Post-Game Talk: bruins @ Rangers

[JimmyG89]

One thing we hear a lot from coach speak is that the team is worried about their process or developing it. Well, this is what that looks like. Last season, we would have gotten beaten in by the Bruins, but it would have looked differently. Shots would have been closer to 2 to 1 in favor of the Bruins and the score would have still been close because Georgiev would have stood on his head to get it done.

This season, they are finally starting to control the play and be assertive instead of defensive. It's more encouraging than hemorrhaging shots on goal and being opportunistic. They are learning how to play a winning style. Less up and down the ice, more controlled play and working the offensive zone. 12 games in, Lafreniere is getting it. He made two separate set ups for high quality chances and they were not buried. Kakko is close to being able to dominate shifts with his size and skill level. Zibanejad actually looked himself last night, just had no luck finishing.

The worm is going to turn at some point. They'll cash in and win games. It might not seem that way right now.

Also, the defense in general is night and day. Much better in their own zone and much better at preventing shots and chances. The thing is, Boston is super comfortable in these games since they've been doing it forever. They're not a team learning how to win, they've been winning for a while and in late/close games, that begins to show. These games are great experiences for every young player on the team, especially the guys that were not around last season.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I was upset yesterday but we went toe to toe with possibly the best team in the league and Mika looked like Mika. I can't overstate how important it was for Mika to look like that. I was worried he was incapable of games like that this year. If Panarin will be healthy and Mike looks like this I would be shocked if we didn't get a playoff spot.

 

[Jjksport]

I know it's not a big deal but Marchand doing that shit to Panarin knowing he was hurt says a lot about this team. Then he comes out in OT and scores the game winner. The team has no balls and no heart and everyone laughs at character and grit but you need it in this division and this team doesn't have enough of it. Not enough players willing to go to the dirty areas on the ice. Too many "shucks, we will get them next time" guys on this team that are content with losing. It's embarassing and it's a reflection of the coach imo. Everything is perimeter hockey and behind the net

Was watching on my phone, since none else in the household wants to watch hockey, but the play were I believe Ryan Strome came out of the penalty box and got a pass in the offensive zone exemplifies this perfectly. He had time to except the pass and take it to the net for a breakaway, but instead stood still in the faceoff circle and waited for the defense to get back and breakup a cross ice back pass. he plenty of time to go to the net and would have easily got there ahead of the defender, but didn't want to possibly get checked. This how you lose games.

 

[Machinehead]

I was upset yesterday but we went toe to toe with possibly the best team in the league and Mika looked like Mika. I can't overstate how important it was for Mika to look like that. I was worried he was incapable of games like that this year. If Panarin will be healthy and Mike looks like this I would be shocked if we didn't get a playoff spot.

Yeah I kinda feel like Mika is getting over the covid and stepping right into not being able to buy one. Which is headed in the right direction long-term.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Yeah I kinda feel like Mika is getting over the covid and stepping right into not being able to buy one. Which is headed in the right direction long-term.

I'm way less concerned about him being snake bitten than invisible. He's right there. It'll start going in.

 

[East Coast Bias]

I'm not mad, I'm disappointed

 

[Unpredictable1]

Last night was probably the most dangerous and closest I seen Mika compared to himself last year. Keep going buddy, it'll eventually go in.

 

[CupSeeker]

If Panarin misses time they are really F’d. Only the 4th line scored. Top 6 has no goals in the last 2 games. Not sure of the Georgy bashing, he had a good game, didn’t get help from his defense.

Georgie was fine. Not nearly as good as Rask; difference in the game.

 

[CupSeeker]

19:21 for kakko tonight...lead all forwards in ES TOI. followed up his best game with his new best game

he is starting to really up his puck possession game. He will be great; be patient.

 

[NYR3]

Was watching on my phone, since none else in the household wants to watch hockey, but the play were I believe Ryan Strome came out of the penalty box and got a pass in the offensive zone exemplifies this perfectly. He had time to except the pass and take it to the net for a breakaway, but instead stood still in the faceoff circle and waited for the defense to get back and breakup a cross ice back pass. he plenty of time to go to the net and would have easily got there ahead of the defender, but didn't want to possibly get checked. This how you lose games.

He didn't want to get checked because he has no balls, that's what i said in my post.

 

[haveandare]

Getting tired of the standard “opposition goalie stood on his head in a Vezina worthy display”.

Eventually you gotta realise that it’s not their goalies that are “that good”, it’s that our guys AREN’T.

Imo it’s pretty clear when a game is one or the other when you watch the chances and saves as they happen. Rask was very, very good last night.

