Post-Game Talk: GAME 50 - BRUINS 2 Ottawa 0

[Hookslide]

A once 40 goal scorer and Selke finalist having a very forgettable year so far.

He scored 40 once, and no other time did he go over 30

 

[KlausJopling]

They need to get Geekie signed before his numbers are to good to sign on a deal thats not an overpayment. He has been one of the bright spots this season.

Letteri has been nice, but he should be on the fourth line, send down Brown and call up Lysell. This whole we can't call up youth because they will screw up doesnt hold water when the vets are doing it just as much (if not more in some cases). The longer is goes from the one game Lysell played where he played well and was imediatly sent down it makes less and less sense.

Know idea what is going on with Carlo, he was never great with the puck but in his own zone he would usually make the right play with the puck. He just is a turnover machine in his own zone right now.

Callahan isnt fancy but he is actually defending out there. If he keeps it up he should be kept.

 

[DiggityDog]

4-1-1 in their last six.

Not too bad given the skid they had. Still lots of work to be done. Could be worse. Hopefully Mac and Lindy come back and make a difference.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Strong 200 foot effort that got buy in from pretty much every position group leads to a win. Good shit

Now why you can't you f***in guys do this every night?

 

[since76]

Good win. Reminded me of the victory over Washington just before the new year where there was 100% buy-in defensively. Said it after the game yesterday, but it's almost like they need a constant reminder of who they are on paper. Actually. This team, as constructed, needs to fight tooth and nail for every win. This isn't the team from a few seasons ago that could coast to regular season success.

Pastrnak is a 10. Unfortunately, next best player on the roster is probably a 5 o 6..... It's just what it is.

Often gets overlooked, but I really appreciate the role Zadorov played (despite the late minor for tripping that almost cost them). He definitely adds a presence in a way that others can't... or simply choose not to.

Still a big fan of Poitras. Thought he had an excellent game. Competes hard and has a knack for winning battles. Wish they would stop defensive subbing him for faceoffs in their own zone. More often than not it seems to result in confusion.

Jones and Brown. Meh. I want to like Jones, but I think he's one of those guys who has tools..... just doesn't have the IQ to stay in the league. Brown. I don't know why they keep giving him looks. Playing top-6 and scoring PP goals in the AHL. Oh? That doesn't translate for him at the NHL level when you are playing 8 minutes a game on the 4th line. What a shocker. What is Viel up to?

Pastrnak is now 9th in nhl
in scoring! playing with a 3rd liner and a 4th liner !!!
if he played with only one real first liner he would easily be top 5 in scoring for goals and points !!!

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Who would have predicted this one?

Me, for one.

It was only 5 days ago the Bruins had the Sens beat on their home ice before they blew it late.

Not a real stretch to think they could beat them at home.

 

[Forester65]

Playing the neutral ice "Von Trapp" is what this team needs to do to be competitive. That was a game where to opponent seemed to make more turnovers than us for a change. The PK looked much better.
I will say this, they got lucky on the called back goal. That would have crushed them as is has all season long.
Buuuuuuuuut, it didn't count and that was one of the better, more playoff like performances of the year.

We did force a lot of turnovers for a change. I also wish we would prioritize our neutral zone play. Too often other teams just fly through center ice uncontested and it creates a lot of our defensive problems. We never used to give ice away like this.

 

[since76]

They need to get Geekie signed before his numbers are to good to sign on a deal thats not an overpayment. He has been one of the bright spots this season.

Letteri has been nice, but he should be on the fourth line, send down Brown and call up Lysell. This whole we can't call up youth because they will screw up doesnt hold water when the vets are doing it just as much (if not more in some cases). The longer is goes from the one game Lysell played where he played well and was imediatly sent down it makes less and less sense.

Know idea what is going on with Carlo, he was never great with the puck but in his own zone he would usually make the right play with the puck. He just is a turnover machine in his own zone right now.

Callahan isnt fancy but he is actually defending out there. If he keeps it up he should be kept.

I love the Geekie game energy , work hard , but his numbers are there because he play with pasta , so yes sign him but at 4th liner money….the guy miss so many opportunity every games…..he is a natural
30 pts season guy ! but again love his game

 

[mikelvl]

Feels like a two horse race for the 7th player this year between Korpisalo and Freaky Geekie.

 

[Zillah]

Feels like a two horse race for the 7th player this year between Korpisalo and Freaky Geekie.

It would be criminal not to give it to The Geek

 

[mikelvl]

It would be criminal not to give it to The Geek

Unless they trade him at the deadline.....can't rule it out

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Pastrnak is now 9th in nhl
in scoring! playing with a 3rd liner and a 4th liner !!!
if he played with only one real first liner he would easily be top 5 in scoring for goals and points !!!

Cut the BS, Zacha is a mid to lower 3rd 2L forward and Geekie is a worst case
mid 3L forward.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Zacha too. Impressed with this line!

Just in.

Freddie looked a bit pale after being sick. Nice to see him back.

What is up With Justin B?

I was so happy for Korpi...He was excellent.

Brad worked hard tonight (as always). What a leader.

Nice to see the hugs and smiles from the Bs.


The Upchuck brothers.

Good question.

Beecher and Jones played 5 minutes each. Brown played 9 minutes.

Brazeau can't dress over these guys? He's 6th on the team in goals with limited ice time.

 

[BTO]

For perspective, the 2018 - 2019 Cup Champion Blues were: 23 - 23 - 5 right around this point that season.

The Bruins are 24 - 20 - 6

"Stuff Happens"

Unfortunately it usually happens to us rather than for us.

 

[Hookslide]

Pastrnak is now 9th in nhl
in scoring! playing with a 3rd liner and a 4th liner !!!
if he played with only one real first liner he would easily be top 5 in scoring for goals and points !!!

