Week in Review: The Boston Bruins, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

A 4-2 start in the NHL is always a good start, but the way the Bruins did it is really surprising and actually has me really excited to be a Bruins fan this year. 

"Back-up" goalie Tim Thomas is 4-0 for the Bruins, while the hottest goalie in the league in last year's playoffs, Tuukka Rask, is 0-2 to start the year.

The B's are 3-0 on the road and 1-2 at the TD Garden.  The offense is scoring and really clicking, and they beat the "Beasts of the East" Washington Capitals twice in a home-and-home series.  So here we go....

The Good

Tim Thomas

Need I say more? This guy is 4-0 with a .978 save percentage and one shut-out.  I thought there was going to be a nice two-goalie tag team with Rask leading the way and Thomas getting the off days and doing well. 

However, so far in the beginning of the season, it looks like Thomas is going to get the bulk of the load or it is going to be close to 50/50.  I know that Rask is 0-2, but I am not losing the faith yet. I think he is just a little rusty and will be the go-to guy in the end of the season but, man, isn't it nice to have the double-headed monster back there?

Nathan Horton

Wow.  This seems to be the exact goal scorer the Bruins were missing, and he is off to a very fast start here for the black and gold.  Horton has flown out of the gates with nine points and five goals, both leading the Bruins, as well as two power play goals to further mark his impact on this team.

Horton is also making his teammates better.  If you can remember back to last year, the main issue that stalled this team in the playoffs was that they couldn't score the puck enough to get over the hump and win the big games.  Horton, alongside rookie Tyler Seguin, gives this Bruins team a brand new look. 

THE BAD

Tuukka Rask

We touched on this before, Rask is off to a 0-2 record, both at home and a save percentage of just .894.  Compared to Thomas' .978, Rask will probably only play when Thomas needs a day off. 

However, like I said, that could change as the season goes on as I am sure that Rask will get "hot" and the Bruins will ride him throughout that stretch.  Do not give up on Rask yet. Just be happy that both goalies could go out there and win the game for you any given night!

Blake Wheeler

I think that the pressure and being on the trading block is getting to Wheeler to start the season.  Wheeler is scoreless and had some real chances on the doorstep to put some home, but couldn't seem to do so. 

Wheeler has two assists, so he is not being completely useless to start this season but hopefully these trade talks go away and we can really see this guy play to his full potential. 

THE UGLY

Johnny Boychuk

Boychuk tried to play through it, but he has a slight fracture in his forearm and will miss approximately four weeks for the Bruins.  What exactly are the Bruins losing?  Their second-best defenseman behind Chara, a pretty powerful goal scorer from the point and a young guy who would fly around and knock people around. 

It will be interesting to see what happens to the Bruins while Boychuk is gone and if they can keep their form.  If they can stay up on the Eastern Conference while he is gone, it will only go up on his return.