It's time to raise the banner. God, that feels good to say. It's been a long time since we could say that as Bruins fans, but tonight's the night we get to remember all the excitment of last season.
The crowd should be extra crazy tonight, and it should be a great game, but the game really comes 2nd tonight, as it's still kind of about last season. I mean this is game 1 of 82, and even if they were to lose it really wouldn't kill the night. The main thing people will remember is watching that banner rise.
Still, there is a game tonight, and much like the Bruins at some point, we are all going to have to get ready for the long season.
This is a much different Flyers team then last year. They dumped a bunch of their scoring threats (Mike Richards, Jeff Carter) in return they brought in goalie Ilya Bryzgalov and even brought Jaromir Jagr back from the dead.
Hold on let me go on a little side rant here. I hate Jagr so much, he is really #2 behind Ulf Samuelsson on my All-Time NHL hate list. I hate his stupid face. I hate his stupid hair. He is just an awful person. So, I am kind of glad he is back, because much like the days of Bettis in Pittsburgh, it's just more fun to have someone to hate.
Anyways, the Flyers do still have some scoring power with Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere, ect. The question if do they have enough? Can van Riemsdyk take that next step? Does Jagr still have "it"? Was this goalie worth it?
These obviously won't be answered until well into the season, but I do think with the major turnover, and the crazy atmosphere they will be walking into tonight they could have a hard time.
The Bruins have everyone back basically (as Rob pointed out earlier). I know it's weird to say the Bruins need to be better then last year, but they do. Tim Thomas won them the Cup, he can't just do that every year. Guys like Bergeron, Krejci, Horton need to go from being "good" players to be "great" players. They are all young enough to take that next step, but there are all in their primes and if not now when?
On top of that, I want to see Seguin turn into a 20 goal scorer this year. I don't think that's asking too much. He has the most talent on this team, and if he is on the power play I think he could easily break that mark.
If those players pick up their games, and Lucic gives you more of the same, then Thomas can just be a great goalie instead of the greatest goalie ever and the Bruins could still do it.
Tonight, I expect Thomas to have a great game. I think the Bruins defense is too good for the Flyers, and I also think the Flyers are going to need some time to re-gel. The crowd will be outstanding and all of that will end with the Bruins winning by 3 goals.
Bruins win 4-1
Player of the Game: Thomas/Seguin
Game starts at 7pm (turn it at around 6:30 though for the banner stuff)
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