Tim Thomas (Hockey)

Hockey historians, experts and pundits all agree that the most important part of a hockey team is its goaltender. A team follows its goaltender onto the ice and they are often thought of as the team’s second leader after the team captain.

The goaltender is a team's last line of defense and is usually the reason why a team does or does not make the playoffs.

The Boston Bruins have been in a tear since their abysmal 4-7-0 record in October.

Since their game with the Florida Panthers on December 23rd, the Bruins' record is 23-9-1.  An improvement of 19-2-1 in November and so far in December.

Never mind Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask’s contrary track records against the Montreal Canadiens, for the differences have been rendered irrelevant the way the Boston Bruins have performed this October.

Last season Tim Thomas took the NHL by storm and captured his second Vezina trophy—awarded to the league's best goaltender—in dominating fashion.  Tim Thomas has two wins in the past three years, Martin Brodeur had four wins in five NHL seasons from 2002-2008, and Dominik Hasek ruled the '90s as he pulled in six trophies.  Despite the award's veteran tendencies, there is always room for a surprise candidate to rule the ice for a year, from Ryan Miller—off an MVP Olympic year—to Jose Theodore, who won the Hart and

During the Boston Bruins championship run of 2011, the entire North American continent gave witness to NHL records and franchise records being set, tied, or broken.

The Bruins became the first team in National Hockey League history to win a seven game playoff series without scoring a power play goal. 

Tim Thomas had an incredible season backstopping for the Boston Bruins while leading them to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1972. Although Thomas has only been in the NHL for six seasons, could it be safe to say he is working on a hall of fame career. I say, the numbers don't lie.

Before delving into the tangled guts of the now very deceased Vancouver Canucks, it should be stated clearly and succinctly that the better team won. Congratulations to that team, the Boston Bruins.

I want to say sorry for such a late entry.  I had this written up just an hour after the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, but there were difficulties with getting a submission.

The prize was on the line on this night, and there was no extra chance for either team.

The series started with the Canucks bagging the first two games in Vancouver.  Both by only one goal.

First of all, I realize it is only Game 6, and anything can happen in the final two games between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins. Having said that, I do not think it is premature to say that Boston’s goaltender, Tim Thomas, should win the Conn Smythe trophy barring a Game 6 meltdown.

My oh my, how things turn on a dime. Momentum. Energy. Confidence. A 31-save shutout for Roberto Luongo has put the Vancouver Canucks back in the driver’s seat.

Bobby Lou's Game 5 shutout is his fourth of the playoffs, after he posted goose eggs in Game 1 of the Chicago series, Game 1 of the Nashville series, and Game 1 of the Boston series.