Game 7 NOTHING EASY - Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

[RedOctober3829]

I can’t put this on coaching. The theme of the 4 losses were inexplicably poor puck possession by our defensemen in our own end that led to so many goals for Florida. The amount of turnovers killed this team.

I’m sick to my stomach. This was as much fun watching the Bruins as I’ve ever had. My 2 year old son got into hockey this year. I did not want this to end. I feel worse than I did for the 18-1 pats game and the ‘19 SCF. I’ll be even sicker if this is indeed Bergeron’s last game. I honestly don’t know how to get over this. It’s going to be a long time.

 

[OurF'ingCity]

View: https://twitter.com/michaelfhurley/status/1652857680275406848?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA


View: https://twitter.com/michaelfhurley/status/1652857106343645185?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA


View: https://twitter.com/_tyanderson/status/1652856116227854340?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA



Doesn’t really seem like a guy completely in charge of the room

So Monty has no say in goalie changes to the point where he doesn’t even know why one or the other was starting any game? Is that normal for an NHL coach?

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

no one would ever coach here again and the players would be bullshit

Half the players won’t be here in 36 hours. Including the captain.

Then they got to the playoffs and couldn’t string two passes together to save their lives.

I said this earlier, but this looks like a team that won a ton of 50/50 battles and passes in the regular season, then got stunned when the passing lanes shrunk and the other guys wanted it more. After that, there was no Plan B. No adjustments to breakouts to stop feeding it into Florida’s borderline reckless forecheck, no safer decisions to make it possible to break out/possess through the neutral zone better, nothing. Just kept jamming the same big round peg in the tiny square hole.

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

So Monty has no say in goalie changes to the point where he doesn’t even know why one or the other was starting any game? Is that normal for an NHL coach?

No. He is over his head.

 

[scottyno]

Did you miss him crying and do a skate around the ice with his stick raised saluting the fans?

Didn't we think he was done after last year too?

 

[Boston Brawler]

Just never win the President’s trophy again. Focus on health, rest, and try to be a wild card team.

 

[jezza1918]

I can’t put this on coaching. The theme of the 4 losses were inexplicably poor puck possession by our defensemen in our own end that led to so many goals for Florida. The amount of turnovers killed this team.

I’m sick to my stomach. This was as much fun watching the Bruins as I’ve ever had. My 2 year old son got into hockey this year. I did not want this to end. I feel worse than I did for the 18-1 pats game and the ‘19 SCF. I’ll be even sicker if this is indeed Bergeron’s last game. I honestly don’t know how to get over this. It’s going to be a long time.

I hear that. But when the same mistakes are made over and over I lay a fair amount of that on coaching. And I say that as a former coach…(of a low level d3 tennis team so just trust me on this). Kidding aside between the repeated mistakes and handling of goalies I pin a decent amount on monty

 

[Ed Hillel]

View: https://twitter.com/michaelfhurley/status/1652857106343645185?s=42&t=-Ai-mpXJJ05V-SE-SPRBGA


Wow, what a dick.

 

[kenneycb]

There’s a whole lot of stupid in here

 

[moretsyndrome]

Hockey is so razor thin. Pasta’s shot avoids the nub of the stick and the apocalypse gets put on hold.
Then again, there were similar plays in game sevens that went the Bruins way in 2011. Without that we’re sitting on oongatz for 50 years.
Whatever. Go Celtics

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

This is why I don’t want Bert back. To trick-or-treat. View: https://twitter.com/bruins_stats/status/1652857343476940803?s=12

Bertuzzi was one of the few players on the team who actually looked fit for the moment throughout the series.

But the whole team was collectively such shit defensively in the last three games especially that everyone deserves a huge slice of blame.

Really sucks that it doesn’t even feel like they left everything out on the ice. Florida was willing to die for the win. Bruins weren’t. I don’t mean this in like a hypothetical “wanted it more” kind of way just literally that one team visibly worked a lot harder. Bruins thought they could regular season their way through it.

 

[MuppetAsteriskTalk]

After reading some of those quotes, I would fire him, into the sun.

 

[Helmet Head]

I was a little worried about the goaltending coming into the playoffs given their experience. What I did not see coming was their complete defensive incompetence. Felt like they were lost for a good portion of this series and some if that is coaching. Not sure what the future holds for this franchise but not really filled with confidence. What a brutal brutal lose this is on so many levels.

