Seriously?
Ok - we've got the "fuck Tom Wilson" shit out of our systems. Let's try to make this thread a little less Game Thready and a little higher quality moving forward please.*
Why not sit Wagner instead? A little Freddy would be okay against (Fuck) T** W***** and GarnetAny chance Frederic sees the ice to start this series? It would likely mean sitting Debrusk, since Wagner probably goes in on Lazar's right and Kuraly has been a good fit between Ritchie and Coyle.
Fuck Tom Wilson.
He does not need tequila.
The cold hard facts!Counterpoint - it's not for him. It's for us having to deal with him.
Ritchie - Kuraly - Wagner was an absolute force last night, in my opinion. Wonder if they stick with that and go DeBrusk - Lazar - Coyle?I personally prefer a DeBrusk - Coyle - Ritchie 3rd line and Kuraly - Lazar - Wagner 4th line, but based on recent games, this lineupseems to be the way the Bruins are leaning. If push comes to shove and they feel they need to get heavy, they can yank Wagner out for Frederic to bang some bodies around.
If Ovechkin is even 75% (which is certainly possible) - their offense suddently gets very ordinary.The cold hard facts!
The only thing I'm worried about in this series is the defenses ability to match up with the Caps offense. We need Rask to get hot.
If DeBrusk can't crack that third line-which I do not think he can-I think Frederic is a much better fit on the fourth line than he is. That fourth line should be all about energy, being super physical, and keeping the puck out of the net. I think Frederic-Lazar-Wags would do a much better job at all three.I personally prefer a DeBrusk - Coyle - Ritchie 3rd line and Kuraly - Lazar - Wagner 4th line, but based on recent games, this lineupseems to be the way the Bruins are leaning. If push comes to shove and they feel they need to get heavy, they can yank Wagner out for Frederic to bang some bodies around.
Kase left the game last night with an undisclosed upper body injury. Cassidy did not sound hopeful when asked.I love Kase's upside, but the only way I see him getting real run is a situation like Seguin in the 2011 playoffs where he's skating in practice a few weeks then comes in later in the playoffs if they need more offense later in the later rounds. Until that point, I think you're better off not messing with the top 6 and then unless someone like DeBrusk turns back into a pumpkin ride out the bottom 6.
Cassidy said today it was not neccesarily an injury, but may be related to conditioning.Kase left the game last night with an undisclosed upper body injury. Cassidy did not sound hopeful when asked.
I think the Capitals offense is a little overrated because of their stars. I'm not too worried about them at even strength. The Bruins offense was feeble for most of the year but still grades out as outperforming the Capitals. By scoring chances, the Capitals are 21st in scoring chances for per 60 minutes. Defensively, the Bruins allowed the 4th fewest scoring chances against per 60 minutes at 5x5. By expected goals, the Bruins finished 12th in xGF per 60, the Capitals were 20th. The Capitals are actually better defensively than they get credit for. They finished 8th in xGA per 60 (Bruins were 3rd) and were 5th in scoring chances against per 60 (Bruins 4th). People think of the Caps as a run and gun who cares about defense type of team but they really aren't.The cold hard facts!
The only thing I'm worried about in this series is the defenses ability to match up with the Caps offense. We need Rask to get hot.
Last update from Butch was that they anticipated he'd be ready for game 1.Counterpoint: Don't fuck Tom Wilson. Anyone. Ever. Make him an incel.
As for what I think they should do with the bottom 6, I think it depends on if Coyle is healthy. Does anyone know what's wrong with him?
Yeah Fluto running with that too.Cassidy said today it was not neccesarily an injury, but may be related to conditioning.
The cheap shot on Aston-Reese was in a playoff game.*We’ve got it out of our systems until the first dirty-looking hit he lays out*
Seriously though, he can’t be that stupid to goon up a playoff game. I like this matchup for the B’s as long as Rask is on his game.
He was probably sucking air. Legs not there, something like that. I remember when Pasta returned this year after missing most of camp and the beginning of the season he said he felt like he was run over by a train after playing the first few games. I'd imagine Kase is in the same boat, but with the injury history they probably decided to pull the plug lest his conditioning put him in a vulnerable position where he could suffer further injury.I have no clue what "comfortable with his conditioning" actually is supposed to mean, but I thought Kase was surprisingly good last night. I hope he can keep playing (and find a line-mate who can finish off after he creates a rebound).
There are no real AHL playoffs this year. The Pacific Division has some kind of divisional tournament happening, but that's the extent of it. I don't see Kase coming back this year in any capacity.I'm relieved he wasn't pulled due to a concussion or any other injury, but that'll probably shut the books on his year. The only path forward is through Providence. Providence's year is over, and I'm not sure what the plan is for playoffs down there (there may not be any). Theoretically they could send him down on a conditioning stint and get him 2-3 games and then go from there but if Providence is done, there's no way to get him game action and I would doubt the team would want to insert him into a playoff game with so much uncertainty.
