Game 6 - Bruins @ CBJ

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
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Jul 31, 2006
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Guess who has to be in Raleigh for work next week? If the timing works out I'll be looking for a ticket too.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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Oct 25, 2007
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The Canadian media is losing their shit over Marchand’s post game interviews. Amazing.
Which is doubly bullshit because Torts was an absolutely asshole two nights in a row during his post game PC - and nary a word from the Canadian media was written about it. Apparently being a sore loser is acceptable.
 

Zososoxfan

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Sports Media might be the least interesting thing ever. I know some people can't get enough, but give me whiteboard analysis before another PC any day.

More importantly, the forward depth on this team right now is outstanding. Coyle, Kuraly, MoJo, etc. are playing well and it's letting Krejci, Pasta, and other guys have lower TOI and be more effective. The TOI numbers from last night are interesting:

Marshy - 21
Bergy - 20
Kuraly - 17
Pasta - 17
Nordstrom - 15
Wagner - 15
Krejci - 14
Coyle - 13
JDB - 13
MoJo - 12
Heinen - 12
Backs - 8

Kuraly, Nordberg, and Wagner having more minutes than Krejci and JDB is exactly what I'm talking about. Krejci is much fresher and it's really helping his game. Moreover, those minutes from the 3rd and 4th liners are solid, usually on the forecheck and flying around. Hell, I'd advocate for more Coyle/Kuraly minutes, except for the fact that it would presumably take away from Bergy, and that isn't happening (nor should it). I didn't think Backes was that low because every time he was on the ice, he was noticeable in a positive way. Then again, maybe shielding his minutes is what allows him to be effective.

Krug got beaten up this series. CBJ was clearly going after him a bit and while he played well (+2 last night), I worry about him. Not sure how others feel about Clifton and Grz, but with both those guys under 12 TOI and Krug at 21+, I wouldn't mind seeing those numbers get closer together.
 

TFP

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Kuraly, Nordberg, and Wagner having more minutes than Krejci and JDB is exactly what I'm talking about. Krejci is much fresher and it's really helping his game. Moreover, those minutes from the 3rd and 4th liners are solid, usually on the forecheck and flying around. Hell, I'd advocate for more Coyle/Kuraly minutes, except for the fact that it would presumably take away from Bergy, and that isn't happening (nor should it). I didn't think Backes was that low because every time he was on the ice, he was noticeable in a positive way. Then again, maybe shielding his minutes is what allows him to be effective.
A big explanation for that disparity is the 4-1 PP advantage for Columbus. Nordstrom had 3:16 SH TOI, Wagner 1:52 SH TOI, and Kuraly 4:44 SH TOI. DeBrusk only had 0:46 PP TOI and Krejci 1:01 PP TOI. While I agree with everything you said, I don't think it's as much a master strategy stroke by Cassidy but rather just a product of special teams circumstances.

The 3rd and 4th lines have been extremely effective this series and a huge reason why they won last night. As long as that continues, there in great shape moving forward.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Kuraly has been incredible. Not just sparking a constant forecheck with that line but creating a lot of chances.
 

RIFan

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Kuraly was also fantastic at the dot. 11/17 overall including 8/12 in the D Zone. That was particularly huge since Bergy had an uncharacteristic poor game at only 10/25.
 

cshea

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Kuraly’s return has let them go back to using that line for d zone draws against the other teams top line. He got all of 3 offensive zone starts in the series, to 21 d zone starts.
 

Zososoxfan

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A big explanation for that disparity is the 4-1 PP advantage for Columbus. Nordstrom had 3:16 SH TOI, Wagner 1:52 SH TOI, and Kuraly 4:44 SH TOI. DeBrusk only had 0:46 PP TOI and Krejci 1:01 PP TOI. While I agree with everything you said, I don't think it's as much a master strategy stroke by Cassidy but rather just a product of special teams circumstances.

The 3rd and 4th lines have been extremely effective this series and a huge reason why they won last night. As long as that continues, there in great shape moving forward.
Somewhat unrelated, but on the broadcast last night, Olczyk (or maybe Millbury, I don't know), said that Marchand is one of the Bruins' best PK guys. That stuck out to me as likely false, as Brad is probably the least defensive-minded FW on the team (not a knock on him, he's a tremendous scorer and creator). While his speed and elusiveness make him probably the greatest threat for a SH goal, I thought that was just totally wrong, but I didn't watch a ton of regular season games.
 

TFP

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Somewhat unrelated, but on the broadcast last night, Olczyk (or maybe Millbury, I don't know), said that Marchand is one of the Bruins' best PK guys. That stuck out to me as likely false, as Brad is probably the least defensive-minded FW on the team (not a knock on him, he's a tremendous scorer and creator). While his speed and elusiveness make him probably the greatest threat for a SH goal, I thought that was just totally wrong, but I didn't watch a ton of regular season games.
It's definitely true, especially since he's paired with Bergeron. He's a very responsible defensive forward and can create his own offense.

He also leads the NHL in SHG since 2010-2011 with 26.
 

