Post-Game Talk: EDF Game 2 - Islanders tie up the series in OT - Game 3 Thursday in Uniondale

[BMC]

The Bruins lost this game in the second period when they lifted their skates off the Islanders' necks.

It wasn't the officiating, or bad luck or anything like that. It was their piss poor effort during that period that cost them the game. And that is unacceptable.

 

[Number8]

Go where?

I believe the Bruins have approved his being publicly shamed. Going to tie him to the Bobby Orr statue for a few days and a bunch of fans are going to be able to throw rotten vegetables at him.

Good news for Lauzon is that anyone who wants to throw a vegetable will be required to skate to the statue from a location on the North End on a specially made ice path. Fortunately many of Lauzon's most vocal critics won't be able to tie the skates on, let alone make it to the Garden.

 

[member 96824]

We've played 7 games and been shorthanded 27 times, the Islanders have played 8 games and been shorthanded 16 times, but it doesn't seem they're playing some super disciplined brand of hockey. Is it a respect thing that Trotz has between the refs or what's going on here? These guys have only taken more than 2 penalties one single time these playoffs, that's an absurd stat to me.

It actually kind of makes sense. Their goal is to just pack things in as tight as possible. They don't chase the puck at all really, so they're never really in the position where they need to overcompensate with their stick or try and cheat with bad body position which is where so many penalties come from.. The only place they're actively applying pressure is the forecheck but even then it's not that labor-intensive after 1F.

They are perfectly content laying down for 8-9 minutes at a time and letting you pile 30 shots on net and aren't going to try and overcompensate with even a single extra attempt at a pokecheck.

 

[goldnblack]

We were what, #1 or #2 in PIMs this year? Bad calls aside, at times it shows. Coaching has to improve there.

I think all their skill and confidence makes them less focused at times. Like the hot girl at the party who doesn't have to try

 

[TwineTickler]

he’s got two players below the goal line the proper play every time is down the wall. He messed up and it cost them this game. Happens

Yea I agree.... regardless, he just needs to take a look before the puck gets to him so he knows where to go with it... Coyle is very close to him and McAvoy is not on the blue line he's about 10-12 feet inside it. Obviously bad luck that he drilled it directly into Coyle's skates and that the puck bounced out into the neutral zone, but just a play/sequence that shouldn't have happened if Lauzon was a little more aware.

 

[PoweredByRICE]

I'm still pissed off this morning. Absolutely need a split in Uniondale For some reason the boys always rise to the occasion in hostile environments.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

The absence of puck luck in the B's favor was made clear when the puck hit Ritchie on the shot from up high and went directly horizontal across the crease. Many times the Goalie will back into the crease when losing sight of the puck but Varlamov never moved. Had he done that the puck had a chance of bouncing off him into the net. But not to be.
Game was eerily similar to Gm2 in 2019 Finals when the Blues seemed to turn the tide with OT win. The Isles may not have the same talent but they will not lose for lack of effort. Game 3 is statement time.

There is no may about it. STL >>>>>NYI.

Question is are Bruins better or worse?

IMO D is weaker (Krug was really good in 2019).
Foreards are better but Hall must be better
than G2.

 

[Over the volcano]

Congrats Marchy !

Love Krejci hiding in plain sight there at 2nd all time for this club.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

There is no may about it. STL >>>>>NYI.

Question is are Bruins better or worse?

IMO D is weaker (Krug was really good in 2019).
Foreards are better but Hall must be better
than G2.

debrusk was slowing down hall all game long. kuhlman wouldve actually improved that line.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Ritchie continues to underwhelm...When Smith comes back you have to consider inserting Fred or stick with Kuhlman. Kuhlman was driving the net consistently last night something Ritchie hasn't tried once this playoffs.

Ritchie played much better G2.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

debrusk was slowing down hall all game long. kuhlman wouldve actually improved that line.

Hall must be better. Was fighting the puck all night.
That's on him not his RW.

 

[Root]

Ritchie continues to underwhelm...When Smith comes back you have to consider inserting Fred or stick with Kuhlman. Kuhlman was driving the net consistently last night something Ritchie hasn't tried once this playoffs.

What are you talking about? Ritchie was around the net last night and made some great passes to set guys up for chances.

 

[Greek_physique]

IMO, we gave up too many high scoring chances...that's gotta be cleaned up.

I'll also give credit to the Isles...they made adjustments in the 2nd period and Boston took a while to figure it out (wake-up).

We are still the better team, but the next 2 games in that barn is going to be wild...

 

[BMC]

If Killer can't go Thursday Bruce needs to put Tinordi in for Lauzon, who is clearly struggling.

I'm not going to kick the kid, I like him and think he'll be a good defenseman. However he missed quite a bit of time with those hand injuries so his NHL game experience is lacking and it shows in his decision making. Add to that the speed & intensity of playoff hockey and he just isn't up to it now.

 

[Greek_physique]

If Killer can't go Thursday Bruce needs to put Tinordi in for Lauzon, who is clearly struggling.

