BRUINS GDT GAME 21 7:08 PM - The Joe Sacco era begins - NESN, ESPN+, SNO, 98.5 WBZ-FM

[aguineapig72]

The PP “strategy” is so predictable even I could climb over the glass in time to pick off that damn slow back drop pass and skate up ice for a short- handed attempt.

Maybe a couple times a game when the guy with the puck is almost to centre ice have the wingers crisscross up ahead to gain speed and then turn and dump it in deep to a corner and beat their D to the puck instead of the drop pass. I seem to remember winning a Game 7 in the playoffs last year that way.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Winnipeg is ranked #1 on the power play at the moment. Last season they were 22nd. New assistant coach Davis Payne is being credited with the turn around. Payne played 22 NHL games (with the Bruins!). He had zero power play points.

Power play is all about execution, not strategy.

Ability as a player doesn't automatically translate to coaching. Most of the very best players have been failures as coaches.



Seems to me it has worked pretty well.

The way I see it, when we had a good PP they passed the puck quickly and everyone knew where they were supposed to be so there were quick blind passes and lots of movement. This season they are very slow and deliberate and thus the PK units are right on top of them all the time.

Speed kills and right now the Bruins play slow.

On paper Sacco Bruins look the same as Monty Bruins so we shall see if the effort level changes soon enough.

 

[The don godfather]

Let's go sacco! The don godfather is on board.

 

[EverettMike]

I am really looking forward to this game.

Will they look great? Will they look like shit? Will Joe Sacco finally introduce himself to David Pastrnak? THE SUSPENSE IS TERRIBLE I HOPE IT WILL LAST!

 

[xStanleyCupsFor]

New coach, Geekie on the first line again. Does this guy have Kompromat on the whole Bruins organization? He's a low end 3rd liner and nothing more.

 

[DKH]

How old are Sacco’s kids? His wife isn’t going to want him to not drop interim if he’s good and move back to ……Medfah ?

 

[PB37]

New coach, Geekie on the frist line again. Does this guy have Kompromat on the whole Bruins organization? He's a low end 3rd liner and nothing more.

I think they're trying to get him out of his funk by putting him with Pasta. Or maybe artificially inflating his point totals to look more attractive to a buyer.

 

[TD Charlie]

New coach, Geekie on the frist line again. Does this guy have Kompromat on the whole Bruins organization? He's a low end 3rd liner and nothing more.

In all fairness, there have been periods where Geekie shined playing RW with quality forwards. I don't think it's a long term thing, but if it's not Pastrnak, I don't mind it being Geekie. As awful as he's been, we know he's got a few gears to go before he redlines

 

[weaponomega]

I think we need to recalibrate how we watch Bruins games.

After 15 years, we're used to seeing them control the game for most part, in particular we're used to seeing them spend most of their time with the puck and on offense.

This team needs to walk before they can run. Focus on the small things that lead to winning. That means focus on your effort and details. Ignore the score and just try to win your line battles tonight. Defense first. If you defend well, you'll have the puck more. Goalies need to compete. Battle for every save. Get that hunger back!

Nice. I want to see no dumb penalties tonight and limit the number of turnovers in the neutral and defensive zone. I think that would be a good start.

 

[TD Charlie]

I think we need to recalibrate how we watch Bruins games.

After 15 years, we're used to seeing them control the game for most part, in particular we're used to seeing them spend most of their time with the puck and on offense.

This team needs to walk before they can run. Focus on the small things that lead to winning. That means focus on your effort and details. Ignore the score and just try to win your line battles tonight. Defense first. If you defend well, you'll have the puck more. Goalies need to compete. Battle for every save. Get that hunger back!

Agree completely. It's the Julien model. Fully commit to team defense, the rest should follow.

 

[FRyan4426]

I’m officially excited for tonight. Just threw some brats win the crock pot with peppers and onions for some game time grub. Can’t wait to crack a cold one and hopefully not be pissed within 5 minutes.

