Sport-scan daily brief

Shawn Thornton had a few words for Abdelkader and Chara gave him some rough treatment in a puck battle, but no one dropped the gloves.

Julien said he didn’t get a good look at it and Marchand was not available for comment. . . .

Torey Krug’s first-period power-play goal was his first NHL regular-season goal, though he scored four playoff goals last year.

“I didn’t even think about it until (Milan Lucic) looked at me and goes, ‘Is that your first one?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I guess,’ ” said Krug.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719680 Boston Bruins

B’s up for new rivalry

Score Atlantic win against Red Wings

Sunday, October 6, 2013

By: Steve Conroy

Life is pretty good for the Bruins right now.

Through two games on the new season, three of the four forward lines have scored. The power play, dormant for years, is showing signs it might be a real weapon. A first-round draft pick, given up as a bust in many observers’ minds, appears to be coming around. The third line, an Achilles’ heel the last two years, is playing as well as any unit. Defensively, they allowed just two goals in two games.

And it doesn’t seem like they’re close to hitting on all cylinders.

The Bruins received power-play goals from defensemen Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug, and a couple of more even-strength ones from Brad Marchand and Jordan Caron to beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-1, at the Garden last night in the teams’ first meeting as Atlantic Division rivals. The Red Wings were on the second half of a back-to-back and playing the last of three games in four nights, but the win still represented a quality two points for the B’s.

“They controlled the whole game, from the drop of the puck to the end of the game,” said Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard, who saw 37 shots and refused to give fatigue as an excuse. “They pretty much dominated in every aspect.”

The Bruins didn’t allow the Red Wings to play their vaunted puck-possession game, which can look like a game of keep-away when it’s going well. Tuukka Rask faced 26 shots, allowing just one Henrik Zetterberg strike in the first period that tied the game briefly, but the B’s goalie didn’t see a lot of testers.

“We played such a good game as a team that I didn’t have to do a lot,” Rask said. “No back-door plays or anything like that, no odd-man rushing or anything, just one shot and trying to take care of that rebound; our guys took care of it. So that’s why it was a really, really good game for the second game of the season.”

Chara played a big role on both power-play goals. Krug scored his first NHL regular-season goal with the 6-foot-9 Chara screening Howard from his new net-front position for a 1-0 lead in the first. Chara then took a feed from Krug and beat Howard on a nifty backhand shot that made it 4-1 and salted the game away in the third.

After an uneven performance in limited opportunities in the season opener, the power-play units were able to gain better zone entries and win the important puck battles.

“If we can score four goals a game, that’d be great,” Rask said. “Our power play looked really good. Guys were moving the puck and creating shots. And when they have those opportunities, they’re taking the shots, which has not always been the case.”

After Zetterberg’s goal tied the game late in the first (a period in which the home team had a 14-5 advantage in shots), the B’s seized control in the second. On a 3-on-2 break-in 36 seconds into the period, Marchand beat Howard from his off wing with a great shot just inside the far post.

Caron, the aforementioned first-rounder subbing for an injured Carl Soderberg, continued his strong play. Caron converted a great backhand pass from Reilly Smith for a 3-1 lead.

“I thought every line played well,” coach Claude Julien said. “They had their scoring chances and I think the ‘D’ did a really good job tonight.”

And the B’s are still waiting for some offensive contributions from their two prized newcomers, Jarome Iginla and Loui Eriksson, which will surely be coming.

Yes, life is indeed good for the B’s.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719681 Boston Bruins

Chara helping change power outage

Sunday, October 6, 2013

By:Stephen Harris

In many a preview story about the approaching Bruins season, it was noted that the B’s had a new plan for their struggling power play — the team’s Achilles’ heel the last few seasons.

The new idea was typically summed up rather simply: “The Bruins are going to have Zdeno Chara stand in front on the power play.”

Were it truly that simple, it would make sense — having a 6-foot-9, 255-pound monster standing just outside the goal crease would make it pretty tough for enemy goaltenders to see much of anything beyond the No. 33 jersey.

