ECQF: Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs (Series Tied 3-3)

[chethejet]

Boston just doesn't have the scoring depth to win a cup. After Pasternak, they simply lack a really good shot maker. The rat can still find the net but they have tried to get that big time scorer for years and just either won't spend the cash or won't give up the assets to do so.

 

[Strangle]

There is no such thing called momentum . It's a new game next game. Bruins start fresh.

Bruins are the opposite of fresh.

They are old, tired and weary

Marchand looks 46 years old out there

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Did Steve Kozari broke Bruins? Need to re- sign him.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Ya i know woll has been really good, but boston offense in the first period + 2nd has been minimal

if boston wants to win game 7 they need to test him early and often, cant come out and have less than 5 shots in the first again.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Ya i know woll has been really good, but boston offense in the first period + 2nd has been minimal

Almost like.. the Leafs are a good defensive team as Leaf fans have said for many years now.

This series is the same thing we have seen for a while now. Good defense, ok goaltending on average, can't score 5v5 or on the PP. Just in the past, a weak one goes in and forces the Leafs to open up the game to try and catch up which doesn't end well.

Leafs are built to play these tight clutch and grab games

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Almost like.. the Leafs are a good defensive team as Leaf fans have said for many years now.

This series is the same thing we have seen for a while now. Good defense, ok goaltending on average, can't score 5v5 or on the PP. Just in the past, a weak one goes in and forces the Leafs to open up the game to try and catch up which doesn't end well.

Leafs are built to play these tight clutch and grab games

I havnt said anything about their defense, i think they could use a game changer on the back end... rielly seems to have slowed down a bit.... but obviously not something easy to find.

I actually think Bostons forward group kinda play into Leafs defensive strength on the back end.... they want to kinda grind it out and score ugly goals(with the exception of pasta), and i feel like the leafs back end really counters that well with their size and physicality.

Flip side i think leafs defense would struggle with a fast team (but bruins dont have much speed in their lineup)

 

[JEM28]

I mean with him out Toronto has obviously changed their game plan from trying to instigate and open the game up for their offense to a more conservative discipline and defense first mentality (which is tried and true recipe for playoff success). They stopped taking stupid penalties and thinking they could just outscore their mistakes.

Yup. When domi and Bert in particular found their brains, things changed. McCabe has been impressively under control as well. Two teams going in opposite directions right now.

 

[wintersej]

I havnt said anything about their defense, i think they could use a game changer on the back end... rielly seems to have slowed down a bit.... but obviously not something easy to find.

I actually think Bostons forward group kinda play into Leafs defensive strength on the back end.... they want to kinda grind it out and score ugly goals(with the exception of pasta), and i feel like the leafs back end really counters that well with their size and physicality.

Flip side i think leafs defense would struggle with a fast team (but bruins dont have much speed in their lineup)

Bruins haven't been fast enough to expose the Leafs lack of ability to handle the puck on the backend when Rielly isn't out there.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Bruins haven't been fast enough to expose the Leafs lack of ability to handle the puck on the backend when Rielly isn't out there.

Just overall the team speed on boston is kinda lacking... they dont really have those players that put you back on your heels really when they attack.

They need to get a forecheck going, but its been borderline non existent the last 2 games. Which credit to the leafs defense on making quick decisions and getting away from it.

 

[wintersej]

Yup. When domi and Bert in particular found their brains, things changed. McCabe has been impressively under control as well. Two teams going in opposite directions right now.

Yes, and, no team plays hockey that nets them only having to have 1 PK a game without refs calling the game a certain way. An inconsistent way when you look at Marchand's penalty in the first. They have done a great job being disciplined and the refs have decided to put the whistles away for the most part, which is certainly in the Leafs favor.

 

[Coach Parker]

We have just about hit the media pendulum swing from attacking the Leafs to attacking the Bruins. Just as scripted.

 

[JadedLeaf]

ABC pulled the trump card and called dibs. NESN, and Jack are left holding their shmenzers

That's a shame with how he's been the voice of the Bruins for a while. He's almost synonymous with them.

