Round One Discussion - Toronto
- Thread starter The Napkin
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Zaitzev backed in too deep (leaving high passing lane), stick in the air, pivoted and lunged at Pasta.
If it’s anything like Bourne’s article, it’s worth watching Grapes break it down. He didn’t mention stick position or forward gap, but he keyed in on Zaitsev and Polak taking a last-second charge at the carrier (Pastrnak and Krejci, respectively), leaving the back-door wide open.
As a goalie many many years ago I was taught my job in a 2 on 1 was to stay square to the puck carrier and the defenseman’s job was to stay between the two forwards and block the passing lane.
Is that old-time hockey now? Are defensemen now coached to try to block or deflect the puck carrier’s shot if they read “he’s gonna shoot?”
Is that old-time hockey now? Are defensemen now coached to try to block or deflect the puck carrier’s shot if they read “he’s gonna shoot?”
I would say the proper defense is essentially to take away the pass, and give the goalie the shooter. However, the defenseman should also angle away the ability for the forward to cut across the middle of the net. This allows the goalie to stay aggressive and take away any shot, while the defenseman angles away the ability to deke across the middle.
As a Dman, I take away the pass while cutting down time and space on the puck carrier.
I’ll watch this shit (and read Bourne- and yo, if you don’t subscribe for him alone, you’re missing out), but I thought it was just Pasta being a beast. Great players make plays.
I’ll watch this shit (and read Bourne- and yo, if you don’t subscribe for him alone, you’re missing out), but I thought it was just Pasta being a beast. Great players make plays.
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The best points Bourne made about the Marchand goal were:
1. Pasta is elite. You’re not gonna fake him out with the surprise pokecheck - he’s way too good for that.
2. If Zaitsev had just waited a split second longer, Gardiner would have gotten back (he was flying) and cut off the passing lane)
3. When Zaitsev jumped Pasta, he picked his stick up and turned his whole body...leaving the passing lane wide open.
The best point he made about 2 on 1s in general is that defensemen have a tendency to get way too deep because the forwards are usually rushing through the neutral zone hard and the defenseman is trying to get back and match their speed. But, if the forwards aren’t getting back pressure, they usually slow way down once they hit the blue line, but defensemen don’t match that, so they lose their gap and allow the passing lane. You’re rarely gonna get beat beneath/behind you, so stay higher up and put your body in the passing lane.
1. Pasta is elite. You’re not gonna fake him out with the surprise pokecheck - he’s way too good for that.
2. If Zaitsev had just waited a split second longer, Gardiner would have gotten back (he was flying) and cut off the passing lane)
3. When Zaitsev jumped Pasta, he picked his stick up and turned his whole body...leaving the passing lane wide open.
The best point he made about 2 on 1s in general is that defensemen have a tendency to get way too deep because the forwards are usually rushing through the neutral zone hard and the defenseman is trying to get back and match their speed. But, if the forwards aren’t getting back pressure, they usually slow way down once they hit the blue line, but defensemen don’t match that, so they lose their gap and allow the passing lane. You’re rarely gonna get beat beneath/behind you, so stay higher up and put your body in the passing lane.
One funny thing for me is watching the Habs fans around here twist. They really want the Leafs to lose,. much of their pride is like Yankee fans with the Leafs being like pre Theo Cubs. But all Leafs' fans can focus on since game 4 is Marchand. Some Habs fans have reluctantly, now that it is the Leafs he is tormenting, defend him in certain instances, like the manufactured idea he butt ended the goalie in game 1
I’m having the opposite experience. A co-worker is a die-hard Habs fan, and wants the Bruins to lose so badly, he’s been seeing me in the lab and saying “Go Leafs Go” at every opportunity. I just grin and hum Kernkraft 400 back at him.
I am uess you are not in Canada, or at least not in western Canada. TSN, and Toronto centric media annoys the shit out of most of us out here.
