The Boston Bruins: The Great Equalizer

[ODAAT]

Fair enough. Thing is though that it's very well documented how often the Bruins go to 7 games, and there's no way to do that outside of blowing a series lead or clawing your way back in.

when was the last time ANY fan here has given credit to this team when they "claw" their way back in??

So much easier to focus on the failures not successes for many here

 

[Trap Jesus]

when was the last time ANY fan here has given credit to this team when they "claw" their way back in??

So much easier to focus on the failures not successes for many here

Yeah I was trying to focus on both here. This team has had a ton of fight in them going back to the lockout.

 

[ODAAT]

Yeah I was trying to focus on both here. This team has had a ton of fight in them going back to the lockout.

For sure, I`ll get bashed here for it as excuse offerings but this team has played a ton of hockey in the last 2 weeks, combine that with what I have to think has been quite an emotional impact on the guys post Marathon tragedy as well.

Again, really easy for me to sit here saying that if I made 6 mill a year I`d be able to focus and bring "it" all the time, I have no way of knowing what it`s like to play elite hockey, deal with family during what was a very emotional and trying time for the city etc....

I know they can play better, I wonder though, can they raise their game up on a consistent basis? Long before the disaster they struggled with consistency, now?? I think this is a worn out team who`s literally fighting to keep up. Let`s hope they find it tonight

 

[Seidenbergy]

Fair enough. Thing is though that it's very well documented how often the Bruins go to 7 games, and there's no way to do that outside of blowing a series lead or clawing your way back in.

Not true.

 

[NMF]

In my honest opinion our inability to close out games is the system itself. I feel as though this team under Julien plays not to lose games, instead of playing to win games. The system, works but we tend to go into a defensive shell both when we are winning game and when we are ahead in a series. It isn't that it is a bad system, but it hinders our players offensive output. Instead of going after it, we sit back and hope to capitalize on other teams mistakes. The problem is when you can't finish your opportunities and that was prevalent in game five. The first two periods we sat back and played a lot of defense, mainly holding the leafs to shots from the perimeter, but their time in our zone was far superior to ours in the first two periods. We did have a few prime scoring opportunities i.e. Bergeron, but were unable to finish. When you can't finish your minimal opportunities you will lose a defensive game. If you look at the 2011 cup run in game 7's with our back against the wall we were much more apt to go for it then we we were in previous games where we could closet out against Montreal and Tampa Bay. A game 7 make you go all in, where as a game five or game six opportunity, you can sit back and hope to capitalize on the opponents mistakes.

With that being said, I feel as though Claude needs to open it up a bit. As it currently stands we only have one line that is really going. The DKH line is really firing on all cylinders. I am a huge Krejci fan, but I have really been happy with the play of Lucic in this series. I have been very hard on him, but this series he has done a grab job of creating space and going to the front of the net, as well as banging bodies. I still think Hortons play is spotty. He has been better in this series though. Game six is the perfect time for Claude to allow the boys to open it up and go for broke against the leafs. On the road we are not going to get as many defensive line match-ups that we would at home. Mine as well free up marchand and Seguin and trying to get that line going a bit more offensively, because we cannot rely on one line scoring if we are going to make a serious run at the cup. If Claude doesn't want to do this than I suggest switch jags and sequin. Something needs to happen to spark the offensive out put of this club.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

In my honest opinion our inability to close out games is the system itself. I feel as though this team under Julien plays not to lose games, instead of playing to win games. The system, works but we tend to go into a defensive shell both when we are winning game and when we are ahead in a series. It isn't that it is a bad system, but it hinders our players offensive output. Instead of going after it, we sit back and hope to capitalize on other teams mistakes. The problem is when you can't finish your opportunities and that was prevalent in game five. The first two periods we sat back and played a lot of defense, mainly holding the leafs to shots from the perimeter, but their time in our zone was far superior to ours in the first two periods. We did have a few prime scoring opportunities i.e. Bergeron, but were unable to finish. When you can't finish your minimal opportunities you will lose a defensive game. If you look at the 2011 cup run in game 7's with our back against the wall we were much more apt to go for it then we we were in previous games where we could closet out against Montreal and Tampa Bay. A game 7 make you go all in, where as a game five or game six opportunity, you can sit back and hope to capitalize on the opponents mistakes.