Geekie, until recently has not proven to be any more than a third liner, but at this time he is playing very well and his confidence, seems to be on the rise, I suggest enjoy it while it lasts, and one never knows, it would not be the first time a player's game grew from the unexpected. you are way off base with Zacha, he is top six, in my mind no doubt.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Playing the neutral ice "Von Trapp" is what this team needs to do to be competitive. That was a game where to opponent seemed to make more turnovers than us for a change. The PK looked much better.
I will say this, they got lucky on the called back goal. That would have crushed them as is has all season long.
Buuuuuuuuut, it didn't count and that was one of the better, more playoff like performances of the year.

Excellent point.

On what basis? 5v5, Oesterle has some of the best numbers on the team amongst the defenders. Best plus/minus, 3rd most shots blocked per 60 mins, 2nd best on ice corsi percentage, 2nd best expected goals for percentage. Nothing against Callahan, but Oesterle's been very tidy, relatively speaking at least, throughout his 20 games so far.

Don't see him pushing his way into the best 6 when everyone's fit, but to me he's first man up as the designated 7D at present.

Actually, that would be Zadorov, +10.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

They need to get Geekie signed before his numbers are to good to sign on a deal thats not an overpayment. He has been one of the bright spots this season.Letteri has been nice, but he should be on the fourth line, send down Brown and call up Lysell. This whole we can't call up youth because they will screw up doesnt hold water when the vets are doing it just as much (if not more in some cases). The longer is goes from the one game Lysell played where he played well and was imediatly sent down it makes less and less sense.Know idea what is going on with Carlo, he was never great with the puck but in his own zone he would usually make the right play with the puck. He just is a turnover machine in his own zone right now.

Callahan isnt fancy but he is actually defending out there. If he keeps it up he should be kept.

Credited with 5 giveaways last night, no one on either team had more than 2.

 

[sarge88]

Unfortunately it usually happens to us rather than for us.

TBH it rarely happens at all -- but if we gave up on our teams every time things seemed bleak, life would be pretty ominous.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Each of us is going to watch our favorite teams play anywhere from 70 to 100% more regular season games than playoffs in a given year.

Yes, the end goal is always a championship, but each year only 1 team or around 3% of teams in a given league will win it all.

I watch for the excitement, the distraction from real life, the camaraderie that watching sports fosters, the opportunity to see something unique to the sport and because it often brings back memories. Sports are just fun!

If keeping an open mind, looking on the bright side whenever possible and believing something good can happen when it seems unlikely is wrong....then I'll happily be wrong until my dying breath.

I'm not dumb enough to try to convince people that this team is winning a cup. But I'm also not naive enough to think that in January 2019 -- the St. Louis Blues board wasn't filled with "Blow It Up", "Trade Pietrangelo or Parayko" posts on a daily basis.

Yes, it's unlikely that any team outside the playoff structure in mid-January wins another cup anytime soon -- but it did happen, which means it can happen, which means I'll still be rooting for it!

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

We did force a lot of turnovers for a change. I also wish we would prioritize our neutral zone play. Too often other teams just fly through center ice uncontested and it creates a lot of our defensive problems. We never used to give ice away like this.

Probably had as much to do with the Sens as it did the B's.

 

[BMC]

Feels like a two horse race for the 7th player this year between Korpisalo and Freaky Geekie.

It would be criminal not to give it to The Geek

You're forgetting Kastelic

 

[caz16]

That's not a choke. Good grief

It reminds me of when they slowed down Zee hitting Crosby in the jaw during the playoffs. They made it look like it was a knockout punch. I watched the "choke hold" live on our feed and it was nothing but a gesture. If he had squeezed, I think it would have been different.

 

[KrugAvoy]

Feels like a two horse race for the 7th player this year between Korpisalo and Freaky Geekie.

Don't forget Kastelic

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Feels like a two horse race for the 7th player this year between Korpisalo and Freaky Geekie.

There's a lot of games left.

Wasn't long ago it was a one-horse race for Kastelic.

 

[Sheppy]

I'm not against giving Korpisalo a few games here. He has a winning record at 9-4-2, and his goals against and save percentage are better than Swaymans.

 

[Dr Hook]

TBH it rarely happens at all -- but if we gave up on our teams every time things seemed bleak, life would be pretty ominous.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Each of us is going to watch our favorite teams play anywhere from 70 to 100% more regular season games than playoffs in a given year.

Yes, the end goal is always a championship, but each year only 1 team or around 3% of teams in a given league will win it all.

I watch for the excitement, the distraction from real life, the camaraderie that watching sports fosters, the opportunity to see something unique to the sport and because it often brings back memories. Sports are just fun!

If keeping an open mind, looking on the bright side whenever possible and believing something good can happen when it seems unlikely is wrong....then I'll happily be wrong until my dying breath.

I'm not dumb enough to try to convince people that this team is winning a cup. But I'm also not naive enough to think that in January 2019 -- the St. Louis Blues board wasn't filled with "Blow It Up", "Trade Pietrangelo or Parayko" posts on a daily basis.

Yes, it's unlikely that any team outside the playoff structure in mid-January wins another cup anytime soon -- but it did happen, which means it can happen, which means I'll still be rooting for it!

NIcely said. Because we care, there will always be disappointments and legitimate conversations about what the team should do now and in the future, but at the end of the day, I just want them to win hockey games and, hopefully, another Stanley Cup or two. It is also easy to get pessimistic as a Bruins fan after 1 Cup in 53 years despite having some great teams and some of the best players of their eras.

That said, I never want them to lose and will never hope they do, but I do dread the middle-of-road mediocrity mire that they have been in before and are fast approaching now. Maybe bottoming out avoids that, but then again, you can get stuck in Sabres land, too. Much better to be a top third team in the league in perpetuity, if possible