Pre-Game Talk: EDSF Game 2 5/17 7:40 PM - Bruins look to tie up series - NESN, NBCSN, CBC, SN4K, TVAS, 98.5 WBZ-FM

[kthx]

Bruce and the boys weren't ready for the aggression that Caps played with. I'm sure they are ready for it tonight.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Big hits are not that easy to throw. Balance, skating, timing. Bruins don't have many guys capable. And if the hit isn't right the player (and team) could be hurt by the play.

A valid point. Laying solid, impactful hits isn't as easy as some people make it sound. But I feel like the Bruins have to at least try to up their number of good hits, even if the talent for the job is in short supply. They need to have the intent to be checking the Caps hard and often, looking to throw their opponent off their game and take the initiative. If it doesn't go well or even if it ends up in someone getting hurt, I'd still say they need to at least have made the effort. Not reckless stuff or things that just give the opposition an odd-man rush, but timely hits with purpose. I'm not sure they can win this series without that approach.

 

[TSBruins13]

I’d like to see Kuhlman or Freddy in over Wagner.

 

[DiggityDog]

I was bullshit after the first game, but have come down from that. The caps played well and the Bruins didn’t. If the Bruins can take tonight and take home ice I really like their chances.

I said Bruins is six, that means the Bruins are going to lose two games, so I don’t know why I got so pissed when they did lol

I just hate when they don’t show up and the execution sucks. I’ll be shocked if they don’t come out and play much better tonight.

Also, it’s okay to like Rask and still criticize him. I didn’t like the third goal, but the only reason they had a chance to steal that game was because of him in the first place. He was far from the problem in that game IMO

 

[Alicat]

I’d like to see Kuhlman or Freddy in over Wagner.

Wagner was solid in game 1. There is no reason to take him out of the line up.

 

[KrejciMVP]

What is "Every team that has won the Stanley Cup in the last 3 years", Alex?

yep, hard to win if you dont have that element.

 

[Healthy Wrap]

I’d like to see Kuhlman or Freddy in over Wagner.

I can't stand Wagner and even I thought he had a good game. The 4th line was effective. I wouldn't mess with it right now.

 

[DangleCity]

Bruce and the boys weren't ready for the aggression that Caps played with. I'm sure they are ready for it tonight.

Why werent they ready though? What were they expecting? Let's hope they werent ready as oppose to couldnt handle it

 

[Bmessy]

If we try to beat Washington in the physical game we will lose. Hockey isn't that complicated, we just need to get to the front of the net and finish. Simple but hard to do. If our first line isn't interested in doing that well then that's an issue cause it's been about 4 straight series they are getting bullied. We'll see.

Game 1 loss

Reg season 6-3 win

 

[Thirty Seven]

Big win today!

Coyle scores, Hall scores, Marchand scores

 

[DangleCity]

Reading some of the posts....
Are we down 3-0 or 1-0?
Did we lose 3-2 in OT or 13-2 ?
Hard to tell.

75.6 win pct for the series when the home team goes up 1-0. I think it reasonable to be upset especially given how this team has faired against the Caps in the playoffs.

 

[Yeti34]

One thing I was always concerned about was this teams lack of physicality. We don’t have the guys that can grind down their top players like they do, and it seems like a majority of the top end players are getting targeted and it’s throwing them off their game.

 

[bp13]

Big win today!

Coyle scores, Hall scores, Marchand scores

I'm sorry does that say "Coyle"?

 

[TCB]

Because come playoff time they are both no shows. Lauzon was the only one roughing up Ovenchicken and Oshie.

Love the way Lauzon stepped up and its crucial if he's in, that he keeps bringing that tempo and if Wilson has any more chats with him, Ritchie and Miller needs to have a chat with Wilson

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

A valid point. Laying solid, impactful hits isn't as easy as some people make it sound. But I feel like the Bruins have to at least try to up their number of good hits, even if the talent for the job is in short supply. They need to have the intent to be checking the Caps hard and often, looking to throw their opponent off their game and take the initiative. If it doesn't go well or even if it ends up in someone getting hurt, I'd still say they need to at least have made the effort. Not reckless stuff or things that just give the opposition an odd-man rush, but timely hits with purpose. I'm not sure they can win this series without that approach.

Unfortunately, that is their game.

