It certainly says something about Tim Thomas's endurance that he can come out and play as well as he did in back to back games.  We're no goaltenders, but that seems like it would be hard enough to do with a defense that is playing well, nevermind the very average looking defensive play the Bruins have shown lately.  Trust us when we say that our girlfriends wish we had that kind of stamina.

We'll do our best to keep out Thomas praising to a minimum, it's just hard when he is consistently one of the best parts of these hockey games.  Tonight is another night that her showed us why he is the "Beast of the East"

This isn't to say that there were no other bright spots.  Who would have thought that a line containing Wheeler and Ryder would be one of our better lines? Well as of right now it is.  It was also nice to see Kampfer get his first NHL goal and Savard get his 700 career point.

After the jump, we break it all down.

December 28th, 1960, Raymond Jean Bourque exploded out of the womb, took the puck down the side boards and fired a hard slapper past the doctor to put the Bruins up 1-0.

Maybe that is a slight exaggeration but we bet it went something like that.

Yes, 50 years ago today the legend known as Ray Bourque first graced the earth with his presence, his mother unaware of the greatness that had called her womb home for 9 months. In 1979 Boston drafted him 8th overall, and the rest is history.

If you're at this site, you likely don't need a history lesson on Ray Bourque. Scored his first career goal in his first career NHL game. He smashed Bruins and NHL records for defenseman during his career and is perhaps overshadowed in greatness only by the great #4 in a race that is much closer than we think.

He was an offensive beast and virtually impossible to beat on defense. His shot was so accurate and explosive that any woman sitting in the first three rows of a Bruins game instantly became pregnant. He epitomized class on and off the ice, and those of us fortunate enough to be old enough to understand his greatness while we were watching him are lucky.

It broke our hearts when he was sent to the Avalanche, but I dare you to find one person in Boston who didn't watch Avs playoff games and root for Bourque to hoist that Cup over his head. Seeing Joe Sakic turn around and hand that Cup to Bourque was one of the great all time sports moments because Bourque deserved that lap with the Cup more than anyone. Anyone who says their eyes didn't get a little misty watching that is a liar.

So Happy Birthday 50th Birthday Ray and thanks for all the memories!

After the jump, some highlights from Bourque's fantastic career in the NHL....

Umm... so some asshole named Tuukka Rask may start tonight. We're not 100% sure. 

In fact, we're not 100% sure who Tuukka Rask is or what he looks like. We found his jersey tee in our closets this morning, so we must've known him at one time but for the life of us we can't remember why.

We just Googled him to remind ourselves. Here are some highlights:

Seems like a pretty happening dude.

No lie, it's been one day shy of a fortnight since Tuukka Rask started for Boston. Last time: December 15th vs. Buffalo - a 2-3 loss. Poo.

Thing is, the kid can't get enough starts to get in a rhythm to be 2Us-2Ks-2Points this year. Thomas is just playing out of his mind and the offense is crap, meaning Julien has to go with the hot goalie vs. trying to get both Rask and Thomas in a comfortable position to share the workload. Still, gotta wonder if Timmy's aging body can handle this workload.

So far, the answer is yes. That's all that matters at the moment, but poor Tuukka. 

Watch. Just by writing this post about him starting, he won't. Julien will give Thomas back-to-back games.

By the way: Rask is 1-3-1 during back-to-back Bruins game, usually getting shafted with the second game. Keep that in mind. Team's looked like this:

After the jump... we need more votes... Bruins are in 1st/3rd... projected roster.... game day links... and your game day video...

The Days of Y'Orr crew has been derailed by snow/stomach viruses. Patrice Purrgeron hasn't been out of his litter box all day. This recap is going to look about as good as a New Jersey Devils game.

Bruins kicked off their five game road trip with a win. Thomas stole the win. Again. Thomas gives more bailouts than the government. But hey, a win is a win and that is all that matters. Krejci scored both of Boston's goals and Wheeler scored the shootout winner. Yes, that is right the Bruins won a shootout.

Couple of weird moments. Chara got called for diving. Looked more like he fell awkwardly. You know, like a really tall person would. But who knows. Each team only got one power play. Neither scored. Bruins have now won all three meetings against the Panthers so far this season. Tampa Bay awaits the Bruins tomorrow.

After the jump, a recap so lazy it makes the Capitals defense look like a powerhouse......

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Justin & Robb with Rene... and some Ice Girls

We have the day off due to snow and/or previous planned days of off, so we thought we'd take this time to share some fun news and big news with you all.

First off: We met the legendary man with the golden pipes, Mr. Rene Rancourt during the Bruins-Thrashers game. Wicked cool dude. When we'd tell him how great it was to finally meet him he replied with "It was great meeting you." We believed him. He seemed stoked to meet everyone and take pictures.

Exchange we had when we got there:

Photographer: The Ice Girls are here to be in the pictures to, if you want.
Us: Oh, ok.
Photographer: Do you want them in there? Girls, go jump in.
Us: Oh... ok... sure... the more the merrier.

Not that we don't mind being surrounded by attractive lady folk, but this was Rene Rancourt time. Also, we didn't want to look like the tools who overcompensate by surrounding themselves with several hot chicks for picture's sake. You know the type.

Anyways, Rancourt rocks. We miss him already.

Second off: Days of Y'Orr has a new app for the Android. We didn't design it not do we operate it. That all's Bloguin's (our network) work. We're not sure how good it is or the like, nor do we really have control over the features (hell, we don't even have 'Droids, ourselves) but if you have any feedback send it our way and we'll let the right people know. 

Sorry to iPhone users (ourselves included). There's no DOY iPhone app currently; hopefully there'll be one in the future but Apple are kinda dicks about apps.

Third off: Days of Y'Orr is up for another award. We're nominated for BallHyped's "Sports Blog of the Year." At midnight last night we were in first place with 40% of the votes. Since then we've dropped to fifth place with 9% of the votes. We need more votes.

So if you love us, give us a vote and help us fill our virtual trophy shelf with more accoldates because, yes, we are that vain. Voting is open through December 29th so you have a few more days. Only one computer per household can vote.

Go Bruins!

We just got in from shoveling our cars out of three feet of snow and we're a bit pooped, so this preview might be lame.

Bruins are the lucky ones being in warm and sunny Florida. We're stuck in cold and snowy Boston. Whatevs.

Bruins are coming off an emotional win against the Thrashers. Now we'll get to see if that emotion carries over to multiple games. Good news for Boston is that Lucic wasn't suspended for his sucker punch on Meyer, so he'll suit up. Marchand's on the ice this morning for the Bs, so he might suit up. Stuart gets his cast off later this week.

So the Bruins are getting healthy bodies back in the line-up. Always a bonus.

Quotes from last game:

Thornton on wanting to get the hat trick…
“What kind of, of course I wanted it. How bad do you think I wanted it? That’s the first question you’re coming with? I wanted it very bad.”

Ference on the line brawl…
“Well, you never know. When you have tough guys like Savvy out there you never know what could happen. [Laughter] What, it’s true! So, he likes to talk about that Dallas game a while ago, so he was itching, I think, for a little fun.”

We stole those quotes from Black and Gold Blog. Check 'em out!

Some highlights from past Bruins-Panthers games this year:

Sugar Daddy Lucic-stache

After the jump... projected roster.... game day links.... game day video...