Bruins - Fastest 30 Wins Out of the Gate.

[McGarnagle]

i remember bartkowski and redden logging significant time and that was the hole

didn't seidenberg get his tendon injury that year or was that 2012?

Seidenberg tore his ACL in 2014 and I firmly believe that cost us the cup that year. Andrei Meszaros had to play significant playoff minutes when they lost to the Habs in a tight 7 game series.

2013 the defense was devastated in the first two rounds, but the depth and the emergence of Krug carried them through. In the end it was injuries to their forward depth that probably cost them the Chicago series - Campbell's broken leg meant Kaspars Daugavins slotted in, and we all remember how he shanked the triple OT open net in game 1. And it took Julien like 5 games to finally make the switch to Carl Soderberg, who had very limited experience in North America at the time.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Really thought they’d be 3rd in the Atlantic this year with the injuries to start the season, then they go on this heater.

Any glaring weakness that they need to address at the deadline?

Personally I look to upgrade on Nosek to a center that can remotely produce offensively and shift Nosek to the 4th line wing rotation including Greer/Smith.

Adding size to the defense is a dream but that forces out Clifton who has earned his role and would ensure he finds a new home next season.

Odd predicament for Sweeney this season. No upgrades would be a poor image with Bergeron and Krejci here for a final run, but difficult to upgrade any of the current lines.

 

[8thRoundPick]

Bruins are a tremendous team having a fantastic season, no doubt about it. They are definitely the team to beat this season.

Would note that some of it seems to have been due to the fact that they have been able to stay relatively healthy.

They really only had injury concerns in October, missing both Marchand and McAvoy. Debrusk is most recently the biggest injury with a broken leg - but otherwise they've had a healthy year and it's been huge for their success.

More injuries are bound to happen, and since this is their best start pretty much ever - I'd be pretty disappointed if they didn't add at the deadline to at least provide some more quality depth to cover for any potential injuries. My dream scenario would be to add a depth dman, and spend significant assets getting a quality forward with manageable term / cap.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I remember when I used to go on these forums when I was a teenager 11-15 years ago, and I was afraid to ever mention how old I was because I wanted to be taken seriously and not have anyone think they were talking to some know-nothing teen. Passage of time and all that stuff...it terrifies me to think now about those times when I think about how forums are saturated with teenagers and I'm long past being one of them.

 

[Tofveve]

I'm pretty surprised tbh.

 

[8thRoundPick]

Personally I look to upgrade on Nosek to a center that can remotely produce offensively and shift Nosek to the 4th line wing rotation including Greer/Smith.

Adding size to the defense is a dream but that forces out Clifton who has earned his role and would ensure he finds a new home next season.

Odd predicament for Sweeney this season. No upgrades would be a poor image with Bergeron and Krejci here for a final run, but difficult to upgrade any of the current lines.

This was a similar scenario last season, just no where near as strong of a start. Still, had many people thinking it was the last kick at the can for the aging core.

Then they went out and paid a hefty price for Lindholm. That trade has really paid off, even after an early game 7 exit via the Canes. I would love to see a similar trade this year, but for a forward. Time to swing for the fences again.

 

[BonMorrison]

No team that starts this good ever wins the cup.

Also Presidents Trophy curse.

Do not come at me with stats I will not read them!

 

[Ladyfan]

I just mean in comparison to other fan bases. Of course the doomsday folk are there, I get that. Just mean that it’s generally more subdued.

We (on the Bs board) are mostly a close-knit group. I am surprised still at the closeness of all of these people ...many who have never met each other. I feel like I have a few real friends and at the age of 70 still shake my head and find it odd that a few of my "HF" friends I have never met and yet consider them friends. I believe the leadership (@Gee Wally and @Fenway) are like the Bergerons of our board. I hope other boards are like this too because it is cool.

