Chara's just not that physical anymore. He's still a good Dman, but that's not a big part of his game.I think Chara's size, physicality, and presence also account for something. I think he's the only defenseman that St. Louis hasn't taken a run at (because who's taking a run at Chara?). I thought Moore has played reasonably well when forced into action this postseason. Kampfer obviously had the big goal last series, and you could maybe get by with him for a game. But if this goes 7? I really hope one of Chara or Gryz are available (and preferably both).
That would be tough to believe for me, as Pasta has added a physical element to his game this playoffs that hasn't really been seen before. He's thrown, or attempted to throw quite a few big hits.If Chara can pull a Derek Stepan and give it go with the jaw break, I wonder if his height helps him out in protecting it since he is prone to take hits lower on his body than others. That of course won't stop the Blues from running him into the glass from behind.
FWIW, I have heard from a source that Pasta's shoulders are messed up. He had been taking injections and those messed with his handling (many exhibits of whiffs/flubs) so had to stop.
Can someone take care of this?The Blues broke the Bruins mentally and physically in that 3rd period. They were shying away from contact like a badly beaten dog.
5 on 5, the story is the same. The Blues are just better. St Louis is outscoring the B’s 8-5. Without the benefit of 4-5 power plays, we saw what the Bruins offense is. This was the case in the regular season, so it shouldn’t be surprising now.
The Bruins have been beaten down, and are now down to their last remaining defensemen and will have to turn to some unconventional lineups going forward. The Blues have the advantage going forward, and I think will finish off the Bruins in Game 5.
Per his "bet" post, the Bruins can with two more wins in the next three chances...but it may be academic by then.Can someone take care of this?
This is really it, even though he's been average, he makes up for it with size and smarts.He's slow but so damn big and difficult to get through that people have to go around, and he's so damn big that it's difficult to do so AND get a good scoring chance. Plus he's a damn smart hockey player.
True, but I feel like when I notice him in a bad way it’s more when the ice is shrunk on a kill or empty net. His reach helps when players are trying to enter the zone and get around him, but since he’s not as quick with the stick anymore it takes an enternity for him to clear a puck. With the speed to today’s game it seems like the extra skater is getting there a lot of the time before he can get a clean clear off.Agreed. His issues come on open ice; in close quarters, which with his reach, covers a lot of ground, he’s still pretty good.
I’m not 100%, but that might be a much more subtle way of gaming the refs.What is Cassidy doing by acknowledging the Blues physical play is having an impact?
The pinch that led to the rebound goal the other night is a great example. Very smart pinch, and shot to get it on net instead of trying to kill the shot and airmailing it or missing the bet wide to start the break the other way.He's slow but so damn big and difficult to get through that people have to go around, and he's so damn big that it's difficult to do so AND get a good scoring chance. Plus he's a damn smart hockey player.
I'd rather they dress 7 D regardless given the D they are going to be dressing are on the smaller side and may wear down under the STL forecheck.Having just criticized the idea of dressing 7 defensemen, I'm going to partly reverse course on that. If they end up dressing Grzelcyk or Chara under circumstances where they are not 100% sure that one or both will be able to play at their accustomed level, then I'd dress a 7th D as a precaution.
QFT. There is no doubt in my mind that a 7th Dman would provide more value at this point. Backes is averaging just over 9 minutes of TOI in the playoffs. The next lowest is Heinen who is over 13 minutes. The forwards should be able to handle that. Kuraly, MoJo, JDB, and Heinen the most likely to see significant increases in minutes. On that note, it is surprising to me that JDB is averaging under 14 minutes TOI in the SCF. I've been waiting for him to break out, but nothing much yet.I'd rather they dress 7 D regardless given the D they are going to be dressing are on the smaller side and may wear down under the STL forecheck.
Give Backes minutes to some combo of Pasta/Mojo/Coyle.
B's have won handily when they have had 6 healthy D and have been soundly outplayed when going down a D early. Backes has given you next to nothing this series so I don't see the downside in sitting him for an extra D.
I agree with this.If they are both cleared, I’d play them and take out Backes. Rotate 88, 43, 13, 90 through on the 2nd line.
I love the idea of 7 D tonight and Backes out. I would also think about Kuhlman for Accardi. He seemed to have a lot of issues dealing with the St. Louis fourth line matchup. Unless they just want to spot him or need him for the PK. Kuhlman could possibly bring them some more jump in spurts tonight.If they are both cleared, I’d play them and take out Backes. Rotate 88, 43, 13, 90 through on the 2nd line.
It's only 10 minutes of Backes PT that would be covered by at least four different players, maybe more. So yeah it's much more manageable than being short a D man.I'm trying not to get my hopes up given this could be gamesmanship to avoid providing their lineup ahead of time. If they both can play (limited) I would agree with the 7D approach.
One question - should we worry about the forwards getting tired if they are rotating in more? Given our only losses were with 5 D, should we have a similar concern on the forward side, or is the burden more spread out and therefore negligible?
Subscribe!If they are both cleared, I’d play them and take out Backes. Rotate 88, 43, 13, 90 through on the 2nd line.
It's not about game-to-game fatigue, but rather in-game fatigue and effectiveness though. In other words, I trust Charlie Mac with 25 minutes, but not Krug. I trust Marshy and Bergy with 20+ minutes, but not really any other forwards.With two off days before the game and two off days after the game, this is the ideal time to run the top forwards out there for 20+ minutes and the top defensemen for 25+ minutes.
Krug has been logging 22-25 a night all playoffs.It's not about game-to-game fatigue, but rather in-game fatigue and effectiveness though. In other words, I trust Charlie Mac with 25 minutes, but not Krug. I trust Marshy and Bergy with 20+ minutes, but not really any other forwards.
Wasn’t RA right about Miller though?Never mind. Deleting this. I don't trust this source.
Yeah, I guess we will just wait and find out.Wasn’t RA right about Miller though?
Basically it’s Fauria vs Rear Admiral.
Yea, RA had Miller being out all playoffs before anyone else did. I'm going to trust him on this one.Especially considering he probably knows Gryz's family. Would be thrilled if he's wrong though. For the B's and for the shit he'll get on Chiclets.
RA nailed Miller being out for the playoffs before anyone had a clue. Lousy that Grz is out tonight, he's great at exiting the defensive zone. Chara playing will be a big boost. I'd still dress 7 D and double shift Jojo & Pasta.Yea, RA had Miller being out all playoffs before anyone else did. I'm going to trust him on this one.