Habs fans want the Bruins to lose, but 1967 is to them what 1918 was to Yankees fans. As neutral observers they have to admit, some of the Marchand hate is overblown.
So I ask you, more knowledgable hockey fans than me, are the Bruins in trouble?
- Up 3 games to 2 - advantage Boston.
- Two of their three wins were of pretty substantial measure. One was tight. Both Leafs wins were tight. So it seems like on the whole, Boston has outplayed Toronto.
- Toronto has momentum, coming off a big win and now getting game 6 at home. They win this and things get mighty interesting back in Boston.
I'd have to say obviously Boston still has the edge, needing to only win once while Toronto needs to win twice. Enormous. But...Toronto is good and it wouldn't surprise anyone for them to win game 6, which would set up a titanic game 7, with the Leafs having all the momentum.
- Up 3 games to 2 - advantage Boston.
- Two of their three wins were of pretty substantial measure. One was tight. Both Leafs wins were tight. So it seems like on the whole, Boston has outplayed Toronto.
- Toronto has momentum, coming off a big win and now getting game 6 at home. They win this and things get mighty interesting back in Boston.
I'd have to say obviously Boston still has the edge, needing to only win once while Toronto needs to win twice. Enormous. But...Toronto is good and it wouldn't surprise anyone for them to win game 6, which would set up a titanic game 7, with the Leafs having all the momentum.
In a series that goes 2-0 and then to 3-1, it only seems to feel like it gets real if it gets to 3-2. It got real all of the sudden.
More than tight, both of Toronto's wins were games where the Bruins had more shots, more shot attempts and had more control of the puck. They were just a bit of puck luck away from a tied game in game five and had they tied it they would have won.
Despite all the complaints here on SoSH (my own included) Toronto was clock watching for the last 8 minutes or so of game five, just begging the game to end. Toronto was lucky to get out of the barn alive. .... But it always good to be lucky, so they seem to have that going for them.
Boston seems to have some snake bit players too. Maybe time to put Donato on that third line?
More than tight, both of Toronto's wins were games where the Bruins had more shots, more shot attempts and had more control of the puck. They were just a bit of puck luck away from a tied game in game five and had they tied it they would have won.
Despite all the complaints here on SoSH (my own included) Toronto was clock watching for the last 8 minutes or so of game five, just begging the game to end. Toronto was lucky to get out of the barn alive. .... But it always good to be lucky, so they seem to have that going for them.
Boston seems to have some snake bit players too. Maybe time to put Donato on that third line?
They said on the talking box that Bergeron left the ice this morning after skating for 10 minutes.
I feel like that could be good or bad...
I feel like that could be good or bad...
Does anyone think that the B's try anything fundamentally different tonight? Or just more of the same with the expectation that the bounces will go our way and pucks will start finding the back of the net?
I was thinking this exact thing when I posted my question. I know that was pretty successful a couple years back. Have they done that at all this year?
I don’t think they need any power play changes, especially net front. Off the top of my head they have scored 4 PPG’s from that spot.
Chara hasn’t played on the power play in 2 years, don’t see why they need to start now.
Chara hasn’t played on the power play in 2 years, don’t see why they need to start now.
A former player named Ian Moran has been writing fro BSJ about the series. He talked about how the Leafs had made some changes to their PK which has really disrupted things for the B's PP, including outnumbering the B's in front of Anderson.
I'd like to see less Krejci on the PP as one change, but from a tactical standpoint, no changes necessary and please no Chara.
I'm fine with it.
I also think this is a good game to get Donato involved. You have a one game buffer and he could provide a spark. If he does, you continue with him in game 7, if not then you stay away from him in a game 7.
I also think this is a good game to get Donato involved. You have a one game buffer and he could provide a spark. If he does, you continue with him in game 7, if not then you stay away from him in a game 7.
So.... Donato? I am not sure any of this is germane to the real issue, namely, that the Bs are getting smoked a few times a game on the stretch pass.
Damn. FL4WL3ss beat me to it.
