Post-Game Talk: ECSF GAME 1 - It Don't Come Easy - BRUINS 3 Tampa Bay 2 F

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Ritchie and Bjork both played under 10 minutes, meaning Coyle is reduced to a 4th line center at even strength with them on his wings.

Even with special teams play, Coyle played less than Kuraly and Nordstrom.

There is only so much ice time as well, and the 4th line is our second shut down defense line. With the second line playing so well of late, someone isn't going to get the time.

 

[Gordoff]

Bjork is almost always going to be noticed more because his skating is top level. Bjork did nothing aside from one good scoring chance where (guess what) he didn't score again and a couple of other forgettable shots.

Prior to that scoring chance in the 3rd, he stupidly tried to skate through 2 Bolts going the wrong way and almost turned the puck over in a dangerous area.

Not saying Ritchie dominated, but he had 5 hits, at least one was a heavy hit on a TB defenseman, was a plus 1 and could have had an assist if Vasilevsky didn't make a great save on McAvoy.

Not bad for 9 minutes and change.

Exactly. Some here are expecting way too much out of a guy who hasn't had a lot of playing time. We need to see him in a lot more stuations to judge him.

Yes. Because the odds of a hit gone wrong on someone like Krug, Gryz, Marchand, Pastrnak, Krejci, Kase, etc etc increases with every loss.

It is a very even hockey match up if last night's Halak is the Halak we see each game, which is very encouraging.

Very encouraging.
Anyway we don't really have a choice, he's the best most experienced goaltender in the organization who's available and he's improved a lot in the last 2 games.

Carlo is entering big wimp mode for me. Never seen a Dman get pushed around so much. This guy needs to up his physical play.

He shows signs of becoming a big meanie but then he seems to regress. I think it's just a matter of playing more. I expect that he'll be better and better with each game. He's been out of the playoffs IIRC 2/3 playoffs since being here with injuries and this years disjointed season/playoffs are tougher on some guys than they are on others.

on a sidenote: I hadn't realized until recently that Kase, and Nick Ritchie, were both from the '14 draft were the Bruins picked up Pasta, Bjork, Heinen and Donato. - Brayden Point on the other side is from that same draft also. Just... sometimes players seem like such different ages. Considering that was a really weak draft, The Bruins have had 6 players from it that have surpassed 100 games (there's only around 40 guys that have) and 4 guys currently in their top 9.
I'm probably the only one that finds it interesting but... whatever.

You're not alone, I find it interesting too. Some drafts take longer than others to show how good they were. It also shows how important it is to concentrate on every pick no matter which round. Bruins have pulled some incredible talent in the second round of drafts through the years.

 

[Dueling Banjos]

During the regular season I thought he was much better. I wonder if he is playing with an injury.

I agree and he was getting more and more aggressive, after the whistle stuff etc....not much atm.

 

[Blowfish]

Bjork is almost always going to be noticed more because his skating is top level. Bjork did nothing aside from one good scoring chance where (guess what) he didn't score again and a couple of other forgettable shots.

Prior to that scoring chance in the 3rd, he stupidly tried to skate through 2 Bolts going the wrong way and almost turned the puck over in a dangerous area.

Not saying Ritchie dominated, but he had 5 hits, at least one was a heavy hit on a TB defenseman, was a plus 1 and could have had an assist if Vasilevsky didn't make a great save on McAvoy.

Not bad for 9 minutes and change.

Ritchie's coasting and delayed behind the play checking was fantastic.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

Ritchie's coasting and delayed behind the play checking was fantastic.

Ritchie got his legs moving in the 3rd . I’d be willing to give him another game . Personally, I would like to see Lindholm back in on the 4th line and move Kuraly up with Coyle .

 

[Blowfish]

Ritchie got his legs moving in the 3rd . I’d be willing to give him another game . Personally, I would like to see Lindholm back in on the 4th line and move Kuraly up with Coyle .

This is the issue...any one of Studnicka, Lindholm, and Kuhlman bring much more to the game/team than Ritchie.

BTW I agree, Lindholm or Studnicka should be in the line up over Ritchie.

I'm still trying to understand what exactly Ritchie brings to the team.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Ritchie and Bjork both played under 10 minutes, meaning Coyle is reduced to a 4th line center at even strength with them on his wings.

Even with special teams play, Coyle played less than Kuraly and Nordstrom.

I noticed that last night. Not the best use of Coyle.

 

[Blowfish]

I noticed that last night. Not the best use of Coyle.

Coyle was behind Marchand Bergeron Pasta and Kuraly in total forward ice time. He's not going to get more than those 4 in a game.

4th line dependent on PK and end of game close out.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

This is the issue...any one of Studnicka, Lindholm, and Kuhlman bring much more to the game/team than Ritchie.

BTW I agree, Lindholm or Studnicka should be in the line up over Ritchie.

