Post-Game Talk: GAME 10 - What was that? - Flyers 2 BRUINS 0

[kdog82]

Monty has no extension in place. His contract is up at season's end. I know its still early but it appears he has lost the room. Quenneville sitting there waiting for an opportunity to get back in. He would be my choice.

That being said, looking at this roster and good lord. Aside from Pastrnak, where is the offence going to come from. Marchand looks 300 years old out there as he's been beyond awful. During the broadcast you don't hear E. Lindholm's name often, which is very concerning.

Coyle isn't a 2nd line player in the NHL. Geekie isn't even a 3rd line player in the NHL. Frederic? You alive?

Moving on to the d-corp. I am convinced McAvoy requires laser eye surgery. He's been garbage this year. H. Lindholm has been decent I suppose. Zadorov? Woah. Carlo? Another Woah!

Something needs to change. Hopefully they wake up and I can rip my own post in a week or two from now but what are we watching??

Also, Judd need to stop saying 'cage' Has a good voice but he's been underwhelming as the new voice of the Bruins.

 

[BMC]

Coyle 2/10 in the faceoff dot, just pathetic

I love Charlie but I'm about ready to put my boot right up his ass.

Unless he's hurt there is no excuse for the way he is playing. None.

 

[NeelyDan]

Also, Judd need to stop saying 'cage' Has a good voice but he's been underwhelming as the new voice of the Bruins.

Yeah, Judd is a definite downgrade from an entertainment value perspective - he sounds like he should be calling WWE NXT matches

 

[LouJersey]

You are not alone thinking that

Can it ever be the that the players just aren't that good? They have won one round in the past three years in a garbage division. Julien was too rigid, Bruce was too mean and now Monty is too ------ fill in the blank.

Is it his fault McAvoy sucks now? Marchand is old? Coyle, Zacha, Freddy and Geekie turned back into pumpkins? I don't know, the sky is not falling but the constant coach stuff just takes the onus off the players and the management, who by the way have put both the players and coach there.

The past few seasons Hall, Bertuzzi, Bergeron, Krejci, DeBrusk, Orlov and Ullmark have all basically left/retired/traded for nothing. I like Kastelic but you get my drift I would hope,. The talent that has come in for those players just isnt nearly as good.

They have traded 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 1sts (got '24 back), 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 2nds and have nothing to show for it and we wonder why there is no real help at Providence.

 

[BruinDust]

The bottom line is the drop-off in offense from last year to this year is disturbing and a major concern.

Last season, the Bruins scored 263 goals. Good for 13th overall, 11th among playoff teams.

Pasta accounted for 47. Forwards 2 through 9 (Marchand, Coyle, Zacha, Debrusk, Frederic, Geekie, Heinen and JVR) accounted for 157. The D scored 31 and all other forwards totaled 28.

Right now, Pasta is basically on pace to match last year's production (49 goals pro-rated).

The D-corps has had an uptick thus far (on pace for 41 [+10]). All other forwards (i.e. the 4th line) has essentially doubled their production (on pace for 66) but common sense says that isn't sustainable.

The huge concern is among forwards 2 through 9 (Marchand, Coyle, Zacha, Lindholm, Frederic, Geekie, Brazeau, Poitras). Combined they are on pace for just 66 goals, nearly 90 goals less than last year. But much like the 4th line, that isn't sustainable either.

Let's assume Pasta and the D-corps maintain their pace. Forwards 2-9 sees their pace improve but that will combine with a regressed pace from all other forwards (4th line). Right now combined they are on pace for 132 goals combined (66 and 66).

Let's assume that Forwards 2-9 post around 100 goals, and the remaining forwards score 40 for a total of 140. That is still 45 less goals scored than last year from that group, over half-a-goal per game. That half-a-goal per game drop-off may not seem like much but it is MASSIVE. I'd project the Bruins to score roughly between 225-235 goals this year, which would of put them between 24th and 28th overall in the league last season.

Not to pile on Marchand, but he has just 9 goals since last years all-star break (54 games). He's a regressing 36-year old expected (by most if not all) to be your 2nd most reliable goal scorer. Let that sink in.

Then combine all of that with the fact you no longer have two legitimate No.1 goaltenders splitting time, and the coaching staff has seemingly abandoned the tight defensive structure of Bruins teams of the past two decades in a perverse attempt to mimic the Florida Panthers game plan. Your own division (and conference) seems to have gotten deeper and stronger (less easy games, tougher competition for playoff spots), and overall it's easy to see how this season is shaping up to be a complete disaster and a playoff DNQ.

