Bruins 2021 Season Thread

RedOctober3829

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deep inside Guido territory
With Carlo back and potentially Kase for the playoffs, I'm giddy about our prospects.

If Kase plays, who sits?

Marchand-Bergy-Pasta
Smith-Krejci-Hall
Ritchie-Coyle-Kase
Kuraly-Lazar-Debrusk/Kuhlman/Frederic

I think Debrusk plays.

I like this team.
I would do something like this and see if it works. This is if Kase can even play.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Hall-Krejci-Smith
Ritchie-Kuraly-Kase
DeBrusk-Lazar-Coyle

Grz-McAvoy
Reilly-Carlo
Lauzon-Miller
 

tmracht

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I mean, I was concerned Kase might ever play again based on his history and the lack of details surrounding this injury.

That he might be available for the playoffs? Wow.
I was so excited when we traded for him, and then I feared he was forced into early retirement a la Savard as well. But seeing him back so soon has to be a boon to the whole squad. I don't know how you get him up to playing shape for the playoffs in 1 or 2 games, but he becomes a really interesting option if someone is out in the playoffs and you need some finesse to replace them rather than jam.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Hey remember a few weeks ago when I was super adamant that things needed to fall just perfectly and it was too much to overcome and we shouldn't have spent resources.

There aren't many times that I've enjoyed being wrong more than right now. Giggity.

(To be fair, I did say I was rooting to be wrong)
 

burstnbloom

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Hey remember a few weeks ago when I was super adamant that things needed to fall just perfectly and it was too much to overcome and we shouldn't have spent resources.

There aren't many times that I've enjoyed being wrong more than right now. Giggity.

(To be fair, I did say I was rooting to be wrong)
I think your caution was understandable and maybe the rest of us have gotten lucky with our optimism. It does feel like things are lining up just right.

It would be amazing to get JDB, Coyle and Kase going in these next two games.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Hall-Krejci-Smith
JDB-Coyle-Kase
Ritchie-Kuraly-Lazar

is a cup caliber forward group rivaling any team in the NHL. It's a lot to ask to get Jake (1 game of not being a stiff), Coyle (hurt and kind of a stiff) and Kase (zombie Kase?) to get it going in 2 games but what a show it would be if they could.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I think your caution was understandable and maybe the rest of us have gotten lucky with our optimism. It does feel like things are lining up just right.

It would be amazing to get JDB, Coyle and Kase going in these next two games.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Hall-Krejci-Smith
JDB-Coyle-Kase
Ritchie-Kuraly-Lazar

is a cup caliber forward group rivaling any team in the NHL. It's a lot to ask to get Jake (1 game of not being a stiff), Coyle (hurt and kind of a stiff) and Kase (zombie Kase?) to get it going in 2 games but what a show it would be if they could.
I don't think we have to get them going, but it definitely helps to have depth. My main concern was that the team lacked depth, but that's not really the case right now. It could still sink them if things fall apart, but currently looking very stable.
 

Zososoxfan

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I think your caution was understandable and maybe the rest of us have gotten lucky with our optimism. It does feel like things are lining up just right.

It would be amazing to get JDB, Coyle and Kase going in these next two games.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Hall-Krejci-Smith
JDB-Coyle-Kase
Ritchie-Kuraly-Lazar

is a cup caliber forward group rivaling any team in the NHL. It's a lot to ask to get Jake (1 game of not being a stiff), Coyle (hurt and kind of a stiff) and Kase (zombie Kase?) to get it going in 2 games but what a show it would be if they could.
It'll help that they'll usually be up against bottom lines. Having 4 lines rolling is huge come playoff time. Giggity indeed @FL4WL3SS !!
 

veritas

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If Kase is back and everyone is healthy, I think DeBrusk is the odd man out. I don't see him knocking Ritchie, Kuraly, or Wags out of the lineup. What a ridiculous amount of depth.
 

locknload

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If Kase is back and everyone is healthy, I think DeBrusk is the odd man out. I don't see him knocking Ritchie, Kuraly, or Wags out of the lineup. What a ridiculous amount of depth.
It would be amazing to be able to have DeBrusk to slot back into the lineup when the inevitable injury happens during a run vs. some corpse.
 

burstnbloom

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If we see the Debrusk we saw on Thursday the last three games of the season, he will push someone else out of the lineup.
 