 

[TCB]

Bruce and the boys weren't ready for the aggression that Caps played with. I'm sure they are ready for it tonight.

That's a shame because the whole Hockey universe outside of them was ready for it. That's Caps hockey, That's Playoff hockey. Its a battle of nutrition and the Bruins need to bring the battle to the caps. Initiate don't retaliate and they'll win this series.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

The best stat I saw after game 1 was that the Bruins are unbeaten under Cassidy when they lose game 1.

Bruins got the losers exactly where they want them.

Bruins in 6

 

[TCB]

One thing I was always concerned about was this teams lack of physicality. We don’t have the guys that can grind down their top players like they do, and it seems like a majority of the top end players are getting targeted and it’s throwing them off their game.

If I could turn back time. lol

 

[rfournier103]

Getting the first goal and not playing from behind is crucial. If the Bruins have to play catch-up again all night, it will be much harder than this has to be. I’m not sure the Bruins are good enough to “come back” against the Washington Hockey Team if they’re trailing in the third.

The Bruins need the lead.

And their leaders to step it up.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

As annoying as the horn guy is

Tom Green is their lucky charm

I hate that guy and I don't have to be there like poor Fenway.

Working next to him without committing murder.......your a Saint Fenway....

 

[RoccoF14]

If we can score more goals than Washington, we'll win.....

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

If we try to beat Washington in the physical game we will lose. Hockey isn't that complicated, we just need to get to the front of the net and finish. Simple but hard to do. If our first line isn't interested in doing that well then that's an issue cause it's been about 4 straight series they are getting bullied. We'll see.

Game 1 loss
View attachment 434926

Reg season 6-3 win

View attachment 434925

I agree.

The Bruins used to try to beat the great Canadiens teams with physical play and intimidation. Montreal didn't try to match it, but they were tough enough to take it and use it against the Bruins. I'm not sure today's players are committed enough to go that route. Of course, the current Bruins aren't exactly the 1977 Canadiens either.

 

[PB37]

If we try to beat Washington in the physical game we will lose. Hockey isn't that complicated, we just need to get to the front of the net and finish. Simple but hard to do. If our first line isn't interested in doing that well then that's an issue cause it's been about 4 straight series they are getting bullied. We'll see.

Game 1 loss
View attachment 434926

Reg season 6-3 win

View attachment 434925

Correct.

Bruins don't have to throw more big hits or be more physical than the Caps. We need to score more goals. Look at all the series the Bruins have lost to Montreal where they were the bigger, more physical team but would still end up losing.

There's all sorts of factors that go into winning a series and i think physicality, while needed, is so completely overrated by fans, especially this fanbase, because of who we are and where we come from.

I thought the Bruins were physical enough to win the other night but didn't do a great job around the net. Some of that is physicality, but that's mostly a willingness to crash the net and part luck finding a rebound ( example, Ritchie ).

Caps did a good job shutting down rushes while the Bruins defense did not. That's more positioning and gaps and forward pressure on puck carriers and than physicality.

In all my years of watching hockey, i feel the number one most understated factor in winning a close playoff game? Luck. It simply is. Nobody wants to say it, because it's easy to point out other things like shoot from the slot more, crash the net more, try harder, be more physical, be more clutch etc etc. We want to be able to quantify the problem with a solution rather than leave it up to chance.

Some of that luck is created by doing the right things on the ice or by simply having better talent. But I've watched too many close games over my life where my team wins or loses on *that* one lucky play that ends up being the difference and it just is what it is. Binnington's armpit sweater save on Marchand. Thomas stick save on Downie. Horton somehow finding the puck behind him and catching it clean. The list goes on and on.

Bruins and Caps last 8 playoff games: 8 games decieded by 1 goal, 5 of which have gone to OT.

 

[lopey]

Big win today!

Coyle scores, Hall scores, Marchand scores

I just want Coyle to show up.

 

[TD Charlie]

Reading some of the posts....
Are we down 3-0 or 1-0?
Did we lose 3-2 in OT or 13-2 ?
Hard to tell.

Personally, the score doesn't matter much. Shouldn't matter to the team either. The loss still counts the same.

My concern is that the Bruins didn't seem to have any plan in place, no preparation, nada. Hopefully game 2 they correct this