Kalman: Bruins Play Chara's Type Of Defense, So He Rewards Them With Big Goal
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Bruins' clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at TD Garden was hard on the eyes and maybe even a little sleep-inducing.
Defenseman Zdeno Chara wouldn't have it any other way.
It was appropriate that in a game where defense reigned, just the way Chara likes it, the 6-foot-9 captain scored the only goal against a goaltender in a 2-0 victory that gave the Bruins their first consecutive wins in three weeks.
Goaltender Tuukka Rask held down the fort until Chara scored the game-winner at 16:17 of the third period and finished with a 22-save shutout. Brad Marchand added an empty-net goal with seven seconds remaining.
"Well I like not being scored on, obviously," said Chara after the Bruins won back-to-back home games for the first time this season. "It's fun when you have everybody committed to play the defensive game first and then, obviously, driving from that defense to the offense. But when you have five guys committed on the ice, playing defense, it's great to see."
The Bruins' win was vintage Claude Julien-era hockey. Against a Maple Leafs team that's recommitted to playing pack-it-in defense under new head coach Mike Babcock, the Bruins were able to match Toronto blocked shot for blocked shot (the Bruins had a 20-15 edge) and save for save (although Rask with 22 was less busy that Toronto's James Reimer and his 35 saves).
Boston is third in goals per game this season, but everyone knows that's not sustainable. And it would take an unthinkable amount of offense for the Bruins to be a winning team if their defense continues to be ranked in the bottom third of the NHL. So a homestand that started with the Bruins outscoring the opposition 13-11 but winning just two of four games ended with a win the way Julien drew it up.
"We kind of look at the last two games, we've allowed two goals in two games. So, we're a much better defensive team than the goals against have shown since the beginning of the year, and I think that's why we're disappointed, because we know this group can be better defensively," Julien said. "Last game, tonight, much better, so again when you talk about building on certain things, that's probably something we can certainly build on, and it's understanding that if we're stingy, we're going to get that much better of a chance to win."
However, the Bruins' defense and goaltending would not have been enough had Chara not taken the time to add the offensive punch. He stepped up from the top of the left circle and blasted a slap shot past Reimer.
"I was never shy of taking shots. I like to shoot the puck. I like using my shot. I think it's something that I work really hard at. So when it's there, I'll do it," Chara said.
But anyone that has seen the Bruins this season has watched Chara unleash his record-breaking slapper less than in past seasons. Although Chara's too rugged to admit it, Julien was willing to allow for Chara's early-season upper-body injury hindering the defenseman.
"Obviously we know he likes to shoot, and I think he just came back from an injury there, and I don't think his timing and stepping into those shots was at its best early on, and I think he's starting to feel better and better," Julien said.
The Bruins got 19 of their 37 shots on goal from defensemen. And the biggest one came from a defenseman as well. But more importantly they looked more like a Bruins team that could at least challenge for a playoff spot by playing a more controlled game and playing with team unity.
"I mean it's a great win and wins are always good and it's a good feeling, especially when you win the game the way we did, playing strong for 60 and staying patient and waiting for our chances. Tuukka was obviously huge for us, especially in the second period. He made some really big saves. ... Everybody tried to stay patient and disciplined and it was kind of a waiting game, who's going to crack first. You know one play decided pretty much the game. So big win for us. I think that everybody played well for 60 and battled hard."
Many might've found that to be an ugly win, but to Chara it was a beauty.
Matt Kalman covers the Bruins for CBSBoston.com and also contributes to NHL.com and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @TheBruinsBlog.