Chara demonstrated last night he is one mighty effective screener of goaltenders. But he also showed that he’s far more than that during the B’s impressive 4-1 victory over the vaunted Detroit Red Wings.

“He brings a lot more than people see when they look at a 6-foot-9 player who we’re just going to put in front,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien.

Chara provided a very effective screen on Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard on the first of two Bruins power-play goals, a slapper from the left circle by Torey Krug.

But he also rapped a shot off a goal post on a later power play, and made a sweet goalmouth move — cutting in from the left with a Krug feed, feinting a forehander and then lifting in a backhander for the B’s second power-play goal of the night.

There was plenty of talent on the ice, including Detroit greats Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. But no one could have finished with any more panache or style.

“He’s not just a guy we put there to screen the goaltender,” said Julien again. “That’s one of his assets, but I’ve talked about how good he is at retrieving pucks. We saw that (last night). Not only that, he retrieves them and he puts them in areas where we get control of the puck again. He’s a smart player up front.”

As usual, Chara wasn’t terribly chatty about his goal or his screen. What he talked about mostly was just hard work, about how power plays succeed when the team with the advantage outworks the opponent.

“It doesn’t mean because you have a man-advantage that everything is just going to work for you,” Chara said. “You have to work really hard and try to win those battles and races for the puck. Detroit is one of the best teams in the league. We knew it would be a big challenge. They have a good team, a good system and very dangerous guys. So yeah, we wanted to have a strong game, and for the most part we did.

“I’m just trying to work hard — get into those battles and try to win them.”

Is he having fun playing up front on the power play?

“It’s always been the basis of my game to just work hard,” he said. “While you’re doing it, you might as well enjoy it. Whatever I’m designated to be, I’m just trying to do my job.”

On Krug’s goal, a slick pass from Milan Lucic set up the defenseman with the time and space to move in from the left point, and the extra split-second to tee up his shot. Wisely, Krug aimed it just past Chara at the goalmouth. Howard barely moved as the puck flew past.

“Obviously he couldn’t see anything with Z in front there,” said Patrice Bergeron.

The Bruins suddenly appear to have a viable power play again, with Krug at the point and Chara up front. Even if it may have taken the B’s captain a little while to embrace the idea.

“There was some thinking going on there, him saying, ‘Well, I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do there,’ ” said Julien. “He was certainly willing to try it. I think with what we’ve seen in the preseason and in a couple of these games he (is) starting to enjoy it.”

Chara and the Bruins will enjoy it very much if the power play, a momentum-killer in recent years, becomes a strong weapon.

“Every team tries to improve things that are not as good and continue to do the things they did good,” said Chara. “Our power play was not as good as probably reflects the skill on this team. . . . We just want to work hard at it and get better at it.”

Sounds like a plan

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719682 Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron: So far, so good for Sochi

Olympic return seems realistic

Sunday, October 6, 2013

By: Stephen Harris

Patrice Bergeron’s candidacy for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team has gotten off to a very strong start.

In the Bruins’ season opener Thursday, Bergeron delivered a solid, two-way performance in the 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a plus-1, won nearly 60 percent of his faceoffs (16-for-27) and scored a lovely goal on a toe-drag to the middle and a snap past goalie Anders Lindback.

And maybe most significantly: With Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman — the executive director of Team Canada — looking on, Bergeron showed he is at full speed after suffering several serious injuries in June’s Stanley Cup finals.

“That’s a good audition,” said B’s general manager Peter Chiarelli, who will serve as an assistant GM for Team Canada. “He was skating well and he played a strong two-way game. He didn’t miss a beat from last year.”

In 2009 Bergeron wasn’t even included in Team Canada’s 46-player, pre-Olympic summer orientation camp, but played his way onto the 2010 team. Four years later, his reputation as a reliable two-way player — and a guy who makes big plays when big games are on the line — has skyrocketed.

