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

[BiteThisBurrows]

These new lines smack of desperation. The mantra was don't break up the 4th line it's our best line. Now since it's our only line let's put one of them on each of the other lines. Pure desperation.

Don't see how switching lines like this will get them skating or add the speed which is clearly missing from just about everybody (except maybe Pasta and Poitras). Marchand getting caught (I think it was by Tippett) on a potential breakaway is representative of the problem. In past years he would have beat that back checker and had a scoring chance. Now, not so much.

He's not the only one. A number of them have slowed down or just play slow. Brazeau doesn't look super slow any more, even though he is, because all the other guys around him are also SLOW. It's not a new problem. We've had issues with keeping up to fast teams for years, it's just gotten worse this year by a lot.

Everyone talked about how tough Florida was and how we needed to be bigger, but they forgot that Florida is also FAST and they get there fast and their forecheck works because they are fast and physical not just physical.

I doubt Lysell is an answer, but this team desperately needs speed added and an increased pace or we are headed for the draft lottery.

 

[BergyWho37]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851652355885871320

Zacha shooting on the net during practice and the boards go boom ..

*Monty stands behind him .. hit the F’n net! * as the vein on his head bulges almost to breaking point.

 

[khanomcat]

It's 10 games why nine points isn't ideal it is what it is they haven't played well that's obvious but they haven't had much luck either when things are going well some of those shots last night bounce off a leg and go in the net and we win two to one or three to one and then everybody would be talking about how we're back to our defensive game and the goalie was great and not so much about losing we'll see how they look over the next 10 games maybe you call up a guy from Providence just to give the line up a different look for a few games I don't think there's anyone down there that's going to contribute consistently but a little shake up having one of the regulars come out of the lineup is a little message setting tone and more than that just to like I mentioned give the lineup a different look and feel way too many good players on this team for them to be not scoring on a five on three getting shut out by the flyers in losing these games we will turn it around I'm very confident in that the core has been here for a long time they're not going to continue losing at this rate

Guess you missed the lessons on punctuation and capitalization...

 

[Gordoff]

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.

Excellent analysis again, Dustin. First things first, fire Montgomery but do NOT hire a "permanent" replacement right off the bat. IF they're going to go with Sacco or Leach, make one of them an interim coach to see how the season plays out and to get a look at what they have so that they can re-assess at the end of the season.

 

[Number8]

I try to maintain a half dozen friends no matter how bad I’m doing I can look at their bleak situations and it picks me up and I feel better about myself

Very uplifting
#gratitude

I think that is a wise thing to do. I follow the same path.

My friend Doug told me it was unkind and judgmental for me to do that.

I said "Yeah, that's true Dougie. But you are a very doughy and your skin is bad. Plus you have a shitty job.".

I immediately felt much much better.

Dougie feels like shit, but if he's smart he'll find a friend who's even doughier and oilier skinned than he is.

The pyramid of life......

Guess you missed the lessons on punctuation and capitalization...

puNctuation and VAPitalination is overrated,

Come to think of it so is smelling/

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

There are other things going on (outside of hockey) that have many of us going nuts.

That might be an added part of the frustration. Non entertaining Bruins is

Not sure if anyone posted this yet but these were the lines at this morning's practice

View attachment 923946

Coach is terrified.

 

[Number8]

What have you done for me lately

More times than not they play stale

Grades for 10 games
1. Florida - brutal/ ambushed
2. Montreal - good bit sloppy
3. Kings - outplayed but endured
4. Florida - undisciplined *
5. Colorado- good Bruins game
6. Utah- outskated Swayman best B
7. Nashville - dreadful shutout
8. Dallas - undisciplined *
9. Toronto - very strong effort
10. Philly- to peripheral/ not good enough

So
Toronto, Colorado, Montreal B+
Kings & Utah C/C- (Swayman gets them 3 points)

Five fails

Florida F’s

Leaders Marchand & Pastrnak 9 minors worth 18 penalties in the Florida & Dallas games here

Nashville & Philadelphia shut them out

I’m GM if they don’t play like their hair is on fire tomorrow I’m making a change

Jesus.... when you put it like that, things don't look so good.

 

[BruinDust]

Excellent analysis again, Dustin. First things first, fire Montgomery but do NOT hire a "permanent" replacement right off the bat. IF they're going to go with Sacco or Leach, make one of them an interim coach to see how the season plays out and to get a look at what they have so that they can re-assess at the end of the season.

