The Bruins are almost back.
Welcome to Friday, folks!
Pretty good hockey game last night, huh?
Connor McDavid’s overtime goal gave Canada a 3-2 win in the inaugural Four Nations Face-Off, capping a tournament that exceeded most expectations.
I know I count myself among those who was on the fence about this whole in-season exhibition, but once the games started, you could tell we’d be treated to high-level hockey.
I’m still not sure how McDavid, of all people, was left that wide open in the slot, but I am just a simple observer.
If you’re like me, you were watching that thrilling, high-skill, high-intensity, end-to-end hockey game last night and thinking, “boy, I can’t wait until the Bruins come back and give us…the opposite of this!”
To be fair to the Bruins, that’s probably a little harsh, with a layer of extra cynicism due to the fact that it feels like it hasn’t been above 25 degrees (F) in Boston in like three weeks.
ANYWAYS, the Bruins are almost back!
The Four Nations-induced practice break ended earlier this week and the Bruins will return to game action tomorrow night, hosting the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden.
It’ll probably take some time for all of us to readjust to NHL play, including the “who’s in/who’s out” daily roster machinations.
Charlie McAvoy is obviously out for quite a bit. Hampus Lindholm is getting closer, it seems, but doesn’t appear to be ready yet.
David Pastrnak, who admirably remained defiantly indifferent to the Four Nations throughout, will look to continue his hot streak when the season resumes.
As a reminder, the Bruins remain outside of the playoff picture as of Friday morning, one and two points behind Detroit and Ottawa, respectively, in the Wild Card race.
Detroit has two games in hand on the B’s, while Ottawa has one.
However, Tampa, at third in the Atlantic with 66 points, remains in striking distance too.
Oh and just to throw another grenade in the mix, the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline is two weeks from today.
Discuss.