BOSTON -- Here are five thoughts from the first period with the Boston Bruins trailing the Providence Bruins by a 1-0 score after 20 minutes of Black and Gold scrimmage action at TD Garden.
1) Great moment for Jay Pandolfo potting a one-timer from the slot for the periods only score. The gritty bottom-six winger isnt known for his goal-scoring capabilities, but he can still hammer it home like he did for Boston University before joining the pro ranks many, many moons ago. It was a nice play by Max Sauve as well taking it deep into the Boston zone and then finding Pandolfo all alone in front as he headed behind the net. Should be interesting to see if Pandolfo has a chance to stick in Boston with an excellent week-long camp or if the Bruins opt to go younger with their extra forward spot. A Brad Marchand delay of game penalty set up the Pandolfo PP score.
2) The P-Bruins outshot the Bruins by an 8-6 margin in the first period and it appeared they were much more excited to be back in front of the TD Garden ice rather than the Black and Gold members.
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3) Tough boarding call for Chris Bourque midway through the first period, one of three penalties for the Bruins in the first 20 minutes. Thats an ominous sign as teams playing catch-up on game condition or skating wind are probably going to be wind up taking a lot more penalties at the start of this shortened season. Rich Peverley (hooking), Marchand (delay of game) and Bourque (boarding) all spent time in the box in the first period.
4) Smooth-skating and easy decision-making for Dougie Hamilton in the first period. He certainly didnt look out of place skating among NHL and AHL pros as the youngest player out on the ice.
5) Anton Khudobin is wearing No. 30 for the Providence Bruins. I wonder what a certain Tim Thomas would have to say about that?
Here are five thoughts from the second period with the Boston Bruins and Providence Bruins tied at a 2-2 score after 40 minutes of Black and Gold scrimmage action at TD Garden.
1) Chris Bourque redeems himself for the first period penalty by snapping a shot through Anton Khudobins pads to even things up for Boston early in the second period. Bourque has looked very at home with Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley on that third line, and had a few good shifts cycling and playing the puck possession game with the two grizzled veterans.
2) On the other hand Anton Khudobin has looked a little shaky fighting the puck and it caught up to him in the second period. The Bourque goal is one he should have stopped from the left face-off circle even if there was a partial screen in front of the net, and Khudobin completely lost sight of Brad Marchands top shelf wrister from the slot with Patrice Bergeron bearing down on him. He probably wouldnt have been able to stop it either way, but the No. 1 goalie from Kazakhstan hasnt looked all that sharp.
3) The Bruins finally got a few chances to dust off the power play in the second period, and it looked like a work in progress. It also looked a little like last years power play: difficulty gaining entry into the zone and keeping possession once inside the zone, a one-and-done philosophy with the shots on net and little movement. To be fair the Bruins have only practiced the power play for a day or two, and a Lucic-Seguin-Horton-Chara-Krejci combo should yield some results eventually.
4) For Providence, Max Sauve has been impressive as hes been intermittently through the AHL season. Sauves pass set up Jay Pandolfos goal in the first period and Sauve added his own tally in the second frame when he jumped all over a rebound directly in front of the net. Hes been able to stay healthy for the most part in Providence, and probably feels like he was snubbed for an invite to the week-long NHL camp. Hes showing it out on the ice tonight against the NHL big boys.
5) Bobby Robbins starting trouble after the whistle with both Zdeno Chara and Shawn Thornton. Youve got to love that kids spirit and his willingness to do whatever it takes to spark his team. I think hell eventually get to the NHL level as an enforcer because hes 100 percent willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Challenging the two toughest guys on the parent club in a friendly scrimmage proves that, as does the 183 penalty minutes hes amassed at the AHL level this season.