Me personally I'd like them to turf them all if they can't turn it around and get back to being a top defensive team (the offense will be a pop-gun regardless). But if they just turn it over to Sacco or Leach, absolutely it needs to be an interim basis. If they go outside, an interim offer may not get it done with they guy they want. I have no idea who they would go to if it was an outside party. Off the top of my head the options aren't exactly numerous. Mitch Love was a name that seemed to get high praise among hockey circles (currently assistant with Washington).

 

[bruins cup]

Guess you missed the lessons on punctuation and capitalization...

Voice typing voice typing

 

[LouJersey]

How come the coach doesn’t get any cache for taking a team “retooling on the fly” to 110 pts and second round appearance but the GM is lauded for the same accomplishment? Now not even a dozen games in people are calling for the coaches head?

 

[Sheppy]

To put it into perspective...

The two teams that shut the Bruins out this year

Predators allowed 22 goals in the 5 games they played before the Bruins - 4.40 goals allowed per game.

Flyers allowed 40 goals in 9 games before playing the Bruins - 4.44 goals allowed per game.

 

[khanomcat]

Voice typing voice typing

Ah, I see. It's just that it makes it difficult to read. Don't know if you can say "period" or whatever when you're using that...

 

[duffy]

Another performance or two like that and the coach is gone. Can't trade the whole team.

I don't have any problem with firing the coach but!
It won't make Chucky a PP quarterback, or any defenceman able to make a pass, or forward take a pass, or anyone but Pasta hit the net with a hard shot, or anyone hit anyone, or stop stupid penalties, or help clear out zone, or make Marshy younger!
This teams biggest problem is nobody except Poitras can make a tape to tape pass, so when forwards have to catch the pass or take off the center of their back, they look slow! You only need to see our 9 million dollar stud D man float that gem of a pass for the empty netter, or Pastas no look backhanded on the PP for short handed 2 on 1s, or the backward pass to nobody on the PP to see we can not pass the puck!

 

[Saxon Eric]

Lazy and entitled
I know what Harry would do

 

[mjhfb]

Seeing those practice lines wonder if Monty was listening to Tanya Tucker in his office - "I'm rearranging chairs on a ship that's going down..".

 

[NeelyDan]

I think that is a wise thing to do. I follow the same path.

My friend Doug told me it was unkind and judgmental for me to do that.

I said "Yeah, that's true Dougie. But you are a very doughy and your skin is bad. Plus you have a shitty job.".

I immediately felt much much better.

Dougie feels like shit, but if he's smart he'll find a friend who's even doughier and oilier skinned than he is.

The pyramid of life......


puNctuation and VAPitalination is overrated,

Come to think of it so is smelling/

I f***in love you lol

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

How could it be different. 1 coach versus 23 players. If you want to move a players, especially underachievers or during team difficulty, you lose value.

Always the same. Coach are WAY easier to target than players.


Claude Julien said it once. I will go down in my own terms!

You seem to be confusing who will take the blame with who is actually to blame.

 

[shelbysdad]

Along with the shots blocked, the shots wide.....how many did they foul off ??????

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I think Monty tends to mix things up too quickly behind the bench when it comes to line combos but man, been years since I`ve seen a Bruins team pass the puck like peewee`s and his in game adjustments are suspect but ultimately, it`s the players who execute or not and this team ain`t and it`s on the basics of the game, passing, positioning, focus on details

A coach who has had two seasons winning percentage of .823 and .665 hasn`t forgotten how to coach

For me, I`d put about 15% of blame on the coaching staff, horrible PP adjustments or lack of PP adjustments and 85% on the players who have been garbagio

I expected a bit of an uneven October in the sense of new faces/systems, Marchand off 3 surgeries, Poitras having not played in forever but this ? I know it isn`t true as I am sure they do but they appear to be a group that doesn`t give a shit

Great post.

 

[Bradely]

You seem to be confusing who will take the blame with who is actually to blame.

Not confusing. IMO, when a team is struggling like the Bruins....most of the team from top to bottom need to take the blame. The easiest way is to put the blame where it is easier.

 

[Hookslide]

Here's my interpretation of what Monty is trying to do....