Red Right Ankle

Formerly the Story of Your Red Right Ankle
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Somewhat unrelated, but on the broadcast last night, Olczyk (or maybe Millbury, I don't know), said that Marchand is one of the Bruins' best PK guys. That stuck out to me as likely false, as Brad is probably the least defensive-minded FW on the team (not a knock on him, he's a tremendous scorer and creator). While his speed and elusiveness make him probably the greatest threat for a SH goal, I thought that was just totally wrong, but I didn't watch a ton of regular season games.
Yeah, not even close to the least defensive minded FW on the team. That title goes to Pasta if it goes to anyone.
 

Zososoxfan

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Yeah, not even close to the least defensive minded FW on the team. That title goes to Pasta if it goes to anyone.
Absolutely willing to concede this point, but Brad had some plays in this series where he didn't backcheck well and CBJ had odd man breaks going the other way. It happened a lot so it's not all on Brad. I also may have been focusing on him too much - just a handful of plays that stuck out in my mind.
 

Dummy Hoy

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I'd go so far as to suggest Marchand is one of the better defensive forwards in the league. He's not a shut down guy, but he's so damn smart reading plays he can get a jump on guys into the right spots. Watch him forecheck (which is 100% a defensive play) and read the puck carrier...he goes to spots before the puck carrier even makes his fake before turning back. He knows when to pressure and when to contain. In addition his stick is always in a passing lane and I'm not sure how much of what you saw was fatigue, but I think he's always one of the best backcheckers because of his speed and hustle. All of these skills translate to the DZ as well.
 

LogansDad

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I disagree, Zososoxfan. Marchand's combination of speed, aggressiveness and hockey IQ are perfect for the Bruins penalty kill, especially combined with Bergeron's incredible knack for being responsible in his own defensive end. Add Marchand's goal scoring ability (as noted by TFP above), and he isn't just a great penalty killer, but a serious threat.
 

Red Right Ankle

Formerly the Story of Your Red Right Ankle
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Absolutely willing to concede this point, but Brad had some plays in this series where he didn't backcheck well and CBJ had odd man breaks going the other way. It happened a lot so it's not all on Brad. I also may have been focusing on him too much - just a handful of plays that stuck out in my mind.
If you are basing it largely on the series, there is a case to be made (though I would still point at Pasta). But the series was not representative of his overall body of work.
 

Zososoxfan

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I'd go so far as to suggest Marchand is one of the better defensive forwards in the league. He's not a shut down guy, but he's so damn smart reading plays he can get a jump on guys into the right spots. Watch him forecheck (which is 100% a defensive play) and read the puck carrier...he goes to spots before the puck carrier even makes his fake before turning back. He knows when to pressure and when to contain. In addition his stick is always in a passing lane and I'm not sure how much of what you saw was fatigue, but I think he's always one of the best backcheckers because of his speed and hustle. All of these skills translate to the DZ as well.
Great point - I was specifically referring to his backchecking.

If you are basing it largely on the series, there is a case to be made (though I would still point at Pasta). But the series was not representative of his overall body of work.
This seems like a good place to say I'm done until ECF G1 :drunk:
 

McDrew

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss
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I think that part of the intentional strategy with Marchand on the PK is that he is supposed to be as aggressive as possible in trying to prevent the other team from even establishing their offensive rush to get into the neutral zone. I think Bergeron's ability to anticipate passes while covering the center of the ice enables this. I think the payoff there is every second more it takes them to get across the line and set up is a second they aren't pressing the offensive zone.
 

wiffleballhero

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In the simulacrum
I'd go so far as to suggest Marchand is one of the better defensive forwards in the league. He's not a shut down guy, but he's so damn smart reading plays he can get a jump on guys into the right spots. Watch him forecheck (which is 100% a defensive play) and read the puck carrier...he goes to spots before the puck carrier even makes his fake before turning back. He knows when to pressure and when to contain. In addition his stick is always in a passing lane and I'm not sure how much of what you saw was fatigue, but I think he's always one of the best backcheckers because of his speed and hustle. All of these skills translate to the DZ as well.
I think that part of the intentional strategy with Marchand on the PK is that he is supposed to be as aggressive as possible in trying to prevent the other team from even establishing their offensive rush to get into the neutral zone. I think Bergeron's ability to anticipate passes while covering the center of the ice enables this. I think the payoff there is every second more it takes them to get across the line and set up is a second they aren't pressing the offensive zone.
I think these two post are the essence of it, for sure.

The only thing I'll add is that Marchand has a really quick stick/ fast hands when it comes to picking off passes. He's really good at mucking up what look like pretty clean passing lanes just because of his hands. I don't know that anyone else on the Bruins is as good as he is in that role as the first guy in against the building rush from the other team.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
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Marchand has been on the PK pretty much since day 1 as an established player. He’s a smart player. To be to be a weasel and be good, you have understand the game to figure out what you can get away with. That leads itself into being good at hockey, especially if you have skill. It’s why a guy like Steve Ott is going to get ahead coaching gig in the next handful of years, most likely, even though his cap was a 3C because he didn’t have the skill of Marchand.