Post-Game Talk: GAME 27 - Newark 2 BRUINS 1 F/OT

[Carl Hungus]

6 pages for a loss. Typical.

All the chicken littles look silly when the Bruins are 1st in the East.

You've posted in this thread at least 3 times, including complaining about Lindholm. Not sure how you can do that and still make this kind of comment.

 

[NDiesel]

18-5-3. And we’re selling at the deadline.

I dont think it's a wild thought. Basically they have to decide if they are okay letting Gryz/Forbort (maybe Debrusk?) walk at the end of the year and try to make a run with them, or if they would prefer to recover some assets at the deadline.

I think you could make some logical arguments for both. If anything I'd probably look to trade those guys for different types of dmen who may be here for multiple years. Not sure the draft capital you would get for those guys is worth it.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

You did see they were missing Zacha and McAvoy right? (yea I know NJ was missing Dougie.) I'm pretty sure most here aren't like "oh no!" and having some epiphany that the Bruins "aren't good this year".

Bruins are like 33% thru the season and have the best point % in the eastern conference.

Of course, but the lack of depth is part of the problem right. I mean think about it, if you'd said before the season "we will be okay unless Zacha gets hurt" would that make anyone think we were a cup contender? Good teams can fill in for injuries. We can't. The prospect pool is THIN. We had no one to replace Lucic in his role. We have no one to replace Zacha. The only center prospect we have worth anything is already up in Poitras and Monty doesn't trust him in close games.

The D still caves under a forecheck and they can't handle top speed like the Sabres gave us the other night. The team is structured (with it's D structure which is obviously good) to hang in and win some close games but mostly hopes Pasta and Marchand will score a goal for them. The rest of the offense is almost non existent. You just don't go far with that.

Will we make the playoffs? Probably. Will we get past the first round? Unlikely.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

You've posted in this thread at least 3 times, including complaining about Lindholm. Not sure how you can do that and still make this kind of comment.

Very easily.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

12 games in November

9-1-2 no so bad

Yeah great start good thing or they wouldn’t be 9 points up on 8 th spot in conference,but that will dissipate with a 500 record if it continues was my initial post said.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

I dont think it's a wild thought. Basically they have to decide if they are okay letting Gryz/Forbort (maybe Debrusk?) walk at the end of the year and try to make a run with them, or if they would prefer to recover some assets at the deadline.

I think you could make some logical arguments for both. If anything I'd probably look to trade those guys for different types of dmen who may be here for multiple years. Not sure the draft capital you would get for those guys is worth it.

Making a lateral trade is a lot different than selling off. A top 2 or 3 team in a conference selling off assets for draft capital is kind of silly.

 

[NDiesel]

Making a lateral trade is a lot different than selling off. A top 2 or 3 team in a conference selling off assets for draft capital is kind of silly.

It really depends, if they lose round 1 surely we would all have preferred they just get some assets, on the flip side if they make a good run none of us will care about not getting any assets.

I don't think I would want to sell, but I can see the argument for it.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I agree, once you are in, all bets are off. Look at 2019 as a great example- Blues were dead last in the league and surged and got in, and we know what happened. For that matter, the Bruins were not a serious contender according to some, but the path was easier to the Finals than many predicted it would be. Injuries can happen to anyone and change a lot. This team to me does not scream Cup favorite, but it also good enough that once the playoffs start, anything can happen.

They have 2 #1D, 2 #1G, and an elite winger as the core of what makes them win games. Its not just goaltending.

Marchand and Carlo are also "above average" for where they slot into the roster.

But, the rest of the roster is mid at best for the roles they are slotted into.

They went into the season needing to see what they had in the kids and regroup with a hard cap situation with the bonus overages.

To be successful, they had to kick ass against the soft schedule at the beginning of the year, and then try to win a lot of tight low scoring games.

They are breaking in kids. They are winning games with defense and goaltending. They are really checking off all the checkboxes a realistic fan had going into the season.

So it's natural to want to change the goals mid-stream here. But, their ceiling is limited without some additions to the roster. And it's not that time of year, yet.

Two very good posts, and some common sense in a thread that frankly has lacked it. Too many folks playing the same tired old hits.

It's a transition year. The decent start hasn't changed that. Have a crack, don't do anything silly at the trade table. Qualify for the playoffs, which they will, the ranking doesn't matter. Then take your best shot, see what happens. No expectations from me beyond that.

Otherwise the one thing I'm looking for more than anything else at the moment can be summed up in one word - 'identity'. A few others here have noted it. What exact brand of hockey does this team want to play? What are the things it wants to prioritize as strengths, what does it want to pride itself on?, i.e., when you play the Bruins, you will get x y z, nine times out of ten. At the moment there's a few elements you can point to, but they're not rounded out or strong enough. An area to work on for sure.

 

[Forester65]

Donny someway somehow let's get another top 6 fwd in here. Make it happen captain

We need a forward that drives play. Someone with a lot of energy and good puck possession skills.

 

[Mione134]

Question for the forum: Would you rather some adversity  now rather than sailing fine into the playoffs with no issues and then having adversity? Because last year we were smooth sailing and BAM. Playoffs we crashed and burned.

For me personally, I'd rather this little rut now, rather than later.

 

[Sheppy]

Question for the forum: Would you rather some adversity  now rather than sailing fine into the playoffs with no issues and then having adversity? Because last year we were smooth sailing and BAM. Playoffs we crashed and burned.