Beecher-Zacha-Pastrnak
Zacha & Pastrnak have shown they can play well together...but they have no sense of urgency right now. Monty wants Beecher to use his speed to get in on the forecheck to win puck battles and force Zacha & Pastrnak to play with more pace.

Marchand-Lindholm-Kastelic
Lindholm stylistically is like Bergeron and that's a style Marchand is used to. Kastelic is an absolute dog that will get in an help win puck battles, go to the net and bring some energy.

Frederic-Poitras-Brazeau
Metric wise, when Poitras is on the ice the Bruins are generating offensive opportunities. The trio of Poitras, Frederic and Brazeau have some good underlying numbers in the ~17 minutes they've played together, so maybe it works

Jones-Coyle-Koepke
This is the line that I'm not really sure about. I'd rather see Geekie with Coyle & Koepke, but this feels like a line that Monty is putting together to be a "shutdown" line.

The one looming problem with these line changes, will they last a game, a shift, period, we all know not likely to go two games untouched. I like the first line, and Pata and Zacha have chemistry, and I am pulling for Beecher. In my eyes, he could be a sleeper on this team.
Not loving line two.
Line three interesting, Poitras, I have always said to be honest, not sure he was ready and maybe was being rushed, but never said he did not have the skill, my other question is can he hold up over a long season. Maybe Freddy will step up and show some leadership playing with the kid, can only hope.
Line four Coyle will still be a top PK guy, and I hope this is a good way to give Jones some playing time, and hopefully he does well enough to quiet the haters, they seem to forget that he has been injured and was so in camp, the same camp that Lindholm missed but has been given a pass.
This needs to be done, this cannot continue without some kind of response from coaching and from players. If this is not the cure all next response should be from management.

 

[22Brad Park]

These new lines smack of desperation. The mantra was don't break up the 4th line it's our best line. Now since it's our only line let's put one of them on each of the other lines. Pure desperation.

Don't see how switching lines like this will get them skating or add the speed which is clearly missing from just about everybody (except maybe Pasta and Poitras). Marchand getting caught (I think it was by Tippett) on a potential breakaway is representative of the problem. In past years he would have beat that back checker and had a scoring chance. Now, not so much.

He's not the only one. A number of them have slowed down or just play slow. Brazeau doesn't look super slow any more, even though he is, because all the other guys around him are also SLOW. It's not a new problem. We've had issues with keeping up to fast teams for years, it's just gotten worse this year by a lot.

Everyone talked about how tough Florida was and how we needed to be bigger, but they forgot that Florida is also FAST and they get there fast and their forecheck works because they are fast and physical not just physical.

I doubt Lysell is an answer, but this team desperately needs speed added and an increased pace or we are headed for the draft lottery.

Draft Lottery would be a good thing for this franchise at this stage.They clearly need more talent in pipeline.

 

[Hookslide]

I think Monty tends to mix things up too quickly behind the bench when it comes to line combos but man, been years since I`ve seen a Bruins team pass the puck like peewee`s and his in game adjustments are suspect but ultimately, it`s the players who execute or not and this team ain`t and it`s on the basics of the game, passing, positioning, focus on details

A coach who has had two seasons winning percentage of .823 and .665 hasn`t forgotten how to coach

For me, I`d put about 15% of blame on the coaching staff, horrible PP adjustments or lack of PP adjustments and 85% on the players who have been garbagio

I expected a bit of an uneven October in the sense of new faces/systems, Marchand off 3 surgeries, Poitras having not played in forever but this ? I know it isn`t true as I am sure they do but they appear to be a group that doesn`t give a shit

If my math is correct, 15 % coaching and 85% players = 100 % and that means 0% on management, I think not.

 

[Hookslide]

Montgomery says he has no idea why Pasta/Lindholm hasn't worked, is breaking up the fourth line in hopes the three performing players make the others better, and feels they are thinking too much, which makes them predictable and slow.

Maybe that is why he was playing third line in Vancouver, but Donnie just thought it was a small matter.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Draft Lottery would be a good thing for this franchise at this stage.They clearly need more talent in pipeline.

Well if you're going to fail it is better to fail big and we can also flip Marchand and Freddy at the deadline. Maybe others. (they can still come back next year if you want). We have those playoff warrior pieces that would interest real contenders. With the right moves I can see a fairly quick turnaround unless they botch another draft like you know when........

Chances are though they'll be good enough to either squeak in and lose to Florida again or just miss and thus not do much of anything.