The Atlantic Division

[3rdLiner]

If I were a Bruins fan, I would embrace my team’s identity: great and old. That’s not a bad thing. You have veteran experience and leadership for a playoff run, as long as you don’t run out of steam by playing too many 6-7 game series.

Yeah, you might not be contending after this year once Chara and co. drop off, but you have just as good a chance to contend this year as the other Big 3 Atlantic teams.

Run out of steam? The only old guy is Chara. Unless 31/32 years old is magically the age where old age kicks in now.

Even then Chara is a freak of nature and I don't see him slowing down maybe Toronto should embrace itsi identity as the third team in the Atlantic. They have a #1c and maybe a#1d but I'm not sold on them true #1g.

 

[BruinLVGA]

LOL, where did I come even remotely close to saying that?

I'm just saying the top 4 defensemen, and their top forwards have been mostly healthy. I'm not discounting how hard it still is to win when your lines 2-4 are negatively impacted by injuries.

Games lost, top 9 F, top 4 D:

Marchand 13 - Bergeron 5 - Pastrnak 0
Debrusk 4 - Krejci 18 - Spooner 20
Heinen 4 - Nash 1 - Backes 17

Chara 0 - McAvoy 4
Carlo 0 - Krug 4

 

[Sypher04]

Leafs top 4 D / top 4 forwards (Rielly, Hainsey, Gardiner, Zaitsev, Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and JVR) => 36 games lost to injury.
Bruins top 4 D / top 4 forwards (Krug, McAvoy, Chara, Carlo, Bergeron, Pastrnak, Marchand and Krecji) => 39 games lost to injury.

The Bruins have no question though had their lines 2-4 and defensive depth hit harder than Toronto, and many others.

 

[BruinLVGA]

You are harping on for 4 pages about how great the Bruins are. We can all look at the standings. The Bruins sit 2nd in the league standings and the Leafs sit 6th. The Bruins are having a great season.

Do you want a trophy that says the Bruins are in a tier of the top 2 teams in the NHL as of Feb. 12, 2018?

Did you miss the whole thing? I have been saying that two teams in the division are elite, Tampa and Boston... One is very good but not on the same tier. THAT is what I have been saying and supporting via stats, a thing that causes rashes and shortness of breath in most of you guys. You too are feeling these symptoms?

 

[Sypher04]

Games lost, top 9 Fri, top 4 D:

Marchand 13 - Bergeron 5 - Pastrnak 0
Debrusk 4 - Krejci 18 - Spooner 20
Heinen 4 - Nash 1 - Backes 17

Chara 0 - McAvoy 4
Carlo 0 - Krug 4

Okay. This doesn't exactly disprove anything I said. Also, Marchand missed 8 games to injury. And 5 for being an idiot. I don't consider them equal, even if the effect on lineup is the same.

 

[BayStreetBully]

Run out of steam? The only old guy is Chara. Unless 31/32 years old is magically the age where old age kicks in now.

Even then Chara is a freak of nature and I don't see him slowing down maybe Toronto should embrace itsi identity as the third team in the east. They have a #1c and maybe a#1d but I'm not sold on them true #1g.

You are aware that by next year’s playoffs, (if the Bruins make it), Bergeron is 34, Krejci 33, Marchand 31 and Chara 50? That’s old by any hockey standards.

It’s not a bad thing for the Bruins THIS year. That’s what’s important. Embrace the positives that come out of that. You shouldn’t be getting defensive over what I am saying has positives this year (but not next year) just because it’s a Leafs fan that says it.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Good for Boston. They managed to beat the Leafs once in the past two years.

If you want to hang your hat on that, and if you like if you think Boston is the same team in Nov as they are now. You will be sadly mistaken. With a full and healthy line up. They dominated the Leafs in their last game 4-1. Which was clear evidence the Leafs are at a lower tier then the Bruins a week ago. Tonight they get a 2nd chance to see if they are at TB's or Boston's level.

