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GDT: Game 70 Bruins @ Sharks 7:30

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vortexx said:
Nice to see the Eklund-Celebrini-Smith line leading the team and generating both of our goals but I was also really impressed with the play of the Graf-Wennberg-Toffoli line. Even though they didn't hit the scoresheet, they had many shifts with sustained offensive zone pressure that led to chances that created momentum for the team. Thought Graf and Mukh had excellent games and I continue to be impressed by how they both have been developing this year.
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wennberg in particular was wang-dangling out there
 
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Love to see the win even if it gets us within 2 of the Hawks.

Hate to be a Debbie downer but I didn't see as many positives that game... For one, the bruins are bad... 3rd worst in moneypuck's power rankings just above us.

I think Celebrini despite the points had one of his more pedestrian games... He's forcing a lot of plays and seems maybe just a little fatigued, getting caught out there. Thought Smith looked less dominant than he has, and the kid line in general had some great shifts but also showed their immaturity (not a problem, just observation) with a fair few unnecessary lost possessions in the OZ. one goal was off a sustained cycle which is great, so it wasn't a very negative game, but also wasn't their best. Thought Eklund looked the best of the three.

I didn't love the Graf Toff Wenny line... Graf and Wenny carried it and Toffoli plays smart, but you don't get the best of him without Celebrini IMHO. I would keep Toffoli stapled to Celebrini and put them back with Eklund, although I acknowledge that graf-wenny-smith feels a little light.

Depth forwards... So far, I like Giles more than Chucky, but the kid's just 21 so there's hope he's not just a guy from the guy factory. Dellandrea had some moxie today but not a lot of puck control, same as Grundstrom. The jam is there, but not the puck possession.

On defense, I am really happy with Mukh's progression... Caveat it was the bruins, but he played top pair quality I thought, and generated some offense as well. To me that's an excellent complement to a true 1D or a very solid 3/4 on a contender if he can keep growing and staying consistent.

In contrast I didn't see as much positive with Cags as many others. Definitely had some flashes, but we're kidding ourselves if we don't also acknowledge that a lot of shifts, he's holding on for dear life out there. Despite good stick work and some smart body positioning that kills plays, I don't see him having the quickness to play a major role on a contender. Maybe he can build that, Graf certainly has. Still, a great asset to have if he keeps developing, and maybe he gets moved at some point or settles as a capable 3rd pairing guy, but I'm not sure I see Dan Boyle or even Sam Girard. Only his second game.

I thought that was Georgie's fault on the goal. He handcuffed Desharnais. Not saying Desharnais is any good, in fact he's very not, but Georgie does not breed confidence handling the puck. Way too many turnovers up the wall to the hashes.

Great to see a win for the boys, and with any luck, Mack has a few more multi point games to catch Hutson.
 
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coooldude said:
Love to see the win even if it gets us within 2 of the Hawks.

Hate to be a Debbie downer but I didn't see as many positives that game... For one, the bruins are bad... 3rd worst in moneypuck's power rankings just above us.

I think Celebrini despite the points had one of his more pedestrian games... He's forcing a lot of plays and seems maybe just a little fatigued, getting caught out there. Thought Smith looked less dominant than he has, and the kid line in general had some great shifts but also showed their immaturity (not a problem, just observation) with a fair few unnecessary lost possessions in the OZ. one goal was off a sustained cycle which is great, so it wasn't a very negative game, but also wasn't their best. Thought Eklund looked the best of the three.

I didn't love the Graf Toff Wenny line... Graf and Wenny carried it and Toffoli plays smart, but you don't get the best of him without Celebrini IMHO. I would keep Toffoli stapled to Celebrini and put them back with Eklund, although I acknowledge that graf-wenny-smith feels a little light.

Depth forwards... So far, I like Giles more than Chucky, but the kid's just 21 so there's hope he's not just a guy from the guy factory. Dellandrea had some moxie today but not a lot of puck control, same as Grundstrom. The jam is there, but not the puck possession.

On defense, I am really happy with Mukh's progression... Caveat it was the bruins, but he played top pair quality I thought, and generated some offense as well. To me that's an excellent complement to a true 1D or a very solid 3/4 on a contender if he can keep growing and staying consistent.

In contrast I didn't see as much positive with Cags as many others. Definitely had some flashes, but we're kidding ourselves if we don't also acknowledge that a lot of shifts, he's holding on for dear life out there. Despite good stick work and some smart body positioning that kills plays, I don't see him having the quickness to play a major role on a contender. Maybe he can build that, Graf certainly has. Still, a great asset to have if he keeps developing, and maybe he gets moved at some point or settles as a capable 3rd pairing guy, but I'm not sure I see Dan Boyle or even Sam Girard. Only his second game.

I thought that was Georgie's fault on the goal. He handcuffed Desharnais. Not saying Desharnais is any good, in fact he's very not, but Georgie does not breed confidence handling the puck. Way too many turnovers up the wall to the hashes.

Great to see a win for the boys, and with any luck, Mack has a few more multi point games to catch Hutson.
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This take is far too pessimistic, the kid line dominated against a pedestrian team that still has some skill and size at the top. They played how you want them to play to exploit that and the game card bears that out. Imo it was pretty encouraging that they worked so well together right off the bat.

Toffoli on the 2nd line produced the most battle wins and possession plays I've seen from him in several games, granted the level of the opponent is important context but still he seemed to do well against 2nd tier competition. He's a great goalscorer but tends to get eliminated by top line competition so a good F1 is needed to draw attention away if he is to score on the top line.