 

[Strangle]

That's a shame with how he's been the voice of the Bruins for a while. He's almost synonymous with them.

I know, it is a shame that the bruins have become synonymous with Edward’s. I totally agree

 

[Ratsreign]

I have a hard time thinking Monty goes if they lose given the quality of the forward group on this team. Everyone expected a wild card team and instead they were up there for the presidents trophy up until the last week or two of the season.

But, he will be on ridiculously thin ice next season.

It’s almost like the team many expected to start the year suddenly showed up starting with game 5

 

[Coach Parker]

Didn't watch the game but full credit goes to any team that limits the shots to 1-2 for the first periods of hockey games.

I know Leafs fans expect more (as do Bruins fans) but what a way to not quit and roll over and die when they were burned at the steak after game 4.

 

[JadedLeaf]

Yup. When domi and Bert in particular found their brains, things changed. McCabe has been impressively under control as well. Two teams going in opposite directions right now.

McCabe started the series out really rough and was aggravating to watch at times but he's been more than solid the last few games. As has domi. I'm curious if that style we seen the Leafs play the last couple of games changes when Matthews comes back. I sure hope not.

 

[Coach Parker]

McCauley and Sutherland could be the refs for game 7, Marek suggesting.

McCabe started the series out really rough and was aggravating to watch at times but he's been more than solid the last few games. As has domi. I'm curious if that style we seen the Leafs play the last couple of games changes when Matthews comes back. I sure hope not.

Honestly, why put Matthews back in? You win game 7, he starts the second round possibly. You lose, you got this far without him and people aren't shocked.

 

[JadedLeaf]

I know, it is a shame that the bruins have become synonymous with Edward’s. I totally agree

As a fan of a team not the Bruins he annoys me but you can't pretend that we wouldn't be thrilled with Joe Bowen calling leaf games. And while he's not controversial like Edwards, they're both pretty big homers which isn't a problem except during national broadcasts.

McCauley and Sutherland could be the refs for game 7, Marek suggesting.



Honestly, why put Matthews back in? You win game 7, he starts the second round possibly. You lose, you got this far without him and people aren't shocked.

I wouldn't be opposed to that. Especially if he needed an extra day or two for whatever is causing him problems.

 

[All Mod Cons]

maybe
or maybe nylander > matthews

Or Gregor > Matthews.

We should seriously consider that.

 

[JadedLeaf]

I swear if McCauley gets to call the next game...

 

[sampollock]

Bruins are softer then other years, time to rebuild. good defense , great goalies, but they can't score

 

[Coach Parker]

As a fan of a team not the Bruins he annoys me but you can't pretend that we wouldn't be thrilled with Joe Bowen calling leaf games. And while he's not controversial like Edwards, they're both pretty big homers which isn't a problem except during national broadcasts.


I wouldn't be opposed to that. Especially if he needed an extra day or two for whatever is causing him problems.

I still tune in to Joe calling the games on the NHL app to remind me of home. Great comparison. We remember their emotional calls in huge moments of our teams' history as it mirrors our own.

Not long before we have AI calling games to avoid any emotions or controversy.

 

[danpantz]

Insert the spiderman meme here.

Stoppable force meets movable object.

 

[crump]

McCauley and Sutherland could be the refs for game 7, Marek suggesting.
Honestly, why put Matthews back in? You win game 7, he starts the second round possibly. You lose, you got this far without him and people aren't shocked.

Ooof. I think Leafs are 0-8 with McCauley or something. I know there is a narrative out there that he hates the Leafs. Did he tweet something once or was that someone else? Either the trend continues or odds are Leafs win. Refs shouldn’t play a part in outcomes of 7th games.

Just call it fair and consistent, but don't game manage.

 

[Coach Parker]

McCabe started the series out really rough and was aggravating to watch at times but he's been more than solid the last few games. As has domi. I'm curious if that style we seen the Leafs play the last couple of games changes when Matthews comes back. I sure hope not.

Domi is a Bruins killer. He has been as advertised and I wish the Bruins had signed him just to avoid his abilities against them. But the other nostalgic part of me loved seeing him in Toronto with the Domi on the back of the Blue jersey again.