Boston at NY Rangers 3/4/12

[Whaler Fan]

2 toughest teams in the league.
I'll say:
Thornton-Rupp
McQuaid-Prust
Chara-Scott
Campbell-Dubi

Discuss.

[KiddYidd]

I heard several Boston player's suddenly came down with the flu after hearing Scott was in the lineup. No surprise there.

[Broons66]

Ha! Good one kiddyidd. But seriously,i can see a Thornton/Rupp scrap taking place. Maybe McQuaid/Prust,but i dont see Scott being any factor. Will he be a forward or a d-man? Pretty important game for the B's,dont think they're worried about Scott. Would be nice if the Rags gave Lundqvist the game off.

[pmcginty]

should be a good one. the rangers are the one team the bruins can't really dominate physically.

why do you guys think it would be mcquaid and prust and not lucic and prust?

[pesadillamal]

Thornton - Scott
Lucic - Rupp
Prust - McQuaid
Thornton- Bickel

[srehm1]

The only Bruin who will fight Scott will be thornton. This is a big game and the bruins will just be playing for the points. Julien will have the handcuffs on the rest of the crew.

I think people get carried away with how much the bruins push teams around. The bruins are a very versatile team and if the rangers play a straight up and down style of game-guess what? the bruins will play the same kind of game. if scott, rupp, prust are trying to push bruins around, then the rough stuff happens. i don't see scott as that kind of player. he is the type to quietly ask you to dance (if he's in the mood) and if he is refused-nothing will happen. The bruins have no fear of scott just like they didn't care one iota about boogaard being on the team last year. the rangers have rupp and prust and that's fine for the fighting dept. in today's NHL.

I also think people overrate scott. he's a good fighter and certainly a top-3 type of guy but he's not a sestito type who goes around forcing the issue and pushing the envelope. This is why i don't understand this move. the bruins haven't done anything to the rangers this year to need this type of deterrent and if the bruins do something cheap or go over board-all they have to do is say no to scott and nothing will happen. the rangers have beat us every time so far this season, so I don't see scott really being much of a factor.

[Johnny Pie]

Originally Posted by srehm1

The only Bruin who will fight Scott will be thornton. This is a big game and the bruins will just be playing for the points. Julien will have the handcuffs on the rest of the crew.

I think people get carried away with how much the bruins push teams around. The bruins are a very versatile team and if the rangers play a straight up and down style of game-guess what? the bruins will play the same kind of game. if scott, rupp, prust are trying to push bruins around, then the rough stuff happens. i don't see scott as that kind of player. he is the type to quietly ask you to dance (if he's in the mood) and if he is refused-nothing will happen. The bruins have no fear of scott just like they didn't care one iota about boogaard being on the team last year. the rangers have rupp and prust and that's fine for the fighting dept. in today's NHL.

I also think people overrate scott. he's a good fighter and certainly a top-3 type of guy but he's not a sestito type who goes around forcing the issue and pushing the envelope. This is why i don't understand this move. the bruins haven't done anything to the rangers this year to need this type of deterrent and if the bruins do something cheap or go over board-all they have to do is say no to scott and nothing will happen. the rangers have beat us every time so far this season, so I don't see scott really being much of a factor.

I don't know. I wrote what Scott said in the Times on Thursday in the other thread and if he plays it is his chance to prove he is worth being in the lineup. If he stays completely quiet like most of his Hawk games Tort has no reason to use him. If he shows that he gives the Rangers a physical edge he a least gets Tort thinking. If the Bruins let him do the pushing without responding then he becomes useful to the Rangers in my opinion. I say you see him more aggressive then usual if he is in the lineup. Also no way Julien has handcuffs on the B's. What he tells Mcquaid ,Lucic etc no fighting ? Maybe he tells Chara to pick his spots because he is so valuable but like you said the Rangers have won each game and it is important for the Bruins to make a statement. I think you right as far as Thornton fighting Scott but that is because Thornton makes himself the #1 guy. He has some Oreilly in him in that he wants to take the top guy of the other team. Hoping for a statement game on National TV like the old days. I will be there.

[srehm1]

Originally Posted by Johnny Pie

I don't know. I wrote what Scott said in the Times on Thursday in the other thread and if he plays it is his chance to prove he is worth being in the lineup. If he stays completely quiet like most of his Hawk games Tort has no reason to use him. If he shows that he gives the Rangers a physical edge he a least gets Tort thinking. If the Bruins let him do the pushing without responding then he becomes useful to the Rangers in my opinion. I say you see him more aggressive then usual if he is in the lineup. Also no way Julien has handcuffs on the B's. What he tells Mcquaid ,Lucic etc no fighting ? Maybe he tells Chara to pick his spots because he is so valuable but like you said the Rangers have won each game and it is important for the Bruins to make a statement. I think you right as far as Thornton fighting Scott but that is because Thornton makes himself the #1 guy. He has some Oreilly in him in that he wants to take the top guy of the other team. Hoping for a statement game on National TV like the old days. I will be there.

He may play physical but I just don't see him pushing the bruins around because he will wind up taking unwanted penalties and he isn't that kind of player. Plus Torts will never play him then. he's kind of a gentle giant type for lack of a better term. he also ran his mouth off last year in the papers and then did nothing when he was challenged by thornton so don't take the times article for gospel. He won't want to make any mistakes and cost the team. He wants to fit in with an already great team in NY. Trying to force the issue will get him in more trouble than he's worth. As it is he is a competant 6,7 d-man who can switch to wing as a 4th liner type. he may bring a physical game but he doesn't have the disposition to force the issue. Julien is already telling the boys to not bother with him. Thornton is our designated HW and will most likely be the only one to try him. chara might as a way to spark the club but he will throw a few and just fall down hahaha. have fun at the game, hope it's a good one. wave that bruins banner proudly, JP!

[pesadillamal]

Sather mentioned that Scott will be a nice deterrent for this time of year because some people like to do stupid things. It was not only for the Bruins and in fact it was probably more because of the teams in the division. The Flyers and Devils have made for some interesting games this year and it is only a matter of time before the Islanders are eliminated and call up their tough guys like they do every year when other teams are playing for points that matter.

One thing the trade has done is light a fire under Rupp's ass. His last two games have been pretty good with Scott riding shotgun on the other wing. And Torts likes to get Rupp, Scott. and Bickel on the ice together so there could be a nice little scuffle any shift they're on the ice. If the Bruins want to counter with one of their top lines no problem. Let Marchand go low on somebody while they're on the ice and see what happens. Skinner threw a borderline crosscheck on Staal the other night and was met with a lot of resistance so they don't care if you are small.

[Matt Doom]

These teams have traditionally not fought each other a lot and i expect the same tomorrow. Maybe Thornton will fight Scott or McQuaid vs. Prust but who knows. Big game though

[cookie monster]

Dubinksy will complete his "season of shame" by getting KO'd by Greg Campbell and then whine about Campbell not fighting heavyweights.

[mainsail]

The only way that Thornton fights Scott is if Scott comes looking for him. He's got nothing to prove.

[2yt4u]

A Scott/Chara fight would be cool but only if they stand toe to toe.
Both of these guys tend to just wanna drag the other to the ground.

[RCSheppy]

Lane Macdermid was called up!!

[Killah_punk]

There is a lot of potential for some fireworks so i expect nothing to happen. I can't wait to hear the Bruins homers making excuses when know one will fight Scott.