I'm going to the Sox game tomorrow. Anyone know if the Bruins game will be shown on the concourse at all? I'll be able to watch the 1st period before going into the game. Do they usually show anything on the TVs besides the Sox?
Round Two Discussion - Tampa
- Thread starter The Napkin
- Start date
Not sure I agree, especially coming down the stretch. Tampa's high scoring offense sometimes obscures the fact that they sometime also give up lots and lots of goals. As far as Vasilevskiy goes, he played well early on, but certainly did not finish strong, which gives me hope/makes we think these will not be low scoring games. Here are his goals allowed in all the games he started from March 1 to the end of the season:
6
4
3
7
3
3
6
2
4 (loss to Bruins)
4
0 (win over Bruins)
5
If I'm a Tampa fan who just watched the B's score more than 4 a game against the Leafs, seeing a bunch of 4s, 5s, 6s and even a 7 in there would certainly give me pause....
I agree with Yaz, Vasi is a very good goalie, but he's beatable and streaky. I think he was protected by an exceptional defense, and against a deep team like the Bruins he will be tested.
I think these two teams match up very well together. This should be a fantastic and long series.
I think these two teams match up very well together. This should be a fantastic and long series.
Weirdly, Vas and Rask are very similar statistically this year - less than 1% difference in save percentage, GAAs both in the low to mid- 2s.
I'm going to amend this a bit. He should remain in the press box until and unless the alternative is Tommy Wingels in a top 6 role.
This ignores the 4 game stretch in which the Bruins scored only 9 goals and won only 1 game. A similar stretch likely ends their season.
Can you make some more requests of this series? They seem to work out well...
If the bruins win this series and Washington wins theirs, who gets home ice? Bruins had more points but Washington won their division, so not sure of the rule.
“Home-ice advantage through the first two rounds goes to the team that placed higher in the regular-season standings. In the Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final, home-ice advantage goes to the team that had the better regular-season record, regardless of the teams' final standing in their respective divisions.”
Not really that astonishing considering that the first round was played against divisional rivals (mostly). So the teams were very familiar with each other. Ditto for this round as well.
OK. It is fucking well time to give Donato a look. The Bruins have 1 line, and only 1 line, that can generate offense, and that line 's offense is highly inconsistent.
Donato may not be the answer, but Wingels-in-for-Schaller ain't it, either. Backes got 6 minutes tonight, lowest on the team. Maybe his corpse should go to the press box.
Donato may not be the answer, but Wingels-in-for-Schaller ain't it, either. Backes got 6 minutes tonight, lowest on the team. Maybe his corpse should go to the press box.
The bench is likely a little shorter anyway. No reason not to have Donato available for some sheltered minutes. Do it, Bruce.
You're going to throw a kid that's not ready physically into a very physical playoff series? It's a bad idea. I want him to spend the summer working out and skating, not recovering from sta concussion.
This is reactionary nonsense. Fear of a concussion? Are you kidding? If that's how you feel you really shouldn't watch hockey. The kid signed a pro contract, he better be ready for NHL level physical play regardless of whether it's the playoffs or not, or he shouldn't play pro hockey.
They need two main things. First, additional speed to bring them back to life a bit, and second, they neeed offense and pressure out of their third line. For two series now the third line has been a liability without production. With Donato, they add speed, which is something they are sorely lacking, and a dynamic offensive threat. I think it's time to give him the nod.
This. The knock on Donato is his defense but considering how bad the guys that are in there have been on D, that’ll be a wash so I’ll take fresh legs with offensive upside. Backes and Riley have both been awful, Riley looks like hes still really jacked up from the injury, I’m hurting just watching him out there.
How's it reactionary? He wasn't deemed ready physically for the Toronto series. Now all of a sudden he is because the team is down 2-1? If he isn't ready they shouldn't put him in.
I missed where he was deemed “physically unfit to play”. Bruce went on the radio talking about how when making the decision between Heinen or Donato (his choice at the time) he felt Heinen had the more complete game considering both defense and offense. I think everyone here would agree with that - Donato is far from a defensive dynamo at this point. I don’t recall anyone freaking out saying he couldn’t play Toronto because he’ll get concussed.
Dontato should be in there at this point. They have about four or five listless players and what they don't have is anyone after the first line who has the ability to create quick offense.
I don't think Donato was the difference last night, but a goal at some point in the second period would have made for a very different kind of game. Right now TB has it pretty much figured out.
I don't think Donato was the difference last night, but a goal at some point in the second period would have made for a very different kind of game. Right now TB has it pretty much figured out.
3rd line had one shot on net. 4th line had two. That's simply not good enough.
I'm not sure Donato is the answer,.
I'm not sure Donato is the answer,.
Yes they have it figured out. Dump it to Torey Krug's side of the zone and fore check him until he turns it over. Donato isn't solving that problem. Look I'm probably being over dramatic about the injury risk with Donato but the offense isn't as big a problem as the defense forcing them to play from behind.
You're bitching about him getting a concussion, or injured, in the post I responded to. He's not hurt. He's not physically limited, but he needs to add strength. They are two separate arguments. One is nonsense (concussion risk), the other is a viable counter argument (he's going to struggle physically against a strong Tampa team). I was pointing out the absurdity of the former.
