Series Talk: 2023 ECQF - BOSTON BRUINS (A1) vs Florida Panthers (WC2)

[missingchicklet]

Interesting practice lines. Was hoping Bert would be on line 2 given his awesome chemistry with Pasta so far, but I would have been fine with Zacha there -- no way to lose with either player on line 2. I think Zacha on the third line makes sense because he is willing to shoot. Hall-Coyle-Bert you have 3 guys who are pass first. Zacha gives that third line some shooting pop. With Bert at 2LW and Krech at 2C you have the two best passers on the team feeding Pasta. That passing ability, and Bert's ability to get physical, were the reasons I was hoping Monty would try Bert on the 2nd line when he came over.

 

[mjhfb]

Would anyone want Forbort on a big PK over Orlov or Lindholm? Because I don’t know how one could make that case - and that ignores the other 54 minutes or so of each game.

I understand your point, and agree, but some of the decision process is not overplaying and tiring out your best players by using them in all in situations. And not only can the PK wear you down, you are more likely to get injured blocking a shot. So I have no problem with someone like Forbort or even Clifton taking on at least some of that role.

 

[Olden McGroin]

 

[Gordoff]

It's on both ESPN and NESN.

Ah, thank you.

 

[missingchicklet]

I understand your point, and agree, but some of the decision process is not overplaying and tiring out your best players by using them in all in situations. And not only can the PK wear you down, you are more likely to get injured blocking a shot. So I have no problem with someone like Forbort or even Clifton taking on at least some of that role.

Bingo! If Forbort indeed gets the start it's precisely to allow the stars to have more energy for the PP and 5x5. The way the Bs play the PK is very taxing. It's why it's so effective. You make a great point about injury blocking shots. I'd rather Forbort being a puck sponge than a star. He certainly was a puck sponge in the Carolina series last year.

I'm not convinced Forbort is going to be a mainstay in the lineup throughout the playoffs, but I get the thinking behind putting him in now. The playoffs are a long haul. I'd rather have a little bit worse defense in the limited mins the third pairing will be on the ice 5x5 than have worn out top-4 guys deeper into the playoffs. My feeling is that Monty will be doing some rotating of players.

 

[bearcountry17]

I don’t think you get that using the oiSV% is making the point against Forbort. And I noticed you didn’t use on ice shooting percentage either.

Did you consider Grizz having a 57.4% xGF while Forbort had a 34.7%? Or did you watch the game 5v5 when Forbort was getting targeted on every entry and absolutely caved in?

Having a good team save percentage while you’re out on the ice is a bad thing? Those stats looks to me like one guy is allowing more chances but very low danger ones and one is allowing much higher quality ones when nearly 1 of every 4 shots against you is going in.

Grzelcyk has been one of the worst defenders in the post season league wide over tha last few seasons. I want to like the dude but he’s been brutal and it’s unacceptable when you’re playing the minutes he’s played with the quality of teammates he has. He’s just too exploitable over a 7 game series and there’s a reason that even before Orlov got here Monty had been cutting his minutes.

Either way we are about to see what this team can do with a legit #1 and 2 LHD and not a good 3rd pair playing above his head.

 

[Fenway]

So NOT on NESN?

On NESN as well

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Having a good team save percentage while you’re out on the ice is a bad thing? Those stats looks to me like one guy is allowing more chances but very low danger ones and one is allowing much higher quality ones when nearly 1 of every 4 shots against you is going in.

Grzelcyk has been one of the worst defenders in the post season league wide over tha last few seasons. I want to like the dude but he’s been brutal and it’s unacceptable when you’re playing the minutes he’s played with the quality of teammates he has. He’s just too exploitable over a 7 game series and there’s a reason that even before Orlov got here Monty had been cutting his minutes.

Either way we are about to see what this team can do with a legit #1 and 2 LHD and not a good 3rd pair playing above his head.

But that’s not true. Grizz was much better at preventing chances and good chances. Blaming one defender for save percentage is folly. Just like the teams woeful shooting percentage on the other end of the ice shouldn’t be blamed on one defender either.

He hasn’t been anywhere close to the worst defender in the league unless you’re backtracking to plus minus. Which if you are there’s no saving you. And Forbort was fifth worse in xGF% among defensemen last year.