 

[BruinLVGA]

If I were a Bruins fan, I would embrace my team’s identity: good and old. That’s not a bad thing. You have veteran experience and leadership for a playoff run, as long as you don’t run out of steam first by playing too many 6-7 game series.

Yeah, you might not be contending after this year once Chara and co. drop off, but you have just as good a chance to contend this year as the other Big 3 Atlantic teams.

Defeated by numbers, goes on to trolling. You are welcome.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Okay. This doesn't exactly disprove anything I said. Also, Marchand missed 8 games to injury. And 5 for being an idiot. I don't consider them equal, even if the effect on lineup is the same.

When mentioning how good a team's performance is, a player missing is a player missing.
The Bruins record for the Marchand suspension was 4-1, that was outstanding, seeing what a loss that was. Couple that with McAvoy out for heart surgery at the same time and it's even more impressive.

We also had Rask missing games (concussion) and McQuaid and Acciari from the fourth line. Seeing that even the fourth line is putting up very strong numbers for a fourth line (their goals pace/82: Schaller 14, Acciari 15, Kuraly 8), this matters.

 

[bionic]

If you want to hang your hat on that, and if you like if you think Boston is the same team in Nov as they are now. You will be sadly mistaken. With a full and healthy line up. They dominated the Leafs in their last game 4-1. Which was clear evidence the Leafs are at a lower tier then the Bruins a week ago. Tonight they get a 2nd chance to see if they are at TB's or Boston's level.

Your going to hang your hat on one game? Really? End of the day it doesn't matter. Hell I'll even concede that the Leafs are a tier below Tampa and Boston if it will make you happy. For goodness sakes two years ago the leafs were dead last and now look where they are.

 

[BruinLVGA]

You are aware that by next year’s playoffs, (if the Bruins make it), Bergeron is 34, Krejci 33, Marchand 31 and Chara 50? That’s old by any hockey standards.

It’s not a bad thing for the Bruins THIS year. That’s what’s important. Embrace the positives that come out of that. You shouldn’t be getting defensive over what I am saying has positives this year (but not next year) just because it’s a Leafs fan that says it.

Yeah, we seem to be able to stay relevant no matter what. We plucked out of thin air people like Pastrnak, McAvoy, Heinen and Carlo. Without getting multiple bottom 5 finishes or even a first overall like you did.
Even the current core like Marchand and Bergeron and Krejci, etc etc were 2nd / 3rd picks. So, I think that we will be a-ok. Thanks for your concern, though. Much appreciated.

 

[nobody]

If you want to hang your hat on that, and if you like if you think Boston is the same team in Nov as they are now. You will be sadly mistaken. With a full and healthy line up. They dominated the Leafs in their last game 4-1. Which was clear evidence the Leafs are at a lower tier then the Bruins a week ago. Tonight they get a 2nd chance to see if they are at TB's or Boston's level.

Yes one bad game is clear evidence instead of 6-7 other games. Where did you get your stats degree?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Your going to hang your hat on one game? Really? End of the day it doesn't matter. Hell I'll even concede that the Leafs are a tier below Tampa and Boston if it will make you happy. For goodness sakes two years ago the leafs were dead last and now look where they are.

Do you think it's accurate to keep making a stock reply of as the one I replied to? Or as with most progressive and logical thinking people will know, the Boston in Nov is not the same team in February that has the 2nd best record in the NHL.

Yes one bad game is clear evidence instead of 6-7 other games. Where did you get your stats degree?

A more recent head to head game in Feb is more meaningful than a game in November. Especially when one of the teams is now healthy and has been playing at a level higher than the Leafs and all NHL teams these past 3 months.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Yes one bad game is clear evidence instead of 6-7 other games. Where did you get your stats degree?

out of a gumball machine?

 

[BruinLVGA]

Yes one bad game is clear evidence instead of 6-7 other games. Where did you get your stats degree?

There have been oodles of you guys sneering at the past in this thread. You however don't. You guys should have a nice PM session and coordinate your efforts better.