There are a few who aways show up to whine and complain and some of them haven't been posting because they cannot find anything to bitch about. I feel sorry for them

 

[Bruinaura]

I remember when I used to go on these forums when I was a teenager 11-15 years ago, and I was afraid to ever mention how old I was because I wanted to be taken seriously and not have anyone think they were talking to some know-nothing teen. Passage of time and all that stuff...it terrifies me to think now about those times when I think about how forums are saturated with teenagers and I'm long past being one of them.

It took me a couple years before I let it be known on the board that I'm female. Looking back it was dumb, but in my mind at the time I didn't think I'd be taken seriously if i joined in on any discussion. I lurked for a while before I really even started posting. Now here I am some 40k posts later

Also, stick tap to the other ladies on HF Bruins. We have quite a few.

The guys aren't bad either I guess

 

[nbwingsfan]

Bruins are a tremendous team having a fantastic season, no doubt about it. They are definitely the team to beat this season.

Would note that some of it seems to have been due to the fact that they have been able to stay relatively healthy.

They had Marchand, Grez and McAvoy out to start the year and lost one game during that time.

 

[BostonBruins11]

I'd say it's probably because the core outside of Tavares is all young. Matthews/Marner are 25, Nylander is 26, Rielly is 28. But you are correct, the defense for Toronto will needed to be re-tooled soon. That's already begun with Sandin/Liljergen establishing themselves as quality NHL defenseman

2 of Boston's foundational pieces are getting up there in age (Bergeron and Marchand) so people typically call them old as a result, whether it's warranted or not.

I was more worried 2-3 years ago vs today TBH.

Sweeney has done a phenomenal job re-tooling and doing a complete overhaul on the D group, Wingers and middle 6 Centers. As for the forward group, there's only one big piece missing, it's a big one but with the cap situation there's bound to be some Centers available in the next year or two.

 

[Bruinaura]

They had Marchand, Grez and McAvoy out to start the year and lost one game during that time.

And at the beginning of the season most of us were saying "if they can just hold on until Thanksgiving then make a push for the playoffs we'll be happy" lol

What a ride so far

 

[Mickey Marner]

A lot of those off-season Atlantic Division predictions are looking pretty silly right now.

 

[CamFan81]

As a Habs fan this is the least I've ever hated Boston, I don't actively cheer against them anymore

I hated them so much when they had Lucic, Chara, Ferrence, Thornton, etc. But a lot of the annoying players left and Bergeron has only gained more respect. They've also helped contribute to some hilarious Leafs playoff chokes, and Montreal hasn't met them in the playoffs in forever.

For the very reason's you have a lack of traditional hate for the bruins, is the very reasons why they could get upset come playoff time. Aside from the chippy stuff, those very guys (including boychuk/mcquaid) were incredibly rugged and built for playoff hockey.

The run thus far has been some extremely entertaining hockey, but the bruins struggle to clear bodies in front of their net and also any heavy forcheck by big bodies will prove difficult for them. Their biggest Dman (Carlo) does not play a 6'6 220lb game, but he has been the most improved Dman from last year so we'll see if the new coach can get Carlo playoff ready.

The bruins were a machine on Defense, with 1 PMD.

Its a 180 now.

 

[jgatie]

It took me a couple years before I let it be known on the board that I'm female. Looking back it was dumb, but in my mind at the time I didn't think I'd be taken seriously if i joined in on any discussion. I lurked for a while before I really even started posting. Now here I am some 40k posts later

Also, stick tap to the other ladies on HF Bruins. We have quite a few.

The guys aren't bad either I guess

In my family, my mom and my sister-in-law forgot more about hockey than most guys will ever know.

 

[Stickpucker]

Hey Bruins can you start losing so when the Canes meet you in the POs we have home ice advantage for the inevitable game 7?

 

[BostonBruins11]

For the very reason's you have a lack of traditional hate for the bruins, is the very reasons why they could get upset come playoff time. Aside from the chippy stuff, those very guys (including boychuk/mcquaid) were incredibly rugged and built for playoff hockey.

The run thus far has been some extremely entertaining hockey, but the bruins struggle to clear bodies in front of their net and also any heavy forcheck by big bodies will prove difficult for them. Their biggest Dman (Carlo) does not play a 6'6 220lb game, but he has been the most improved Dman from last year so we'll see if the new coach can get Carlo playoff ready.

