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

[BruinDust]

Wild Card teams that have historically made a run in the playoffs did it through really strong defense and goaltending. (2010 Philly: Anti Niemi; 2012 LA Kings: Jonathan Quick; 2017 Nashville: Pekka Rinne; 2019 Columbus: Bobrovski; 2021 Montreal: Carey Price).

Florida does not have that......

Bobrovksi is nowhere near his 2019 level and probably won't even get the start for Florida.

It's almost one of the few universal truths about playoff hockey.

 

[RoccoF14]

It's almost one of the few universal truths about playoff hockey.

Yep. If you are looking for a Wild Card team to make waves in the first round, take a close look at the Islanders or Winnipeg. Both of those teams have the defense and/or goaltending to pull off a first round upset and I think at least one of those teams will do it.

Florida doesn't, and won't....

 

[NDiesel]

Sigh. Can't say I'm surprised by the dogmatic thinking that has crept into this place for a while. No dissenting opinions allowed! Bruins in 7? Ridiculous! How dare you assess an opponent's strengths and how it might perform against in a tourney where every team starts fresh? If you do, you are not a fan! I don't get it. We all know fairly well what the Bruins are capable of. How is it now deemed treasonous to think about and say what their opponents bring to the table?

Panthers are a way tougher out than the Isles or Pens by a mile. They always play the Bruins hard, especially at home. They are fast and big, and will be more punishing than anything slower Pitt or smaller NYI could bring. Their best shot is, as some have said, making it a track meet.

An by shot I mean putting pucks on net. FLA is very adept at it. #1 in the NHL this year. Good things happen when you do this. IF the Bruins are guilty of passing up shots, as they have been in recent playoffs, especially on the PP, this can become a challenge. Why? Because scoring. FLA had the 5th best scoring attack in the league this year. Only Boston, EDM, Kraken and the Devils scored more goals in 2022-23. Much more potent offense than NYI and Pitt by a long shot. Bruins facing a dangerous scoring threat, with a top 10 PP% this year to boot. But it’s a cakewalk. Ok.

I believe TO will have an easier time dispatching the Bolts than the Bruins will have to beat the Cats.

Could very well come down to a homer series, like vs. Carolina last year.

Picking Bs in 7, hoping for 6. And hoping they win is all we can do by the way. If anybody on this board knows without a shadow of a doubt that the Bruins will prevail, then -320 should not prevent you from betting the farm+ and retiring in two weeks max!


This

I dont really see anyone saying this, but either way we are on a discussion forum. If you're going to post your opinion on what might happen then you shouldn't be surprised if people challenge that opinion and especially shouldn't take it to heart if your opinion that goes against the grain is met with heavy skepticism. As soon as you put your opinion out there it is on you to defend it.

Lastly I'm not sure when Panthers became a big punishing team? Not really their style outside of a few guys like Gudas, Montour, Lomberg. Not any more punishing than what we have on our side really. EDIT: I guess I forgot about Bennett if he's healthy.

Big wildcard on their side is Ekblad who has seemingly went from their number 1D to a guy struggling to keep up with the pace of play this year.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

 

[DarrenBanks56]

who will panthers start? lyon or bob?
lyon pretty much got them into te playoffs.

I just know they have Barkov and Tkachuk

reinhart no slouch either on the pp.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Is Ullmark healthy?

Is Bergeron healthy?

Is Marchand going to return to form?

How about Hall? Hasn't looked good.

Playoff Grz?

Will they win? YES

My thoughts:

Ullmark:
It looked like he pulled something but like Razor said it can't be TOO serious since he played a few minutes after the clip 'they' keep showing. I think he'll be fine.

Bergeron:
Who knows with this guy, I'm sure hes bruised and beat up, just has the will of a Lion. I think he's fine.

Marchand:
Came off his injury/hip surgery looking great - production tapered off and he publicly stated he isn't/wasn't where he thought he would be at, even still while I understand that - alot of his mistakes seem to be mental errors.

Krejci(you didn't mention him):
Old geezer that looked and played like he gave up, hopefully he comes back in the playoffs with a little more inspiration.

Hall:
I haven't noticed him too much other than the nice play he made flying in the offense zone and around the net last night.

Gryz:
I'm not a fan but he's a good offensive player. Weak though, especially last night getting bullied around by a toilet seat. Liability city.

Will they win?

It's the Bruins.

 

[River Meadow]

who will panthers start? lyon or bob?
lyon pretty much got them into te playoffs.


reinhart no slouch either on the pp.

Lyon is one of the only reasons they're in the playoffs, so it would be weird not to start him.

He also has a GIANT horseshoe up his @55.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

Lyon is one of the only reasons they're in the playoffs, so it would be weird not to start him.

He also has a GIANT horseshoe up his @55.

lets hope lyon isnt this years leighton. lol

 

[KrejciMVP]

Wasn't the whole story last year that the Panthers were so soft vs. TB that they fired their coach for it? When did the Panthers become big and punishing? It's basically the same team as last year. Big Bad Matthew Tkachuk averages less than a hit per game.

In the salary cap era, has a 7 or 8 seed ever defeated a higher seed by forcing the higher seed into a track meet? I can't think of any instance where that has happened.

