10 wins, one loss and one shootout loss in the month of November. Seven wins and no losses at home. Tied for first with the New York Rangers with three less games played. Our Boston Bruins are doing things that Diehard had no idea they could do with the roster that they had beginning the season. Of course it was predominantly the same roster that finished the season on a dismal note. A 5-nothing seventh game blanking in Montreal. But after thinking it over, the roster makes sense. Those guys grew up together. They figured it out. They made a valiant effort in trying to win that series, but came up short. The coach would not let them get down. He has his system and wants everyone on the same page. The past few weeks, Boston has beaten the cream of the league including the Canadiens twice and the defending Stanley Cup Champs convincingly Saturday night. He sat Phil Kessel down in that playoff series, and although I think it may have cost them the win, it certainly has made a significant impact on his play this season. Kessel has been nothing short of outstanding in all three zones, especially on defense where he has steadily come back to help out. Phil has definitely learned a lot from the benching. The surprises have been the maturity of the second year players. Mark Stuart has been solid on defense and has a plus 4. David Krecji has seven goals on the young season with 19 points and an amazing plus 12. Rookie Blake Wheeler also a plus 12 with eight goals and 19 points. Milan Lucic, who has become popular beyond the borders of The Hub of Hockey, has contributed six goals to go along with his 58 minutes in penalties. Before the fractured tibia, Andrew Ference has done a lot of great things on defense, contrary to the many errors he had at this time last season. After being out for a month or so, Chuck Kobasew has returned to the lineup to become as productive as the rest of the lineup. And the Captain, Zzzzzzzzzz has been as solid as ever. Manny Fernandez…..What can I say. I still wonder what Peter Chiarelli saw in him but my goodness, he has been solid behind Tim Thomas and has won his last six starts. Thomas has just been immense all season. So what have we learned about the 2008-2009 edition of the Boston Bruins? Not many faces changed, but the attitude and work ethic and all around system that Claude Julien has employed, has made this team competitive, exciting and fun to watch. A lot more than I expected back in October. -Diehard

More on the power play as Dennis Wideman scored on Peter Mannino who came in for Joey McDonald. Wideman picked the top corner far side and gave the Bruins a 5-1 lead. That sparked a good fight between Milan Lucic and Brendan Witt.  Decision to Lucic of course. Later, Shane Hnidy would square off against Tim Jackman.  Pretty good and even battle. But in the meantime, the Bruins have broken the game open. 5-1

4-1 B’s 

After a breakaway from center ice by former Bruin Bill Guerin and a fantastic save by Manny Fernandez, the Bruins took over the game with goals by Blake Wheeler and David Krecji to open up a 4-1 lead and send Joey McDonald off to an early shower.

Michael Ryder took a nice giveaway by the Islander defense potted his fourth goal of the year and gave the B’s a 2-1 lead after two. Bruins pummeled McDonald with 16 hots in the second period and shut down NY allowing 9 shots.

Chcuk Kobasew notched his fourth of the year on the power play set up by Marc Savard and PJ Axelsson 3:28 to tie up the game.

After one period the Bruins had some pretty good scoring chances, but the Joey McDonald, the Islander goaltender made some darn good saves. But just under two minutes in the game, Nate Thompson put NY on the board and that’s where we stand. New York 1, Boston no score

Nate Thompson wristed a shot top corner glove side over past Manny Fernandez at 2:46 of the first period.

Bruins vs New York Islanders at high noon today at the Garden.  The Bruins unveiled their new “third” jersy this afternoon…and you are gonna like it.

Bruins shoot first…..Blake Wheeler  scores on several head fakes and dekes……Alex Kovalev…..stopped by the left pad of ThomasPhil Kessel….dekes didn’t work as Carey Price also made a left pad saveAndrei Markov tries a back hand which Thomas makes a stick save onPatrice Bergeron tried to deke Price he made a blocker leg pad save….

Saku Koivu…..robbed by Thomas!

Bruins Win!  First time since 2006

Bruins and Hbas go to overtime.  One point ….Looking for two!