Who surprised you from your opponent's team in round 1?

[MrLunatik]

The 5th hole par 5 was very difficult

 

[Mike C]

They didn't exist and still swept

 

[tarheelhockey]

Brett Pesce and Brian Dumoulin were the other best players. So effective in the D zone. Warriors. Put their bodies on the line constantly.

Yeah, that was honestly the best I’ve seen Dumoulin play in his career.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Wasn't Brown an empty jersey the whole season? f***er couldn't stay shit for three more games?

 

[Eat The Rich]

Wasn't Brown an empty jersey the whole season? f***er couldn't stay shit for three more games?

Nah that was last season.

He played with a pulse this year.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Positive:
- Suzuki stepped up big time, he definitely has the clutch gene.
- Carrier is underrated and still has room to grow as a two-way D.
- Demidov has the skill but also the confidence.

Negative:
- Laine is completely washed. It won’t be long before he’s out of the NHL at this rate.

Whoa whoa whoa, I like a Laine bashing as much as the next guy, but my understanding is the doc said he needed surgery on his knee. He got a 2nd opinion who said rehab would get him through the season, and it almost kinda did.

I assume he’s getting that fixed up and could come back looking much better. Or he might just suck, but I don’t think you can judge off this. I think he was legitimately hampered more than we knew, I can just imagine a knee getting worse and worse with more games and intensity.

 

[Marioesque]

Negative:
- Laine is completely washed. It won’t be long before he’s out of the NHL at this rate.

He played like 5 periods and broke his finger in the process. Weird evaluation.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

He played like 5 periods and broke his finger in the process. Weird evaluation.

He was absolutely putrid for a good stretch before that though

 

[Marioesque]

He was absolutely putrid for a good stretch before that though

I'm aware of your opinion.

Rantanen was cooked too like last two months according to many HFboard geniuses. People absolutely love to jump the gun.

 

[1specter]

As a Bruins fan I hear you on Knies. He was tough to play against in last year's playoffs, and took a step forward this season

And there's a reason I was saying get rid of Carlo all season this year

Don't know what OP is talking about but Carlo has been great for us and we're happy with him. Rielly-Carlo were a high event pairing but they also controlled the expected goals and on-ice goals share for the series.

As for the Sens:

Pinto - Knew he was good going in but he's legitimately a very good two-way C who is a PITA to play against. Also not afraid to get physical or mix it up even if he's giving up size and strength like when he tried going after Knies.

Greig - Hate this guy, which means he's probably pretty good. Didn't like him before the series and hated him more after. He was all over the ice in every game.

Zub - Good solid defender, not much else to be said.

 

[AM]

Wasn't Brown an empty jersey the whole season? f***er couldn't stay shit for three more games?

He did everything asked of him in the regular season.

I thought doughty had a good playoffs. Skating with mcdavid is a problem for every defender. As soon as the forwards back check became spotty nobody is going to be perfect.

 

[Oilslick941611]

I didn't realize how bad of a coach and outclassed Jim Hillier was. He made a lot of terrible decisions that directly affected his team negatively.

 

[Joe Sakic]

Bichsel. That kid is an absolute monster, what a beast he was.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

He played like 5 periods and broke his finger in the process. Weird evaluation.

Sure he had a broken finger. He wasn’t skating at all, minimal effort anywhere on the ice. Even when he tried to skate to a loose puck, he was getting outskated by everyone.

He looked slower than 39 year old Ovechkin.

 

[KaprizovSaveUs]

Brett Howden impressed me a lot. Nick Roy has some good hands for a big fart. I think Stone has understandably taken a step or two back.

 

[Auston Marlander]

Whoa whoa whoa, I like a Laine bashing as much as the next guy, but my understanding is the doc said he needed surgery on his knee. He got a 2nd opinion who said rehab would get him through the season, and it almost kinda did.

I assume he’s getting that fixed up and could come back looking much better. Or he might just suck, but I don’t think you can judge off this. I think he was legitimately hampered more than we knew, I can just imagine a knee getting worse and worse with more games and intensity.

How many years of excuses does the guy get before it's just who he is?

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

How many years of excuses does the guy get before it's just who he is?

I know, and I’m usually on board with saying “bullshit”, but when ya see how his knee bent and the logic there- I’ll buy that one.

I’d bet 10 to 1 odds he’s still a shitty player I wouldn’t want on my team, personally, but he might not be literally unplayable is all. We’ll see.

 

[kingsholygrail]

He did everything asked of him in the regular season.

I thought doughty had a good playoffs. Skating with mcdavid is a problem for every defender. As soon as the forwards back check became spotty nobody is going to be perfect.

It is hard to remember how difficult dealing with McDavid is in general, but it's like that basically just amplifies when the errors are made because he makes you pay.

 

[Auston Marlander]

I know, and I’m usually on board with saying “bullshit”, but when ya see how his knee bent and the logic there- I’ll buy that one.

I’d bet 10 to 1 odds he’s still a shitty player I wouldn’t want on my team, personally, but he might not be literally unplayable is all. We’ll see.

That's fair. It was a bad looking injury 9 months ago.

I guess I'm done expecting him to breakout.

 

[TRASHCAT]

Suzuki was the best skater on either team

 

[Mr Nogatco]

I was definitely surprised Carrier was able to play in game 5