“I would love to be on that team,” Bergeron said. “It’s something very special to play for your country. But I know there’s a lot of work to be done before even thinking about that. It’s all about worrying about the Bruins, doing a good job for this team and then see what happens.”

Bergeron and teammates Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand took part in the Canadian orientation camp this summer in Calgary. While a berth on the team is probably Bergeron’s to lose, the other two will have to have very special falls to have a shot at spots. The team is expected to be named in late December.

The corps of forwards for the defending gold medalists will likely again be dominated by centermen, many of them switching over to play on the wing at Sochi. Just look at the group of centers from which Yzerman & Co. must choose: Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Claude Giroux, Jonathan Toews, John Tavares, Eric Staal, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Mike Richards, Jamie Benn, Bergeron and many more.

In 2010 eight of Canada’s 13 forwards were natural centers. Bergeron played a small role on the team in Vancouver, averaging just 6:27 in ice time. He had one assist, a minus-2 and won 20-of-40 draws. But at the end, he got a gold medal draped around his neck.

“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “As a kid you do grow up dreaming about making it to the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup. But you watch the Olympics on TV and you know it’s the biggest sports event in the world. To be part of it was something very special.

“I just tried to accept my role and do the job that was expected of me — which was winning draws, killing penalties. I was just really excited to be there and be part of that team.”

Bergeron certainly isn’t assuming he’ll be on the 2014 squad. Nor was he worrying about it as the Bruins played their second game of the season last night vs. Detroit.

“There are so many great players who are Canadian,” said Bergeron. “You look at the 47 who were on the (orientation) list and there were many great players who were not on that list. They could play themselves into the picture. That’s the way I made it four years ago.

“I would love to be on the team. I’m going to work hard to make it. But we’ll just see what happens.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719683 Boston Bruins

Notebook: Blake Wheeler rises to task in Winnipeg

Sunday, October 6, 2013

By: Steve Conroy

Boston is now far in the rearview mirror for Blake Wheeler. The lanky forward with terrific hands but inconsistent application of those skills while with the Bruins is now ensconced in Winnipeg.

After leading the Jets in goal-scoring and finishing second in scoring for the Jets with 19-22-41 totals, Wheeler was made the Jets’ top earner when he and genral manager Kevin Cheveldayoff avoided arbitration and came together on a six-year deal that will pay Wheeler an average of $5.6 million per season.

But, as the old biblical parable goes, to whom much is given, much is expected. And not only has Wheeler now been given a ton of money, he’s been blessed with a ton of skill and good size (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) that he hasn’t always used to his advantage. In fact, Bruins fans may never forgive him for not possessing a nasty streak to complement that frame.

Wheeler has, however, become a bona fide first-line player in Winnipeg after being dealt from the Bruins with Mark Stuart to the then-Atlanta Thrashers for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik in a deal that helped B’s win the Cup in 2011. Wheeler still may not have reached his potential, but he has definitely made strides since leaving his first NHL team.

“I think early in my career, I struggled with some things that young players go through. Sometimes it’s the mental aspect of the game, realizing what makes you successful,” the ever-affable Wheeler said before Bruins-Jets preseason game in Winnipeg last month. “When I was in Boston, I got a little bit lost with some of the things that make me a good player. I went into a little bit of a funk there and it just spirals down from there. You lose confidence as a player and you lose sight of what you’re good at.

“When I got traded, it forced me to look in the mirror and reassess what I was doing. . . . I think I’m getting there. I don’t think I’m a finished product by any means, but I’m getting there.”

Wheeler conceded that he had some maturity issues when he was a Bruin, and he didn’t always respond well.

“This is a man’s game and you’re forced to deal with adversity,” said Wheeler. “I was young, and instead of responding the right way, I kind of felt bad for myself. It was ‘woe is me.’ . . . I took things too personally, When you get demoted in the lineup, those things happen to everyone and you have to take it the right way. And I wasn’t there yet. I wasn’t there mentally and wasn’t ready to understand how things worked. Looking back, I would have done things differently, but ultimately I think I learned from it and I’ve grown as a person and a player.”