TSC

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If we see the Debrusk we saw on Thursday the last three games of the season, he will push someone else out of the lineup.
I'm ok with Kuraly playing that role.

I don't think there's anything he provides that Kase can't do better.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Hall-Krejci-Smith
DeBrusk-Coyle-Kase
Ritchie-Wagner-Lazar
 

cshea

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I'm ok with Kuraly playing that role.

I don't think there's anything he provides that Kase can't do better.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Hall-Krejci-Smith
DeBrusk-Coyle-Kase
Ritchie-Wagner-Lazar
Kuraly kills penalties. He's 3rd in the team in total SH TOI among forwards, behind Coyle and Bergeron. He's also an extra center and their only lefty center which will probably factor in. Gives them another guy who can take draws. Plus big goalz and intagiblez and all that with Kuraly.

We've kind of got an embarrassment of riches here on the wings. I think Wagner should be the odd man out for game 1 assuming full health.

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
Hall - Krejci - Smith
DeBrusk - Coyle - Kase
Kuraly - Lazar - Ritchie

That's how I'd align the forwards. Kind of a tough break for Ritchie but I think he's better suited for the 4th line than DeBrusk.
 

Salem's Lot

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Kuraly kills penalties. He's 3rd in the team in total SH TOI among forwards, behind Coyle and Bergeron. He's also an extra center and their only lefty center which will probably factor in. Gives them another guy who can take draws. Plus big goalz and intagiblez and all that with Kuraly.

We've kind of got an embarrassment of riches here on the wings. I think Wagner should be the odd man out for game 1 assuming full health.

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
Hall - Krejci - Smith
DeBrusk - Coyle - Kase
Kuraly - Lazar - Ritchie

That's how I'd align the forwards. Kind of a tough break for Ritchie but I think he's better suited for the 4th line than DeBrusk.
I like Richie on the 4th line if we’re playing Washington. It gives them someone who can match Hathaway physically.
 

cshea

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He probably wouldn't be out there against Hathaway. Butch usually buries the 4th line and gives them all D zone draws which typically comes against the other teams top lines. They were a disaster last year against Tampa but he was bull headed about it while we died a quick death. We'll see if the strategy changes at all but through the regular season it hasn't. Kuraly has only a 20% Ozone start on the year which is the lowest among the regular F. Lazar is 21% since coming over. And Kuraly's ticked up a tad with his cameo on the 3rd line, he had been at like 15% ozone start for most of the year.
 

veritas

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Ritchie is 4th on the team in even strength goals this season, I think he'd be wasted on the 4th line, especially how they like to use it matchup-wise. Debrusk isn't a fit either so it'll be interesting to see what they do.
 

The Napkin

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He probably wouldn't be out there against Hathaway. Butch usually buries the 4th line and gives them all D zone draws which typically comes against the other teams top lines. They were a disaster last year against Tampa but he was bull headed about it while we died a quick death. We'll see if the strategy changes at all but through the regular season it hasn't. Kuraly has only a 20% Ozone start on the year which is the lowest among the regular F. Lazar is 21% since coming over. And Kuraly's ticked up a tad with his cameo on the 3rd line, he had been at like 15% ozone start for most of the year.
My favorite thing about that is how Bruce flat out said it wasn't fair to those guys and he wouldn't do it to them again only to go out and do the same thing all over again.
 

cshea

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My guess is for the playoffs they'll swap out Wagner for Coyle (supposedly in line to be ready by game 1) and Clifton for Miller on the back end and go from there. Assuming they get through the next 2 nights unscathed and they like what they see from Kase.

I'm pretty pumped about Kase to be honest. Fingers crossed he can stay healthy and contribute.
 

burstnbloom

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Today’s lines suggest that they might keep the heavy Ritchie/Kuraly/Coyle line together on the 3rd line and try a speedy 4th line of DeBrusk/Lazar/Kase.