 

[CupSeeker]

I know it's not a big deal but Marchand doing that shit to Panarin knowing he was hurt says a lot about this team. Then he comes out in OT and scores the game winner. The team has no balls and no heart and everyone laughs at character and grit but you need it in this division and this team doesn't have enough of it. Not enough players willing to go to the dirty areas on the ice. Too many "shucks, we will get them next time" guys on this team that are content with losing. It's embarassing and it's a reflection of the coach imo. Everything is perimeter hockey and behind the net

Buch went after him; so there's that

 

[will1066]

Just like with Fox and Miller, we'll see Quinn give Kakko more and more ice time the more he can demonstrate that he has his big boy game going permanently.

 

[CupSeeker]

GREAT GAME TO ENJOY, REGARDLESS OF OUTCOME.
GROWING PAINS BOYS.......Just think back not too long ago.
Enjoy the ride, and see the LIGHT.

Love this take. This is my mindset this year where we have so much dead cap space and the youngest team in the league.

 

[duhmetreE]

Good thing we have Kreider and Lafreniere. There's no excuses, even if a player like Bread is missing.

Maybe Mika can get his hair out of his eyes and stop Buching every opportunity.

Georgiev is a backup. Treat him as such.

Our PP setup is still embarrassing. Panarin actually looked great at bumper. Just happens to be one of the most important spots for 1-3-1. That one PP actually looked solid

I wonder what our PP success rate is since I first mentioned how much it sucked. I was told its ok, because it was good last season. TROLOL

Big positives, Fox, KAM and Kakko. The games are much more enjoyable watching Fox caress the puck and KAM just swallow people up on the boards... Especially when they think they're going to get by him.

Rooney and Lemieux had strong games. We CAN NOT be losing if our bottom6 is producing 2 goals. Top6 and our 'offensive, offensive gameplan' need to stop the suck.

At this point it feels like Jacques Martin is carrying the team. The defensive turnaround is amazing. We still have our hiccups here and there but that's to be expected. I'd like to Fire Quinn and his buddies, Oliver/Brown, into the sun and get some competent NHL offensive minds.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Zibanejad looking like zibanejad is a bigger win than the game would have been.

not every goalie is going to do what Rask did yesterday. at least the goalie who stood on his head was actually good.

Geo didn’t lose the game, but hes hasn’t made a big save all season. He stopped almost all the ones he should have stopped yesterday though so that’s a plus.

was really annoyed with an injured Panarin eating the entire 2 minutes on the 3rd period PP.

 

[duhmetreE]

Zibanejad looking like zibanejad is a bigger win than the game would have been.

not every goalie is going to do what Rask did yesterday. at least the goalie who stood on his head was actually good.

Geo didn’t lose the game, but hes hasn’t made a big save all season. He stopped almost all the ones he should have stopped yesterday though so that’s a plus.

was really annoyed with an injured Panarin eating the entire 2 minutes on the 3rd period PP.

He didn't look like Zibanejad. He looked like Buchnevich. There's a difference

20% faceoff success btw.

 

[Machinehead]

He didn't look like Zibanejad. He looked like Buchnevich. There's a difference

20% faceoff success btw.

Patrice Bergeron is the best faceoff-taker in NHL history so there's that

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Georgie was fine. Not nearly as good as Rask; difference in the game.

Georgie was okay. Can’t put too much blame on the goalies when they’re getting no goal support. As much as our d had improved it also seems like we give up a breakaway goal every night.

 

[Unpredictable1]

Long ago in a previous life I did something incredibly similar, skated like a banshee to the bench for an extra attacker on a delayed call. (this was Midget level)

Except there wasn't a delayed call lol

Thank God I got back to the blue paint as the play was coming back our way and never allowed a goal. I will NEVER forget the faces of the players and coaches as I got to the bench, I knew immediately I did something I shouldn't have lol

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

He didn't look like Zibanejad. He looked like Buchnevich. There's a difference

20% faceoff success btw.

Yeah because Rask was tremendous, thats it.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

He didn't look like Zibanejad. He looked like Buchnevich. There's a difference

20% faceoff success btw.

He had more chances than Buchnevich has all season other than the second Islanders game. He looked like Zibanejad without the finishing, the point is the finishing will come easier in that type of situation than with him being invisible.

 

[duhmetreE]

Patrice Bergeron is the best faceoff-taker in NHL history so there's that

he's an 80% face off guy?

 

[duhmetreE]

Yeah because Rask was tremendous, thats it.

Rask was good. It seems like this happens every game.

Sometimes it takes a 1C to beat a good goalie.

 

[Unpredictable1]

This is going to sound ridiculous but I think Panarin not playing a few games might be a good thing for Laf and Kakko. I think they might actually like the pressure of being the go-to guys for a change. And i think they are ready for a little more responsibility. And if either shines it may force Quinn to play them more.

I'm on the same page if Panarin is out for a little bit, but last night reality set in that we'll see someone other than Laf moving up as Quinn keeps trying to make him earn his keep. ugh.