We can talk about leadership, physicality, push-back, etc. etc. etc. but at the end of the day, it's a game of putting pucks past opposing goaltenders and keeping pucks out of your own net. And right now, this Bruins team is seemingly bad at both with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Firing the coaching staff and bring in a group that will instill rock solid air-tight defensive structure and try to win games 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 looks to be the only realistic option here because there is no magic move(s) that will make this forward group one that scores consistently. The offensive talent simply isn't there and neither is the cap space to do anything about it.

If that doesn't work, then get what you can at the deadline for Marchand, Coyle, Frederic, Brazeau and Geekie and try to retool the forward group next summer. There is no rebuild coming.

If all of that seems dire, well, it is. The last time I can recall the outlook looking this dire this early in the season was 2005-2006. And we all know how that turned out. But I don't see them making a franchise altering trade like they did in 2005-06. I don't see them firing the front office at the end of the season either, regardless of the end result. It's on management to figure it out. Whether they do that in-season, or next off-season.

 

[mjhfb]

I love Charlie but I'm about ready to put my boot right up his ass.

Unless he's hurt there is no excuse for the way he is playing. None.

Whatever he's got it must be contagious going through the room.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I love Charlie but I'm about ready to put my boot right up his ass.

Unless he's hurt there is no excuse for the way he is playing. None.

I think he is regressing as an NHL player. He was lousy coming back from the NHL All Star break last year for the first 4 games but stabilized his play. Really questioning his ability to do that right now.

 

[Bridges31]

A trade needs to happen at this point. Something to shake up the lines.

Or look to sell and improve for next season.

 

[BMC]

I think he is regressing as an NHL player. He was lousy coming back from the NHL All Star break last year for the first 4 games but stabilized his play. Really questioning his ability to do that right now.

He's what, 32/33 years old and has a lot of miles on him. Yes, this could be the case.

 

[BTO]

Offensively, its awful. Even on paper.

Have you seen our wingers? Pastrnak, a 37yr old Marchand coming off of multiple surgeries and who? Zacha?

I don't care who the coach is, you aren't going to find a magic line combination out of that group.

C’mon, there’s Geekie too!
Wrong brother, as always.

 

[NeelyDan]

We were eventually going to enter the post-cup era officially, and that time is now. So buckle up - and try not to get consumed with the missed opportunities in 2019 and 2013

 

[the negotiator]

Decided to wait until this morning before writing .....

reflecting back on last night:

One of the worst games I can remember in a long while- the Bs played a disorganized, dispassionate and disappointing game. I have watched a lot of games where they have lost but few where the focus, determination and the give a crap were so lacking

Sure hope the front office is reading this board and takes to heart the themes I read:

-a team that seems to lack a clear game plan....it felt like a bunch of guys who meet in the parking lot before the game, got on the ice and skated without either purpose or plan

-a team that got bigger yet doesn't play a north-south game, doesn't forecheck and rarely throws a serious check ...the number of forward current playing below expectations is a long one and the question to be asked is why

-a power play that continually sucks the energy out of the game ....tonight's 5 on 3 for a minute- 37 was a poster child for slow, deliberate and predictable play that ultimately had a negative impact on the flow ( and outcome) of the game

-a team with limited scoring skills that insists on making the extra pass...I stopped counting the number of times a good opportunity between the dots was passed up for a lateral pass that created a less threatening look....quantity shots over quality- and the occasional greasy goal- is the style that aligns with this team's composition

-right now the only line that is going is the fourth - so why did two of its forwards play less than ten minutes while other, under-performing forwards, got 16-18 minutes. A critical part of a coaches job is to have a feel for the game and to make in-game adjustments ......which is far different from a mix-master approach to changing up lines


I know people will say it's "only" ten games into the season and not to panic. My counter- the record while not good is actually better than the product I see on the ice and right now I am not confident there is a viable plan to improve . Whether this team has tuned out its coach or whether the game plan doesn't align with the talent my bottom line is changes need to be made and soon.Whether behind the bench or on the ice this team needs more than just a wake-up call

So now we wait

 

[yazmybaby]

The bottom line is the drop-off in offense from last year to this year is disturbing and a major concern.

Last season, the Bruins scored 263 goals. Good for 13th overall, 11th among playoff teams.