 

[BayStreetBully]

Yeah, we seem to be able to stay relevant no matter what. We plucked out of thin air people like Pastrnak, McAvoy, Heinen and Carlo. Without getting multiple bottom 5 finishes or even a first overall like you did.
Even the current core like Marchand and Bergeron and Krejci, etc etc were 2nd / 3rd picks. So, I think that we will be a-ok. Thanks for your concern, though. Much appreciated.

Well, unfortunately Father Time gets us all. Boston is old, much older than the other members of the Big 3 in the Atlantic.

Again, don’t misconstrue this as me saying this is a bad thing. I have actually been complimenting the Bruins this whole time, but you keep spinning what I say as a negative for your team. Just embrace your team’s identity as a good and old (think of it as not “old” but “grizzled”) team primed for a possible good run this 2018 year.

 

[nobody]

There have been oodles of you guys sneering at the past in this thread. You however don't. You guys should have a nice PM session and coordinate your efforts better.

Past? We're talking this same very season. B2B home and home games that were swept by the Leafs. You guys beat the leafs on a 3rd game in 4 nights. Leafs have lost a ton of those, Bruins aren't any more special because of that one game. I'd still take the Bruins in the playoffs any day of the week. Bruins have a good team but they're the definition of pretenders. Teams like Tampa, Nashville, Pens, Jets scare me. Not Boston. Lol

 

[Montecristo]

You are aware that by next year’s playoffs, (if the Bruins make it), Bergeron is 34, Krejci 33, Marchand 31 and Chara 50? That’s old by any hockey standards.

It’s not a bad thing for the Bruins THIS year. That’s what’s important. Embrace the positives that come out of that. You shouldn’t be getting defensive over what I am saying has positives this year (but not next year) just because it’s a Leafs fan that says it.

I think the bruins will be okay next year. I don’t envision drop offs from Bergeron or Marchand. Krejci and chara maybe. But the bruins have a player who hopefully will supplant chara as the #1 dman by next season and some in house top 4 options for when even that role goes past him. They need a top 6 center eventually but I don’t think that’s for another 2 years, and hopefully one of Trent Frederic or Jakob forsbacka karlson can run with that spot. If we are arguing who’s better in 3 years I think toronto certainly makes a more compelling case, for top end forwards especially. I think the goalie and D will be in Boston’s favor through that time frame though with mcavoy carlo And Krug all in their primes and zboril Lindgren lauzon vaakananien all pro ready at that point with hopefully 2 panning out.

But if we are comparing Marner-Nylander-kapanen-Matthews to
Heinen, debrusk, bjork, and donato, I think there is no question toronto has better under 23 talent on offense

 

[BruinLVGA]

Past? We're talking this same very season. B2B home and home games that were swept by the Leafs. You guys beat the leafs on a 3rd game in 4 nights. Leafs have lost a ton of those, Bruins aren't any more special because of that one game. I'd still take the Bruins in the playoffs any day of the week. Bruins have a good team but they're the definition of pretenders. Teams like Tampa, Nashville, Pens, Jets scare me. Not Boston. Lol

Except that the Leafs were on a 4 games win stretch, outscoring the opponents 16-3 (and the last two games before the Bruins game, were two shut outs, 5-0 and 4-0)... Then lost, while being completely dominated, to the Bruins 4-1 (WITHOUT Marchand...). Then promptly resumed winning, with three victories, outscoring the opponents 16-9.
To recap... W, W, W, W, L, W,W, W... 32-12 in the 7 victories, 1-4 in the loss.
So, you beat 7 teams and get owned by 1, but of course it was because of the fact you were... "Tired". Ahahahah, it doesn't get more pathetic than that! Ahahahah

Who cares who scares "King Clancy", by the way. Like that was a thing. Ffs.

 

[Sypher04]

Run out of steam? The only old guy is Chara. Unless 31/32 years old is magically the age where old age kicks in now.

Even then Chara is a freak of nature and I don't see him slowing down maybe Toronto should embrace itsi identity as the third team in the Atlantic. They have a #1c and maybe a#1d but I'm not sold on them true #1g.