With that being said, I feel as though Claude needs to open it up a bit. As it currently stands we only have one line that is really going. The DKH line is really firing on all cylinders. I am a huge Krejci fan, but I have really been happy with the play of Lucic in this series. I have been very hard on him, but this series he has done a grab job of creating space and going to the front of the net, as well as banging bodies. I still think Hortons play is spotty. He has been better in this series though. Game six is the perfect time for Claude to allow the boys to open it up and go for broke against the leafs. On the road we are not going to get as many defensive line match-ups that we would at home. Mine as well free up marchand and Seguin and trying to get that line going a bit more offensively, because we cannot rely on one line scoring if we are going to make a serious run at the cup. If Claude doesn't want to do this than I suggest switch jags and sequin. Something needs to happen to spark the offensive out put of this club.

Didn't the Bs beat Tampa 1-0 in game 7?

This series looks like its been played close to the vest to you? I'm hoping they close it up, not open it up more.

 

[NinthSpoke06]

Nailed it.

 

[bostonphoenix]

when was the last time ANY fan here has given credit to this team when they "claw" their way back in??

So much easier to focus on the failures not successes for many here

Last time they clawed their way back was against a ****** montreal team that they should have won easily against. When is the last time you want to talk about?

Other than that i believe its been first round exits to the canadiens, the leafs and a spell where the did ****? If im mistaken let me know.

I apologize I'm missing their truly epic collapse against the flyers. I do apologize that was indeed epic.

How much credit do you want to give to this organization?

 

[NMF]

Didn't the Bs beat Tampa 1-0 in game 7?

This series looks like its been played close to the vest to you? I'm hoping they close it up, not open it up more.

The Tampa game was an up and down game with plenty of chances going both ways. And tonight is proof of what happens when you don't go for it and close it up. Allowing the other team to stick around is the way to win? If he would of opened it up against this leafs team series would be over. Instead we are going into a game 7 way back on our heels. Plain and simple the Bruins play to not lose the game instead of taking it to the opposition and going for it. A loss tomorrow will be the end of Claude and a pretty good turnover to the roster. Book it.

 

[bostonphoenix]

For sure, I`ll get bashed here for it as excuse offerings but this team has played a ton of hockey in the last 2 weeks, combine that with what I have to think has been quite an emotional impact on the guys post Marathon tragedy as well.

Again, really easy for me to sit here saying that if I made 6 mill a year I`d be able to focus and bring "it" all the time, I have no way of knowing what it`s like to play elite hockey, deal with family during what was a very emotional and trying time for the city etc....

I know they can play better, I wonder though, can they raise their game up on a consistent basis? Long before the disaster they struggled with consistency, now?? I think this is a worn out team who`s literally fighting to keep up. Let`s hope they find it tonight

I can't believe you are using the boston bombings as an excuse for them to play poorly. This will hopefully be the only time that i ever see this.

If im an athlete and my city has something like that happen. I want to support my city, not ****ing disrespect it.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I don't even know what to say. I'll always support this team, but frankly, I'm embarrassed to right now. Not the best mindset to have as a fan going into a game 7, but there you have it. I don't know if complacency or what but back-to-back stinkers like that given their history in these situations just blows my mind.

And honestly, I consider tomorrow a 50/50, as bad as it looks for Boston. Even if we win though, this series has been a pathetic display from a team that has so much more potential.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

The Tampa game was an up and down game with plenty of chances going both ways. And tonight is proof of what happens when you don't go for it and close it up. Allowing the other team to stick around is the way to win? If he would of opened it up against this leafs team series would be over. Instead we are going into a game 7 way back on our heels. Plain and simple the Bruins play to not lose the game instead of taking it to the opposition and going for it. A loss tomorrow will be the end of Claude and a pretty good turnover to the roster. Book it.

Tonight is proof of what happens when you don't execute, period.

 

[NMF]

Tonight is proof of what happens when you don't execute, period.