For me personally, I'd rather this little rut now, rather than later.

I mean, now... I guess? At the end of the day I'd rather them up their play in the post season which we haven't seen in a while now.

I'd also rather this team start playing tougher hockey and I'd rather they trade a few guys to get help in that area, too.

 

[Mione134]

I mean, now... I guess? At the end of the day I'd rather them up their play in the post season which we haven't seen in a while now.

I'd also rather this team start playing tougher hockey and I'd rather they trade a few guys to get help in that area, too.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Early adversity breeds good character. Better now then later.

As for the other things? One game at a time.

 

[BlackFrancis]

Have a look at the 2011 Bruins schedule and results, paying attention to the final stretch of games.

2013? Same ass dragging into the playoffs.

Trying to make sense of the NHL playoffs is a fool's errand.

 

[Score08]

6 pages for a loss. Typical.

All the chicken littles look silly when the Bruins are 1st in the East.

How did that work out for them last year? You think this team is better equipped than last years? Not all of us are bury-our-heads in the sand bruins fans , it’s okay to recognize this isn’t the year.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

How did that work out for them last year? You think this team is better equipped than last years? Not all of us are bury-our-heads in the sand bruins fans , it’s okay to recognize this isn’t the year.

The lesson learned should be that it doesn’t really matter how they look in December. Playoffs are a ways away and are unpredictable.

2011-12 Bruins were dominant and looked better than the cup winning team at times in the regular season and lost in the first round.

 

[Aeroforce]

I'm with those saying the game was a chore to watch. It was frustrating in that the national announcers were bleating about the Devils needing to trade for a goalie, but the B's never seemed interested in upping their SOG.

Geekie may not have first line skill, but he may have necessary skills for the first line. If he can do the dirty work, win puck battles, etc., it will benefit Pastrnak and Marchand.

Poitras did see the ice in the third, and even late; so hopefully that will build his confidence.

Lauko-Beecher-Steen are eating minutes and not hurting the team; but even a little offense would go a long way, even in limited TOI.

There isn't a team in the league without holes. So the B's aren't alone.

Last year, more often than not the B's pulled out games like last night's. There will be fewer goalie hugs this year.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

The lesson learned should be that it doesn’t really matter how they look in December. Playoffs are a ways away and are unpredictable.

2011-12 Bruins were dominant and looked better than the cup winning team at times in the regular season and lost in the first round.

Difficult to repeat

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

3.5 months to the playoffs. People jumping the gun

 

[Score08]

The lesson learned should be that it doesn’t really matter how they look in December. Playoffs are a ways away and are unpredictable.

2011-12 Bruins were dominant and looked better than the cup winning team at times in the regular season and lost in the first round.

What does this have to do with the way team is built ? Last years team was way better, and would’ve skated circles around this years team, had a historic season, and they were manhandled and embarrassed in the PO , you honestly think this team is more capable and better equipped than last years team? This was always a bridge year, no one expected them to be this successful, but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this team is going places. Not unless Sweeney pulls off multiple huge deals.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

What does this have to do with the way team is built ? Last years team was way better, and would’ve skated circles around this years team, had a historic season, and they were manhandled and embarrassed in the PO , you honestly think this team is more capable and better equipped than last years team? This was always a bridge year, no one expected them to be this successful, but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this team is going places. Not unless Sweeney pulls off multiple huge deals.

We’ll agree to disagree then.

Difficult to repeat

Some people think cucumbers taste better pickled.

 

[Trizz617]

Team has its warts. Yet in a "retool" year of sorts, the performance on ice has been better than I expected. Glass half full and all.

Not in the least bit concerned about President trophy accolades and such. Just keep plugging along and away, get to the dance and see what happens, house money style.

 

[HustleB]

Let me attack this from a different angle.

The hot start was a pleasant surprise.
However, one consequence of said hot start is that it makes it more difficult to simply stand pat and let the season play out, even if it means not contending for the Cup.

The coffers are basically empty.

So again, what do you do? Do you let it play out and hope for the best?

You have few chips to work with.

I let it play out. I try to iron out the team defense so that we can win games 2-1 or 3-2. The offense can’t be fixed without mortgaging the future but the defense needs to be. We are no longer the defensive team we had with Julien/Cassidy/Bergeron but we need to be. That’s where I would focus.

 

[Secord]

unless you are the CEO, a millionaire, marry either a beauty queen or porn star - or preferably both, valedictorian, your dog wins overall at Westminster (such pressure for that dog, one ill advised balls lick… ) or win Stanley Cup it’s all a big waste of time

Childish argument. Just like thinking that marrying a porn star is desirable, when it is in fact as gross as it gets.

 

[CrownofThornton]

Some people think cucumbers taste better pickled.

Are we seriously gonna pretend that they don’t?

 

[TobanWest]

3.5 months to the playoffs. People jumping the gun

Yes this is true but I have always wondered why the trade deadline is when most loves should be made. Why not earlier, obviously assuming there is a partner. The holes that need to be filed or addressed for this type of year aren't the biggest names to be had. They need some solid depth options and should be doable. Trying to do too much like last year's deadline didn't go so well and not enough time to gel and adjust imo.
I know Sweeney may wait until the deadline and that is fine. Just saying other teams make things happen all season long so it's not impossible.