Series Talk: ECQ - Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes

[Sheppy]

Rask is going to need to come up big

So will the offence.

 

[Sheppy]

Jesus Christ, get Kuhlman off the top 6.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Comparing this to other 7-game series we've had (interestingly they're 4-0 since the lockout in the 2nd half of back-to-backs, at least during 7-game series):

Series	2020 CAR	2019 STL	2019 TOR	2018 TOR	2014 MTL	2013 TOR	2012 WSH	2011 VAN	2011 TBL	2011 MTL	2010 PHI	2009 CAR	2008 MTL
Rest days between Game 1 and 2	1	1	1	1	1	2	1	2	2	1	1	1	1
Rest days between Game 2 and 3	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	0
Rest days between Game 3 and 4	1	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	1
Rest days between Game 4 and 5	1	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	1	1
Rest days between Game 5 and 6	0	2	1	1	1	1	0	2	1	2	1	1	1
Rest days between Game 6 and 7	2	2	1	1	1	0	2	1	1	0	1	1	1
Total Days Rest	6	10	6	7	7	6	7	8	7	7	7	7	5

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[Alicat]

Jesus Christ, get Kuhlman off the top 6.

If there was a serious injury, Studnicka would be up there. Was likely a maintenance day for Noodles

 

[Sheppy]

If there was a serious injury, Studnicka would be up there. Was likely a maintenance day for Noodles

Fair enough, but my point still stands. I think the guy is much better suited for a bottom 6 role.

 

[Alicat]

Fair enough, but my point still stands. I think the guy is much better suited for a bottom 6 role.

I don't disagree but I'm betting it has to do with the fact that he is a fast skater and can easily simulate Pasta's speed when practicing line rushes. Add in that Bruce wants the 2nd and 3rd lines to gel more. It could be worse and they could have moved Kuraly or Wagner up.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

Matt Porter @mattyports
Cassidy: "I believe we’ll be completely healthy" for Game 1.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

 

[EvilElf63]

I want to believe.

 

[PatriceBergeron]

Bruins have the better goaltending and offense. Carolina has the better defense

Shutdown the Aho line and I don’t think Carolina has enough.

Bruins in 6

 

[Trap Jesus]

I want to believe.

I don't buy it. It's for 1-4 seeding and the Bruins were 16-4 down the stretch so it's not like they were letting up when they were coasting to the playoffs, not bothered about their seeding.

 

[geehaad]

Blame @Trap Jesus for me coming over here, but I saw a couple of posts questioning what about the Hurricanes is different this year. Since TJ was nice enough to chat with us, I thought I'd offer my (questionable) opinion on what you'll see this year that you didn't in last year's playoff, and perhaps not in the 2-0 Bruins victory in Boston late last year.

Offense

• Center depth (easily the biggest improvement)
  • Last year, it was Aho-Staal-Wallmark-McKegg, this year it's Aho-Trocheck-Staal-Geekie...stronger and more skilled.
  • Brind'Amour likes to use RH centermen in key face-off situations, and now he has two. He had none last year...to the extent that Williams was taking faceoffs.
    
  • It's unlikely that the bottom-6 will be absolutely manhandled like they were in last year's ECF.
• Top line: Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen
  • Last year, it was either Niederreiter or Foegele at LW, and Svech is a tremendous upgrade in terms of fit with the Finns.
• Second line: Nino-Trocheck-Necas
  • CAR now has a right-shot centerman in Trocheck that's given CAR a scoring second line. Last year, the scoring had to come from Staal's line, and that's not his jam.
    
  • Necas is a skilled converted center who makes pass-first decisions at high speed. Look for the Bruins to target him physically.
  • Nino has been somewhat of an anchor on this line, so it's possible that Dzingel gets a shot at some point (he didn't play in the NYR series).
• Third line: Foegele-Staal-Williams
  
• Fourth: McGinn-Geekie-Martinook
• 13th: Dzingel

Defense

• It isn't much different in terms of strength, but the names have changed.
  
• If Hamilton returns, you're likely to see Slavin/Hamilton, Skjei/Vatanen, Edmundson/Fleury/Gardiner (2 of the 3, anybody's guess).
• If not, Slavin/Vatanen, Skjei/Edmundson, Gardiner/Fleury.

The Bruins are much better at special teams, so if this year's series is similarly penalty-filled (and it has been in the bubble, right?), advantage Bruins. The best shot the Canes have is if there's good stretches of even-strength play, where they can get their forecheck going. I've predicted that this will be somewhat of a rollercoaster series in terms of who seems like the stronger team, with the Bruins ultimately taking the series in 6 games.

But next year, watch out.

 

[TD Charlie]

^ I don't give a shit about next year lol, I want 16 wins NOW

Anyway, on to all the media porn today. Cassidy and company are certainly SAYING all the right things, which is cool and all...but sorry I'm not buying in until I see it

 

[hrdpuk]

From what I've seen so far Canes are ready Bruins are not
Hopefully it changes

 

[RHR37]

Game 1 is really important for Boston. Got to get a taste of winning again.

