Tag Archives: Joakim Nordstrom

Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers

Tuukka Returns; Bruins vs Flyers

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Tuukka Rask returns tonight after suffering a concussion that saw the goaltender out for one game. The return also marks a possible career-milestone for Rask, who looks to overtake Bruins goaltender Tiny Thompson’s record for most career wins. The B’s are also looking to win tonight to get back into 3rd place in the Atlantic division, as they are now one point behind Montreal. With Monday’s shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Bruins are now 0-1-1 in their last two games.

A FLYING STREAK

In their last meeting during regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers (21-23-6) will face the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden. Philly is looking to extend their five-game win streak to six, after going 1-7-2 in their previous 10 games. Rookie goaltender Carter Hart will get the start in net for the Flyers. The two teams played against each other January 16th, with the Flyers nabbing the 4-3 win. Sean Couturier had a hat trick, and Claude Giroux reached a career high of 500 assists.

Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo Credits: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America

Giroux currently leads the team with 52 points and 38 assists. Couturier leads the team with 19 goals. If the Flyers win tonight, it would be their longest winning streak since 2010. It will also give them their 2,000th road point. Despite having won two of the last three games, they have lost nine of their last games in Boston.  Couturier has recorded a point in seven of his last eight games played.

LOOKING FOR A WIN

Boston Bruins face Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo Credits: Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports)

The Bruins (27-17-6) are coming off  their mandatory bye-week and  suffered a shootout loss to the jets 4-3. Despite the loss, the Bruins played with little rust, although by the third period, things got away as the Jets scored two goals seconds apart in the third period.   Boston is 2nd in the league for the power play at 27.3%. Joakim Nordstrom will return to the lineup tonight after suffering a fractured fibula.

WELCOME BACK

Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo Credits: Leon Halip/Getty Images North Americ)

With Halak slipping in his numbers, news of the return of “Tuukka Time” offered fans a bit of relief:


“…we trust him. If he’s not ready that fine. He’s coming off a pretty serious hit there..”

Coach Bruce Cassidy on Rask

Rask’s season has had many ups and downs, but recently looking to be back on track. Rask is now third in the NHL for goals against average with 2.43. Nordstrom will be slotted alongside Sean Kuraly and Chris Wagner. John Moore will also be back in the lineup with Matt Grzelcyk out. He’ll be playing next to Brandon Carlo. David Pastrnak still leads the team with 59 points and 28 goals. Brad Marchand continues to lead the team in assists with 37.

WHEN TO WATCH: Tonight with puck drop at 7:00 PM

WHERE TO WATCH: NHLN, NESN, NBCSP+

Follow me on Twitter @pastagrl88

Boston Bruins defeat Toronto Maple Leafs

David Pastrnak Scores Hat Trick; Bruins Defeat Toronto 5-1

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After a disappointing loss to Vancouver this past Thursday night, the Bruins put out all the stops last night at the TD Garden. And once again, the first-line lead the night as both Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak dazzled with goals and assists. The 22-year-old Pastrnak would score his third career hat trick. Bruins goaltender Jaroslav Halak also had quite the night with a stellar comeback, making an incredible 40 saves. The Bruins would give Toronto their first loss on the road in seven games. Backup goalie Garrett Sparks was in net for the Leafs.

Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs

(Photo Credits: The Athletic)

GETTING IN THE GROOVE

In the first 15 minutes, the Toronto Maple Leafs came out blazing and put Halak to the test hitting the net with a flurry of pucks. The Leafs kept the B’s at bay, limiting them to only six shots on goal compared to Toronto’s 20 shots. The 33-year-old Halak kept his demeanor and soon enough Boston was able to find its legs.  Patrice Bergeron got the Bruins on board first when he scored off of a tip-in pass by Pastrnak at 16:12. After the first goal, there was no looking back for the B’s.  With the second period underway, the Bruins kept charging forward and David Pastrnak would score his first goal of the night at 5:46 with a Bergeron and Matt Grzelcyk assist. Toronto’s Martin Marincin got a holding penalty in the second that lead to a Boston power play goal: Pastrnak would score off a wrister with both Brad Marchand and Bergeron notching assists. However, the Maple Leafs tried to make a comeback and with a few seconds left to the second period, John Tavares would score the only goal of the night for Toronto.

Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs

(Photo Credits: WINSLOW TOWNSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

FINAL BREAKDOWN

Heading into the third, Boston led Toronto 3-1. With about 8:32 left in the third, the Leaf’s Kasperi Kapanen would be in the penalty box, charged with a double minor for high-sticking on Bruins  John Moore. The Maple Leafs were shorthanded for four minutes and Boston took full advantage. In his second hat-trick of the season, David Pastrnak would score another power-play goal with the assist by Marchand and Torey Krug. Within seconds, Boston’s Joakim Nordstrom would score off a wrister making the final score 5-1.  As for Boston, who have been without a few key players, Providence players were called up: Dan Vlader (Goaltender) and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (Center). Karlsson has 11:19 minutes on ice. Pastrnak now leads the league in goals with 15; Bergeron is tied for first in the league and the team with points (24). Halak is second in the league for GAA (Goals Against Average) with a 1.86. He is also third in the league with regards to Save Percentage at .942. Toronto had 41 shots on goal, while the Bruins had 34 shots.

NEXT GAME UP

The Bruins will again be on the ice tonight at the TD Garden as they host the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who are coming off a 5-4 loss against the Montreal Canadiens last night.  For the Knights, tonight will be the last game of a four-game road trip against an Atlantic Divison team. Both Jonathan Marchessault and Max Pacioretty are players to keep an eye on. William Karlsson is also having a good start to the season as he is second behind Marchessault in team points. Vegas is seventh in their division with a 7-9-1 record, while the Bruins are fourth in their division with a 9-5-2 record.

PUCK DROP: TONIGHT at 7:00 pm, TD Garden.

WHERE TO WATCH: NESN

DeBrusk

DeBrusk Rounding Into Form

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Last season, Jake DeBrusk solidified himself as a key piece to the Bruins future. In 70 regular season games, he had 16 goals and 27 assists. He was dangerous on the powerplay recording nine points including two goals. In the playoffs, DeBrusk was even better and played like a veteran. Through the Bruins first four games, he had played well but had nothing to show for it. That all changed in the Bruins 8-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

DeBrusk’s Improved Play

In the Bruins victory, the former first-round pick got his first two goals of his sophomore campaign. The chances have been there this season but until Saturday luck had not been on his side. It was a welcoming sign for a Bruins offense that has been carried by their top line. In order for the Bruins to be successful, they will need DeBrusk to be productive. After five games it appears that he is rounding into form.

DeBrusk

Photo Credit:  Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

While the Bruins season is still young DeBrusk has been at his best over their last two games. He has been placed on the left side due to the Bruins experimenting with Joakim Nordstrom on the second line. As a result DeBrusk has played away from his natural wing. The move has not negatively affected his play but improved it. He has not made mistakes with the puck and played his most complete games. This is the role he played in Game 7 against Toronto last season when he had two big to help the Bruins advance.

Line Changes Going Forward

While this move has been effective but there could still be changes made. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy will continue to tinker with the lines before all four are set. Krejci and DeBrusk will most likely stay together the only question being who becomes their right wing. While Nordstrom has boosted the second line, he has also helped the play of the Bruins sophomore winger.

DeBrusk

Staff Photo By Matt Stone/ Boston Herald

Regardless of who has been on the right wing, this season DeBrusk has played well. He may not have the stats to back it up but many players are still trying to find their groove. DeBrusk is the Bruins’ best scorer other than the Bruins that dominate first line. He has proven to be successful regardless of what is going on around him. He finally has the monkey off his back and in what should be a special season for the young winger.

For more Bruins news follow @JamieGatlin1217 on Twitter

Bruins versus Edmonton

Boston Bruins Win 4-1 Against Oilers

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Game Two at The Garden

There were hits, glass shattering, and highlight reel goals last night at the Garden as the Boston Bruins hosted the Edmonton Oilers. And that wasn’t even the story of the day leading up to the game. Some fans in Bruins nation scratched their heads as Ryan Donato was listed as a healthy scratch, while newbie (to the team) Joakim Nordstrom was bumped up to the second line. Was the move going to pan out? Safe to say, Coach Bruce Cassidy knows what he’s doing. Like most young players, the shuffling would serve as a good way to re-assess what the team needs for Donato to work on. For the young winger, it would mean a chance to watch the game and gain a better perspective on his own skills.  And having someone fast as Nordstrom would add that important element needed in the Krejci line.

