Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VI

[Oates2Neely]

The 2022-23 Bruins lost just one game all season while leading in the 3rd period.

This season, they’ve lost 6 games when leading in the 3rd. Which ranks them 29th in the league in that category. Only better than Columbus, San Jose and I forget the other team.

What’s the cause of this? Lack of secondary scoring?

 

[Bruinfanatic]

The 2022-23 Bruins lost just one game all season while leading in the 3rd period.

This season, they’ve lost 6 games when leading in the 3rd. Which ranks them 29th in the league in that category. Only better than Columbus, San Jose and I forget the other team.

What’s the cause of this? Lack of secondary scoring?

Well wouldn’t an insurance goal here or there not have lessened these losses,yeah I agree it not all because of lack of secondary scoring but it would definitely have helped I think l

 

[dugg133]

The 2022-23 Bruins lost just one game all season while leading in the 3rd period.

This season, they’ve lost 6 games when leading in the 3rd. Which ranks them 29th in the league in that category. Only better than Columbus, San Jose and I forget the other team.

What’s the cause of this? Lack of secondary scoring?

IMO that's definitely part of it. Like take last night for instance, we really dominated for stretches in the 2nd period, especially in the latter 10 minutes. Last season if that happens someone gets an insurance goal to put us up two going into the third. With this team that insurance goal just isn't coming as easily.

But it's not just the secondary scoring. Idk how to put this in a better way, but the whole team just gets a full diaper when they're trying to protect leads right now. Idk if it's just them seeing ghosts from the Panthers series or something, but the second it gets past the 10 min mark in the third and we're protecting a 1 goal lead the whole team suddenly forgets how to clear the puck, or how to make the easy play that leads to a dzone exit. Teams come at us with desperation and we panic.

 

[quietbruinfan]

IMO that's definitely part of it. Like take last night for instance, we really dominated for stretches in the 2nd period, especially in the latter 10 minutes. Last season if that happens someone gets an insurance goal to put us up two going into the third. With this team that insurance goal just isn't coming as easily.

But it's not just the secondary scoring. Idk how to put this in a better way, but the whole team just gets a full diaper when they're trying to protect leads right now. Idk if it's just them seeing ghosts from the Panthers series or something, but the second it gets past the 10 min mark in the third and we're protecting a 1 goal lead the whole team suddenly forgets how to clear the puck, or how to make the easy play that leads to a dzone exit. Teams come at us with desperation and we panic.

Teams are on to them and they miss 37 and 46 in the middle of the D zone. That, and slowness gets them hemmed in often. Just turn up the forecheck, and they crumble like a crumbcake. Did I mention the great Monty almost never changes his formation or gameplan also?

 

[GordonHowe]

What's Up with the Bruins in the Third Period?

Six blown third period leads. It's December.

Of course, Boston can't score. But let's set that obvious need aside for the moment.

Lack of physical play -- because a foolish, arrogant GM does not believe it matters and has refused to address the issue on a team wide basis for eight seasons -- leads to multiple ills, not least another early playoff exit.

The Bruins can't wear down opponents over sixty minutes because their roster has not been constructed with that aptitude in mind.

Teams know this and are taking liberties (Maroon on McAvoy; no response) and advantage on the scoreboard. Especially in the third period.

Pick up @ 16:40,

 

[kdog82]

I see folks here talking about last year and how good the Bruins were at holding the lead in the 3rd. You know when they weren't good holding the lead? See game R1 game 7 against Florida.

My point is, and I have said again just enjoy this season and see where it goes. Maybe better to blow 3rd period leads now and try to fix/work on this problem going into the playoffs this year as opposed to assuming the game is won like last season until you get slapped in the face come R1.

I did not expect this team as currently constructed to be in such good shape but here we are. I would not move any pieces this year unless Sweeney absolutely rips another team off. Just enjoy the ride make the necessary adds at UFA.

 

[Dizzay]

The team as currently constructed are puppy poop soft. It is what it is.

 

[Dr Hook]

The team as currently constructed are puppy poop soft. It is what it is.

Is that worse than baby poo soft?

 

[SwayHeyKid]

i don't feel like having this debate rn, but he's not elevating McAvoy like he has in prior years and that's a problem.

Elevating McAvoy?

 

[Sheppy]

Elevating McAvoy?

Yeah... I wasn't going to touch that one, lol.

 

[GordonHowe]

Is that worse than baby poo soft?

It is.

I see folks here talking about last year and how good the Bruins were at holding the lead in the 3rd. You know when they weren't good holding the lead? See game R1 game 7 against Florida.

My point is, and I have said again just enjoy this season and see where it goes. Maybe better to blow 3rd period leads now and try to fix/work on this problem going into the playoffs this year as opposed to assuming the game is won like last season until you get slapped in the face come R1.

I did not expect this team as currently constructed to be in such good shape but here we are. I would not move any pieces this year unless Sweeney absolutely rips another team off. Just enjoy the ride make the necessary adds at UFA.

Fair points and a good attitude.

 

[RoccoF14]

I see folks here talking about last year and how good the Bruins were at holding the lead in the 3rd. You know when they weren't good holding the lead? See game R1 game 7 against Florida.

My point is, and I have said again just enjoy this season and see where it goes. Maybe better to blow 3rd period leads now and try to fix/work on this problem going into the playoffs this year as opposed to assuming the game is won like last season until you get slapped in the face come R1.