This is promising:I think the Capitals offense is a little overrated because of their stars. I'm not too worried about them at even strength. The Bruins offense was feeble for most of the year but still grades out as outperforming the Capitals. By scoring chances, the Capitals are 21st in scoring chances for per 60 minutes. Defensively, the Bruins allowed the 4th fewest scoring chances against per 60 minutes at 5x5. By expected goals, the Bruins finished 12th in xGF per 60, the Capitals were 20th. The Capitals are actually better defensively than they get credit for. They finished 8th in xGA per 60 (Bruins were 3rd) and were 5th in scoring chances against per 60 (Bruins 4th). People think of the Caps as a run and gun who cares about defense type of team but they really aren't.
The Power Play is another story. The Capitals scored 8.82 goals per 60 on the power play this year, 3rd in the league. The Bruins penalty kill finished 2nd best by allowing only 4.89 goals against per 60 while shorthanded, but the Capitals did go something like 9 for 31 on the PP against us. The Bruins need to A) stay out of the box and B) be better on the kill against them. The last 2 games against Washington we blew leads due to penalty trouble and an inability to kill (in fairness one of them was multiple 5 on 3).
I agree about keeping out of the box. And I am encouraged by the stronger 5v5 play. But it would really help to create breathing room (both in-game and in the series) by cashing in on PP opportunities At a rate closer to the former juggernaut pace.The Bruins are averaging 3.57 goals per game against the Capitals this season. The only team Boston generated more goals against during the 2021 season were the lowly Sabres (4.00). Six of those those seven games against WSH were before the arrival of Hall/Reilly/Lazar. -Conor Ryan
Nice, he's been much better than Halak.
Yep - and then can't afford to have a repeat of Monday where they have to play a playoff game shorthanded for any stretch.With regards to conditioning, it's one thing to workout on your own and it's another to get into game shape. Just can't simulate it.
Was Kase ever put on the Covid list (i.e., test positive)? Just curious.With regards to conditioning, it's one thing to workout on your own and it's another to get into game shape. Just can't simulate it.
I would expect the same to hold during the playoffs, which is more about maintenance and adjustments than anything else. I guess skating with the Black Aces could help but I'm not sure how willing I'd be to roll the dice on him.Kase is presumably going to be able to actually practice now. While not the same speed as a game, he will get a chance to ramp up with most of the guys that we saw last night that will also be skating to stay in shape if they are needed. There have been very few actual practices this season due to the condensed schedule, which obviously would have helped Kase get his conditioning back.
Nope.Was Kase ever put on the Covid list (i.e., test positive)? Just curious.
I’m an orthopedic surgeon - you seem to have mistaken me for a real doctor.
Oh, good question. I try to keep mine at a 2 day look. But maybe I should go clean Saturday AM, and then start anew?I have a few thoughts:
Good morning everyone and a hearty fuck you to Tom Wilson.
I'm not sure how to put this, but it seems like Hall's addition provided stability to the 2nd line that then allowed the lower lines to stabilize as well. Some of it was the pushing of talent down with the insertion of Hall. Some of it was Hall making the 2nd line more of a threat and drawing attention away from the other 3 lines. I'm really optimistic about how this team is playing right now.
Playoff beard question: I know the rule is no shaving during the playoffs. Is it important to start fresh, or is a week's worth of stubble ok?
I always sport a beard so I usually trim it up short morning of...I have a few thoughts:
Good morning everyone and a hearty fuck you to Tom Wilson.
I'm not sure how to put this, but it seems like Hall's addition provided stability to the 2nd line that then allowed the lower lines to stabilize as well. Some of it was the pushing of talent down with the insertion of Hall. Some of it was Hall making the 2nd line more of a threat and drawing attention away from the other 3 lines. I'm really optimistic about how this team is playing right now.
Playoff beard question: I know the rule is no shaving during the playoffs. Is it important to start fresh, or is a week's worth of stubble ok?
The year they won the Cup I shaved immediately after they lost their regular season finale and didn't touch or trim until the morning after game 7. I think with the loss last night it's good to start with no playoff beard hair that has seen a regular season loss, but everyone's superstitions are different. Besides, that tactic hasn't worked since that year.I have a few thoughts:
Good morning everyone and a hearty fuck you to Tom Wilson.
I'm not sure how to put this, but it seems like Hall's addition provided stability to the 2nd line that then allowed the lower lines to stabilize as well. Some of it was the pushing of talent down with the insertion of Hall. Some of it was Hall making the 2nd line more of a threat and drawing attention away from the other 3 lines. I'm really optimistic about how this team is playing right now.
Playoff beard question: I know the rule is no shaving during the playoffs. Is it important to start fresh, or is a week's worth of stubble ok?
I just cut my hair after 3 years and trimmed my covid beard yesterday so I'm not winning anything this yearOh, good question. I try to keep mine at a 2 day look. But maybe I should go clean Saturday AM, and then start anew?
And wasn't @PedroSpecialK a finalist in a playoff beard contest a few years back ? By a few, i mean probably 10.
I replied to this earlier but was whacked for game threading. It hurt.I’m an orthopedic surgeon - you seem to have mistaken me for a real doctor.