OILERS STRIKE FIRST

In the first opening period at 3:43, McDavid would score putting Edmonton first on the board. The Bruins drew a powerplay that led to a beautiful and nasty Pastrnak goal that tied the game at 1-1. Boston would extend their lead when Brad Marchand netted a wrist shot at 14:37. About 37 seconds later, Nordstrom would score his first goal as a Bruin, cushioning the lead 3-1 by the end of the first.

The second period saw some rough hits courtesy of the Black and Gold. Bruins Defenseman Kevin Miller threw gloves down and fought Oilers left wing Jujhar Khaira. Center Sean Kuraly had a huge hit about 10 minutes into the second, sending Oilers Matt Benning over the boards, shattering the entire glass. Edmonton did try to rally back when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tried to squeak one in at 7:42 but Halak made the save with Zdeno Chara clearing the puck. With 35 seconds left in the third, Patrice Bergeron would score an empty-net goal, making the final score 4-1.

QUICK STATS

Boston Bruins defeat Edmonton Oilers

(Photo Credits: Mary Schwalm / AP )

Bruins Goaltender Jaroslav Halak made 25 saves while Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot made 28 saves. The power trio of Pastrnak, Marchand, and Bergeron all scored one goal last night along with Joakim Nordstrom. Matt Grzelcyk tallied up two assists for the night. Oilers Conor McDavid scored the only goal of the night for his team. The Bruins had 32 shots on goal while the Oilers had 26 shots. The win over Edmonton extends Boston’s winning streak to three games.

Next Up: The Bruins will host the Detroit Red Wings this Saturday afternoon at the Garden with puck drop at 3:00 pm

 

For more Bruins news, follow me on Twitter @pastagrll88

 

Joakim Nordstrom

Boston Bruins: What Joakim Nordstrom Brings To The Table

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The countdown to the regular season has started and the Boston Bruins will be seeing the return of many familiar faces and some new ones. For Joakim Nordstrom the major question is- does he fit into the picture? Boston lost both Tim Schaller and Riley Nash this offseason, so would the Swedish forward fill one of those vacant spots? That will depend on how well he does during training camp. The competition will be fierce and the Bruins have a lot of talent. So much depth means one thing: Cassidy is going to have to make some tough decisions. So let’s get to know more about the player from Stockholm.

Scandinavian Invasion

Joakim Nordstrom

(Photo Credits: Associated Press)

The 6’1″ 189 lbs Nordström started his early career playing for the Swedish Ice Hockey Club Södertälje SK before being signed by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013. He was also part of the team that won the 2015 Stanley Cup Championship. A quick peek at his stats: in 282 career games played he has 20 goals and 29 assists. He had a career-high 10 goals in 71 games with 14 assists while playing for the Carolina Hurricanes. While he may not have the same numbers as Riley Nash, what he could bring to the team is some solid skating. Not to mention being a decent penalty killer (which the Bruins can always use).

“I think my biggest asset as a player is my skating. I know the Bruins want to play fast, so that is, obviously, something I can help with…I played a lot of PK, so that’s, obviously, something that I wanted to bring to the table, as well. I don’t want to limit myself to just be a special-teams guy, so hopefully I can take my game to the next level here with the Bruins.”

What’s Next

Image result for joakim nordstrom

(Photo Credits: Gregg Forwerck/NHL/GETTY IMAGES)

Nordström is quick but if you ask any ‘Canes fan, his offensive play is something that needs some tweaking. Especially if he wants to play on the 4th-line. What the Swedish player is good at is reading and setting up plays, but has trouble finishing around the net. What he lacks offensively, he makes up for  in his PK (penalty kill), which bodes well for the Bruins.

Will he replace Nash? Possibly. He may not dazzle fans with his hockey skills but he’ll prove to be a versatile player who may be slotted as either a center or winger. For Cassidy, Nordström does seem like he would be a great Nash 2.0. But nothing is ever etched in stone. When speaking with Providence Journal’s Mark Divver, Cassidy shared his thoughts on newly signed Chris Wagner and Nordström:

“We hope those two guys can give us what (Nash and Schaller) gave us. We feel they can”

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt4FmEd4Ipg&w=560&h=315]