing on the ice for Boston right now. The B’s lack of scoring — ANY scoring lately — has been the most broke of “broken records” that I’m sure we’d all rather hear a Chipmunks holiday song on loop. (Don’t worry, that won’t happen but I do have another song ready to rock for you at the bottom!)
And speaking of record-breaking (and not in a fun or festive way), the B’s have ALREADY surpassed their “getting shut out” totals from the previous two seasons and it’s not even mid-December, let alone the 25th or the New Year. All I want for Christmas is Bergeron back, Miller moving, Chara chirping & SOMEONE SCORING. Literally, anyone at this point.
The Bruins are second in fighting majors this year. They are getting out-hit by an average of just two per night. They also rank 29th in even-strength goals per 60 minutes and 30th in all-situation scoring chances. Their B6 Fs have eight goals on 211 shots.
They. Need. Goals. https://t.co/rNuxGGGYPF
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) December 5, 2018
Bruins scoring pic.twitter.com/hx6u9CGYAR
— Court Lalonde (@courtlalonde) December 5, 2018
Just like the above tweet from fellow BnG blogger @courtlalonde, “Anybody home?” is the exact next thought for everyone from Biff to Butch and McFly to McAvoy right about now. And if the B’s want to return home to Garden ice this weekend and still be in a playoff position, then they’re going need to sort out the coal in their Black N’ Gold stockings against a top Tampa team that’s been anything but “nice” to them in recent memory.
(Photo Credit: Boston Herald)
Anybody who’s been watching of late the line-juggling of Coach Cassidy and the subsequent ineffective play of nearly every line save for a few finishing touches from Pasta, Marchy & Donato… well, those people most likely look like all of the fans pictured above: shocked, angered, in awe and flat out depressed. In other words, not how you want to feel during the “tis the season to be jolly” phase of the year.
Thankfully, previous B’s history has shown mid-December to be when the Bruins finally phase-in on a winning streak (18 consecutive games with points from ’17 into ’18 if I remember correctly) so now seems like the perfect time for a visit from The Ghost of Christmas Past. Can this role please be played by Orr, Espo or Neely? Not to sound like a (Tomenezer) Scrooge, but Bah Humbug!
This a Bruins zone… pic.twitter.com/vMEtqlYE56
— Tomenezer Scrooge. (@PrimeDavidPrice) December 5, 2018
What needs to happen here in the present is the return to good health of Nos. 33, 37 & 73 and the return to good cheer of everybody else on the roster–all of whom are currently feeling the pressure of being without the team’s top players & leaders. And like a Dickens stuffed goose on Christmas morning, man oh man does it ever show!
“We made a lot of mistakes that were uncharacteristic of our team…We have to get back to playing the way we normally do.”
🎥Brad Marchand reflected on areas for improvement going into Thursday’s contest against Tampa: pic.twitter.com/8uTBf5Ufnd
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 5, 2018
So, to finish the aforementioned yuletide yarn at the top of this ostentatious (not to be confused with Austen Matthews) article, may I present the remainder of the lyrics in emphatic future form, just like our final Christmas Ghost, and all of us here in Bruins nation, would have wanted for the team:
“THE TWELVE DAYS OF BRUINS”
For the 1st time this season, the Bruins gave to me: a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 2nd time this season, the Bruins gave to me: two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 3rd time this season, the Bruins gave to me: three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 4th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 5th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES…four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 6th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES… four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 7th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: seven stars a-skating, six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES… four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 8th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: eight players pointing, seven stars a-skating, six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES… four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 9th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: nine sections cheering, eight players pointing, seven stars a-skating, six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES…four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 10th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: ten Lords like Stanley, nine sections cheering, eight players pointing, seven stars a-skating, six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES… four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 11th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: eleven posts avoiding, ten Lords like Stanley, nine sections cheering, eight players pointing, seven stars a-skating, six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES… four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and a lineup filled & healthy!
For the 12th time this season, the Bruins gave to me: twelve shooters shooting, eleven posts avoiding, ten Lords like Stanley, nine sections cheering, eight players pointing, seven stars a-skating, six D defending, FIVE SHUTOUT GAMES… four scoring lines, three stick saves, two shootout wins and:
A LINEUP FILLED & HEALTHY!!!
Boston, you’re my home!!!!! @RedSox @Patriots @NERevolution @NHLBruins @SalvationArmyUS @BostonTweet @DTownBostonBID #redsox #patriots #bruins #Nerevs @Wally97 #christmas pic.twitter.com/Xno6y5NlyO
— Jennifer O’Mahony (@divajla) December 5, 2018
We can always sing their (upcoming) praises, right!?
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