R1 G1 @Hurricanes

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
I got to be honest, as a coach I'm not one for the big locker room speech. I try to get in the room about 1/2 hour before game time and make sure everyone is present and getting ready. With about 10 minutes to go I'll outline 3 things that I want to see from the team- 3 things we need to focus on to be successful on that day. I'll then leave them the last 5 minutes to get themselves fired up. So I don't really see how this would be any different.

Gotta be honest here people, the regular season results v. Carolina don't really bother me. First game (which we probably outplayed them) was the 2nd night of a back to back and in their house. Next game was Rask shitting his pants and the third game we were missing 37 and 63.
Now, that said, Carolina is the 2 seed for a reason. They are fast, have great depth, a very aggressive approach, top notch team unity, and a couple of elite players who can change a game. This is going to be a battle, as close to a coin flip as any of the Eastern series in my mind. The Bruins ended the year with 107 points despite a fairly turbulent year, they can beat any team in the league in a seven game series, I beleive this firmly. But right now there's only one team to focus on.

First, and most important imo, thing to focus on: getting a good forecheck on them. I think the key to their transition game is speedy breakouts- the Bruins need to get pucks in behind their D and slow those breakouts. I think if we can slow them down on breakouts or turnovers, they lose a lot of their offensive strengths. I think we're going to need F2 and F3 to be especially smart this series. We keep them from smooth transitions and that'll go a long way to victory.

Second, we need to test their goaltender...I certainly have never minded seeing Freddie Anderson in a playoff series, but it does feel a bit different this year, playing behind a strong defensive team. I think him being out (and then coming back in a bit rusty) is only a good thing for us. But we need to take advantage by getting some quality chances early and finishing. Our shooting % is lower than it should be but you can't expect regression to the mean to just show up in time for the playoffs. That said, we've got the forward groups we want and our PP looked like it may finally be coming back around. Let's rough up their 'tenders early and grab this series by the throat.

Finally, We're going to need our elite players to step up. I realize that Carolina's biggest advatage in this series is probably depth, so we need out bottom 6 to play well. But more importantly to me is that our stars be stars. Bergy and Marchy need to lead the best line in hockey, Pasta needs to be in Rocket Richard form, and Chucky Bright Lights needs to show the world he's as good as anyone in the league at what he does. If those guys play the way they can, I think it's enough to overcome the depth issues...bottom 6 and 4 just need to keep things simple, rough Carolina up a bit, and change .' it up quickly. But I don't want to hear about Jordan Staal shutting us down with the matchups in Carolina or Brett Pesce being 'tough to play against.' I just want them scrambling to handle the quartet of Hall of Famers (and their hangers on) that runs them over.

That's it guys- three things to focus on...we get those done tonight, we win the first of 16.

See you out on the ice.

LFG
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Marchand - Bergeron - DeBrusk
Hall - Haula - Pastrnak
Frederic - Coyle - Smith
Foligno - Nosek - Lazar

Lindholm - McAvoy
Grzelyck - Carlo
Forbort - Clifton

Ullmark

Go B's.
 

durandal1707

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 18, 2007
6,131
Hell yeah, let's go.

It really comes down to which version of the Bruins show up. If it's the team that went on a tear in the first half of January, they will win this series.

Errors by both teams are going to be a huge factor as well. Hence I'm hoping that we're getting 30+ minutes of Lindholm and McAvoy, because every minute of Forbort and Clifton out there is going to be pure anxiety.
 

Jordu

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2003
8,961
Brookline
Thank you, @Dummy Hoy, excellent analysis.

My short version:
1. Get pucks in deep and play behind their D.
2. Get to the middle of the ice.
3. Communicate on D and expect a hard, swarming forecheck.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Raanta is in net for Carolina. There was some murmors that they could go with Kochetkov, but the vet gets the call.

Raanta is making his first post season start. He does have 5 post-season relief appearances.
 

