Taco Puck Tuesday: Fine Red ‘Marchy’, DeBrusk, Lobster Tacos

Welcome to my new weekly post featuring random thoughts and observations on the current state of the Boston Bruins but more importantly, tasty suggestions for one of my favorite meals on Taco Tuesday!

From hot-button Boston Bruins topics to fantasy hockey and Bruins betting trends to random and likely not always great takes on the Black and Gold, this weekly dose of Bruins content will go great with a delicious taco on Taco Tuesday. So sit back, chow down and enjoy!

*By the way, feel free to leave your favorite taco recipe in the comments section!

‘Marchy’ Ages Like Fine Red Wine For Bruins

Prior to puck-drop Tuesday night, the Boston Bruins were one of only three teams – with the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks the others – that hadn’t played more than one game in this young season. However, with both the Sharks and Devils taking the ice Tuesday night, the B’s will be lone one-game survivors when they take the ice at Wells Fargo Center Wednesday night for the first of the two NHL on TNT games (7:30 PM ET).

Well, if one game is any indication – and we have no reason to think it isn’t – Boston Bruins, veteran winger Brad Marchand will continue to age like a fine wine for the Bruins. Marchand scored the first Bruins goal of the season on a first-period penalty shot and then sealed the deal on a 3-1 Bruins win Saturday with an empty-netter.

“Very good That’s fairly typical, right?” Boston Bruins bench boss Bruce Cassidy replied when asked about Marchand’s performance in the season opener. “He draws a penalty [on the first goal] – a really, really smart play because it looks like things are going to be offsides but he didn’t touch the puck, so he doesn’t have it under control, so it’s a tag up. So, as always, he’s thinking quick on his feet, gets himself in position for a penalty shot, finishes.

The empty-net goal – again, good job on the wall – both third-period goals, we win a wall battle and we win a foot race. That’s something we weren’t doing in the second period when the ice got tilted more towards our end. Again, another good example of just good simple hockey this time of year. Highly skilled players just kind of playing behind their D and putting pucks in their areas, and then using their speed and tenacity. He was thinking quick on his feet, gets himself in a position for a penalty shot, finishes. The empty-net goal…all-around a good game for Marchy in every area.”

Marchand, 34, is coming off a season in which he lit the lamp 29 times and added 56 helpers in 53 games. He entered the Hart Trophy conversation more frequently as last season went on and not just in the Boston media. The bet here is that he will get mentioned even more for the Hart this season and could be a fun longshot future bet right now. As of Tuesday morning, a $100 could net you $1700 if Marchand earns MVP honors next July. As for the immediate and the Bruins themselves, they are currently -125 favorites in latest NHL odds to win against the Flyers tomorrow, that means you could net $100 off a $125 wager.

DeBrusk Revenge Tour?

You’re likely not going to be able to snag Marchand off your fantasy hockey waiver wire and would have to pay a hefty ransom for him in a trade, but you should grab another Boston Bruins forward. Unlike Marchand, who came into the NHL in the 2009-10 season as a third-round pick from the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, DeBrusk didn’t need to start his career as an undersized player with a chip on his shoulder. Of course, the 2015 first-round pick, couldn’t control the size aspect but having a chip on his shoulder likely would’ve led to more consistency for DeBrusk in his first three seasons. Well, after a brutal campaign last season, where he admittedly lost his confidence on and off the ice, DeBrusk seems to have more Marchand attitude in his game and it paid off for him on Saturday as he scored the game-winner in the third period.

“I’ve been really happy with the way he’s played,” Marchand said of DeBrusk Saturday. “Jake’s a guy that feeds off confidence, and he has it right now. Even the way that he’s carrying himself off the ice, he has a much better energy about him and a lot more excitement this year. He’s a guy that we need to rely on if we’re going to go far. He can be such a difference-maker with his speed and his ability to put pucks in around the net. You see that tonight.”

Lobster Tacos

Not sure if they have Lobster tacos on the menu at TD Garden yet, or at Fenway Park if you’re headed there tonight or tomorrow for the ALCS, but these have become a go-to for me on Taco Tuesdays. I’ve seen some good lobster prices at Market Basket (for those not familiar, the best and cheapest supermarket in New England!), I’m about to cook some up for the Liverpool Champions League match right after I post this. I found a tasty but simple recipe on: AllRecipes.com this past summer. Enjoy!

4 lobster tails

salt and ground black pepper to taste

¼ cup red guajillo chile sauce 

1 tomato, diced, divided

3 green onions, chopped

¼ cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

8 flour or corn tortillas

1 small avocado, sliced 

½ cup shredded lettuce