#NHLBruins
morning rushes:

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
Hall - Krejci - Smith
Ritchie - Kuraly - Wagner
DeBrusk - Lazar - Kase

Grzelcyk - McAvoy
Reilly - Carlo
Lauzon - Clifton


View: https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1391774390854078466
I like this a lot. Debrusk has shown something the last two games and if Kase can be anything at all, it could be fun and a matchup problem for Washington. This team is good on paper, man. I don't think I could be any more excited to watch 2 meaningless games this week.
 

joe dokes

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If we see the Debrusk we saw on Thursday the last three games of the season, he will push someone else out of the lineup.
I happened to hear Cassidy on the radio pregame on Saturday. He said this when asked DeBrusk's little resurgence (paraphrasing). "Skilled guys measure themselves by scoring. I get that. Not everyone's Bergy or Marchy, but theres a million other ways to help the team win, and we're still trying to get everyone to buy in. [He didn;t name DeBrusk specifically, but the question was about him and he definitely said the 'buy in' part]." He then talked about Hall's play on defense and away from the puck on offense. It was not hard to read between the lines. He really does not trust DeBrusk if his offense isn't happening.
 

burstnbloom

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I happened to hear Cassidy on the radio pregame on Saturday. He said this when asked DeBrusk's little resurgence (paraphrasing). "Skilled guys measure themselves by scoring. I get that. Not everyone's Bergy or Marchy, but theres a million other ways to help the team win, and we're still trying to get everyone to buy in. [He didn;t name DeBrusk specifically, but the question was about him and he definitely said the 'buy in' part]." He then talked about Hall's play on defense and away from the puck on offense. It was not hard to read between the lines. He really does not trust DeBrusk if his offense isn't happening.
For good reason, I think. Cassidy has jerked Jake around a little bit these last couple of seasons for sure, but his play has warranted most of it this season. He is visibly discouraged on the ice and has been passing up opportunities to be physical and push the play. There was a flash just after the trade deadline where he started getting a bunch of shots on net for a change but it withered. Thursday and Saturday were the best he's looked this entire year. He needs to carry that through these final 2 games.
 

joe dokes

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For good reason, I think. Cassidy has jerked Jake around a little bit these last couple of seasons for sure, but his play has warranted most of it this season. He is visibly discouraged on the ice and has been passing up opportunities to be physical and push the play. There was a flash just after the trade deadline where he started getting a bunch of shots on net for a change but it withered. Thursday and Saturday were the best he's looked this entire year. He needs to carry that through these final 2 games.
I agree completely. DeBrusk takes too many strides off. He needs to be in low gear more and get some torque. It was just the first time I heard it from Cassidy's mouth instead of just reading about him saying similar things (I usually dont watch or listen much outside the games themselves) . It was a little more jarring that way.
 

cshea

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Butch has called DeBrusk out more than any other player I can think of. I say it all the time, but DeBrusk appears to be a guy who needs his ass kicked every now and again to get going. Usually it was once or twice a year. Unfortunately this season it's been far more frequent. Kick in the ass 1 came and he played like a bat out of hell when inserted back into the lineup. Then he promptly got Covid. Seems like that was a one step forward and then two steps back. Even if he felt no symptoms from Covid, he was in isolation for 10 days an unable to workout/skate which obviously isn't going to help.

It's also worth noting he's shooting 5.9% against his career average of 12.3%. Pulling that up to a conservative 10% and he'd have 8/9 goals as opposed to 5. Still less than what you expect from him, but he's also probably not riding the pine if a few more pucks went in for him.
 

Jordu

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Going into the series against Washington I’d much rather Cassidy used this bottom six:

Ritchie-Kuraly-Coyle
DeBrusk-Lazar-Kase/Frederic
14th forward: Wagner

That’s a heavy third line, and the it has been making some plays in the past couple of weeks. The fourth line needs to be a speed-and-defense line against Washington. I’m not confident they’ll get much out of Kase — he’s played 17 games in the past two years.

EDIT: Ckeck that. 19. 17 last year and 2 this season.
 

kenneycb

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Per his article in the Athletic today, Fluto thought it would be a tall ask to ask anything out of him this year. I feel like he doesn't relay his opinion too much, so I'm guessing he's getting some level of inside info.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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I mean if he can hit some posts, then he will be in postseason form from last year.