Wheeler is now one of a handful of players expected to lead the Jets over the hump and into the playoffs after a couple of near-misses in their first two seasons back in the ’Peg. Over the summer, Cheveldayoff committed some $93 million to Wheeler, his centerman Bryan Little and defenseman Zach Bogosian. Long-term commitments already were to Evander Kane, Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom.

“I think they believe in us players and as people,” said Wheeler. “They’ve identified the core group of people to get us over the hump. We’ve been close. We were close to being a playoff team last year. We’ve gone through some of the growing pains that come along with taking that next step and we’re hoping that we keep trending upwards. If we do that, we’ll be a playoff team and that’s our goal in here. We want to learn from our mistakes in the past.”

ROY ADDS TO AVALANCHE WITH A MAJOR ERUPTION UPON HIS REENTRY

Hopefully the boys in the Bull Gang are fortifying the glass partitions at the Garden this week because the Bruins’ next opponent will be Patrick Roy’s Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. The Canadiens legend, of course, made a hurricane-like reentry to the NHL Wednesday night when he blew a gasket over Anaheim’s Ben Lovejoy very questionable knee-on-knee hit on the Avs’ Nathan MacKinnon, the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft.

Roy nearly pushed over the partition separating the teams’ benches and right on top of Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau, with whom he engaged in a shouting match.

Roy was whacked with a $10,000 fine and promptly apologized, in his own way. Which is to say that he really didn’t.

“This is the league policy and I understand it now, but at the same time I will always defend my players,” Roy told reporters. “Things happen. This is the way I dealt with this one. Would I deal with it differently next time? Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know.”

He then ripped Boudreau, saying the Anaheim coach’s accusations of Roy yelling at Duck players was untrue.

“What Boudreau said was all lies,” the Hall of Famer said. “I don’t talk to players; I respect all the players. I’m certainly not going to get too involved in this one, but when you talk about classless — when you’re lying, this is classless.”

Anyone who watched Roy throughout his career will tell you that his explosion was more than just a ploy to spark a Colorado team that hasn’t made the playoffs in three years. And although he went way over the top, he had every right to take exception to the Lovejoy hit on his prized youngster in a 6-0 game.

Roy at least established that the Avalanche will be a team that bears watching this season, for one reason or another.

ONE-TIMERS. . .

The Flyers’ opening-night loss to Toronto may already have put Philadelphia coach Peter Laviolette on the hot seat, but it was hard not to be impressed with the way the Maple Leafs closed out the 3-1 victory in Philadelphia.

Nursing

The Leafs are still in the process of living down their monumental blown lead to the Bruins in Game 7 last spring. But if they can protect a lead like that, and James Reimer and newly acquired goalie Jonathan Bernier can continue to push each other, the Leafs will be a very real threat in the Eastern Conference. . . .

Tyler Seguin’s opening-night stat line against Tim Thomas’ Florida Panthers was forgettable. The Dallas Stars’ new franchise centerman was 0-0-0, minus-1 with two shots on net (five taken) and was 7-for-19 in the faceoff dot. Seguin also saw 1:02 of shorthanded time! . . .

Thomas, by the way, never looked more like himself in his Florida debut than when he jammed his stick blade into the gut of encroaching Antoine Roussel. Don’t bet against at least some level of success for Thomas. . . .

Final note: Tomorrow night’s “Back to Hockey — an Evening with Daniel Paille,” a benefit for the Jimmy Fund being held at Tresca, is completely sold out. That may be bad news for those looking for tickets, but good news for a great cause.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719684 Boston Bruins

Bruins dump Red Wings, 4-1

Saturday, October 5, 2013

By: Steve Conroy

The Bruins improved to 2-0 with a solid 4-1 victory over an albeit tired Detroit Red Wings team at the Garden on Saturday.