Damn. FL4WL3ss beat me to it.
I dunno, the Bruins are two posts away from being 3-for-6 last game and are still north of 35% on the PP for the series. Maybe the adjustments Toronto made were to the net size, but it's not like they're stopping chances from happening. Bruins just need to finish.
They may not be limiting chances but they are definitely altering the quality of those chances the last few games. Bruins aren't getting as much traffic in front to screen Anderson and they are also doing a good job of limiting the triangles for the Bruins to make passes down low.
A white van just struck several people on a sidewalk in Toronto. Incident appears to be deliberate. Breaking on most news sources now, not sure if this will impact the game tonight.
This is really getting annoying. The action has been tilted heavily towards the Bruins offensive zone for a lot of the last 2 games yet Toronto has won both. This series shouldn’t have gone to 7. FINISH THEM!!!!
Donato needs to be in the lineup. They need goal scoring on the ice behind the 1st line and I'd rather live with Donato's defensive inefficiencies than Heinen or Wingels.
The number of saves that have come off Andersen’s stick is insane! Hope he has to lose the Horseshoe up his ass when he goes through Customs.
He can be sheltered at home as well. Someone with skill who's not spooked right now needs to get a shot.
Based on game 6, there can’t be another Wingels game with top 6 minutes. I think the consensus is that Heinen or Donato will be riding shotgun with Krejci and DeBrusk.
Otherwise IMO lines are set. 60 minutes at home to decide this.
Otherwise IMO lines are set. 60 minutes at home to decide this.
So what is up with Bergy? Seemed like a bit of a no show tonight? Rarely even seemed to have the puck near him.
Babcock matched up Plekanec-Marner-Marleau with the Bergeron line most of the night. Plakenec is a good defensive forward.
Thought bergy was fine tonight. Forwards were great overall and would have potted 3-4 on another night.
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Bruins Stats @bruins_stats
Cassidy decided to break up Miller and Grzelcyk for the playoffs. Miller and Krug have been on the ice for 6 goals allowed in 54 minutes 5v5.
Cassidy decided to break up Miller and Grzelcyk for the playoffs. Miller and Krug have been on the ice for 6 goals allowed in 54 minutes 5v5.
Wingels is fine as a 4th line player, and tonight showed why that’s his upside. Shanked the best scoring chance the Bs had and made some possession-killing passes. I would not object to Donato getting a look in Game 7.
But the new Nash line looked really good to my eyes. With the finesse plays not working the last few games, Rick-Riley-Backes did a great job of providing physicality along with skill. They did well in board battles and in front of Andersen. I give them another go on Wednesday.
But the new Nash line looked really good to my eyes. With the finesse plays not working the last few games, Rick-Riley-Backes did a great job of providing physicality along with skill. They did well in board battles and in front of Andersen. I give them another go on Wednesday.
Cassidy's game 6 lineup decision was inexplicable, IMO. In game 5, the Bruins carried the play but struggled to finish chances, and he responded by scratching Heinen and playing Wingels on line 2? Crazy.
I'd like to see Donato get a look.
You gotta like being at home for the deciding game 7. Not sure if momentum is a thing, but if it is, it's all with Toronto.
The crazy thing is that to my non-expert eyes, it sure seemed like the Bruins were carrying the play in both of the last two games, but just cannot find a way to get the puck past Andersen. So many pucks hit Toronto players. Andersen made some stops by blind luck sometimes as he was turned around and didn't even see things. Toronto scored a no-look goal last night (the winner) and I was like, are you kidding me? The Bruins seemed to be dominating play, but just not getting results. That continues for one more game and the dam is either finally going to break and Boston wins, or it's going to be one of the most frustrating series' we've seen in a while here.
Maybe so, but the Bruins were offensively challenged in games 2 and 3, and one would think that if nothing else Donato might help on the power play. Frankly I’d get both Heiden and Donato into the mix in game 7.
Where things stand now is that if Toronto can shut down the top line, the Bruins go home.