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Bruins: 3 reasons why the Hub is ecstatic to have hockey back – Metro US

Bruins: 3 reasons why the Hub is ecstatic to have hockey back

It only took 113 days and a league-wide total of 513 regular season games missed but the NHL finally came to its senses and agreed to end its most recent lockout late last night in New York City. The details of whether it will be a truncated 48 or 50-game season and when exactly it will start (Jan. 15 or 19) should be hammered out in the next few days. For now, let’s just rejoice in the fact that we will have the Bruins back in our lives on a daily basis.

The Bruins are still one of the top teams in the NHL

It’s easy to forget since they folded in the first round of the playoffs last spring against an inferior team – the Capitals – and lunatic goaltender Tim Thomas took a self-imposed siesta but the B’s remain loaded with talent. They are only a season removed from a Stanley Cup title and any team that returns Zdeno Chara, Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tuukka Rask and Co. should always be a contender in the Eastern Conference. Many of their players competed in Europe during the lockout and they didn’t have many transactions before it so the Bruins should have almost instant chemistry when they get back on the TD Garden ice.

It would be a long, cold winter without professional hockey

The NBA is fine and college hockey is entertaining enough – we’re spoiled with many good teams in the area – but neither of those sports replace the unique thrills and excitement of the NHL. The Celtics have sputtered to a slow start and adding to that, they only play three or four times every week. As soon as the Patriots’ playoff journey is over (Pats fans are hoping it’s the night of Feb. 3), we still have the dreary months of February and March to fill with some sort of sports. The B’s fill that void tremendously.

More Jack Edwards and excellent Bruins related coverage

Most of the Celtics coverage in the local media is pretty weak (way too many Green teamers) but that is not the case with the Bruins. From the superb Dave Goucher and Bob Beers calling the games on the Sports Hub to the maniacal Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley on NESN, the B’s are arguably the team that gets the best in-depth and unbiased analysis. It is always good to have talented people on TV, the radio and writing about a certain professional team.