 

[Auger34]

So Monty has no say in goalie changes to the point where he doesn’t even know why one or the other was starting any game? Is that normal for an NHL coach?

That’s a really damning quote….you have to wonder what the fuck he is even thinking saying that

 

[Myt1]

no one would ever coach here again and the players would be bullshit

I’m super pissed at Montgomery but the bruins will be even more if a laughingstock if they can him

Agreed.

 

[Ed Hillel]

So Monty has no say in goalie changes to the point where he doesn’t even know why one or the other was starting any game? Is that normal for an NHL coach?

Even if true, be a leader and either accept responsibility or give a non answer. Don’t pass the buck to your coach of 20 years wtf. Imagine BB telling the media to talk to Scar after SB 42.

 

[cornwalls@6]

Other than a couple of big hits early, Mcavoy sucked in this series. Terrible with the puck, bad turnovers, missed shots on juicy opportunities, etc. A big fail from our young, hot shit, number 1 d-man.

 

[jezza1918]

There’s a whole lot of stupid in here

Some of that is me. I didn’t express myself well about the Bergeron narrative being about the team chokes.

I think his individual status is set in stone Both in Boston and nationally. I do think from a team perspective there will be a lot of “yeah but those choke jobs“ narrative that clouds him a bit.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

There’s no way the team ever competes again without wholesale changes. This was a team wide collapse. The d played like fucking trash, every one of them. The goaltending stunk, and Swayman now has two Game 7 losses on his resume. The offense didn’t score enough and the coach shriveled.

Blow it up. This bunch choked.

 

[nolasoxfan]

Up 3-1 with 2 home games and they blow it.

Third period lead in game 6 and they blow it.

Third period lead in game 7 and they blow it.

I mean....it's hard to blow a series worse than this.

Damned near improbable, but here we are.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Probably a shell shock situation to a degree. Having to answer questions right now is shit. Part of the job, but shit.

 

[8slim]

As players I love the core of this team. But as leaders, man I just don’t know. They got shredded in OT. Clearly couldn’t shake off the regulation equalizer.

Small in big moments is the motto of the last dozen years.

 

[kenneycb]

Some of that is me. I didn’t express myself well about the Bergeron narrative being about the team chokes.

I think his individual status is set in stone Both in Boston and nationally. I do think from a team perspective there will be a lot of “yeah but those choke jobs“ narrative that clouds him a bit.

Nobody is going to remember that when thinking about his career 5-10 years from now.

 

[SoFloSoxFan]

Yes they can and they should.

The front office has to know that this is going to require a rebuild, marchand will be the leader of the team, pastrnak the talent. By the time they get competitive again they won't need have and/or need monty anymore. just cut the cord now.

 

[OneRedDred]

I don’t know what the analytics say, and maybe I’m wrong, but Hampus Lindholm does not feel like a game-changing NHL defensemen in the playoffs.

 

[Myt1]

View: https://twitter.com/michaelfhurley/status/1652857680275406848?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA


View: https://twitter.com/michaelfhurley/status/1652857106343645185?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA


View: https://twitter.com/_tyanderson/status/1652856116227854340?s=46&t=Yv-0viabFQl7Lk7DrSRbBA



Doesn’t really seem like a guy completely in charge of the room

Throws his goalie coach who produced a likely third Vezina winner under the bus. Profiles in Courage.

 

[jezza1918]

Nobody is going to remember that when thinking about his career 5-10 years from now.

Probably right. I’m sitting here catatonic with some show about kfc and Wendy’s. I can’t move. Just upset.

 

[cornwalls@6]

What a chicken shit response from Monty. Go away.

 

[BaseballJones]

Get. Him. Gone.

Isn't it bonkers? The guy pulled literally ALL the right levers during the regular season. All of them. He handled everything beautifully and created a system that all the players bought into. He incorporated new players, helped young players, helped veteran players, dealt with the two goalie situation all so unbelievably well, that it led to literally the best regular season in NHL history.

And then suddenly....he turned into a complete pumpkin.