I think they need one of the bottom two lines to generate chances. Heinen has been terrible. I think Donato and his speed and shiftyness could cause issues for the Tampa defense, and it's worth a shot. Their offense was listless last night.
The first goal was a bobble/mistake by Gryzlek and the third was a terrible breakout pass by Miller that turned into an odd rush that Krug played poorly.
So, I don’t think last night shows that they have them figured out. The defense have to play better and thy can not go down by two goals early. Everything is easier with a league, doubly so last night.
Krug is a top 4D and top 15-20 puck mover in the league. He had a lousy game but so did the team. If Tampa’s plan is to forecheck him, well, I hope they do it when the score is tied and that he plays better.
If they are going to play Donato at all, G4 is the time to do so. With Home Ice, Bruce can protect him a bit with last change.
Bingo.
He played against men in the Olympics and didn’t look overmatched physically. His defensive liabilities were apparent but, again, we’ve got those without him in the lineup so what’s the harm?
Regardless, the D needs to be better if they’re going to pull this out. It feels like the Carlo injury is really coming home to roost here.
He'll be fine. The question is where will coach slot him?
I'm thinking with 46 and DeBrusk and move Nash down to give them a bit more offense too.
I'm thinking with 46 and DeBrusk and move Nash down to give them a bit more offense too.
We are due for a shorthanded, momentum-swinging goal.
Amidst the poor play in game 2 and game 3, I think it's worth noting just how well Chara has played the Stamkos/Kucherov line (with a mention to Tuukka for excellent tending). It is a shame the Bruins are in this position despite their ability to shut down Tampa's top line. The Bruins need to come up a plan to stop the Point line.
I don't disagree but the bigger sheet at the Olympics helped him out from a physicality standpoint. There just isn't as much board play because there's always some open ice to throw the puck to, so he was sheltered from that perspective as well.
Some lineup changes due to Marchand and DeBrusk not practicing.
Kind of concerning Cassidy doesn't know the status of either of them for game 4:
Kind of concerning Cassidy doesn't know the status of either of them for game 4:
Count me as one of those in favor of putting in Donato. One issue the last 2 games has been the fact that the Bruins never seem to have the puck when the 3rd and 4th lines are out there. Puts a lot of pressure on the defense to make plays. If Donato replaces Riley Nash on the 3rd line, perhaps that gives that line some more puck possession in the offensive zone. Could have a ripple effect.
What I don't want is Donato replacing either DeBrusk or Marchand. Groan.
What I don't want is Donato replacing either DeBrusk or Marchand. Groan.
I'm ambivalent about the Donato. The team could likely use his speed and offensive acumen, but the team lost last night - no individual stood out as particularly worse than the rest. So, even if he does play, he's not going to fix lines 2-4 by himself.
To that point, I don't think there's any lineup change that will make a huge difference. They can switch Rick and Backes, and/or Heinen and DeBrusk (assuming he plays), but changing tactics seems to be a bigger deal. Need to establish a presence in front of the net more often, need to clear DZ stronger and consistently, etc.
To that point, I don't think there's any lineup change that will make a huge difference. They can switch Rick and Backes, and/or Heinen and DeBrusk (assuming he plays), but changing tactics seems to be a bigger deal. Need to establish a presence in front of the net more often, need to clear DZ stronger and consistently, etc.
The biggest change they can make is telling the whole team the game starts 40 minutes before it actually does... hire the local beer league to come in dressed as Tampa, and just play a whole faux first period... have them go in for intermission, and then start the game. Maybe they'll actually show up for the real first period.
It's been open season on Marchand ever since his suspension, so not surprising he's banged up or injured.
The Bruins somehow, some way, need to increase their level of physicality in order to, at a minimum, match what Tampa has done to them in Games 2 and 3. And while Griz's ability to move the puck out of his d-zone quickly, either with a quick pass or by skating it out is badly needed, he seems to be getting overwhelmed physically in his own zone when the B's are backed up. Clearing the front of his own net is not a strength. I don't want Cassidy to sit him, because his mobility is a key component to the Bruins' success. But I don't think he has any choice at this point.
The Bruins dominated game 1. The Lighting dominated game 3. Game 2 was one of those games where there some HUGE missed calls - especially the non-slash against Marchand on the semi-breakaway that should have led to a penalty shot.
So Tampa has outplayed Boston but I don't think it's been by much. Game 4 pretty much is a must-win for Boston, but I don't think they're getting dominated by Tampa.
So Tampa has outplayed Boston but I don't think it's been by much. Game 4 pretty much is a must-win for Boston, but I don't think they're getting dominated by Tampa.
Yeah, its not quite sky-is-falling territory yet, a win in G4 evens the series, but some guys have looked ABYSMAL. Thats what is prompting the Donato talk. I would PREFER Donato not have to play and sit out, but Riley and Backes in particular have looked like such dogshit I can’t envision Donato being any worse than how they have looked, and I want this to at least be a competitive series because I don’t want this season to end on such a down note after being so entertaining all year.
Hopefully, the right buttons get pressed, G4 gets won, its anyone’s series, and the nancying can take a backseat.
Seguin was the hero against the Lightning last time - Donato this time?