I did not expect this team as currently constructed to be in such good shape but here we are. I would not move any pieces this year unless Sweeney absolutely rips another team off. Just enjoy the ride make the necessary adds at UFA.

Exactly. Well said.

By the way, here's the numbers so far this season on shots/scoring by period. Draw your own conclusions, but if you'd have told me we'd be sitting in this position going into the end of the Calendar year, with THIS roster? I'd be thrilled. And I am.

 

[dugg133]

Elevating McAvoy?

Yeah... I wasn't going to touch that one, lol.

He did, like that's not really a debate. McAvoy's number just flat out were better with Gryz then they were without him for like 3 years straight, the two have undeniable chemistry that elevated both their games. But that's not happening rn, which is a problem.

 

[The don godfather]

Anthony B from Chicago on the cheap?

 

[Sheppy]

Anthony B from Chicago on the cheap?

Small, not very good, sounds about right.

 

[Gordoff]

******FROM 16:40 ON I believe is the crux of the problem*******




Bruins have NO answer for this shit and haven't had an answer for it since 2015.

 

[HumBucker]

What's Up with the Bruins in the Third Period?

Six blown third period leads. It's December.

Of course, Boston can't score. But let's set that obvious need aside for the moment.

Lack of physical play -- because a foolish, arrogant GM does not believe it matters and has refused to address the issue on a team wide basis for eight seasons -- leads to multiple ills, not least another early playoff exit.

The Bruins can't wear down opponents over sixty minutes because their roster has not been constructed with that aptitude in mind.

Teams know this and are taking liberties (Maroon on McAvoy; no response) and advantage on the scoreboard. Especially in the third period.

Pick up @ 16:40,

How can you say Sweeney refused to address lack of physical play when he signed Lucic this year? It’s Sweeney’s fault that Lucic has domestic problems?

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Still weird to me that Marchand who always went to bat for Bergeron is captaining a team that doesn’t ever seem to physically stand up for each other.

Why isn’t he pushing that culture down the teams throat? And if he is why aren’t they listening?

 

[mjhfb]

Still weird to me that Marchand who always went to bat for Bergeron is captaining a team that doesn’t ever seem to physically stand up for each other.

Why isn’t he pushing that culture down the teams throat? And if he is why aren’t they listening?

If you want a tiger, you can't paint stripes on a kitty cat.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

If you want a tiger, you can't paint stripes on a kitty cat.

It’s a team culture thing. If your team leadership is good enough they can get buy in from everyone to stand up for each other.

Doesn’t matter what kind of player you are you’re going to respect the players with letters on their jerseys setting the example and follow their lead.

We’ve seen players that are not known as physical guys bully the Bruins in the postseason.

 

[shoulders7]

If you want a tiger, you can't paint stripes on a kitty cat.

Disagree. In the famous “brave Steve” Dallas game from 2009 or so, Marc Savard is the first player with gloves off throwing punches after Avery boards Lucic. That team had each other’s backs no matter what. There were many instances of that type of stuff during those years. Not asking for staged fights and line brawls, but a little more of the all for one and one for all attitude would be welcomed

 

[Mione134]

Disagree. In the famous “brave Steve” Dallas game from 2009 or so, Marc Savard is the first player with gloves off throwing punches after Avery boards Lucic. That team had each other’s backs no matter what. There were many instances of that type of stuff during those years. Not asking for staged fights and line brawls, but a little more of the all for one and one for all attitude would be welcomed

I miss those years some much.

It just takes  one player.

 

[Sheppy]

Disagree. In the famous “brave Steve” Dallas game from 2009 or so, Marc Savard is the first player with gloves off throwing punches after Avery boards Lucic. That team had each other’s backs no matter what. There were many instances of that type of stuff during those years. Not asking for staged fights and line brawls, but a little more of the all for one and one for all attitude would be welcomed

My issue with this team is it seems to take them 2-3 questionable hits to be like "Ok, now we should probably play tougher" - At that point it's either too late or it just falls flat.

Very rarely does this team go out and be like "Ok, we're swinging the hammer tonight" - They're reactionary, and it sucks. 99% of the time it's the opposing team that dictates the physical play.

 

[GordonHowe]

How can you say Sweeney refused to address lack of physical play when he signed Lucic this year? It’s Sweeney’s fault that Lucic has domestic problems?

As much as I liked the signing and credit Sweeney with bringing Milan back, one player is not going to provide an entire NHL roster with team toughness.

That's not how it works.

Everyone who follows the Bruins for a living points to a lack of team toughness as a major problem this season, which has been a glaring omission for years under Sweeney.

The observation is inarguable, and the primary reason the Bruins consistently fail to go deep in the playoffs.

Listen to what Nick Colageo is saying here. Other clubs take advantage of a soft Bruins team in the third period of regular season games because it's obvious the Bruins do not push back against physical play from opponents.

It's the opposing teams that are doing the wearing down, which used to be the Bruins calling card under Peter Chiarelli and Claude Julien. And it didn't take eight years and counting for them to understand the utility of physical play and intimidation.

For whatever reason, Sweeney has never prioritized physical play, and it has cost the Bruins dearly, again and again.

None so blind.

 

[TobanWest]

How can you say Sweeney refused to address lack of physical play when he signed Lucic this year? It’s Sweeney’s fault that Lucic has domestic problems?

More about Sweens not addressing the loss of Lucic. There record has bought him time but grit in the bottom six is easier to acquire than a top six player.