Or....did he? I mean....it wasn't his fault that the Bruins defensemen kept turning the puck over for no apparent reason. It wasn't his fault that nobody rooted Tkachuk out from in front of the Bruins' goaltenders. He did make numerous colossal mistakes, but even halfway decent play from the defense and goalies and the Bruins cruise in this series. All they needed was for the defense and goalies to not completely suck. But nope....it was by FAR the best defensive team in the NHL that suddenly, inexplicably, vanished. For no good reason. It couldn't have been fatigue - they had tons of depth. What was the reason?

I'm happy to pile a bunch of blame on Monty. But it's inexplicable. How did he do EVERYTHING right during the season and EVERYTHING wrong during this series? And how did the defense go from being league best to allowing a ton of goals for the dumbest reasons in this series?

It's just....unreal.

 

[genoasalami]

Just never win the President’s trophy again. Focus on health, rest, and try to be a wild card team.

that's pretty much how Tampa played the season ....and they dominated the play at home against Toronto only to lose 3 straight OTs. It's tough to win a series when your goalie is off his game and you don't get any puck luck along the way.

 

[moretsyndrome]

There’s a whole lot of stupid in here

What’s the matter? You don’t think the NHL has an obvious interest in making sure that a team from south fucking Florida advances over an original 6 team? Or that Boston’s power play was the reason they lost? Haven’t you ever watched hockey?

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

As players I love the core of this team. But as leaders, man I just don’t know. They got shredded in OT. Clearly couldn’t shake off the regulation equalizer.

Small in big moments is the motto of the last dozen years.

They’re chokers. That’s the overwhelming characteristic of this team. Has been for years. 2011 was an an aberration and it’s now 12 years in the past.

This team comes up small in the playoffs. That’s who they are.

 

[Auger34]

I will never, for the life of me, understand why he didn’t play Swayman in Game 6.

 

[scottyno]

There’s no way the team ever competes again without wholesale changes. This was a team wide collapse. The d played like fucking trash, every one of them. The goaltending stunk, and Swayman now has two Game 7 losses on his resume. The offense didn’t score enough and the coach shriveled.

Blow it up. This bunch choked.

Pretty confused why "has two game 7 losses on his resume" is relevant. Are you blaming him for them losing today? FTR Tim Thomas had 2 game 7 losses on his resume before they won the cup too

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Isn't it bonkers? The guy pulled literally ALL the right levers during the regular season. All of them. He handled everything beautifully and created a system that all the players bought into. He incorporated new players, helped young players, helped veteran players, dealt with the two goalie situation all so unbelievably well, that it led to literally the best regular season in NHL history.

And then suddenly....he turned into a complete pumpkin.

Or....did he? I mean....it wasn't his fault that the Bruins defensemen kept turning the puck over for no apparent reason. It wasn't his fault that nobody rooted Tkachuk out from in front of the Bruins' goaltenders. He did make numerous colossal mistakes, but even halfway decent play from the defense and goalies and the Bruins cruise in this series. All they needed was for the defense and goalies to not completely suck. But nope....it was by FAR the best defensive team in the NHL that suddenly, inexplicably, vanished. For no good reason. It couldn't have been fatigue - they had tons of depth. What was the reason?

I'm happy to pile a bunch of blame on Monty. But it's inexplicable. How did he do EVERYTHING right during the season and EVERYTHING wrong during this series? And how did the defense go from being league best to allowing a ton of goals for the dumbest reasons in this series?

It's just....unreal.

His vacant and slacked jawed stare as a clearly injured Ullmark gave up 3 3rd period goals in game 6 tells me everything I need to know about the guy.

 

[twibnotes]

I swear some of it feels like law of averages

Virtually everything went right for them in the regular season. I remember feeling nervous they were using up all their breaks

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Pretty confused why "has two game 7 losses on his resume" is relevant. Are you blaming him for them losing today? FTR Tim Thomas had 2 game 7 losses on his resume before they won the cup too

Swayman has come up short in Games 7 in his career. He was terrible last year, he was ok tonight. But he know has two losses in such situations on his resume and those are not easy to forget.

 

[Auger34]

Isn't it bonkers? The guy pulled literally ALL the right levers during the regular season. All of them. He handled everything beautifully and created a system that all the players bought into. He incorporated new players, helped young players, helped veteran players, dealt with the two goalie situation all so unbelievably well, that it led to literally the best regular season in NHL history.

And then suddenly....he turned into a complete pumpkin.