Detroit was playing it's third game in four nights and were on the second half of a back-to-back but, while that surely played some factor, it couldn't have been the sole reason for the B's convincing victory. After an uneven performance in the season opening win over the Lightning, the B's played much better Saturday night, peppering Jimmy Howard with 37 seconds shots and giving little to the Red Wings offensively.

"I think it was important for (the Wings) to get off to a good start," said coach Claude Julien. "It was their third game in four nights so for teams like that, it’s important to get off to a good start and try to establish a lead. Because if the other team does, then you’re having to push the pace and it’s a little bit tougher for those kind of guys. But we were fortunate enough to open up the game with the first goal, and they tied it up but we just came back and kept plugging away here. Even in the third period where we knew they’d probably try and stretch things out a little bit and get their D’s activated a little bit more, I thought our guys did a good job through the neutral zone and then we pushed the puck the other way."

The B's clicked on the power-play, scoring two man-advantage goals, one from Torey Krug on a Zdeno Chara screen in front and the other on a nifty backhand move frmo Chara. The other goals were scored by Brad Marchand and Jordan Caron, who is making his case for being the regular third line left wing after Carl Soderberg suffered an ankle injury in the last preseason game.

The B's, who have nice October schedule, are off until Thursday when they play Patrick Roy's Colorado Avalanche.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719685 Boston Bruins

Rask stops 25 shots; Bruins beat Red Wings 4-1

Saturday, October 5, 2013

By: Associated Press

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins are having a little fun so far this season watching 6-foot-9 defenseman Zdeno Chara turn into a power forward on the power play.

Chara scored a power-play goal and helped set up Torey Krug's score with the man advantage by just standing in front of the net, leading the Bruins to a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.

"If you don't have a play, throw it down front to Z (Chara) and (Milan Lucic) and they'll battle," Krug said. "We have a good thing going so far. We're having fun."

Brad Marchand scored the tiebreaking goal 36 seconds into the second period and Tuukka Rask made 25 saves as the Bruins improved to 2-0.

Jordan Caron added an even-strength score for Boston, which won its season opener against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

"It's always been a basic part of my game to work hard," Chara said. "When I'm in there, I might as well enjoy it."

Henrik Zetterberg scored for the Red Wings, who are in the same division with the Bruins after the NHL realigned following last season.

Detroit's Jimmy Howard, playing his third straight game, made 33 saves. The Red Wings were playing consecutive road nights after beating Carolina 3-2 in overtime.

"It's not easy when there's somebody that's 6-foot-8 standing in front of you," Howard said. "It's something you've got to figure out and try and find a way to try and find the puck. But it's extremely difficult with him in front."

On the opening shift of the second period, Marchand broke in and fired a wrist shot that caromed into the net off the far post, pushing Boston ahead 2-1.

Caron's goal gave the Bruins a 3-1 edge midway into the second period. Reilly Smith backhanded a pass from the slot to Caron, who one-timed a shot past Howard from the top of the right faceoff circle.

Chara, playing in front of the net on the power play, collected a pass in front and looked like a polished goal scorer, shifting around Howard before tucking a shot inside the right post midway into the third. Krug collected an assist.

Krug unloaded a slap shot from the left point that gave Boston a 1-0 lead midway into the opening period. It came just 15 seconds after Niklas Kronwall was sent off for holding.

"In the second period that's something we talked about," Krug said of Chara's play in front. "I think I talked to Krej (David Krejci) about it, 'What should I do with the puck?' He said, 'Just give it to Z, he's going to win every battle.'"

The Red Wings tied it late in the period when Zetterberg collected a rebound in front and slipped a shot by Rask inside the right post. The score came after a pass along the boards appeared to hit a glove on Detroit's bench and dropped to the ice. The Bruins briefly stopped while the Red Wings broke out with the puck.

Rask made a nice sliding stop on Justin Abdelkader's bid from in close a few minutes before Zetterberg's goal.

Boston outshot the Red Wings 37-26.

"They won in every statistic tonight," Howard said. "Every battle. I'm not going to make that excuse that we were tired or anything like that because I kind of think it's pathetic."