The Return Of The Killer B's

Winter is truly underway in the City of Boston. The two words that go hand in hand in this town is "wintry mix" in January. It used to be "Patriots in the playoffs" but 11-5 doesn't even get you in the playoffs, anymore. That is a story for another time.

But there's something buzzing down at the Garden in the shadow of the 2008 Celtics World Championship Banner.

Hockey has returned to Boston.

If you haven't seen or watched this edition of the Boston Bruins, if you've been paying too much attention to the money seeping out of your 401k, you're not alone. But if you like puck, you'll like what you see from the new and improved Killer B's.

The biggest difference you'll notice first with these Bruins is that they "finish". If you went to a Bruins game—oh, lets say—in the past 20 years, the Bruins would do everything but put the puck in the net. I think the line "they couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat" comes to mind. This squad, led by 21-year-old Phil Kessel, has the deft touch of an assassin, and if any goalie gives them the slightest opening the red light is on!

In years past, the Bruins were known to have one decent goal scorer "with hands" and a bunch of muckers. You stop that one guy, you pretty much stopped the Bruins.

That won't work down on Causeway St. now. The second difference you'll notice about the Killer B's is they have 4-5 guys that can put the puck in the net at anytime, from anywhere. Marc Savard, Blake Wheeler, Milan Lucic, Chuck Kobasew, and I haven't even mentioned the awakening of Michael Ryder.

The beat goes on behind the blue line, with Captain Chara and the incredible duo of Thomas & Fernandez. It reminds you of the Bruin glory years, with Orr, Cheevers, and Johnson. Thomas and Fernandez seem to have a game within the game by out-doing each other.

These Bruins are not your daddy's Bruins for sure, because of one word: Finish. They flat-out finish.

Lets see if they can maximize the meaning of that word, and finish with a Stanley Cup.