I'm not so sure. I feel like it could go either way. The Bruins have more experience, and arguably better depth.
If the Bruins win the cup, it would be absolutely heartbreaking for Toronto.
Around Hockey XII (All Non-Jackets Hockey talk in here)
- Thread starter Double-Shift Lasse
- Start date
- Status
I'm not so sure. I feel like it could go either way. The Bruins have more experience, and arguably better depth.
If the Bruins win the cup, it would be absolutely heartbreaking for Toronto.
Better depth?? Man, I don't know. I just don't know about that.
Maybe their forwards have better depth. Maybe
But certainly not on the blueline. At least I don't think so.
Robert
Foligno family
Yes, on forward, you're right. The bluelines are closer. What I was thinking of is that the Bruins have:
1) The best 4th line in the league. (Paille, Campbell, Thornton)
2) Fewer "holes". Right now Kelly and Peverley are slumping, but that's okay because they're in the bottom six. Dave Bolland has been off his game all year, and thats a big problem for the Hawks because he's supposed to be their #2C.
And the Hawks have a rotation of Bickell and Saad they give time on the top-6 wings, and hope the kids step up, while Boston has to have either Seguin or Jagr on the third line at any point. That's better depth to me.
I am impressed with Shaw, Bickell, and Saad, but those kids still have a lot to prove as two-way players.
Possibly another amazing stat from the Bruins sweep:
Is this the first time ever that either Crosby or Malkin has been blanked for four straight games? Has there been even one time in either player's career- regular season, playoff, rookie season, etc.. - that they've been shut down like this?
Letang, Iginla, and Neal all completely blanked. That's one hell of a team-defence the Bruins have.
Is this the first time ever that either Crosby or Malkin has been blanked for four straight games? Has there been even one time in either player's career- regular season, playoff, rookie season, etc.. - that they've been shut down like this?
Letang, Iginla, and Neal all completely blanked. That's one hell of a team-defence the Bruins have.
From Duthie on TSN:
Since being down by 3 to the Leafs, the Bruins are 9-1, outscoring the opposition 32 to 12.
Since being down by 3 to the Leafs, the Bruins are 9-1, outscoring the opposition 32 to 12.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
While under normal circumstances I would agree with your thoughts about the Boston forwards, you're comparing a goal-less Jagr (with 7 assists in 16 games) and Tyler Seguin (1 goal, 4 points, -1 rating) with Shaw (4g, 3a, +6), and Bickell (8, 3, +5) ... not so much Saad, but the point is still relevant.
Defensively, for me, it's not even close. Even when the Bruins are healthy - which they aren't - the Hawks have Keith, Seabrook, Oduya, Hjalmarsson, Roszival, and Nick Leddy. They can all skate, they can all chip in offensively, and they can all play defense. In my opinion, Chicago has the best all-around defense in the league.
The Blackhawks have been the best team in the league all year. They have faced better competition than the Bruins (except in this round), and have fared better overall. I'll take the Hawks in 6 ... that is with the assumption that they finish off the Kings.
I'm not a bettor, but my expectations center around Bruins in 6. Rask is all-world right now.
I still think the ability of the defences are close. Chara is the best defender of either team and plays half the game. I've also noticed lots of up-and-down play from Seabrook and Oduya. When they're all on their games you're probably right that the Hawks D is best, but I still think its close.
Last edited:
Mayor Bee
Registered User
- Dec 29, 2008
- 18,087
- 535
How long until Dougie starts crowing about that? "I DRAFTED ADAM MCQUAID!!!!"
Left unsaid, of course, is the followup of "...and then I didn't sign him because I didn't think he could play because he was no Duvie Westcott!"
Mayor Bee
Registered User
- Dec 29, 2008
- 18,087
- 535
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
I think Chara is somewhat overrated. If I had a 9 foot wing span, I would probably be an effective defender also ... play him with speed and put the puck in his feet, and you can beat him. And after him, they're playing guys like Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug ... as impressive as they have been, it will be hard for them to keep that up. Chicago will also match them physically, as they have plenty of bangers throughout the lineup. One guy that gets often overlooked too is Marian Hossa ... he's been all world in the playoffs this year, and seems to be driven to win it all again. If Torres hadn't KO'd him last year, I think the Hawks would have gone much further.
Impressive, can't deny it ... but, I think the Penguins were playing very hurt. Malkin was having a hard time getting around, and Crosby seemed off also. Without those guys in top form, the Penguins were a fairly pedestrian team.
InjuredChoker
Registered User
Bartkowski hasn't been in the lineup when they are all healthy, and likely won't be.
Put the puck in his feet and you won't get it out. He'll deck you and get the puck later, the way defencemen are supposed to. And for every time I've seen Chara burned I've seen Keith burned 5-10 times. Fast players can outskate Chara in open ice but in his own zone he has more than enough mobility.
And I suppose Neal, Iginla and Letang were also all very hurt?
I thought Malkin and Crosby were making nice plays and skating well, they just couldn't get to the scoring areas without getting rocked.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Put the puck in his feet and you won't get it out. He'll deck you and get the puck later, the way defencemen are supposed to. And for every time I've seen Chara burned I've seen Keith burned 5-10 times. Fast players can outskate Chara in open ice but in his own zone he has more than enough mobility.
And I suppose Neal, Iginla and Letang were also all very hurt?
Iginla's long in the teeth and doesn't have much time left. James Neal was a marginal first line player when he played for Dallas. Good, but easy to take off his game. Letang is an excellent puck moving defenseman, but even he can be shut down. We'll see when the series comes along.
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
- 43,696
- 26,737
InjuredChoker
Registered User
FANonymous
Registered User
- Nov 7, 2010
- 4,911
- 0
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
CBJWerenski8
Rest in Peace Johnny
- Jun 13, 2009
- 43,696
- 26,737
EspenK
Registered User
- Sep 25, 2011
- 15,842
- 4,445
Hawks are lucky it was even called. Not that it bothered me but what about the trip on Williams (? I think) right before Kane's second.
By and large the refs have sucked during the playoffs imo. I know the playoffs bring out the toughness in the toughest but geez, its like tripping was almost non-existent, hooking was semi-missing and interference,well the pass wasn't catchable anyway.
Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
That wasn't a trip ... he went for the puck with his stick; Williams tried to sell it, but by the time he stumbled and went down, Bickell's stick was three feet away. Right call by the officials.
- Status
Ad
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
Sooooo how about Evan Bouchard's defense last night- Latest: Bjornar Moxnes