Smith is significantly more creative IMO, which makes the whole line more dynamic.

As for Luca, I think it's way too early to be disappointed in what we're seeing. He's not getting completely abused and exploited, while moving the puck quite effectively. He's just getting started at the NHL level with a brand new sasquatch of a partner, and seems to have several great tools, so I see him as the kind of player that could develop surprisingly as he learns how to play at this level. He seems to be figuring out how to use what he's got both in himself and his partner.

If Luca becomes a functional NHLer it's a huge win from a 4th round pick. Someone mentioned wanting to see him with Muk and I'd like to as well.

The rest of your takes I largely agree with.
 
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I don't think it even matters if the Hawks beat us out for the #1 pick. I don't think they are taking a Dman. They took one last year at #2. I think they want to give Bedard some help. So I either want the #1 pick or the #2 pick but only if the Hawks get #1.
 
JTB1974 said:
I don't think it even matters if the Hawks beat us out for the #1 pick. I don't think they are taking a Dman. They took one last year at #2. I think they want to give Bedard some help. So I either want the #1 pick or the #2 pick but only if the Hawks get #1.
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Given Levshunov has looked pretty good so far (at least Hawks fans think so) and profiles similarly to Schaefer as a rangy, tools, mobile offensive D man, you may be right that they go with Misa. But it would still be better to guarantee top 3 and hope for a 45% chance at Schaefer, because he's not likely to be there at 3.
 
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When I see how depressed Bedard looks in every game compared to the joy and optimism you see in the kids here during games like this, its pretty clear to me that getting a few more wins and having some team success the rest of the year is more important than trying to secure another worst record in the league. I don't think its worth risking Eklund, Smith and Celebrini to look and feel shellshocked the way Bedard does just so we can get a 25% chance instead of a 14% chance at #1. If we are meant to get Schaefer, we'll get Schaefer. If we are not, we'll still get a very good prospect to add to our list.

We are going to finish as one of the two worst teams in the league again this year. We will probably be quite terrible next year too. But I think its time to start rooting for the team to start winning more than desperately hoping for loss after loss after loss. Macklin said that the building was the loudest he has ever heard tonight after the EN goal. You want more of those moments to stick with these guys than just endless depression. You want these kids to want to stay here.
 
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Skeksis25 said:
When I see how depressed Bedard looks in every game compared to the joy and optimism you see in the kids here during games like this, its pretty clear to me that getting a few more wins and having some team success the rest of the year is more important than trying to secure another worst record in the league. I don't think its worth risking Eklund, Smith and Celebrini to look and feel shellshocked the way Bedard does just so we can get a 25% chance instead of a 14% chance at #1. If we are meant to get Schaefer, we'll get Schaefer. If we are not, we'll still get a very good prospect to add to our list.

We are going to finish as one of the two worst teams in the league again this year. We will probably be quite terrible next year too. But I think its time to start rooting for the team to start winning more than desperately hoping for loss after loss after loss. Macklin said that the building was the loudest he has ever heard tonight after the EN goal. You want more of those moments to stick with these guys than just endless depression. You want these kids to want to stay here.
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Totally agree. While there have been really dark moments for the rookies this year, for the most part they’ve played with a lot of joy and to see their work and growth be rewarded by wins would be ideal.
 
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Pinkfloyd said:
Yeah and he followed up with inconsistencies and injuries. You can't really argue with 1 goal and 6 assists in 37 games. What does he bring that warrants anymore opportunities? He's a nothing player when he's not producing like most players are.
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So they played him sporadically, and mostly on the 4th line, never really giving him a chance. The Sharks were losing anyway, they should have given him a solid 15 games playing on the top line and see whatn he could do.
 
DarrylshutzSydor said:
So they played him sporadically, and mostly on the 4th line, never really giving him a chance. The Sharks were losing anyway, they should have given him a solid 15 games playing on the top line and see whatn he could do.
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His most used linemates are Mikael Granlund and Will Smith. There’s no reason to suggest he never really had a chance.
 
DarrylshutzSydor said:
So they played him sporadically, and mostly on the 4th line, never really giving him a chance. The Sharks were losing anyway, they should have given him a solid 15 games playing on the top line and see whatn he could do.
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I'm kind of intrigued by Kostin but for someone as big and strong as he is, there's no reason for him to be so weak on his skates.
 
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hohosaregood said:
I'm kind of intrigued by Kostin but for someone as big and strong as he is, there's no reason for him to be so weak on his skates.
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I think his ship has sailed. He strikes me as someone who may go overseas for a couple years, thrive and then get an offer to come back like Radulov did.
 
Cas said:
Yeah, he's basically just a big guy who happens to play ice hockey. He shouldn't be on a contender's roster (maybe as a #8-9).
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Even going into next year on a very much not-contending Sharks team I'd be really disappointed if he enters the season as more than our #7. Then again, that seems to be Vlasic's domain, so who knows.
 
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OrrNumber4 said:
Can we take a moment and acknowledge that on the first goal, Cagnoni made a play that all the doubters thought he could never make, and on the one goal against, Desharnais made a blunder that all his detractors predicted would happen?

Need I mention that the venn diagram of Cagnoni doubters and Desharnais lovers is a perfect circle?
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They both stink. Desharnais will still have a longer NHL career than Cagnoni.
 
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