GAME 7 - This is why we are fans

[EverettMike]

:Bruins on the verge of one of the worst, most inexplicable, most indefensible collapses in sports history:

This is why we're fans.

 

[missingchicklet]

Jeremy Swayman at home this season

• 11-2-2 ; 1.79 GAA ; .932 Sv%

Swayman last twenty-one home games

• 15-2-2 ; 1.78 GAA ; .932 Sv%

I 100% start Swayman tomorrow. No question. Wish he would have started a game or two in the series already, but it's do-or-die time and Ullmark is clearly not right.

Ullmark playoff save pct last season .860
Ullmark playoff save pct this season .896

Swayman started 5 playoff games last season and ended up with a .911 save pct. He's now a better goalie than last season.

Additionally, Swayman ended the season FOURTH best in save pct in the entire league. Not like there is some huge risk of a downgrade in goal.

What the hell is the deal here? What is in Monty's "process" that excludes Swayman from starting this series when Ullmark's last two games he has been at .813 and .840? (game 2 .828) 3 stinkers out of 6 games in which your team is the favorite. Holy hell, how is this even a debate?

 

[Fenway]

Sunday, April 30 (Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA | TD Garden, Boston, MA)

- Morning skate, 10:30 a.m. (Warrior Ice Arena)

- Head Coach Jim Montgomery and select players available to the media after morning skate

- Game 7 vs Florida Panthers, 6:30 p.m. (TV: NESN, TNT, Sportsnet | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)

- Head Coach Jim Montgomery and select players available to the media following the game

 

[GordonHowe]

I have been watching Linus all season and he isn't moving the same and he looks like he is hurt.

It's a tough call but given that he is likely playing hurt, and has therefore played poorly of late, Swayman should get the start.

I understand his lack of experience, youth, etc.

Yet the move must be made.

Now, they could be a D dumpster fire again, but it's reasonable to expect that the blue line will do all it can to protect Jeremy and limit shots to the periphery.

If they go down, they go down fighting. They give their all, they play for one another, each player bringing their particular game whilst "pulling on the same rope."

They leave everything on the ice.

You know that will be the case with Patrice, Brad, Nick, Hathaway and Bertuzzi. It should also be true of Coyle, McAvoy, Zacha, and the rest.

Swayman will do all he can to steal this game.

Montgomery has to outcoach Maurice.

All of this may not be enough.

But they have to try.

And we have to support them.

As disappointing as G5 & 6 have been, the Boston Bruins are our team. They represent our town and a rabid fan base that stretches across the United States and Canada.

Those of you who will be in attendance at the Garden Sunday evening know what to do.

Lift the club with solid, sustained encouragement, and shout yourself hoarse.

Those of us viewing the game elsewhere: Send the good thought and do your best to stay upbeat.

"Do your job."

If the season ends tomorrow, it will be very, very tough to take.

The sun will rise on Monday regardless.

Go Bruins,

 

[Dr Hook]

:Bruins on the verge of one of the worst, most inexplicable, most indefensible collapses in sports history:

This is why we're fans.

Yeah I don’t really get the sentiment behind the thread title. It’s a bit like eating a turned shrimp salad, shitting all over yourself and saying ‘this is why we’re foodies’

 

[CheerstoBeers]

I'm just astounded what's happening here... I kept assuming Boston would steamroll their way to the finals and figured that it was gonna be next to impossible for a team to win 4 games against them in a 7 game series.

I still think Boston will have a huge game 7 and win but regardless, I am in shock

Me as well. I've been in complete shock all day. This team lost 12 games out of 82 and now have lost 3 out of 6 in the last week. I had visions before these playoffs of the Bruins somehow steamrolling the league and going 16-0. I wasn't sure how anyone could beat this team in a 7 game series. Just a shocking turn of events for a team that couldn't do anything wrong all year. Hopefully this is 2011 Montreal series. Went 7 games when it shouldn't have and they got better and better as the payoffs went on. They need to find their game and start rolling again like they have all season. Our D really needs to get it together, they look like they're playing hot potato back there when they get the puck. It's so far removed from what they've been all year it's shocking

 

[KnightofBoston]

Sunday, April 30 (Warrior Ice Arena, Brighton, MA | TD Garden, Boston, MA)

- Morning skate, 10:30 a.m. (Warrior Ice Arena)

- Head Coach Jim Montgomery and select players available to the media after morning skate

- Game 7 vs Florida Panthers, 6:30 p.m. (TV: NESN, TNT, Sportsnet | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)

- Head Coach Jim Montgomery and select players available to the media following the game

Really wish they’d get the ice ready early on Sunday and let them practice at TD garden.

 

[caz16]

Yeah I don’t really get the sentiment behind the thread title. It’s a bit like eating a turned shrimp salad, shitting all over yourself and saying ‘this is why we’re foodies’

I understand it, it looks a little bleak but we are fans, SO HERE WE ARE!! Hoping!

 

[PoweredByRICE]

Yeah I don’t really get the sentiment behind the thread title. It’s a bit like eating a turned shrimp salad, shitting all over yourself and saying ‘this is why we’re foodies’

You know that is morbidly funny.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Yeah I don’t really get the sentiment behind the thread title. It’s a bit like eating a turned shrimp salad, shitting all over yourself and saying ‘this is why we’re foodies’

This is honestly one of the most Bostonian explanations for something that I've ever heard lmao.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

I'll take an opportunity going into a game 7 with no Bergeron and krejci for much of series. Bruins have to earn this, Florida was going to roll over just bc B's had a good season

You got it right predicting 7 and we all thought you were nuts.

