What does it all mean? Well, for the moment, the Bruins are still in the playoffs, and if they win their remaining two games - tomorrow night in Ottawa and the next night against the Sabres - they are guaranteed their first postseason action since 2004. But short of that, there remains a seemingly limitless number of mathematical permutations that could scuttle the season for the scrappy Causeway Street club.
"We have to keep holding up our end of the bargain," said Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, scorched by Zach Parise's backhander to the roof, the lone goal in the shootout. "We just have to keep winning because other teams keep winning."
The loss left the Bruins with 92 points through 80 games. The Flyers have 91 points in 80 games. The Hurricanes, 6-2 winners over Tampa Bay, also have 92 points, but through 81 games. We would tell you the exchange rate on the Canadian dollar here, along with the square root of pi, but what's the point in confusing you?
The most relevant number may be 12 - the games the Bruins have lost in shootouts. Had they won half of those, they would have 98 points and be vying for one of the top three seeds in the East. But, inconsistent with their offense this season, they are particularly challenged when it comes to the shootout, which last night led coach Claude Julien to call on Glen Metropolit to lead off the extra session.
"Hey, we are looking for guys," said Julien, calling on Metropolit for the first time in six-plus months, "guys who can score goals. We're struggling in the shootout. So, I'm looking."
Metropolit failed to beat Martin Brodeur with a backhand, never really squeezing off a shot. He was followed by fellow forwards Phil Kessel, David Krejci, and Marco Sturm. Nothing but blanks. Brodeur stoned them, respectively, with glove, stick, and pad saves.
The Devils, with a playoff spot guaranteed, failed with Brian Gionta, Patrik Elias, and Jamie Langenbrunner. But down came Parise, and he picked the top right corner with a quick flip of his backhand, Thomas unable to snare it with his glove.
"Once he got it as high as he did, I figured he had me," said Thomas. "A lot of times, a guy will pull it back to his forehand, and then you've got a chance with the blocker, but . . . "
