The Boston Bruins are up 3 games to 2 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. What seems to be in a good place having home ice advantage if needed for game 7, the Bruins could not have made it this far without the help of forward Nathan Horton.
Horton’s career started in the 2003-2004 season with the not-so-solid Florida Panthers. While there, Horton immediately stepped onto the ice and had a positive impact. In his rookie season, Nathan had 14 goals and 8 assists for 22 points in 55 games. In the six seasons with the Panthers, Horton had 5 seasons above the 45 point mark and a career high of 62 points in back-to-back seasons from 2006-2008.
Today, Horton calls Boston home after competing in his first of three year deal. In the 80 games played, Horton had a balanced year with 26 goals and 27 assists for a total of 53 points. Overall, he had a +29 rating, the best of any Bruins offense.
The real news is that this is Horton’s first NHL playoffs. Yes, his first, the time where the men are separated form the boys. Quite common, new players experiencing the faster, tougher playoff tempo fall short of their fan’s and team’s expectations. Horton however has risen to the occasion with 7 goals and 7 assists in the 16 games played, 2 of which were game winning goals. His stats are second to only Patrice Bergeron.
At 6’2″ and 229 pounds, Horton is a physical and dominating presence. Factor in that he is coming into his peak years at 25 years old, now is better than any for the Bruins to have him don the black and yellow B. With his big presence and stats to back it up, Horton is by far the Boston Bruins MVP.
Tim Thomas is the Bruin’s MVP; it’s not even close. Followed by Bergeron, Chara, and finally, Horton, who has indeed been a great addition to the team.
I don’t know Glen, Bergeron has been good but he is not a physical presence. Horton is tied in points and has a better +/-. Sticking with the +/-, that is all Chara has. With only 3 assists in 16 games so far these playoffs, I don’t think that is a stellar performance at all. Thomas has been solid, but with 9 of his 16 games with a .919 save percentage or lower, 5 of his games with 4 or more goals scored against him, I just don’t see it. Horton still wins my vote.
There are a lot of guys on this years team that deserve to be MVP, Krejci, Horton. I think that we can all agree that Kaberle doesn’t deserve it!