Or....did he? I mean....it wasn't his fault that the Bruins defensemen kept turning the puck over for no apparent reason. It wasn't his fault that nobody rooted Tkachuk out from in front of the Bruins' goaltenders. He did make numerous colossal mistakes, but even halfway decent play from the defense and goalies and the Bruins cruise in this series. All they needed was for the defense and goalies to not completely suck. But nope....it was by FAR the best defensive team in the NHL that suddenly, inexplicably, vanished. For no good reason. It couldn't have been fatigue - they had tons of depth. What was the reason?

I'm happy to pile a bunch of blame on Monty. But it's inexplicable. How did he do EVERYTHING right during the season and EVERYTHING wrong during this series? And how did the defense go from being league best to allowing a ton of goals for the dumbest reasons in this series?

It's just....unreal.

I mean, we talk about players getting nervous or “deer in the headlights”….coaches can too right?

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Half the players won’t be here in 36 hours. Including the captain.

I said this earlier, but this looks like a team that won a ton of 50/50 battles and passes in the regular season, then got stunned when the passing lanes shrunk and the other guys wanted it more. After that, there was no Plan B. No adjustments to breakouts to stop feeding it into Florida’s borderline reckless forecheck, no safer decisions to make it possible to break out/possess through the neutral zone better, nothing. Just kept jamming the same big round peg in the tiny square hole.

Yeah, this happens in hockey. The playoffs is a different game. Series declare themselves fairly quickly and you find that some teams make the transition to playoff hockey and some don’t. You could tell early in the series that it was more even than regular season records suggested. But it’s the lack of adjustment that is hard to take.

 

[BaseballJones]

I mean, we talk about players getting nervous or “deer in the headlights”….coaches can too right?

Yeah, apparently. It's unreal though. It's like the ENTIRE TEAM became a bunch of deer in the headlights. Including the coach.

 

[twibnotes]

Swayman has come up short in Games 7 in his career. He was terrible last year, he was ok tonight. But he know has two losses in such situations on his resume and those are not easy to forget.

he was better than ok tonight, especially after sitting idle for six games

made some huge saves in OT

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Nobody is going to remember that when thinking about his career 5-10 years from now.

Yeah it’s not the NBA or NFL where choking narratives can dog a star player or quarterback forever

 

[genoasalami]

I swear some of it feels like law of averages

Virtually everything went right for them in the regular season. I remember feeling nervous they were using up all their breaks

It happens. Tampa Bay won the Presidents' Trophy in 2019 with 128 points and had beaten Columbus in all three regular season meetings by a combined score of 17 to 3. Got swept by them in the first round.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

he was better than ok tonight, especially after sitting idle for six games

made some huge saves in OT

Not enough of them.

 

[barclay]

If Bruce and LV win the cup there's gonna be a whole lot of screaming in these parts.

 

[twibnotes]

Not enough of them.

and that’s on his teammates who were mostly dominated in OT

 

[NYCSox]

It happens. Tampa Bay won the Presidents' Trophy in 2019 with 128 points and had beaten Columbus in all three regular season meetings by a combined score of 17 to 3. Got swept by them in the first round.

That's the only thing keeping this from being a 2004 MFY level choke job.

 

[scottyno]

Swayman has come up short in Games 7 in his career. He was terrible last year, he was ok tonight. But he know has two losses in such situations on his resume and those are not easy to forget.

He gave up 3 goals last year, I don't really remember the game at this point, but that isn't exactly terrible. This year he sat for 6 games, and then saved the team several times while the defense had been atrocious for large stretches of the entire series.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

and that’s on his teammates who were mostly dominated in OT

Sometimes your goalie has to bail you out. Aside from 2011 it’s never happened for this team.

Bob made the stupid save with the stick shaft. Bruins goalies never make such saves.

 

[Auger34]

Yeah, apparently. It's unreal though. It's like the ENTIRE TEAM became a bunch of deer in the headlights. Including the coach.

Watching his interviews between periods and then reading those post game quotes…the guy really reminds me of Grady Little. Him and Little are the only two coaches I can think of who were just completely and obviously overwhelmed by the moment and what was happening.

The reporter on the ice asked him about mishandling picks and if it was nervousness and his answer was something along the lines of “I sure hope so!!!” It honestly made me cringe during the game at how dopey and unprepared it sounded