Well, the Bruins playoff run is over. And it sucks because playoff hockey is great and it’s even better when your team is playing it.
Honestly guys, I just can’t muster the words right now. I’ve tried. Everything just comes out as some kind of jumble. I think I’ll just save it for the Bearly on Topic podcast.
Feel free to discuss it all down below.
Ill say this too; I was very happy with Nash and Moore being signed and said as much often. I think I was clearly right to be pleased with their acquisitions.
SCOC commenters didnt seem so enthusiased this offseason when I said these were good moves as we wanted top pairing D guys. I said thats impossible so improve where you can. Two positives there, the defense made huuuge leaps in many areas, the young and the veterans.
In short, Stafford, Moore, and Nash were all steals and the guys we hoped would develop well (Pasta, Carlo, Chiller) all made huge steps. Krug was a fucking beast all year and McQuaid and Killer were great and Chara was solid, just like we expected. I think we have some extra forwards we may shed but overall this roster looks good
The league really has to address the officiating issue. As a newish fan, it’s the the thing that infuriates me enough that I could just stop watching. I find it frustrating to watch a game, thing I know the threshold on what they’re going to call, only to have them seem to only call infractions only on one team not the other. I hate, hate, hate that I have to complain about it because it screwed the team more often than not.
I genuinely think that without help from the refs (be it intentional or not), the Sens lose the series.
I know it sounds conspiratorial and a bit homeristic (that’s a word now) but I can’t help but think there was a fix and it was in.
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION! SEIZE ALL INTERNAL EMAIL AND FAXES ON THE NHL! I DECLARE FOUL!
no but really…its easy to think conspiracy when the reffing was continually making calls for the Sens at the most pivotal momentum points in the game. And i get the “home officiating” can happen …but the problem is the Sens got the calls IN BOSTON too.
Reffing did not decide who was the better team, but you cant tell me that this series was tainted by how poorly the games were managed by the crew in the stripes.
This team was undisciplined at times and so were the Sens. I’m still mad about the non-call on Ryan for his elbow to the head of Nash and the lack of follow-up by DoPS.
The lack of followup is what really gets me.
Like you’re telling me that head injuries are the most important to wipe out of the game yet you suspend Brad Marchand for a nut shot but you don’t suspend the guy who cocks his elbow back and hits a defenseless player who was not touching him in the head, that fucking nimrod piece of shit asshole.
In short: Brendan Burke, the head was the principle point of contact when Ryan hit Nash first.
That’s another part of the NHL I have no faith in either, not because of Marshy because he shouldn’t do that crap in the first place, but because they won’t touch the stars. Fucking useless. Disband.
Patrick Burke. Brendan Burke is no longer with us. But your point remains.
Crap. I always get it mixed up. Still, PATRICK do your job correctly.
I’m as far from a conspiracy theorist as you can get, and I can’t help but think it was all about Canadian teams advancing.
Exactly.
It's good for the game.Not really, because 23 (soon 24) teams are in the US.Plus, I hope you don’t think I’m a conspiracy theorist because that would make me sad.
I don’t, I was just clearing myself of the tinfoil hat stigma! Haha
Phew!
No need to be wearing a tinfoil hockey helmet.
I like it. I really like it.
I always side with incompetence over conspiracy.
But yeah, even with the collasal amount of injuries I think we could have won with a fair called series. (Where I think we would have been obliterated by the Rangers).
Hey kids!
There are a lot of things im excited about for next year about this team. There are definite needs and definite need for change on a few coaching perspectives.
1) Resign Pasta, Stafford, Nash, Acciari, Schaller. Moore is a UFA…id like him for depth and i think he could still be good next year but if it means more ice time for Kurally or Acciari…ehh? I think Moore was a good on ice personality that was a reason why the team kept fighting when it looked like some members were deflated and didnt skate hard when they were down he kept going.
2) Chara is no longer someone that should be your go to defenseman in the last minutes of an OT. Chara should not be your team leader on TOI. Chara should be on your second pairing at this point of his life.
3) Try to move Spooner for either a legit winger or hope the Knights take him.
4) Try to figure out what to do with Hayes and Beleskey, i feel like under Cassidy Hayes could perform better and Beleskey i think got a bad wrap after being injured…really wanted to see more out of him…i dunno..meh.
5) Figure out who you are going to consistently put next to DK. This team needs to be deeper then 4 useful players on the top line.
I’m totally okay with leaving Beleskey unprotected. Of course, he could be traceable, too.
Hayes is a guy I keep forgetting we have. He did look better under Cassidy and I do think there’s a lot to be said for having consistent linemates.
As for Krejci: yeah, we need to address that. I would actually be okay with trying Cehlarik out there next year because he looked just fine – just didn’t get the biscuit into the basket. Of course, anything can happen – look at the guys in Providence – Gabrielle, DeBrusk, Senyshyn, Heinen, et al. It’s going to be interesting.
Trade Spooner’s rights. He’s done here.
Now that Julien is out of the picture, maybe get Koko on the horn and see if he wants to give the new system, or at least training camp, a shot.
Drew Stafford!
