Pre-Game Talk: ECSF GAME 5 - BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!

[BMC]

I think Kuraly plays and Ritchie sits.

Glad I got the Bruins line up correct. Maybe that is a good sign because I've gotten them wrong every game except game 1

Oh, so you're the reason they're facing elimination!!!!!!

 

[Alicat]

Oh, so you're the reason they're facing elimination!!!!!!

HA!

 

[Coach Parker]

This feels like the biggest game of Bjork's life.

If he doesn't prove something here and the season is on hold for awhile I believe a lot of prospects will be fighting for his 3rd line spot when the Bruins finally do hold a training camp. If all he has to show for it is these playoffs then tonight goes a long way in showing he can play in the NHL playoffs.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

 

[bbfan419]

I

I don't think Z retires. I think you are correct about Krug and Rask.

hope Z does retire, he has size and reach still, but that's about it.

 

[Midship]

the refs (NHL) had a huge hand in the outcomes of the last two games and the Bruins collapsed mentally as a result. This series is over.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

PLEASE go with those posted lines. Playing "Big" has done nothing for them. Go with speed and skill & see if that works. Hope it's not too little too late though

 

[bbfan419]

...and virtually every other NHL coach. In the playoffs not many coaches go with inexperienced prospects over guys with NHL games and playoff experience - unless they're dynamite, blue-chip prospects whose talent is so obvious that it's worth the gamble.

Well sometimes you have to try it, expecting a lineup with 7 d and only 11 forwards with guys like Wagner, Nordstrom, Lindholm and Ritchie to produce much offence is just asinine.

 

[Zillah]

 

[bbfan419]

Not sure about Rask. But whenever this season ends (be it today, be it winning the cup), contemplating one more year of competing with the core or going for another rebuild on the fly trading Rask and Krejci may be a necessary discussion.

Agree, I do really think they need to start as soon as next year just trading vets and start the rebuild or maybe retool is a better word.

 

[VanIsle]

Chara has a very real chance of retiring as he is the 8th oldest position player ever to play the game.

List of oldest National Hockey League players - Wikipedia

• 52 years, 11 days - Gordie Howe (1980)[1]
• 48 years, 71 days - Chris Chelios (2010)
• 45 years, 319 days - Jaromir Jagr (2017)
• 44 years, 100 days - Doug Harvey (1969)[3]
• 44 years, 39 days - Tim Horton (1974)[5]
• 43 years, 317 days - Teemu Selanne (2014)
• 43 years, 277 days - Claude Lemieux (2009)
• 43 years, 159 days - Zdeno Chara (Present)

 

[lopey]

Gotta win 4 games to win a series, until then I will not give up on this team.

 

[VanIsle]

I heard Halak drank the same magic potion he did before he played the Capitals in 2010, I hope it isn't a rumor.

 

[Bruinaura]

Chara has a very real chance of retiring as he is the 8th oldest position player ever to play the game.

List of oldest National Hockey League players - Wikipedia

• 52 years, 11 days - Gordie Howe (1980)[1]
• 48 years, 71 days - Chris Chelios (2010)
• 45 years, 319 days - Jaromir Jagr (2017)
• 44 years, 100 days - Doug Harvey (1969)[3]
• 44 years, 39 days - Tim Horton (1974)[5]
• 43 years, 317 days - Teemu Selanne (2014)
• 43 years, 277 days - Claude Lemieux (2009)
• 43 years, 159 days - Zdeno Chara (Present)

I had no idea Claude Lepuke played until that age

 

[caz16]

Chara has a very real chance of retiring as he is the 8th oldest position player ever to play the game.

List of oldest National Hockey League players - Wikipedia

• 52 years, 11 days - Gordie Howe (1980)[1]
• 48 years, 71 days - Chris Chelios (2010)
• 45 years, 319 days - Jaromir Jagr (2017)
• 44 years, 100 days - Doug Harvey (1969)[3]
• 44 years, 39 days - Tim Horton (1974)[5]
• 43 years, 317 days - Teemu Selanne (2014)
• 43 years, 277 days - Claude Lemieux (2009)
• 43 years, 159 days - Zdeno Chara (Present)

I look at this and think the opposite is true - I think Chara will keep playing - maybe not until 48 or 52 though....

 

[LouJersey]

This feels like the biggest game of Bjork's life.

If he doesn't prove something here and the season is on hold for awhile I believe a lot of prospects will be fighting for his 3rd line spot when the Bruins finally do hold a training camp. If all he has to show for it is these playoffs then tonight goes a long way in showing he can play in the NHL playoffs.

He has the new 3 year deal, so he's fine.

 

[Dr Hook]

I look at this and think the opposite is true - I think Chara will keep playing - maybe not until 48 or 52 though....

If that is the case, I hope it is not in Boston.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

There is also no chance the Bruins don't bring him back!

That’s the kind of sentimentality that keeps the Bruins down.
When should we let him go? When he qualifies for social security?
Hopefully, he’ll hang em up. He’s very old for a hockey player and he looks cooked out there.

 

[mar2kbos]

Wait so his decisions are Bjork, Studnicka, or Kuraly, Ritchie and Kuhlman for Wagner? Come on, this is such a wimp Claude move. He is more worried about preventing goals than scoring them.

 

[VanIsle]

I could see one more year for Chara max, $2 million for a mentor isn't such a bad deal.

 

[lopey]

I could see one more year for Chara max, $2 million for a mentor isn't such a bad deal.

Yes with a reduced role, PK and 3 pairing minutes.

 

[Boston Bandit]

Z is not done. His heart and pride are too big to call it quits now. Can't go out like this. I 100% expect to see him back next season.

Tom Brady and Zdeno Chara are of the same mold, just different sports.

 

[NDiesel]

I could see one more year for Chara max, $2 million for a mentor isn't such a bad deal.

If he accepts being 3rd pairing/sometimes watching then I'd take him back....otherwise after seeing him in these playoffs I'd pass if he can't accept reduced minutes.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

That’s the kind of sentimentality that keeps the Bruins down.
When should we let him go? When he qualifies for social security?
Hopefully, he’ll hang em up. He’s very old for a hockey player and he looks cooked out there.

He is still better than McQuaid, Ward, Hnidy, Stuart, Gill, and a number of our defense-only defensemen ever were over the last decade. There is a place for him, if they keep him in the proper role.

Tough
Leader
Defense
Size
Experience

All assets for the role he should have, which is a 15 minute per game defense-only role. Outside of McAvoy no one on the current defense can provide what he can defensively either. Carlo has been a disaster. Who will kill penalties? Moore?

If Krug goes it isn't as though the Bruins can go the Toronto path of offense-only.

 

[NDiesel]

He is still better than McQuaid, Ward, Hnidy, Stuart, Gill, and a number of our defense-only defensemen ever were over the last decade. There is a place for him, if they keep him in the proper role.

Tough
Leader
Defense
Size
Experience

All assets for the role he should have, which is a 15 minute per game defense-only role. Outside of McAvoy no one on the current defense can provide what he can defensively either. Carlo has been a disaster. Who will kill penalties? Moore?

If Krug goes it isn't as though the Bruins can go the Toronto path of offense-only.

The difference though is those players all played when the game was a little bit slower and more physical....the speed has increased and Chara's speed subsequently has decreased. He can't process the game quick enough with the puck which is becoming a real big issue IMO.