Randoms:
- Outstanding goaltending is such a huge advantage. If the Bruins had the Oilers' goaltending, they're at least 2-0 down after 10 minutes and then having to chase the game and take risks on offense to try and get back in it. Instead Ullmark makes some huge stops and keeps things even while the rest of the team finds their groove and eventually got going after Coyle's lovely goal. Just massive for us.
- This was much more the Bruins' ideal sort of game. They can win high-scoring shootouts, but its not their strength. Keeping things tight, getting on the scoreboard through a couple of good, hard plays, and then stifling the opposition, is more up their alley. That 3rd period was a masterclass in closing out a road game and shutting it down, not through getting too defensive and reactionary, but keeping possession, clogging up the neutral zone, and simply not letting the opposition generate any momentum. To to that so well against the Panthers - 5v5 the Bs outshot them 6-1 - who have a quality offense and are historically a good 3rd period team, was impressive.
- the Panthers missed Barkov. Got hammered at the dot and just generally beaten in the middle of the ice. But full credit to our centers for taking full advantage. They all had solid games. Beecher is really settling in as a solid 4C. Whether he can aim higher than that I'm not sure - has the speed and reads the play well enough, but the hands still aren't great - but for now just seeing him blossom in the NHL is great.
- the less said about the officiating in the first period the better. Fortunately it improved after that.
- I had thought that Lohrei looked a little more on top of things in the Bruins' end, but then I look at the numbers and Boston got outshot 11-1 when he was on the ice, so IDK, perhaps not. I think in terms of the debate over whether he's better served to stay in Boston and go back to Providence, there's no doubt he'll learn faster in the big league, and it's not like the Bruins' D can't carry an inexperienced player. It's more about his confidence - some guys can make mistakes and just shrug them off, others take them more to heart and too many can do long-term damage to a player's self-belief. If Mason can handle the growing pains, then I'm not against keeping him up. How that will work when Gryz returns I'm not sure. Notable that Shattenkirk only got 10 mins in this game, which isn't a great vote of confidence in him on Monty's part.
- Poitras loves the contest. Thrives on it, not afraid. Like a lot of smaller guys he's learned how to get right back up and look after himself. Good kid.
- Heinen's drop pass and subtle pick on Coyle's first goal was very smooth. Nicely done.
- Outstanding goaltending is such a huge advantage. If the Bruins had the Oilers' goaltending, they're at least 2-0 down after 10 minutes and then having to chase the game and take risks on offense to try and get back in it. Instead Ullmark makes some huge stops and keeps things even while the rest of the team finds their groove and eventually got going after Coyle's lovely goal. Just massive for us.
- This was much more the Bruins' ideal sort of game. They can win high-scoring shootouts, but its not their strength. Keeping things tight, getting on the scoreboard through a couple of good, hard plays, and then stifling the opposition, is more up their alley. That 3rd period was a masterclass in closing out a road game and shutting it down, not through getting too defensive and reactionary, but keeping possession, clogging up the neutral zone, and simply not letting the opposition generate any momentum. To to that so well against the Panthers - 5v5 the Bs outshot them 6-1 - who have a quality offense and are historically a good 3rd period team, was impressive.
- the Panthers missed Barkov. Got hammered at the dot and just generally beaten in the middle of the ice. But full credit to our centers for taking full advantage. They all had solid games. Beecher is really settling in as a solid 4C. Whether he can aim higher than that I'm not sure - has the speed and reads the play well enough, but the hands still aren't great - but for now just seeing him blossom in the NHL is great.
- the less said about the officiating in the first period the better. Fortunately it improved after that.
- I had thought that Lohrei looked a little more on top of things in the Bruins' end, but then I look at the numbers and Boston got outshot 11-1 when he was on the ice, so IDK, perhaps not. I think in terms of the debate over whether he's better served to stay in Boston and go back to Providence, there's no doubt he'll learn faster in the big league, and it's not like the Bruins' D can't carry an inexperienced player. It's more about his confidence - some guys can make mistakes and just shrug them off, others take them more to heart and too many can do long-term damage to a player's self-belief. If Mason can handle the growing pains, then I'm not against keeping him up. How that will work when Gryz returns I'm not sure. Notable that Shattenkirk only got 10 mins in this game, which isn't a great vote of confidence in him on Monty's part.
- Poitras loves the contest. Thrives on it, not afraid. Like a lot of smaller guys he's learned how to get right back up and look after himself. Good kid.
- Heinen's drop pass and subtle pick on Coyle's first goal was very smooth. Nicely done.
