Throwback Thursday: My Favorite Bruins Game

Excluding the obvious playoff games and Stanley Cup win, this is my favorite Bruins game of all time. It's a classic example of the Big Bad Bruins not only as a dominant offensive team, but a bruising force to be reckoned with.

Seriously, I've never seen such a clear-cut case of good and bad like this game. When you got villains like Sean Avery and Steve Ott on a team together, it's a recipe for disaster.

0:03 Ott comes across the ice to elbow Nokelainen. Refuses to answer Mark Stuart's challenge.
0:28 Ott throw a low hipcheck that flips Yelle. Refuses to answer Thornton's challenge.
1:38 Ott throws a hard hit on Mark Stuart. Refuses to answer Shane Hnidy's challenge.
2:15 Ott mouths off to Chara, then skates away. Refuses to answer Lucic's challenge.
2:45 Ference pummels Ott with an open ice it. Avery challenges, Ference answers.
4:50 Turco elbows Kessel behind the play. Scrum ensues. Ott ignores Stuart's challenge.
5:10 Fight. Shawn Thornton vs Kris Barch
7:20 Sean Avery throws a TERRIBLE hit from behind into the boards on Lucic. Marc Savard, of all people, is the first to respond. Five on five brawl here; even Kessel pairs up with Brunnstrom. Shane Hnidy demolishes Matt Niskanen in a one-way fight. Tim Thomas skates to the blue line, letting Turco know what's waiting for him if he tries to join. Ott's finally tossed.

It's really unbelievable. I remember Mike Modano, who was still involved with the team, saying after the game how embarrassed he was for the Stars organization and how much he hated what Ott and Avery did that night.

And man, do I miss Marc Savard.

This is what a puck to the face looks like

Red Wings prospect Mitch Callahan

I don't even want to know what's going on in there. This is what I imagine would happen after the final scene in Goon, where Sean William Scott saves 5 shots in a row at point-blank range with his face. Anyone else would be miserable. But not a hockey player. He's probably pumped to show off his new battle scar to the ladies.

Gustav Nyquist Goal of the Year Candidate.

Wow, what a finish by Gutstav Nyquist who has been the best goal scorer in the league over the past month or two. Where does Detroit get these guys?

Should the Bruins be Favorited to Win the Cup?

As I write this, the Boston Bruins sit first in the league standings with 110 points. They first in wins, third in G/G, first in GA/G, and are the best 5 on 5 team in hockey. They've won 9 road games in a row and are on a 15-0-1 streak.

Yet, there are still those out there who think we can't beat a powerhouse Western Conference team in a 7 game series. As far as I'm concerned, this is completely unfounded. In fact, not only can we beat any team in a 7 game series, I believe we should beat any team.

So I'm going to just say it: The Boston Bruins should be favorited to win the Stanley Cup this year.

Instead of pouring through piles of stats and boring you with numbers, I'm going to take a different approach in backing up my statement. That said, I do love stats and facts. I'll be sure to sprinkle a few in for the number-crunching B's fans out there.

I want to look objectively at the following question: What is the recipe for a Championship team? It's far more than simply talent. Just look at the Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks- perennially among top-ranking regular season teams, but just can't seem to ever make a deep playoff run.

So here is my take on what ingredients make for a Stanley Cup winner and why the Bruins fit the bill perfectly.

Unlucky 13 ends Bruins' streak; How much do you hate PK Subban?

Well, it had to end sometime. The Bruins fell to the Canadiens last night, ending their longest winning streak since the Bobby Orr era. And guess what? People are coming out of the woodwork again cursing Chiarelli for not being more active at the deadline. Yes, really.

The Bruins, who lead the league in wins and points. The Bruins, the first team to clinch a playoff spot. The Bruins, who have the best GF/GA differential. That same team that just won a dozen straight games. Yes, we definitely should have made a bigger move at the deadline (insert eye roll). You already know how I feel about this.

Though a winning streak is great fun and a pride point, I'm not distraught that it was broken last night. You can expect them to keep winning forever. Believe it or not, I'm not even upset that it was the Canadiens we lost too (okay, maybe a little.)

What bothers me greatly though, is the way we lost. More specifically, the game that the Habs play. I can't stand watching those frauds take dives to draw penalties or throw cheap shots and refuse to back it up.

True Detective Doesn't Dissapoint

And... exhale. I feel like I just held my breath for the last two months watching a great premiere by auteur Nic Pizzolato. The eight episode first season of True Detective was nothing short of captivating, awe-inspiring, and at times terrifying.

Set in the bayous of Louisiana, it tells the tale of two detectives, played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. There is a strange, ritualistic killing of a young girl that the two are called in to investigate, but this quickly becomes about far more than just a murder investigation.

Bruins Trade Deadline Review

After a relatively quiet afternoon from the Bruins despite a flurry of trade activity across the league that saw major pieces like St. Louis, Callahan, Gaborik, Halak, Miller, Hemsky, and Vanek find new homes, many B's fans are irate. They're calling Chiarelli a timid GM who refuses to make big moves at the deadline.

It's all heresy and nonsense as far as I'm concerned.

The only teams that made major deals at the deadline are teams that needed to make major deals at the deadline. Chiarelli has been a genius GM who consistently proves to think ahead of the rest of us. He signs the right players and orchestrates good contracts so the Bruins aren't one of the teams scrambling at the deadline.

That's why the Bruins have been one of the best NHL teams for years now and have made 2 SC appearances in 3 years. But no, let's go get some superstar player with a huge contract. That worked out well for Kovalchuk, Lecavalier, Heatley, Richards, etc.