 

[PB37]

I’m officially excited for tonight. Just threw some brats win the crock pot with peppers and onions for some game time grub. Can’t wait to crack a cold one and hopefully not be pissed within 5 minutes.

you SOB. That sounds delicious.

 

[smithformeragent]

Interesting timing in terms of the fact that I got a migraine before watching this team play today.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I take it you don't watch the Bruins games at all.

The Bruins, for some time now, employ what most teams use for zone entry on the PP. McAvoy leads the rush and drops the puck back to a forward (usually Pasta) and they try to enter as a unit.

It is usually Pasta and I wish it wasn't. Never made sense to me - the guys who are good at zone entry are usually at least one of either fast or good at puck-carrying through traffic. Pasta is really neither of those things, which results in a lot of failed entries. I don't get why it's not Marchand. He's not quick either but he's more nimble, even in his declining state. Or maybe even E Lindholm. Reality is the Bruins have no great options on this front but I'd prefer they at least try something else.

Our PP has bigger problems, to be sure, but this is a little one that bugs me.

 

[xStanleyCupsFor]

In all fairness, there have been periods where Geekie shined playing RW with quality forwards. I don't think it's a long term thing, but if it's not Pastrnak, I don't mind it being Geekie. As awful as he's been, we know he's got a few gears to go before he redlines

I get it. But if they were going to be short a few top 6 forwards, someone like Heinen would have fit much better with skill guys. Neither Lysell nor Merkulov grabbed the spot, so they were stuck with Geekie. Again, falls under poor roster construction.

 

[xStanleyCupsFor]

Agree completely. It's the Julien model. Fully commit to team defense, the rest should follow.

Exactly, and team defense does't only include d zone coverage. It starts with a proper forecheck, even if it's a passive one, and then strong neutral zone play, hard back check, stand up at the blue line, "layers" as Brick likes to say. The offense will open up when the other team starts coughing up the puck.

 

[22Brad Park]

I like what he said about stubborn on powerplay.I agree with him.My own add to this would be to attack on pp not play perimeter hockey.Guy on half wall should be trying to skate to the middle to get shot off more often as others go to the net.

 

[goldenblack]

I know this much.

if THIS game, they aren't hard in the corners...

if THIS GAME, that doesn't happen.

Top 7 pick

 

[22Brad Park]

New coach, Geekie on the first line again. Does this guy have Kompromat on the whole Bruins organization? He's a low end 3rd liner and nothing more.

The Bruins have to have balance they don't have weapons like yrs past .No more Hall ,Debrusk types to work with up front.

I know this much.

if THIS game, they aren't hard in the corners...

if THIS GAME, that doesn't happen.

Top 7 pick

please top 5

 

[BTO]

Let’s go boys! A new age now begins! Best of luck to Joe! Go Bruins!

 

[JerseyBruin]

I sense a line brawl tonight ....

Between which posters here

 

[Over the volcano]

I think we need to recalibrate how we watch Bruins games.

After 15 years, we're used to seeing them control the game for most part, in particular we're used to seeing them spend most of their time with the puck and on offense.

This team needs to walk before they can run. Focus on the small things that lead to winning. That means focus on your effort and details. Ignore the score and just try to win your line battles tonight. Defense first. If you defend well, you'll have the puck more. Goalies need to compete. Battle for every save. Get that hunger back!

All I want from the team is energy, focus and effort. All they can control really

 

[RI.B FAN]

In what way?

Julien was here when Sweeney came in. He was coach for 10 seasons! His time was up.

Cassidy was here for 6 seasons. He'd seemed to have lost the team when he was let go.

Monty? Pretty sure the consensus was he had to go.

This is right on the money, they can say all they want, but Monty had lost them just as the two previous coaches

 

[Gee Wally]

Between which posters here

 

[BTO]

I’m officially excited for tonight. Just threw some brats win the crock pot with peppers and onions for some game time grub. Can’t wait to crack a cold one and hopefully not be pissed within 5 minutes.

I’m up for that (or as the kids say, I’m down for that). For how long do you put those puppies in said crockpot?