Are 2 games enough to get his legs under him? Maybe not. Honest question-- can he skate with the equivalent of the Black Aces? Get his wind back, so maybe he can be a go for the 2nd round?
 

kenneycb

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The cap doesn't matter in the playoffs (Hello Tampa!), so yes he can. From my understanding the Black Aces practice and then bag skate, so that's certainly a way to get your legs underneath you. That said, hard to replicate game action.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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apropos of nothing, Happy "It was 4-1" Day!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2emt38AkCBk

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYanopv3NCs

"The Tornoto Maple Leafs, unless the suffer a colossal collapse, are going to eliminate the Boston Bruins."
God this was amazing. At 1:50 left it is 4-2, the net is empty, and the Leafs defender is carrying the puck our of the defensive zone with nobody really around him. First pass out doesn't connect, puck goes deep, Bruins recover. Also crazy how close the B's actually came to winning in regulation with that Peverley chance.

The angle on the winning goal was such that you saw the scramble around the net, and you saw the puck squirt loose, Bergeron's approach and shot, but you don't quite see the puck actually go in the net—just the celebration after. Of course by that point I was so tweaked from the whole comeback that I am pretty sure my soul left my body as the puck slid out to Bergy and I didn't even comprehend that it had actually happened.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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I had forgotten how close Peverly came to winning it in reg. And the Rask save on the breakaway midway through the 3rd is often overlooked. Still love the Lucic "Let's F***$%g Go!!!" after it what it was made to be 4-2
 

tmracht

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Will be one of those nights I'll never forget the walk back to where we parked was insanity. The girl I was with was lost her damn mind when Bergeron scored and fell over the seat in front of her. Fun times.
 

TFP

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I had forgotten how close Peverly came to winning it in reg. And the Rask save on the breakaway midway through the 3rd is often overlooked. Still love the Lucic "Let's F***$%g Go!!!" after it what it was made to be 4-2
If Peverley had scored there I’m convinced either the crowd would have died of a collective heart attack or burned the garden down, with no in between.

The tying goal is the single most elated/surprised/excited I’ve ever been as a sports fan.
 

IdiotKicker

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My then roommate’s-fiancé‘s brother was a freshman at BU that year after living in India for his whole life previously. He came over to our place that night and we watched his first-ever hockey game. At the end of it, he turned to me and asked, “Are all hockey games that exciting?” I told him yes, because I didn’t want to break his heart. He’s still a fan.
 

The Napkin

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Of all the sporting events I've ever attended, this is number 1 by a large large margin.
The karaoke party between the 3rd and overtime was amazing. The whole thing was. Sitting utterly dejected just wanting them to show a little life. Then it was 4-2 for like forever. The breakaway. The fumbled clear that let the bruins get possession. So much happened. I was terrified of a delay the game penalty on the fans with all the towels after they tied it. Loved Lucic' reaction.

And yeah, Pevs nets that and I'm pretty sure the place would have literally exploded or at the very least a few panes of glass would have come down.

Anyway. Happy Anniversary.
 

Dummy Hoy

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My then 6 week old son was asleep on my lap, and I just remember when Looch scored I had to freeze every single muscle in my body, because if I let ANY energy out I would have exploded to my feet, flinging the baby across the room.

I risked him waking (he did not) and put him in his crib.
 

Lupe Whalewatch

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The karaoke party between the 3rd and overtime was amazing.

Anyway. Happy Anniversary.
Yup, incredible. Everyone was in complete shock. My humble brag of the evening was I was sitting in Bergeron's suite for the game, about 5 feet from his then fiancee, now wife.
 

tmracht

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Now I'm down the Dafoomie rabbit hole and man Game 6 in 08 against the Canadians was amazing too. I was in Japan watching a TiVo stream and Jack Edwards screaming 5-4 Boston still makes me shiver. Can the playoffs start already.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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The fan videos are epic, too. I have a Laffs friend with whom I love to share the montages on occasion. She doesn’t have much of a response other than the middle finger emoji. Mission accomplished.
 

joe dokes

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The fan videos are epic, too. I have a Laffs friend with whom I love to share the montages on occasion. She doesn’t have much of a response other than the middle finger emoji. Mission accomplished.
I've seen Leafs fan montages. Like Falcon fans at 28-3 and thereafter. Especially thereafter.