
Stanley Cups: 6
2011-'12 record: 49-29-1-3, 102 points (1st in Northeast, 2nd in East)
2011-'12 playoffs: Lost to Washington Capitals 4-3.
Coach: Claude Julien (347-218-92, 11th NHL year, 3rd team)
Top returning scorer: C Tyler Seguin (29 goals, 38 assists, 67 points)
Top returning goalie: Tuukka Rask (11-8-3, 2.05, .929)
Key additions: LW Chris Bourque; C Christian Hanson; D Garnet Exelby; D Aaron Johnson.
Key subtractions: C Zach Hamill; G Tim Thomas; RW Brian Rolston; LW Benoit Pouliot; D Joe Corvo; D Mike Mottau.
Goaltending: With two-time Vezina winner Thomas taking a sabbatical from the game, Rask is now the club’s go-to guy. He posted a 1.97 goals-against average and .931 save percentage while carrying the load for an ailing Thomas in 2009-10.
Player to watch: D Dougie Hamilton. Boston’s top pick in the 2011 entry draft started season with Niagara (OHL), but will stick with big club. At 6-5, 199 pounds, he’s a monster blue-liner comparable to Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. His parents Doug (rowing) and Lynn (basketball) were both 1984 Canadian Olympians.
Icing: Bruins suspended Thomas, but still face a $5 million cap hit this season for his salary . . . Bruins D Andre Ference, a devout environmentalist, vowed to plant 50 trees for every goal Seguin scores this season . . . Bourque is the son of Bruins legend Ray Bourque . . . Hanson is the son of Dave Hanson, one of the Hanson brothers from the hockey cult film Slap Shot.
It’s only the second game of this series, but things are heating up between the Blackhawks and Red Wings. Watch the game LIVE with NHL Extra, which includes DVR style controls, exclusive camera angles, a live chat and more.
PHT: Sidney Crosby scored three times, surpassing 100 career playoff points, and the Penguins staved off the Senators for a win in Game 2.
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Video: NHL from NBC Sports |
Highlights: Crosby's hat-trick leads Pens in Game 2 The Senators kept it close, but the Penguins relentless attack was just too much to handle. Sidney Crosby had a hat-trick and fueled Pittsburgh to a 4-3 win. The Pens are now up 2-0 on the Sens in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. |
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Stanley Cup winners A look at the teams that have earned the right to hoist Lord Stanley's prize since 1965. NBCSports.com |
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