Pasta accounted for 47. Forwards 2 through 9 (Marchand, Coyle, Zacha, Debrusk, Frederic, Geekie, Heinen and JVR) accounted for 157. The D scored 31 and all other forwards totaled 28.

Right now, Pasta is basically on pace to match last year's production (49 goals pro-rated).

The D-corps has had an uptick thus far (on pace for 41 [+10]). All other forwards (i.e. the 4th line) has essentially doubled their production (on pace for 66) but common sense says that isn't sustainable.

The huge concern is among forwards 2 through 9 (Marchand, Coyle, Zacha, Lindholm, Frederic, Geekie, Brazeau, Poitras). Combined they are on pace for just 66 goals, nearly 90 goals less than last year. But much like the 4th line, that isn't sustainable either.

Let's assume Pasta and the D-corps maintain their pace. Forwards 2-9 sees their pace improve but that will combine with a regressed pace from all other forwards (4th line). Right now combined they are on pace for 132 goals combined (66 and 66).

Let's assume that Forwards 2-9 post around 100 goals, and the remaining forwards score 40 for a total of 140. That is still 45 less goals scored than last year from that group, over half-a-goal per game. That half-a-goal per game drop-off may not seem like much but it is MASSIVE. I'd project the Bruins to score roughly between 225-235 goals this year, which would of put them between 24th and 28th overall in the league last season.

Not to pile on Marchand, but he has just 9 goals since last years all-star break (54 games). He's a regressing 36-year old expected (by most if not all) to be your 2nd most reliable goal scorer. Let that sink in.

Then combine all of that with the fact you no longer have two legitimate No.1 goaltenders splitting time, and the coaching staff has seemingly abandoned the tight defensive structure of Bruins teams of the past two decades in a perverse attempt to mimic the Florida Panthers game plan. Your own division (and conference) seems to have gotten deeper and stronger (less easy games, tougher competition for playoff spots), and overall it's easy to see how this season is shaping up to be a complete disaster and a playoff DNQ.

We can talk about leadership, physicality, push-back, etc. etc. etc. but at the end of the day, it's a game of putting pucks past opposing goaltenders and keeping pucks out of your own net. And right now, this Bruins team is seemingly bad at both with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Firing the coaching staff and bring in a group that will instill rock solid air-tight defensive structure and try to win games 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 looks to be the only realistic option here because there is no magic move(s) that will make this forward group one that scores consistently. The offensive talent simply isn't there and neither is the cap space to do anything about it.

If that doesn't work, then get what you can at the deadline for Marchand, Coyle, Frederic, Brazeau and Geekie and try to retool the forward group next summer. There is no rebuild coming.

If all of that seems dire, well, it is. The last time I can recall the outlook looking this dire this early in the season was 2005-2006. And we all know how that turned out. But I don't see them making a franchise altering trade like they did in 2005-06. I don't see them firing the front office at the end of the season either, regardless of the end result. It's on management to figure it out. Whether they do that in-season, or next off-season.

Good post.
I have mentioned numerous times, that this team over achieved last year, with respect to the offensive seasons that Heinen, Geekie, Frederic, Coyle had. We lost a good offensive player in JDB as well and Marchand has also regressed.
If we cannot score 3 goals a game, this team will be .500 this year, at best.
The only real move we can make is to sign TJ, we have nothing to lose.
If we are struggling to make the playoffs at the deadline, trade 2-3 players for draft picks and load up next year with signing one of Ehlers or Rantanen.

 

[mjhfb]

Can it ever be the that the players just aren't that good? They have won one round in the past three years in a garbage division. Julien was too rigid, Bruce was too mean and now Monty is too ------ fill in the blank.

Is it his fault McAvoy sucks now? Marchand is old? Coyle, Zacha, Freddy and Geekie turned back into pumpkins? I don't know, the sky is not falling but the constant coach stuff just takes the onus off the players and the management, who by the way have put both the players and coach there.

The past few seasons Hall, Bertuzzi, Bergeron, Krejci, DeBrusk, Orlov and Ullmark have all basically left/retired/traded for nothing. I like Kastelic but you get my drift I would hope,. The talent that has come in for those players just isnt nearly as good.

They have traded 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 1sts (got '24 back), 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 2nds and have nothing to show for it and we wonder why there is no real help at Providence.

Wow.

 

[yazmybaby]

The score could have easily been 4 or 5-0 if not for Korpi playing a good game.

 

[aguineapig72]

Can we say bad things about Frederick? Or will we be harpooned?