Now I am with you. I hope they win in seven.

 

[Ddawg]

I took the thread title as "get behind your team". Too much negativity after losses. There are some posters who only post after losses to tell us they knew all along, but are no where to be found after a win. Get behind your f'king team or find a new one.

Win and we are golden, lose and like it was mentioned, the sun will come up and I will still be rooting for them next year like I have for the past 50.

 

[JerseyBruin]

Tomorrow feels like it could be a repeat of game 7 in 2004 vs Montreal.

At home, 0-0 score and Montreal scores with 10 minutes left, get an empty net goal and win 2-0.

My worry is these guys tomorrow will be tight, especially the D. But they did all this to themselves which makes it all the more incredibly difficult to believe

President’s trophy might be the only hardware we have this spring…….

Yeah, my worry is they've been scoring and now Bob stands on his head and the Bruins lose a 1-0 or 2-1 type game.

 

[Over the volcano]

Just be defensively viscious

 

[KnightofBoston]

Just listening to Monty comments regarding execution and making a goalie switch, I actually really appreciated what he said and it gave me more confidence for game 7

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

Well someone who looks like him is wearing his jersey anyway.

During the Jerseys off our backs ceremony, we secretly had the recipients wear those Jerseys and play in the first round.

Lets see if the fans can tell the difference!

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

The last (and only) time this season that the Bruins lost 3 games in a row, they won their next game 5-2 against the Maple Leafs.

Here's the stat card for that game:

• Pavel Zacha scored 2 goals.
• Brandon Carlo scored a goal, was a +3, and was credited with 5 hits.
• Charlie Coyle had 2 assists.
• A.J. Greer scored a goal.
• Connor Clifton was the only -1 on the team. Not that more evidence was needed, but he needs to sit tomorrow.

* Not only have the Bruins not lost 3 home games in a row all season, they hadn't even lost 2 home games in a row all season until this series. It's nut up or shut up time. The leaders need to lead (including the coaches.)

 

[mjhfb]

Coach Monty talking to the media at Hanscom Field

View attachment 699447

I'm not from Boston but didn't the local media call Julien Sgt Shultz when things weren't going well back in 2011? Maybe this is a good sign.

 

[BruinDust]

I don't want to see whomever on the 3rd pair tomorrow night get over 10 mins.

Chicago won a cup in 2015 by essentially rolling a Top 4 and using their 3rd pair very sparingly.

Washington won a cup in 2018 by essentially leaning on their Top 3, gave their No. 4 (Kempny) decent minutes, and ignored their 3rd pair.

Bruins got one game to save their season and an expensive Top 4 that is supposed to be one of the strongest in the NHL, at least on paper. Take advantage of it for the love of the hockey gods.

They have IMO the most complete Top 9 forward group they've had since 2011. Staple that 4th line to the bench and lean on your Top 9.

Benching your weaker players and leaning on your top players in a must-win game is pretty much Coaching 101. The time to roll lines and pairings is over.

 

[lextune]

Benching your weaker players and leaning on your top players in a must-win game is pretty much Coaching 101. The time to roll lines and pairings is over.

I agree. But I have no idea what to expect from Montgomery.

 

[Bruinator]

View attachment 699235

This will be the 30th Game 7 in Bruins history - They have won 15 and lost 14

On the morning after the day before we simply have to come to grips that Sunday night will be a game that will be one of the most important in franchise history.

I will post a pregame thread later today and @Alicat will then do her magic on Sunday.

The season might not end with a Stanley Cup but the season MUST continue into May.









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Look how deep he is in the net! If he is at the top of the paint where he should be, that doesn't beat him. Even if he is injured, that is a mental error that he is making over and over.

 

[BruinDust]

I agree. But I have no idea what to expect from Montgomery.

Neither do I.

But nice guys finish last. He has to what is best for the team, and that means using some of his guys very sparingly.

 

[easton117]

I above everything else, I hope Montgomery doesn’t let emotions or feelings of loyalty run his lineup decisions tomorrow.

Yes that means benching Krejci and Linus. And Clifton for that matter.

I also hope Lindholm and Orlov can put some semblance of their good game together. Because they’ve been borderline horrific this series.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

For a little perspective,

Remember that in 2011 it took 7 games to knock off Montreal in the first round and then we went on to eventually win the cup.

It's not over because we lost a game 6.

 

[missingchicklet]

I don't want to see whomever on the 3rd pair tomorrow night get over 10 mins.

Chicago won a cup in 2015 by essentially rolling a Top 4 and using their 3rd pair very sparingly.

Washington won a cup in 2018 by essentially leaning on their Top 3, gave their No. 4 (Kempny) decent minutes, and ignored their 3rd pair.

Bruins got one game to save their season and an expensive Top 4 that is supposed to be one of the strongest in the NHL, at least on paper. Take advantage of it for the love of the hockey gods.

They have IMO the most complete Top 9 forward group they've had since 2011. Staple that 4th line to the bench and lean on your Top 9.

Benching your weaker players and leaning on your top players in a must-win game is pretty much Coaching 101. The time to roll lines and pairings is over.

Wish I could like this post 100 times. After all of Clifton's errors, when I saw him on the ice in a close game with 6 mins and change left, I about melt down. The full meltdown ensued when he proceeded to pass it from deep in his own zone to a Panther who then scored a goal. Wasn't even mad at Cliffy. I got over that halfway through the second pd. The doofus playing him in a very crucial situation late in the game was the one at fault. You're bang-on correct about the Bs needing to lean heavily on their main players in game 7. This is no time for minute eating.