Cotillion

New Member
Jun 11, 2019
4,926
We say it every year and it's still true: secondary scoring, bottom D pairings can't kill us, and stay out of the box.
Just be smart... one of my concerns is still Frederic, he's gotten some bad penalties (stupid hit, and reacting to provocation).

Keep your head. Don't retaliate to the stupid pestering stuff designed to get you called.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Well, I'd rather Reilly over Forbert but whatever.
Yeah, I really don't like sitting Reilly. He was basically their second best defenseman in last years post season.

That said, they aren't going to sit Forbort. He's kind of the lefty defensive specialist like Carlo on the right. Forbort leads the team in PK TOI, gets a lot of dzone starts against good competition, plays more when they're ahead than when they are trailing, etc. They aren't going to put that on the bench. Lord knows I'm not a huge fan of Forbort's and have contributed to his reputation around here, but I just don't see him coming out. He does have some utility in the right role, we just have to hope they put him there and don't mess around.

Then it comes down to Reilly vs. Clifton. Reilly is the better player. I'm not sure if they are worried about Reilly on his off-side. I don't think there is anything public that would let us determine if there is a significant drop off in his play when he plays on his right. The only other reason is that Reilly is on the small size. They definitely value size at that position, particularly in the playoffs. Its partly why theuy refused to play Grz with McAvoy.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
now I'm ready
Yuuuuuuup.

Yeah, I really don't like sitting Reilly. He was basically their second best defenseman in last years post season.

That said, they aren't going to sit Forbort. He's kind of the lefty defensive specialist like Carlo on the right. Forbort leads the team in PK TOI, gets a lot of dzone starts against good competition, plays more when they're ahead than when they are trailing, etc. They aren't going to put that on the bench. Lord knows I'm not a huge fan of Forbort's and have contributed to his reputation around here, but I just don't see him coming out. He does have some utility in the right role, we just have to hope they put him there and don't mess around.

Then it comes down to Reilly vs. Clifton. Reilly is the better player. I'm not sure if they are worried about Reilly on his off-side. I don't think there is anything public that would let us determine if there is a significant drop off in his play when he plays on his right. The only other reason is that Reilly is on the small size. They definitely value size at that position, particularly in the playoffs. Its partly why theuy refused to play Grz with McAvoy.
I think that’s spot on. Forbert kind of sucks, but can be used very effectively in certain situations. I’m cool with them having him in as long as they try to limit him to just those situations as much as possible.

i’m certain Reilly sitting is about him being on his off side.

Hopefully it’s a long run though, and if that’s the case we’re gonna need guys to contribute who aren’t starting tonight.
 

Jordu

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 30, 2003
8,961
Brookline
I’d rather have Clifton with Forbert on the third pair. He’s right-handed and Reilly would be playing on his off side. Clifton is more physical than Reilly and can handle a forecheck better. Reilly is the better puck mover but Clifton is the better defender in his own zone.

All right, Bruins, put a bunch in the net tonight. LFG.
 

BostonFanInCanesLand

Member
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Jun 16, 2011
1,944
Strong forecheck, quick and decisive breakouts, and keep the skates moving.

Excited to watch what should be a great series.

Let’s go B’s! Win please
 

Myt1

educated, civility-loving ass
Lifetime Member
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Mar 13, 2006
41,573
South Boston
These assholes scream at the “red” part of the Star Spangled Banner? Assholes.
 

McBride11

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
22,109
Durham, NC
Such a stupid call. Hate it

Also the announcers - Bs were 0-39 but scored 3 in their final 2 games.

Uhhh so which is it
 

Cotillion

New Member
Jun 11, 2019
4,926
He never had that puck ref... better be quick on that whislte all night...

worst possible spot for it to be loose.. opposite side of ref... darn
 

Cotillion

New Member
Jun 11, 2019
4,926
Man... going to be hard for the Bruins to carry puck out of their own zone or short passes Carolina is forechecking hard... going to have to have some longer direct passes or indirect ones...