Honest question, would you just embrace being 3rd in our place or would you being looking up at those ahead of you and saying, why not home ice?

If we end up third, I think Leafs fans are content with that, but our eyes being higher is certainly not a bad thing.

 

[Sypher04]

Except that the Leafs were on a 4 games win stretch, outscoring the opponents 16-3 (and the last two games before the Bruins game, were two shut outs, 5-0 and 4-0)... Then lost, while being completely dominated, to the Bruins 4-1 (WITHOUT Marchand...). Then promptly resumed winning, with three victories, outscoring the opponents 16-9.
To recap... W, W, W, W, L, W,W, W... 32-12 in the 7 victories, 1-4 in the loss.
So, you beat 7 teams and get owned by 1, but of course it was because of the fact you were... "Tired". Ahahahah, it doesn't get more pathetic than that! Ahahahah

Who cares who scares "King Clancy", by the way. Like that was a thing. Ffs.

We certainly may have lost anyway, but why is it so laughable to you to think that game would have been competitive otherwise? Do you think you're so much better than other teams we played (like nashville), that fatigue could not have been a factor?

 

[nobody]

Except that the Leafs were on a 4 games win stretch, outscoring the opponents 16-3 (and the last two games before the Bruins game, were two shut outs, 5-0 and 4-0)... Then lost, while being completely dominated, to the Bruins 4-1 (WITHOUT Marchand...). Then promptly resumed winning, with three victories, outscoring the opponents 16-9.
To recap... W, W, W, W, L, W,W, W... 32-12 in the 7 victories, 1-4 in the loss.
So, you beat 7 teams and get owned by 1, but of course it was because of the fact you were... "Tired". Ahahahah, it doesn't get more pathetic than that! Ahahahah

Who cares who scares "King Clancy", by the way. Like that was a thing. Ffs.

Its not about being tired. The Leafs struggle in the last game of 3 in 4s. They have for a long time. The games won before and after are all mutually exclusive. You seem to use numbers without having any idea of what they mean.

If both the Bruins and Leafs played each other with 1+ days rest, I would confidently put my money on the Leafs. If the Leafs played an ECHL team in game 3 of a 3 in 4 nights, I'd put money on the ECHL team. Leafs don't do well in those games as has been said numerous times before. I'm giving credit to the Bruins for taking it to the Leafs that game but it's not that impressive.

 

[bionic]

Do you think it's accurate to keep making a stock reply of as the one I replied to? Or as with most progressive and logical thinking people will know, the Boston in Nov is not the same team in February that has the 2nd best record in the NHL.



A more recent head to head game in Feb is more meaningful than a game in November. Especially when one of the teams is now healthy and has been playing at a level higher than the Leafs and all NHL teams these past 3 months.

The truth is to me the Leafs are a little behind Boston only because their star players are in the tail end of their prime and with that comes strength and experience to go along with the Skill.
That's not you say Toronto can't beat them it's just going to be tough as hell. Right now Toronto is building experience with every playoff run and with a core as youn as theirs that a great position to be in.

 

[BostonBruins11]

Past? We're talking this same very season. B2B home and home games that were swept by the Leafs. You guys beat the leafs on a 3rd game in 4 nights. Leafs have lost a ton of those, Bruins aren't any more special because of that one game. I'd still take the Bruins in the playoffs any day of the week. Bruins have a good team but they're the definition of pretenders. Teams like Tampa, Nashville, Pens, Jets scare me. Not Boston. Lol

you mean those two games they had a hard time beating an injury rattled Bruins line up lol? .... i expected much more from the Leafs. and i was left unimpressed... the Leafs don't scare me at all lol

 

[Sypher04]

you mean those two games they had a hard time beating an injury rattled Bruins line up lol? .... i expected much more from the Leafs. and i was left unimpressed... the Leafs don't scare me at all lol

You expected more because we are a much better team than what you saw that night.