All I will say is I have not seen anyone play using one hand on his stick more since Derek Sanderson. Of course Turk used it when he was in on the forecheck or on the PK with his masterful sweep check to break up the puck carrier. I cannot figure out what Freddy is trying to accomplish when using his.

 

[BTO]

We for the most part outplayed them yet only had 25 shots on goal.
Flyers blocked plenty, others went off the glass or just off the boards.

Feel bad for Korpisalo. Dude brought it. Yet nothing to show for it.

Our centermen.
Coyle. 1 goal this season. That's it.
Lindholm has tanked after a strong first 5 games.
Poitras is ok, but in over his head.
Kastelic our best centerman plays 9-10 mins a night.

Something is amiss.

The best that Lindholm and Pasta looked together was Lindholm’s first preseason game. It’s bizarre, really.

Sweeney being comfortable with 5 top 6 forwards year after year has finally caught up to him.

He can go as well as Montgomery.

5? I’d be happy with 5.

 

[BruinDust]

Good post.
I have mentioned numerous times, that this team over achieved last year, with respect to the offensive seasons that Heinen, Geekie, Frederic, Coyle had. We lost a good offensive player in JDB as well and Marchand has also regressed.

This is very likely the case.

 

[Ladyfan]

You can pick on certain players (except Korpi who was great) but something feels wrong, and it is the whole team.

We are slower but still should be better than this.

Players have lost their confidence...you can see it in their slumped shoulders and frowns. IMO confidence is HUGE for the players. It was sad to see the Bs last night. They shouldn't be this bad. Timing is off.

The coach needs to get the team going. The team has more talent and smarts than to play like they did last night. A couple of the players are nursing injuries but still....it should not be this bad.

Someone needs to fix the PP.

My hope is a good game will help turn this around. I want to see the guys enjoying playing the game.

We were so spoiled with the season they had the last two years. It is sure more fun when they win.

 

[DKH]

I believe no one on that room dislikes Monty or wants to get him fired - generally I think he’s liked.

They play though a comfortable game way way to much with a disciplined high tempo every 3 or 4.

He’s always felt like an outsider, a step parent trying to discipline, a substitute teacher.

I’m in the group and always will be he completely screwed the pooch in 2023 games 5 and 6.

That is a tough intersection to live at in my town.

I think the team is good and could be really good it’s just how long you give him before you are chasing teams

Everett Mike had it - 20 games, and that’s fair at no worse than this pace

They’ve made very good adds in Lindhom, Zadarov, koepke, Kastelic, and I’ll put Peeke in there.

I’ll stay on the island they get it together in a big way.

They seem way to comfortable to many games - it’s not the coaches problem I think his shelf life may be expiring soon if they don’t hit December 1 in a playoff position

 

[TP70BruinsCup]

The past few seasons Hall, Bertuzzi, Bergeron, Krejci, DeBrusk, Orlov and Ullmark have all basically left/retired/traded for nothing. I like Kastelic but you get my drift I would hope,. The talent that has come in for those players just isnt nearly as good.

They have traded 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 1sts (got '24 back), 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 2nds and have nothing to show for it and we wonder why there is no real help at Providence.

Good breakdown. But also depressing to read and the truth hurts. I think they will can Monty before game 20. Fair or not it’s the easy move, I like him but they cannot change much on a very below average roster with little scoring (Sweeney again owns that). I was sure this year would be similar to last year but man oh man it ain’t headed that way I terms of effort. We have too many guys that are true 4th lines guys unfortunately. Not good. I think we do miss some more veteran leadership from outside the organization that was brought in like we had with Foligno for example. They said he was a second captain when he was here.

Also there is no way they take the C from Brad. We should stop talking about it before Kevin Paul DuPont does another ‘Strip the C from Thornton’ rant like we saw years ago only he will call it ‘Mash Marchand that C ain’t for captain it’s for cookie with Brad’……….

Marchand is still getting over surgery and brings it. Might be running out of juice but he gets a pass from me as he’s a heart and soul leader. Plenty of others to look at that need to step up (Pasta, Chuckie, Coyle & Zacha to name a few).

 

[DKH]

You can pick on certain players (except Korpi who was great) but something feels wrong, and it is the whole team.

We are slower but still should be better than this.

Players have lost their confidence...you can see it in their slumped shoulders and frowns. IMO confidence is HUGE for the players. It was sad to see the Bs last night. They shouldn't be this bad. Timing is off.