I'm still trying to understand what exactly Ritchie brings to the team.

The toughness this team desperately needs against Tampa. Far more useful at this point than a 7th PKer in Lindholm who does nothing else but try hard.

This series is going to get nasty, and like it or not Ritchie is the only one besides Chara that Tampa's fake tough characters will cower from.

If the Bruins have a two or three goal lead on the final shift of the game, do you want Lindholm or Ritchie out there with Kuraly, Wagner, and Chara? Tampa's characters know which Bruins to avoid eye contact with and which to throw punches at in a scrum, we know this. We've seen it repeatedly this season and in game 1.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

Game 2 gameplan for Tampa is going to be one of trying to injury one of our smaller guys. or go hard on Krejci and Pasta.
The hit by Killorn on Mcavoy wouldve put anyone of our smaller players out for the series. That was brutal and hopefully Killorn pays for it.

 

[Trap Jesus]

The center spine of this team is insane, honestly. It's the biggest advantage the Bruins have over any team.

 

[aguineapig]

Ritchie at this point is a Nuclear deterrent it seems. The Duck fans who commented on this board after the trade said he was not devoid of skill, but seldom applied it. He's got one more year left I believe on his contract. So if he can't figure it out then he and brother Brett can become the terrors of an Ontario beer league together. Hopefully that becomes a motivator.

 

[sarge88]

Ritchie's coasting and delayed behind the play checking was fantastic.

If he were faster he could accomplish nothing in a more noticeable manner like Bjork does.

 

[BMC]

Nino's goal last round certainly doesn't help his cause.

No it doesn't!!!

 

[bobbyorr04]

Game 2 gameplan for Tampa is going to be one of trying to injury one of our smaller guys. or go hard on Krejci and Pasta.
The hit by Killorn on Mcavoy wouldve put anyone of our smaller players out for the series. That was brutal and hopefully Killorn pays for it.

Killorn's dirty late hit on Mac reminded me of that other team we played in last year's SC Final series trying to deplete the B's roster

..thank God Mac was OK

If that bullshit continues the Bruins should start targeting some of the Bolts top players, although I really hope it doesn't have to come to that

 

[mjhfb]

During the regular season I thought he was much better. I wonder if he is playing with an injury.

If he's not it might be a confidence issue. I saw him retrieve the puck behind his net and before he touched it he saw Krug nearby and just left it... his face said "go ahead I don't want it you take it". I almost laughed knowing players like that...
He's capable of so so much more.

 

[caz16]

Encouraging win, poor Charlie deflecting both goals into our net. How many posts did we hit? I think 2 or 3. This could have been a real runaway game. It will be interesting to see how Tampa responds, I hope they are still mentally fragile and the B's can take it to them. McDonagh not at practice today, still no Stamkos and it sounds ominous about a possible return during the series. Take advantage tomorrow!

 

[BMC]

I've got my issues with Ritchie (who doesn't?) but IMO he remains in the lineup. You saw how he stepped in when some TB asshole tried to go after Coyle, we need players who will do that in this series. Not that Charlie can't take care of himself but why take a chance on him breaking a hand when Ritchie can intervene?

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

 

[LouJersey]

At no point did I ever think the Lightning would tie it...generally I'm panicked. Bruins the better team clearly without Stamkos IMO

 

[LouJersey]

...also I had no issue with Ritchie's game last night. It's about the best we can expect.

 

[bobbyorr04]

I'm still trying to understand what exactly Ritchie brings to the team.

Tim Horton's coffee??

Seriously though, if Ritchie's presence out there deters the bolts from getting too dirty and he doesn't take stupid penalties I'm willing to leave him in the lineup

 

[JCRO]

...also I had no issue with Ritchie's game last night. It's about the best we can expect.

Same. And I've soured on his game quite a bit.

IMO Carolina was a lot faster of a team whereas he seemed to be able to keep pace with Tampa for the most part last night. Not to mention getting benched probably lit a fire under his ***.

For now he stays in.

 

[easton117]

I've got my issues with Ritchie (who doesn't?) but IMO he remains in the lineup. You saw how he stepped in when some TB asshole tried to go after Coyle, we need players who will do that in this series. Not that Charlie can't take care of himself but why take a chance on him breaking a hand when Ritchie can intervene?

I thought he was fin last night to be honest. Won some puck battles along the wall. Didn’t goof up too man zone exits.

I mean really he’s a 3rd line winger. If the success of the Bruins hinges on his (or any) 3rd or 4th line winger contribution they have bigger issues

 

[whatsbruin]

That's the most frustrating thing for me about Brandon Carlo. He can bring the nasty and he's very effective when he does but he goes long stretches of playing passively.

Brandon is the type of player that needs to get smacked first, before he gets mad/nasty. Before the game, in the hallway, someone should hit him real hard a few times and piss him off.