2010-2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Regular Season Assessment: Boston Bruins
It certainly was not a surprise when Boston Bruins managed to retain one of the top ranks in the Eastern Conference, as a team, they were bound for greatness and they proves that all regular season long and well into the playoffs. Assessing Boston’s 2010-2011
National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, we will get a clearer picture as to what really makes a team great.
Something easily notable as soon as the Eastern Conference franchise kicked off its regular season was the determination to reach the Stanley Cup finals and at least get an appearance after 30 years of trying.
Boston Bruins might have lost the opening matchup of the season to Phoenix Coyotes, 5-2, but they certainly ended October on a high note by winning the next six out of eight matches in total. They tied Philadelphia Flyers in the East for the most regular
season wins, 44, and boasted 103 points, along with a 22-13-6 and 24-12-5, home and away record respectively.
Every team has a player which stands out from the rest, either a power forward or physical defenseman that keep the other team out of their net but Boston had its goalie to count on.
37-year-old, Tim Thomas, a former 217th overall pick in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the then, Quebec Nordiques, did not land a position in the major league until recently during the 2002-2003 season by Boston. Playing only four
games then, Thomas has now become one of the league’s most valuable goalies and could easily demand his heart’s desire from any team.
Last season, the Flint, Missouri, United States native led the entire league and was rated number amongst all other goalies with an impressive .938 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against-average. Following the veteran goalie were Nashville Predators Pekka
Rinne, Vancouver Canucks Corey Schneider and Roberto Luongo and lastly, Anaheim Ducks, Jonas Hiller.
Something which now might be on everyone’s mind is whether last season was just pure good luck or really hard work and sheer dedication. Next season will truly be the testing point for the 2011 champions as they seek to repeat one of the franchises best
seasons in its history.
One thing Boston should do is learn a lesson from the 2010 Stanley Cup winners, Chicago Blackhawks, who had one of the worst follow-up seasons in history and were easily eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
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