Sure the execution was bad tonight. But a huge part of that execution is Claudes system. The d to d passes when you have two forecheckers coming hard isn't so much execution as it is a coach not willing to adjust. If you don't think they sat back both tonight and Friday your kidding yourself. This team will not win this series or any other series sitting back and playing prevent defense. Thats what happened tonight. Lets see what happens tomorrow.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Sure the execution was bad tonight. But a huge part of that execution is Claudes system. The d to d passes when you have two forecheckers coming hard isn't so much execution as it is a coach not willing to adjust. If you don't think they sat back both tonight and Friday your kidding yourself. This team will not win this series or any other series sitting back and playing prevent defense. Thats what happened tonight. Lets see what happens tomorrow. If i were a betting man my money is on the Bruins, but only because now they are forced to go for it.

Sorry, sounds to me like your just one of those fans that hates the coach and you don't even want to try to make an intelligent analysis of the games.

How does the system impact execution? Why would anyone devise a system that hinders execution? That make no sense.

D to D passes are merely options when there is nowhere else to go. Its not by design, no one is yelling from the bench, "D to D, its our best way out of the zone".

Yes, I don't think they "sat back" Friday and tonight. And ,no, I'm not the one kidding myself.

 

[NMF]

Sorry, sounds to me like your just one of those fans that hates the coach and you don't even want to try to make an intelligent analysis of the games.

How does the system impact execution? Why would anyone devise a system that hinders execution? That make no sense.

D to D passes are merely options when there is nowhere else to go. Its not by design, no one is yelling from the bench, "D to D, its our best way out of the zone".

Yes, I don't think they "sat back" Friday and tonight. And ,no, I'm not the one kidding myself.

Im not a Julien hater at all. I gave him praise for his cup win in one of my other posts. The system impacts execution in so many ways. Toronto has take a page out of Montreal's play book they are coming two men hard on the forecheck and what do our defensemen do? They go D to D and up to the winger who is getting pinched off by the dman. The D can't even make a sold 10 foot tape to tape pass because the pressure on them is coming so hard. SO what do they do they wrap. And when they wrap the Leafs D are pinching hard. And its causing turnovers. When was the last time you saw any semblance of a quick up with this team? Claude is a good coach, but everyone knows the book on his system and his unwillingness to change. You want intelligent analysis of a game ill give it you. Its what I did for three years coaching in NCAA. I think I might know what I'm talking about so keep drinking the cool aid bud.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Im not a Julien hater at all. I gave him praise for his cup win in one of my other posts. The system impacts execution in so many ways. Toronto has take a page out of Montreal's play book they are coming two men hard on the forecheck and what do our defensemen do? They go D to D and up to the winger who is getting pinched off by the dman. The D can't even make a sold 10 foot tape to tape pass because the pressure on them is coming so hard. SO what do they do they wrap. And when they wrap the Leafs D are pinching hard. And its causing turnovers. When was the last time you saw any semblance of a quick up with this team? Claude is a good coach, but everyone knows the book on his system and his unwillingness to change. You want intelligent analysis of a game ill give it you. Its what I did for three years coaching in NCAA. I think I might know what I'm talking about so keep drinking the cool aid bud.

Actually, throughout this series.

Hell, game 4 was nothing but quick ups both ways, including almost the whole OT.

By the way, what sport did you coach in NCAA?

 

[NMF]

Actually, throughout this series.

Hell, game 4 was nothing but quick ups both ways, including almost the whole OT.

By the way, what sport did you coach in NCAA?

Throughout the series?!?!?!?! Wow I really don't know what you are watching. Must be through black and gold colored glasses. And I don't even lay full blame on Claude for not having many quick ups. A large part also lies in PCs hands because we have two defensemen who can give a good quick up pass and one of them has been in the press box for the first five games. BTW a quick up is not a high chip off the glass to center. And as for your condescending question it was Men's hockey. Hockey db me and figure it out.

 

[Trap Jesus]

They came out with a bang but ended up completely self-destructing there. Usually I wouldn't feel much pressure in a game 5 after having a 3-0 lead, but, with this team, I'm nervous as hell about Saturday already.