 

[quietbruinfan]

Forbort should not play. The pecking order of the defense is very clear, and he isn't in it. However, Florida does have some size and grit, so I sort of understand it, totally do not agree, but understand. The Czech line should stay together. Bertuzzi is a third liner and those easy passes to Pasta will not be there in the playoffs. I do understand about the third line being too pass first, but Coyle can adjust and has shot more recently. Edit: the performance of our third line will be the key to this series along with goaltending of course.

Scared about Bergy, something is really bothering him. He will play, but I wonder about his effectiveness.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Posters here still advocating for Forbort is bananaland.

@burstnbloom put that notion out to pasture a year ago

 

[bearcountry17]

But that’s not true. Grizz was much better at preventing chances and good chances. Blaming one defender for save percentage is folly. Just like the teams woeful shooting percentage on the other end of the ice shouldn’t be blamed on one defender either.

He hasn’t been anywhere close to the worst defender in the league unless you’re backtracking to plus minus. Which if you are there’s no saving you. And Forbort was fifth worse in xGF% among defensemen last year.

I’m sorry I don’t love undersized defensemen who play with no snarl, can’t handle physical play well, get scored on consistently at horrible rates, and produce very little offense.

Expected goals and all are great but judging by the past 3 years the only thing you can expect Grzelcyk to do is get scored on twice for every goal he helps the team create.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

I’m sorry I don’t love undersized defensemen who play with no snarl, can’t handle physical play well, get scored on consistently at horrible rates, and produce very little offense.

Expected goals and all are great but judging by the past 3 years the only thing you can expect Grzelcyk to do is get scored on twice for every goal he helps the team create.

 

[FrankerC]

Wearing my Marchy jersey to work tomorrow. A clicking Marchand is dangerous in the playoffs, gotta bring that luck!

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Wearing my Marchy jersey to work tomorrow. A clicking Marchand is dangerous in the playoffs, gotta bring that luck!

It's odd that a lot of his mistakes lately are mental errors.

 

[I Hate Philadelphia]

Let's just be happy we have the defensive depth to even be having this conversation.

It wasn't too long ago that Jeremy Lauzon was on our top pairing in the playoffs...

 

[Alicat]

Unless you're going to have a dance off a la West Side Story, please don't turn this thread into Gryz vs. Forbort Part 2

I trust the coaching staff's decision for game 1 and know that they will make adjustments as need be in game 2. For all we know Gryz could be dinged up or even sick.

In Monty We Trust

 

[GordonHowe]

Not good,

 

[DrJustice]

Honestly think they are just giving Forbort the practice reps in case he needs to dress due to injury in the series. Especially if Gryz is less than 100% (he did get smoked against Toronto).

I’m more curious why Hall isn’t practicing on the PP. Especially since Bergeron isn’t there it’s curious to see Foligno get those reps ahead of him on the 2nd unit. Maybe another situation of getting Foligno extra reps and managing Hall?

 

[Alicat]

 

[b in vancouver]

We did. Weather was warm. The only downside was me not being very mobile. Hopefully once I get a new hip that will change.

My daughter had never been here. I had but many years ago and not to a game.

Night and day for anyone I've known that's gotten a new hip or knees. I was skeptical a decade ago but the results I've witnessed are fantastic. What's your timetable?

Glad your daughter made it to Montreal. We honestly flipped a coin between there and Vancouver a long time ago. We're not good with decisions.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Just think in about 28-29 hours we have 2023 playoff Jack Edwards.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Wearing my Marchy jersey to work tomorrow. A clicking Marchand is dangerous in the playoffs, gotta bring that luck!

Man I hope we see the clicking Marchand he’s been a shadow off himself lately,for awhile actually.

Just think in about 28-29 hours we have 2023 playoff Jack Edwards.

Hey I hope he has plenty to freak out about in a good way that is.Lol

 

[Mione134]

Not good,

Not worried. Bergy is a warrior. Monty said he wanted to go back and play vs the Habs. He'll be okay.

 

[hrdpuk]

Any opinions on what is the Bruin's weakest link? Offense, defense a particular player?

 

[Mione134]

Ew no,



Someone has to @marchand that lol.

Must be a joke

This can't be real.

But if it is? Bulletin board material.