Michael Ryder's Resurgence With The Boston Bruins

After a disappointing season with the Montreal Canadiens, a change of scenery was prescribed for Ryder. Bruins' GM Peter Chiarelli decided to take a chance on the unrestricted free agent sniper this off-season, offering him a three-year $4M/year deal that Ryder could not refuse.

Coming out of the worst offensive season of his career, during which he only recorded 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 70 games, Ryder has returned to his old self in Boston.

After 42 games this season, Ryder has already scored 17 goals and notched 14 assists for 31 points matching last year's totals with half the season to go. A three-time 25-goal scorer, Ryder leads the NHL with seven game-winning goals!

What's even more surprising is his plus-21 differential, which ranks him sixth in the league in a tie with teammate Zdeno Chara and Capitals' Alex Semin.

Ryder's reunion with former coach Claude Julien, who coached him with the Hull Olympiques for three seasons from 1997 to 2000, has been quite successful. Since Ryder, 28, was reunited by Julien with linesmates David Krecji and Blake Wheeler, the Bruins have been on a torrid pace. This line also boasts a combined plus-73 differential, the best in the league.

Ryder's signing gave the Bruins the scoring depth that they lacked last season, and the emergence of youngsters such as Milan Lucic, David Krecji, Phil Kessel and Blake Wheeler have complimented very well stars like Marc Savard and Zdeno Chara.

With Kessel, Sturm and Bergeron out for an extended period of time, the Bruins are counting on Michael Ryder to carry the offensive workload over the next few months.

David Krejci's unexpected rise to stardom

The Bruins' first pick in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (63rd overall), David Krecji, 22, has climbed fast on the Bruins depth chart.

Currently the Bruins' third centre behind point-producer Marc Savard and proven youngster Patrice Bergeron, Krejci is quickly making his mark in the NHL. His new line-mates Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder have perfectly clicked together. Through 30 games this season with the Bruins, Krejci has eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points, currently on pace for 79 points. He also ranks 10th in the league with a +15 plus/minus differential.

The Sternberk, Czech Republic native, has already surpassed last year's career-best, 27 points in 56 games, thanks to his plethora of skills. Krejci's strongest assets are his soft hands and smooth puck-handling abilities. He is good on face-offs and possesses good defensive instincts for a second-year player. Krejci also has a highly accurate wrist shot, and he can make smart, crisp passes to him teammates. He isn't afraid of playing in heavy traffic and drive the net.

After playing two years in the QMJHL with Gatineau where he recorded 144 points in only 117 games, he smoothly made the transition to the AHL with the Providence Bruins where he notched 74 points in 69 games in 2006-2007. Krejci adjusted very well everywhere he played, and there is no reason he can't continue with the Bruins this season...

Expect big things from Krejci in the next few years, as Bruins's coach Claude Julien is not afraid to use him in every situation. Krejci is currently on fire, having notched five goals and fifteen assists for 20 points in the past twelve games!

AHL Roundup for Sabres and Bruins

Providence Bruins:
Tuuka Rask is having a good season so far, posting 6 wins and 5 losses in 11 games. He has a 2.78 GAA and a good save % at .909.

Offensively, Johnny Boychuk is leading the team with 21 points (4 g, 17 a) in 19 games. Martin St.Pierre is second with 20 points (5 g, 15 a) in 19 games. Martin Karsums is third with 19 points (7 g, 12 a) in 19 games.

Notables:
Vladimir Sobotka has 14 points in 12 games. Peter Schaefer has only 4 points in 13 games and Jeremy Reich has also only 5 points in 19 games. Matt Lashoff leads the team on defence with 13 points in 15 games.

The Bruins have 11 wins in 19 games this season; they currently rank second in the Atlantic Division with 23 points behind the Portland Pirates (Sabres).

Portland Pirates:
Mark Mancari was having a very good season before being recalled by the Sabres, notching 25 points in 14 games (11 g, 14 a) and a +15 differential. Nathan Gerbe is the team's 2nd scorer with 22 points in 17 games (12 g, 10 a). Tim Kennedy is third with 21 points in 17 games (5 g, 16 a).

In goal, Adam Dennis and Jhonas Enroth have shared the bulk of the work.
Dennis has 6 wins and 2 losses in 8 games, posting a 2.71 GAA and a good save % at .909.
Enroth also has 6 wins and 2 losses, but in 9 games. He has posted a 2.76 GAA and a good save % at .909.

The Pirates are first in their division, with 12 wins and 3 losses in 17 games, giving them 26 points this year.

Bruins expected lines for this afternoon vs NYI

Forwards:
Milan Lucic - Marc Savard - Phil Kessel
P.J. Axelsson - Patrice Bergeron - Chuck Kobasew
Blake Wheeler - David Krejci - Michael Ryder
Shawn Thornton - Stephane Yelle - Petteri Nokelainen

Defensemen:
Zdeno Chara - Aaron Ward
Matt Hunwick - Dennis Wideman
Mark Stuart - Shane Hnidy

Goalies:
Manny Fernandez
Tim Thomas

Manny Fernandez gets the call today and Tim Thomas is expected to get the start tomorrow against Detroit. Joey MacDonald will start for the Islanders.

The mysterious “upper-body injury” that has sidelined winger Marco Sturm for the past four games is lingering concussion-like symptoms.

The Bruins will debut their third jersey today. This will be Game 1 of 16 matches featuring the third jersey this season.