The bruins were a machine on Defense, with 1 PMD.

Its a 180 now.

This defensive cores breakout ability is also their greatest strength but like you said could be their Achilles heel come playoff time. At least McAvoy/Carlo/Clifton/Grzelcyk have good playoff experience now, adding Lindhom and Forbort was big upgrade on the defensive aspect but I feel like we need one more bruiser defensive D.

 

[McGarnagle]

As a Habs fan this is the least I've ever hated Boston, I don't actively cheer against them anymore

I hated them so much when they had Lucic, Chara, Ferrence, Thornton, etc. But a lot of the annoying players left and Bergeron has only gained more respect. They've also helped contribute to some hilarious Leafs playoff chokes, and Montreal hasn't met them in the playoffs in forever.

The Bruins and Habs haven't played yet to build up enough bad blood, but the feeling is pretty mutual for now.

Usually the Habs have some smarmy obnoxious punk like a Pacioretty and/or a dirty tool like Emelin to despise, but the current Habs just seem like a young and quiet team trying to keep their mouths shut and play hockey. Suzuki has always seemed like a respectable player. I'm sure after a few games I'll learn to hate some of them again though.

 

[goldnblack]

President's Trophy means someone is going to have to beat Boston with Linus in net, 4/7, with Boston having home ice and last change.

I'll take that please.

 

[Cotton]

The most interesting part in all this is how silent the main board has been during this incredible run.

The amount of Bruins hate/bitterness is so blatantly obvious at this point. So many leaf/habs/&co fans are relishing the bruins demise and believed this narrative being pushed by the Canadian sports media. The Canadian sports media looooves painting the bruins as public enemy #1 with their cherry picked highlights/clips.

The Bruins have replaced 3/4's of their "old core" but this narrative keeps being pushed while in fact 3/4 of the Bruins "core" is under 30. Most posters have avoided talking about this incredible run to save face.

What world are you living in where any of that is true? Firstly, I cant speak for Habs fans but I don't think about Boston, they haven't been worth hating for years. Secondly, on the occasion they are mentioned in our media, it's one giant ass kiss. For the unenlightened, our media gains clicks by being negative and critical of the home team, any chance they have to dump on them and use a better team, such as Boston, as a comparable to gage how far off the Leafs are is one they'll take. Your narrative doesn't fit.

And we aren't talking about their run because we won the only game we played against them. What Boston does against everyone else is irrelevant.

 

[3074326]

President's Trophy means someone is going to have to beat Boston with Linus in net, 4/7, with Boston having home ice and last change.

I'll take that please.

 

[jgatie]

Gee, if only there was a thread where posters can discuss Boston's historic start to the season. But alas, all I ever see are Leafs threads.

 

[BlackFrancis]

This defensive cores breakout ability is also their greatest strength but like you said could be their Achilles heel come playoff time. At least McAvoy/Carlo/Clifton/Grzelcyk have good playoff experience now, adding Lindhom and Forbort was big upgrade on the defensive aspect but I feel like we need one more bruiser defensive D.

That's what we said about the Hawks. Hit 'em, hit 'em, make 'em give up the puck!

Keith was forecheck kryptonite, just a blueline pitchback.

 

[Chainshot]

Ursine machine don't break.

 

[easton117]

And at the beginning of the season most of us were saying "if they can just hold on until Thanksgiving then make a push for the playoffs we'll be happy" lol

What a ride so far

Think a lot of it is they’re finally getting goals from everywhere. Players who should be able to pot a few have done so.

I was always amazed how some teams could get scoring up and down the lineup. How many times have we heard ‘and the first goal of their career’ against Boston!?! It was ridiculous.

Boston meanwhile, the past few years you could watch the Bergeron line play a shift then go do something else for 5 minutes. You knew nothing was gonna happen.

With that in mind, I don’t blame anyone that thought they’d struggle out of the gate .