That’s another pleasant surprise I forgot to mention. What a great low-risk pickup. Holy crap.
And remember folks, THE HABS WERE ELIMINATED BEFORE THE BRUINS WERE! BAHAHAHAHA!
Uh, same amount of games, just a day earlier.
I thin the real takeaway is that the Blackhawks were eliminated in 4 games and only scored 3 goals.
I know. I was just having fun that they were technically out before the Bruins.
Yeah, you’re technically correct.
And, as we all know, that is the best kind of correct.
mwahahahahah
I forgot my skates yesterday for hockey. I wear a size 8 EE (Vapors are super narrow). The elder on the team had an extra pair of CCMs from the 90s–size 12. Better than nothing
That’s a big jump. 6.5EE. I couldn’t stand up in a 12.
Morning all.
As far as disappointment goes, this is probably the least disappointed I’ve been after a series loss. I think this series is more of a look back and think “what if?” What if Carlo, Krug, and McQuaid didn’t go down with injuries? Regardless, the Bruins hung in there. Crazy that every game was a one goal game. We’ve seen the future with McAvoy and the future looks bright. Not that I’m one to tell people how to play hockey but hey Bruins, WORK ON KEEPING THE PUCK ON THE ICE AND NOT OVER THE GLASS!
Made enchiladas this weekend. I think you spend more time cleaning up enchilada mess then you do making and eating enchiladas. My kitchen looked like a crime scene.
Geebus, yes!
I mean, the DoG penalty is one of the stupider ones in hockey, and really ought to be treated like an icing, not a penalty, but…
It has been in place for longer than any of the idiots in the NHL have been playing (except maybe Jagr).
It’s a rule, it’s not a mystery, and IT’S YOUR HOME RINK!!! YOU KNOW WHERE THE DAMN GLASS ENDS AND PENALTY BEGINS!!! DON”T DO AVOIDABLE CRAP THAT PENALIZES YOUR TEAM!!!
WORK ON YOUR GOLF SWING ON A GOLF COURSE!
ESPECIALLY THREE TIMES IN AN ELIMINATION GAME
Chillers was the absolute worst, because it was 100% no different than when a goalie makes a save & clears it over the glass or into the netting. Just a fluke bat the puck out of danger play. Absolute shit.
Plus every player that sticks their hands in the air looks like fucking douchebags
None of those really bothered me because nothing bad came of them…it was more of a LOL YOU GUYS after the 3rd one in a row….
IN THE FIRST PERIOD ALONE!
Yes. AHHHHHH
So annoying.
I do feel the penalty for DoG is excessive. NCAA it’s no line change and a faceoff in your defensive zone. Seems more just.
Yeah but isnt a DOG only called in your defensive zone anyways? I understand not wanting players to habitually flip the puck out of the rink every time things get sketchy…wish there was something between an icing and a 2 min minor?
New rule: If you chip it over the glass your goalie gets to punch you in the nuts once.
I was unaware of this. I pay fairly close attention to NHL & AHL rules, but none to NCAA rules since I watch so few NCAA games.
It really makes sense to handle it that way. Teams are not tossing the puck over the glass to get a rest anymore, and the penalty just fouls up game flow.
That’s a much better way to handle it.
So uhh…who else you guys rooting for now?
Well, my plan was to root for the Leafs but that didn’t last long.
I’d like to see PK win The Cup so I’m rooting for him.
I won’t watch again until the Finals.
I think GH has convinced me to root for the Preds
The Preds are a fun watch. Stout, young defense that can move the puck. Rinne is amazing when he stands on his head. And LaViolette has made James Neal not a dink. Plus, if you like Swedish players they have ’em: Forsberg, Arvidsson, Ekholm, Aberg, Jarnkrok. Plus, and I cannot state this enough, they took down the Blackhawks in 4 games. 4. games.
Depending on the demand, I might drive to Nashville to snag a ticket.
They made it a point to announce on Twitter that they sold out Round 1 quickly. I could only imagine that Round 2 will be hard to get.
So what you’re saying is that you also think Roman Josi is cute.
So dreeeeeaaaamy! *bats eyes*
He is. I’m not ashamed to say that. And he’s good at hockey.
Maybe ill root for “The King of Nothing” to finally win a cup. I have no issues with the rangers….but i have Washington winning it all in my bracket so i guess im cheering for my Bracket.
I root for teams in each matchup, I don’t have a team I want to win it all, mostly teams I don’t want to win.
Well, shit.
Good Morning Pals! The sun did come up, after all. The sucky thing about being eliminated is that it takes so long to get to meaningful hockey.
Boy, Erik Karlsson is really good at hockey. Seems like a pretty classy guy, too, although it’s hard to tell from here.
My bracket had the Bruins and Wild meeting in the SCF – that must be for next year, because I know it was a premonition.
We watched the game at the bar in Monroe Bridge – Pixie’s Depot Tavern. Pixie was a biker dude who passed away last year. The locals turned out and Jo and I met the rest of the town. Much notwater was consumed and I won’t remember anyone’s name.