 

[Darkstorm]

Good luck against Carolina from a Habs fan. I would have preferred Montreal to play Boston in the first round, so they can revive the rivalry.

Anyways good luck in the playoffs

cheers

Go Habs Go
Let’s Go Bruins

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

Blame @Trap Jesus for me coming over here, but I saw a couple of posts questioning what about the Hurricanes is different this year. Since TJ was nice enough to chat with us, I thought I'd offer my (questionable) opinion on what you'll see this year that you didn't in last year's playoff, and perhaps not in the 2-0 Bruins victory in Boston late last year.

Offense

• Center depth (easily the biggest improvement)
  • Last year, it was Aho-Staal-Wallmark-McKegg, this year it's Aho-Trocheck-Staal-Geekie...stronger and more skilled.
  • Brind'Amour likes to use RH centermen in key face-off situations, and now he has two. He had none last year...to the extent that Williams was taking faceoffs.
    
  • It's unlikely that the bottom-6 will be absolutely manhandled like they were in last year's ECF.
• Top line: Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen
  • Last year, it was either Niederreiter or Foegele at LW, and Svech is a tremendous upgrade in terms of fit with the Finns.
• Second line: Nino-Trocheck-Necas
  • CAR now has a right-shot centerman in Trocheck that's given CAR a scoring second line. Last year, the scoring had to come from Staal's line, and that's not his jam.
    
  • Necas is a skilled converted center who makes pass-first decisions at high speed. Look for the Bruins to target him physically.
  • Nino has been somewhat of an anchor on this line, so it's possible that Dzingel gets a shot at some point (he didn't play in the NYR series).
• Third line: Foegele-Staal-Williams
  
• Fourth: McGinn-Geekie-Martinook
• 13th: Dzingel

Defense

• It isn't much different in terms of strength, but the names have changed.
  
• If Hamilton returns, you're likely to see Slavin/Hamilton, Skjei/Vatanen, Edmundson/Fleury/Gardiner (2 of the 3, anybody's guess).
• If not, Slavin/Vatanen, Skjei/Edmundson, Gardiner/Fleury.

The Bruins are much better at special teams, so if this year's series is similarly penalty-filled (and it has been in the bubble, right?), advantage Bruins. The best shot the Canes have is if there's good stretches of even-strength play, where they can get their forecheck going. I've predicted that this will be somewhat of a rollercoaster series in terms of who seems like the stronger team, with the Bruins ultimately taking the series in 6 games.

But next year, watch out.

Good breakdown, thank you.

It will be a good series, IMO. I don't see any blowouts for either team this year.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

I am not even fazed by the play so far. The veteran core knows how long and arduous a trek to the finals is.
No reason to expend energy in a compressed postseason in games that mean little or risk injury.
It's no coincidence that both Boston and St. Louis won no games in their round robins. Save the energy for when it counts, you will get tired quick enough as the rounds go on.

To me, Carolina is young, fast, and hard working. They will come out of the gate like rockets. Think of them as Jet Fuel.
Boston is older and more experienced. They also have a habit of being slow starters in the playoffs and looking rather lazy in all their first round matches over the years.
Going 6 to 7 games is the norm. I equate Boston to Diesel. It takes a while to get the engine warmed up but when it does get running it can run strong and for a long time.

Keys to a Carolina win will be to jump on Boston quickly and steal the first two games. Then get the win in 5.
If the series goes to 6 or 7 games then it will go to Boston, IMO.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

I'm a little concerned that the full (healthy) team has only practiced together one time in approx. 5 months. I hope I'm worried for nothing.

 

[TP70BruinsCup]

I picked Canes in 5. Hope like hell im wrong. I don’t think any team, in any sport, can flick the switch. Not to say we won’t play better, but I would have been more comfortable with no losses and a better effort each game we saw them in. Didn’t see that.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I picked Canes in 5. Hope like hell im wrong. I don’t think any team, in any sport, can flick the switch. Not to say we won’t play better, but I would have been more comfortable with no losses and a better effort each game we saw them in. Didn’t see that.

I agree for the most part, although they showed me enough against Washington that makes me think they can probably take a couple games. I just want to see a Bruins win between March and December at this point.

 

[JOKER 192]

Fair enough, but my point still stands. I think the guy is much better suited for a bottom 6 role.

On another team right?

 

[Ladyfan]

Good luck against Carolina from a Habs fan. I would have preferred Montreal to play Boston in the first round, so they can revive the rivalry.

Anyways good luck in the playoffs

cheers

Go Habs Go
Let’s Go Bruins

Oh no jinx

 

[Boston Bruno]

CANES IN 4!

 

[Darkstorm]

Oh no jinx

I came here to wish you guys luck. It’s not everyday that you see a Habs fan cheering for the Bruins to win the series.