Chara sees difference in execution
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara can’t pinpoint any single reason the team has gone on its recent tear, compiling a 16-3-2 record since Nov. 5.
“I don’t think it’s just one thing,” said Chara after yesterday’s practice. “It’s a combination of paying attention to details — that’s really important; those little things are very important — and execution.
“A lot of things can be drawn on the boards and decided in meetings, but you have to go out there and execute. I think that’s been the big thing: That we’ve been able to go out there and do those things.
“And (we have) played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. It’s been fun. The hard work has really paid off. It’s fun winning.”
Pick a keeper
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said each of his goalies, Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin, will start a game this weekend, though he was undecided about exactly who on which day.
The original plan was for Rask to play Thursday against Florida and tomorrow vs. the Penguins, with Khudobin facing Carolina tonight. But the snow postponement shook things up.
“I’ve got to talk to (goalie coach) Bob (Essensa), about it,” said Cassidy. “They’re going to split. It’s not automatically Tuukka (tonight), I’ve got to talk to Bob about it.”
Olympic turn off
David Pastrnak, who likely would have been on the Czech team if NHLers were taking part at next month’s Olympics, didn’t sound terribly enthused about watching the games between teams of lesser players.
“I’m probably going to watch the Czech games,” he said. “It’ll be tough watching those games when you know you can’t play, but it is what it is. You have to focus on your own season.”
The International Ice Hockey Federation said this week it will work hard to convince the NHL to let its players take part in the next Winter Games in Beijing in 2022.
Pastrnak likes hearing that.
“Hopefully, this is just a one-time thing and we’ll be able to go to the next one,” he said. “You know all the players want to play in the Olympics.”
Leafs pull even
With a win over San Jose on Thursday, Toronto drew even with the Bruins in points for the second spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins, however, have four games in hand over the Maple Leafs. In regard to the standings, tonight’s game will be very important for the Hurricanes, who narrowly cling to the second wild card spot . . . .
The Bruins spent a good chunk of practice time working on the power play, which ranks ninth in the NHL at 20.6 percent. The penalty-killing unit is better at No. 3 in the league (84.5 percent) . ...
The Hurricanes acquired goalie Scott Darling last April and gave him a four-year deal with a $4.15 million annual cap hit. He was handed the No.1 job ahead of longtime starter Cam Ward. The 33-year-old Ward, however, has outplayed Darling.