The coach needs to get the team going. The team has more talent and smarts than to play like they did last night. A couple of the players are nursing injuries but still....it should not be this bad.

Someone needs to fix the PP.

My hope is a good game will help turn this around. I want to see the guys enjoying playing the game.

We were so spoiled with the season they had the last two years. It is sure more fun when they win.

I went to game last night with a guy who played defense and college athlete and he said they are the biggest defense he’s ever seen and skating as a group is exceptional. He made the usual comments McAvoy needs to walk the line, they over pass - maybe even try a PP with standard 2 defenseman and kill the umbrella

 

[Gee Wally]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/10/29/sports/bruins-flyers/

There’s a power outage in Boston.

The Bruins couldn’t capitalize on four power-play chances — landing just two total shots — in a 2-0 loss to the Flyers Tuesday night at TD Garden.

The five-on-five attack was equally anemic as the Bruins’ offense failed to consistently connect on passes or generate quality chances against a Flyers club that came in giving up nearly 4.5 goals per game, second worst in the NHL.

The Flyers frustrated the Bruins by blocking 28 shots — a hallmark of any John Tortorella-coached club. By taking away Boston’s first option, it led to too much skating and too much indecisiveness with the puck.

“They do block a lot,” said Brad Marchand. “Sometimes when that’s happening you’ve got to get more guys in front of the net and hope kind of for bounces off shin pads or off skates, whatever. You kind of get a little uglier, you can shoot off bodies and when you have traffic it’s a lot easier to do that. So again, we just have to be more direct and less perimeter against teams like that.”

Jim Montgomery’s club was shut out for the second time in its last four games after being blanked in Nashville last week. The coach said it was simply a lack of playmaking.

“We’re not doing enough to generate high-danger scoring chances,” said Montgomery. “Whether that’s a will to go to those areas or not. Not the right game plan. We’re all culpable for not coming out with a victory tonight.”

The Bruins were unable to build on the momentum generated by the overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday, which had snapped a three-game skid.

“It seems like some guys are still fighting it as far as their confidence and their ability to just be smooth with the puck on the ice,” said Montgomery.

Korpisalo (17 saves) made a handful of Grade A stops, including early back-to-back saves on winger Bobby Brink, first deflecting one with the blocker and then smothering the follow-up with his right pad.


Montgomery said the power-play operation was just too slow.

“If you move the puck quick enough and you’re thinking shot first, they’re not going to be in shot lanes,” he said. “There’s one less player, especially five-on-three, then there’s two less players.”

Boston’s best chance to get the equalizer came while it was shorthanded in the third. Marchand beat the Flyers below the goal line and flipped the puck toward Ersson, who awkwardly fumbled it and watched as it rolled toward the net. The goalie flopped on just in time to keep it out by inches.

Joel Farabee closed the door with an empty-netter with 24 ticks left to seal Philadelphia’s first regulation win in Boston since Oct. 6, 2011.

“We got away from playing hard at the net in the third and they did a really good job with blocks, and they protected their net front very well, but we needed to be better in that area,” said Marchand.

 

[analyser]

Charlie McAvoy is very overrated in my opinion. He does not fit in to the top 10 in NHL defensemen. He cannot run a powerplay, makes a lot of very stupid turnovers, doesn't hit enough and looks like he has no desire. He also has no ability to control the game like some D really have the knack.

He shows the odd bit of jump every now and then but very inconsistent.

 

[whitetape]

Good breakdown. But also depressing to read and the truth hurts. I think they will can Monty before game 20. Fair or not it’s the easy move, I like him but they cannot change much on a very below average roster with little scoring (Sweeney again owns that). I was sure this year would be similar to last year but man oh man it ain’t headed that way I terms of effort. We have too many guys that are true 4th lines guys unfortunately. Not good. I think we do miss some more veteran leadership from outside the organization that was brought in like we had with Foligno for example. They said he was a second captain when he was here.

Also there is no way they take the C from Brad. We should stop talking about it before Kevin Paul DuPont does another ‘Strip the C from Thornton’ rant like we saw years ago only he will call it ‘Mash Marchand that C ain’t for captain it’s for cookie with Brad’……….

Marchand is still getting over surgery and brings it. Might be running out of juice but he gets a pass from me as he’s a heart and soul leader. Plenty of others to look at that need to step up (Pasta, Chuckie, Coyle & Zacha to name a few).

Except KPD, as out of it as ever, just last week speculated that Marchand would be getting a three-year deal.