I'm not going to kick the kid, I like him and think he'll be a good defenseman. However he missed quite a bit of time with those hand injuries so his NHL game experience is lacking and it shows in his decision making. Add to that the speed & intensity of playoff hockey and he just isn't up to it now.

I'm on the fence with this one.

Play in OT was bad luck and it was a bad decision, but we have to live with the good and bad with our youngsters.....he also saved a goal in OT by blocking a shot. IMO, his speed is still an asset...I'd personally be terrified if Tinordi was playing defense against Barzal.

Let's give the kid the ability to rebound...because if this team is making a serious run at the Cup, we need Lauzon more then Tinordi. Let's not takeaway any confidence...he will learn from this and be better for it.

 

[missingchicklet]

He was very physical this game. He made good passes. Almost scored. He did everything they could of asked him playing on his off wing and with a linemate he's never played with. He was aggressive. He did fine.

He's not Smitty. Two totally different players. It's going to stand out. But for stepping in? He did fine. And I was very surprised at his physical side tonight.

Yeah I was impressed with Jake's physical play. The effort was definitely there. Losing Smitty was very bad. The line built chemistry with him and he is a completely different player, as you mention. It's on the coach to put players in the best possible position to be successful. Jake is who he is, and I don't know how anyone can complain a lot about his play last night. He did his best given the role he was put in.

 

[Over the volcano]

The absence of Smith scrambled that 2nd line's thinking. Smith is predictable for his line mates and plays a straight ahead game, Debrusk works against the grain. He was moving his legs, just no chemistry or connection w/Hall and Krejci.

 

[analyser]

I believe the Isles have the better overall D as the Bruins only have 1 top pair and all the rest are 3rd pair D at best. We sure needed at least 1 acknowledged 2nd pair D at the deadline. Will not bide well if we advance to the final four.

On offense our top 2 lines are better but they have depth throughout all their lines. They are tenacious forecheckers. If Barzal ever gets his act together we will have more concerns. Their scoring distribution is an asset.

Goaltending, well Varlamov played just as well as Rask last night.

Boston cannot sit on their past laurels as they will have to compete every minute of every game.

I hope they win but it is going to be a lot harder than we think.

 

[BMC]

I'm on the fence with this one.

Play in OT was bad luck and it was a bad decision, but we have to live with the good and bad with our youngsters.....he also saved a goal in OT by blocking a shot. IMO, his speed is still an asset...I'd personally be terrified if Tinordi was playing defense against Barzal.

Let's give the kid the ability to rebound...because if this team is making a serious run at the Cup, we need Lauzon more then Tinordi. Let's not takeaway any confidence...he will learn from this and be better for it.

You make good points. I still hope Killer is able to go Thursday.

 

[Greek_physique]

You make good points. I still hope Killer is able to go Thursday.

I hope he's ready as well...getting that extra day off is huge right now.

Has Killer been skating at all?

 

[rocketdan9]

Concern?

 

[sportsvg]

he’s got two players below the goal line the proper play every time is down the wall. He messed up and it cost them this game. Happens

So never pass D to D? This probably comes from the same people saying the D need to shoot more (but don't ever pass D to D to set that shot up). Maybe Krejci made the wrong play in game 2 OT passing along the blue line to Grzelcyk (over a Washington stick as well), he could have dumped it down to Marchand in the corner and if nobody ever made a pass to the middle of the ice the cycle could still be going on 2 weeks later. I agree he has looked tough in his own end at times but that play is just straight up back luck, if that pass gets through they have a good scoring chance.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

It actually kind of makes sense. Their goal is to just pack things in as tight as possible. They don't chase the puck at all really, so they're never really in the position where they need to overcompensate with their stick or try and cheat with bad body position which is where so many penalties come from.. The only place they're actively applying pressure is the forecheck but even then it's not that labor-intensive after 1F.

They are perfectly content laying down for 8-9 minutes at a time and letting you pile 30 shots on net and aren't going to try and overcompensate with even a single extra attempt at a pokecheck.

Hit the nail on the head I think. As I've said before, you can get away with more holds and other interference in the playoffs, usually as long as it's not something blatant right in front of the ref and you don't take out a guy who's miles off the puck. The Islanders are pretty good at that, as they should be. It's illegal stick work that the officials are still more willing to call, and the Isles players are very disciplined with their sticks. Very few trips, slashes, high sticks, blatant hooks etc. They keep it clean in that regard, and that's why they don't get sent to the box very often. The Bruins by contrast drew a ton of stick-related penalties in the regular season, and while they've cleaned it up somewhat in the playoffs, it's still something they need to be mindful of.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

 

[smack66]

Ritchie continues to underwhelm...When Smith comes back you have to consider inserting Fred or stick with Kuhlman. Kuhlman was driving the net consistently last night something Ritchie hasn't tried once this playoffs.

I'd put Kuhlman on 4rw to at least try and get that line some offence.