Officiating is never a good excuse for losing. The Bs needed to cash in on more of their opportunities.
I haven’t decided who to root for the rest of the way. I’m thinking the Preddy Cats might be the least offensive (and I’m not talking scoring) team left.
Lots moar cawfee!!
Well it sounds like you had a fun night (afternoon?) at least!
I have new appreciation for Karlsson after that series. Such a skilled and clean player and that team relies so much on him.
I used to think he was just a forward masquerading as a defenceman but he’s so much more than that.
Which makes you wonder why the Bruins didn’t focus on him more. Of course, you’ve got to be able to catch him, and we have two guys who can: one was out for 2 or 3 games, and the other has zero battle in his game and would never engage physically like that, so there’s that, I guess.
I assume Krejci is the first guy, but who’s the one with no battle?
I seem to remember Spooner was touted as a speedster in his early days.
Problem is he gets rid of the puck so quickly that you literally cant get to him to pressure him, and you have to thinking about covering that guy you know he is going ot make the perfect pass to and be ready to get back to defend. Also with OTT borderline illegal trap play on the blue line youll never get there in time to get there at the same time as him.
Its really a perfect system centered on his ability to pass….if you CAN get to him you can create some really good chances to get him to cough up the puck. Problem is there were times the Bruins just stopped moving their feet….not sure if it was exhaustion due to the Double OT or what but there was a point i was screaming at them to MOVE.
Very true, not capitalizing on that PP in the late 3rd pretty much sealed the deal. Was kinda angry at the beakaway trip/grab no call but you cant really blame the reffing for this one, you know the refs have it out for you for some reason…cant go pulling a player to the ice for any reason unless you really feel he is going to score on the breakaway and take the PK instead.
Well, it was a pretty enjoyable, if frustrating series.
Considering all the injuries, the lack of playoff experience of the Bs players and the fact that Ottawa had won the last five meetings going into the postseason, they did really well.
Good that the kids got some experience – if anything I’d like to have seen some more youngsters given a run-out (Cehlarik, JFK, etc). A shame Carlo wasn’t able to get involved.
Also would have been nice to get to a game seven, if only to give them the experience of that situation, although I suppose a game six at home is pretty close, atmosphere wise.
What’s your thoughts on Kuraly? Easy to be blinded by his game-five heroics. Will he be next year’s replacement for Spooner?
Can I say a few words in appreciation of Kevan Miller? I thought he really rose to his role playing the bigger minutes. Made some big hits and responsible, smart plays. I hope we keep him for next year.
Going forward I’m hoping the Blues and Rangers make the final. That was the prediction I made in my preview in the paper, and I like when events conspire to give the impression I know what I’m talking about!
In one of my brackets I went for all the first-round series to go seven games, my logic being that at least a couple of them always do. So much for that!
Yes, Killer played very well.
I think Carlo had hit the wall for this year and am not sure the playoff would have been a good development stage for him. The D corps looks strong for the future – and we haven’t seen some of what’s in the pipeline.
I was very pleased with the defensive improvement this year all around. McQuaid and Killer, especially.
who knew that the two of them could be anything more than just stay at home defensemen…
I don’t know re: Carlo. I think it would have been good for him because everyone steps it up. And it would have been better to have him in than not.
I would have liked to see JFK get in to more games than the 1 he played. Forcing a game 7 could have had Krug back, which would have been an absolute banger of a boost.
I think Kuraly will be Dominic Moore’s replacement. As a 36 year old UFA, I’d be surprised if he resigns here, but okay with it. Schaller – Kuraly – Acciari is a great line, and the kind you need to win games.
Miller was terrific that series. May that level of defense continue for him
Preds & Capitals. I just cant cheer for a new york team
My bracket is so unbelievably fucked GH, you’re welcome
I don’t know why, but I’m having fun saying those names.
It’s got a great rhythm to it. Sounds like magic words!
Hahaha! Yes!
I’m far from being sold on Kuraly, but I think Spooner sealed the deal of not being brought back with his ineffectiveness in the defensive zone in game 4, and Kuraly may take a little of the sting out of that.
Moore kinda forgot how to hockey at times during this series, but overall was a great addition, and I’ll miss him if they don’t bring him back.
Edit – wrong game
What I have learned in my short hockey fandom is this: never, ever count on the Wild. They play stupid, frustrating hockey.
Admittedly my bracket has sustained heavy damage in the first round which is odd because I’m usually solid early, less so as things unravel. But, my two picks for the final are still in play.
I was spot-on with series winners in the West, but got the number of games wrong for everyone. In the East, I was 50/50 for series winners and number of games. Doh!
Chicago is the only team that fucked me. THE ONLY ONE….WHY DO YOU ALWAYS SCREW ME YOU FUCKING TEAM!
I had them losing in 7!
He wasn’t really ready for regular season action, I don’t think it would have don’t much for him, or for us, to get him into a playoff game. Now he knows what to expect and will be ready for next season.
No, but I see him skating on the fourth, or maybe the third line regularly next year. He’s defensively responsible and plays a heavy game. He and Acciari together is a thing of beauty.
Couldn’t agree more!