We have seen lower seeds overcome higher seeds by playing uber-tight and waiting for opportunities. But that isn't these Florida Panthers if fast-break offensive track-meet is their game-plan.

that series was a dud but many of those battle of Florida games were quite violent

 

[SPLBRUIN]

Florida has a big and pretty slow D with the likes of Gudas, Stall and Eckblad, the Bruins forwards should be all over them.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

who will panthers start? lyon or bob?
lyon pretty much got them into te playoffs.


reinhart no slouch either on the pp.

Don't sell him short.

He is an incredible slouch.

 

[McGarnagle]

With all due respect to an NHL team that qualified for the playoffs after a grueling season, I'm not feeling any nerves here.

For most of the year I've felt like we're favorites but the top teams in the conference could give us a push. but recently in wins over Toronto, Carolina, and New Jersey all with a depleted lineup due to injuries/resting, I'm not bothered by even the best teams in the east with a full lineup with Hall, Foligno, Bertuzzi, Orlov, Krejci, Hathaway, etc. all active. So if the Leafs and Canes don't worry me in the slightest, how can I get worked up over the 92 point Panthers?

I'm sure there's a possible timeline where a lot of shit goes wrong with regards to injuries/suspensions/turnovers/flat performances/officiating/etc. where we find a way to blow it and we all come across looking like massive assholes in our pre-series predictions, but I'm just saying that right now, I have zero trepidation at all. There's always some nerves when you're going into the playoffs, but I feel none of that. It's like when the Patriots would draw the tomato can like the Jags or Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs all those years. No sweat in advance, but they've still got to put the work in.

 

[Mione134]

View attachment 688437

I think mine was right on the money!

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Barkov's the key to this thing. Have to neutralize him and not let him neutralize us. I don't think we will have too much trouble winning this series as their D and goaltending is iffy at best. Just worried about injuries for round 2 (the big round) as they have some dirty players on that roster.

 

[22Brad Park]

 

[BlackFrancis]

Is Ullmark healthy?

Is Bergeron healthy?

Is Marchand going to return to form?

How about Hall? Hasn't looked good.

Playoff Grz?

Will they win? YES

While I agree with everything else, I thought Hall looked awesome against the Caps. Not so great in the finale, but he's moving much better and appears faster.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

My thoughts:

Ullmark:
It looked like he pulled something but like Razor said it can't be TOO serious since he played a few minutes after the clip 'they' keep showing. I think he'll be fine.

Bergeron:
Who knows with this guy, I'm sure hes bruised and beat up, just has the will of a Lion. I think he's fine.

Marchand:
Came off his injury/hip surgery looking great - production tapered off and he publicly stated he isn't/wasn't where he thought he would be at, even still while I understand that - alot of his mistakes seem to be mental errors.

Krejci(you didn't mention him):
Old geezer that looked and played like he gave up, hopefully he comes back in the playoffs with a little more inspiration.

Hall:
I haven't noticed him too much other than the nice play he made flying in the offense zone and around the net last night.

Gryz:
I'm not a fan but he's a good offensive player. Weak though, especially last night getting bullied around by a toilet seat. Liability city.

Will they win?

It's the Bruins.

Good point, I forgot about Krejci.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

While I agree with everything else, I thought Hall looked awesome against the Caps. Not so great in the finale, but he's moving much better and appears faster.

Hall's skating is never a problem. It's his strongest attribute. He can fly and stay in control. But his passing (timing) still seemed off.

 

[nORRis8]

Yep. If you are looking for a Wild Card team to make waves in the first round, take a close look at the Islanders or Winnipeg. Both of those teams have the defense and/or goaltending to pull off a first round upset and I think one of those teams will do it.

Florida doesn't, and won't....

That and Seattle.
Fast team. Decent goalscoring.
Stable goaltending.

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

View attachment 688437

I remember seeing you on that bandwagon. I had them pegged for 9th place, I thought Ottawa, Buffalo and NJD would get in, and Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington would be on the outside. Shows you what I know. . . . .

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

I think mine was right on the money!
View attachment 688477

now predict the playoffs!

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

I remember seeing you on that bandwagon. I had them pegged for 9th place, I thought Ottawa, Buffalo and NJD would get in, and Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington would be on the outside. Shows you what I know. . . . .

self correction -- I had Detroit, not Buffalo. I did not see Buffalo arriving this year, but they got me hooked. A team to reckon with in the future.

I think mine was right on the money!
View attachment 688477

Please post that money will start falling from the sky . . .

 

[BruinDust]

Yep. If you are looking for a Wild Card team to make waves in the first round, take a close look at the Islanders or Winnipeg. Both of those teams have the defense and/or goaltending to pull off a first round upset and I think one of those teams will do it.

Florida doesn't, and won't....

I'm glad Hellebucyk is out west. He could be a problem for those higher seeds whomever gets Winnipeg. He's been incredible the past month or so.

 

[goldnblack]

doesnt matter, this is a team in their prime vs an older and banged up Bergeron and Krejci

If you dislike this match up, wait till you see what the 3 rounds after look like.

The is the easiest it's going to get.

Imagine what the other team is thinking in terms of how to scheme vs Boston. Step 1: How to be in 3 places at once

There is no step 2

 

[hrdpuk]

Excellent goalies ✓

Excellent Defense ✓

Excellent Forwards ✓

Excellent team attitude ✓

Excellent Coach ✓

Will to win ✓

Excellent series ✓