WHEELS!

A new number on his back, and some new numbers on his stat sheet. Blake Wheeler, now number 26 after ditching PJ Stock's old number 42, potted his first career Hat Trick last night against the hapless Leafs. It was his first multiple goal game, the game after netting his first multiple point game. I guess he's feeling a little more comfortable lately, huh? His all around game seems to be really rounding into form, and looks less and less like Bambi on ice. Good for him, bad for Kobasew? Going to be awfully tough to find room for Chucky with the way the boys are playing right now. Once again, great "problem" to have.

As far as the game itself goes.....if Wheeler was the epitome of "comfortable" out there, Vesa Toskela was just the opposite. He fought the puck badly all night long. Even the stops he did make, most looked awkward with no thought to rebound control. This one easily could have been a blow-out with a couple better bounces. And just for the record....I called a B's 4-2 win last night, only to be undone by an empty netter. Oh well. Good to see the B's play a controlled physical game. It wasn't a game you walked away from saying how rough and tumble it was, by any stretch. But Boston did a very good job of taking advantage of every big hit opportunity that presented itself. Mark Stuart drilling Jason Blake over the boards and into the B's bench (and how hysterical was the look on Kessel's face when that happened?) was the highlight reel winner. But, the hardest hit of the night was clearly Chara on Mayers. Solid, stand up hit. Mayers was absolutely stunned by the hit, and was "in obvious discomfort" on the bench (which NESN cameras didn't pick up). Tremendous shot by Big Z. Of course, Toronto did get in one good lick of their own, when Jeff Finger blasted Shawn Thornton in open ice. Good solid, clean hit. But I still bet Thornton remember it next time they play.

All in all, a good team win again. Slowly but surely, Boston is climbing the ranks in the Eastern Conference. Big tilt on tap for Saturday night when hated (by me at least) division foe Buffalo comes to town. More on that tomorrow.
Go B's- Kynch