Post-Game Talk: GAME 53 - 40 wins with 29 games remaining - BRUINS 3 Dallas 2 F/OT

[KillerMillerTime]

Yeah I think that's worth trying. More low to high, and some quicker puck movement. You need to stretch and shift around the defenders more before you go for that east-west pass or send it into the slot or crease. Seems at the moment like there's too much just working the puck around the umbrella and then trying to force a setup pass that hasn't been earned and isn't there.

Also I often wonder how the Caps get away with the same old play of having Ovi basically standing in the circle game after game and looking to tee him up for one-timers. Been doing it for years and its utterly predictable and yet its success rate is still pretty high. Pasta's shot isn't quite as heavy as Ovechkin's but it's not that far off. To me that position on the left half wall is his spot for PPs. Doesn't mean you try to overuse him but that's where he should be hovering 80-90% of the time. He's got a weapon that the opposition has to respect and can't afford to cheat on, so to me having him there gives you an advantage - even if he's not getting a lot of shots off he's probably still going to be creating a little more space elsewhere simply by posing a threat. Conversely when he's wandering the blue line or carrying the puck he's much easier to nullify.

I think Backstrom and Carlson are better passers than Bergeron and McAvoy\Lindholm. Not a lot better but better and Carlson can shoot it which makes the PK more honest.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Zacha is the real deal ladies and gentlemen. I've said this before now I really mean it . 25 yrs old only and not in his prime and just spreading his wings scoring at a torrid pace. So exciting.

Yes he has probably been there best forward since he signed his new contract

 

[Oates2Neely]

Bergeron and Krejci retire and Chychrun doesn't materialize you may be forced to
see Zacha and Hall as your #1\2 centers...lol. Although those two would keep
Coyle as a #3 C. Wonder if #88 would be ok with #18 or #71 as his pivot on a go forward basis.

Top 6 would probably roll like this

63-71-88
74-18-Lysell

Sweeney would need to go for a FA winger for certain.

Hall has not played center at the NHL level.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Taylor Hall? As a center? What?

Worst case scenario, yeah. He has had limited play at Center in the NHL.

 

[Oates2Neely]

I didn't realize how cold Bergy had been since the announcers mentioned it last night (I had the Dallas feed). 3 pts in the last 10? Guess it's not super surprising that overlays perfectly with our slump.

Really quality win. Feels good.

I’d consider splitting up Marchand & Bergeron for a game or two, just an attempt to snap them out of this recent funk.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Hall has not played center at the NHL level.

Yes he has with Edmonton.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Zacha and Greer were the two standouts for me. While others certainly had their moments I thought these two played consistently good throughout the whole game

Greer only played 7:31.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Yes he has with Edmonton.

They dicked around with it in preseason. Never had more than 105 faceoffs in a season in EDM (standard for a top line winger). He had 148 faceoffs his MVP year in NJ, but was not a center. He's taken 432 faceoffs in 381 career games.

The Bruins could actually go get someone to play center instead of playing Taylor Hall at center, just like they could go get a wing instead of playing Connor Clifton there.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I am watching the NHL channel and Pasta was #1 star of the night!

Must have been a slow night.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Yes he has with Edmonton.

In Halls rookie season in Edmonton he took a grand total of 105 face offs in 65 games played (roughly 1-1/2 face offs per game)

In his 2nd season in NJ he took 148 face offs in 76 games (2 face offs per game)

Taylor Hall has not played center in the NHL

 

[Ladyfan]

Must have been a slow night.

There were quite a few games. Maybe because that winning goal was so dramatic?

 

[Sheppy]

While not factoring in on any of the scoring. Marchand completely turned the tide of that game being a pain in the ass. He took a run at someone, then someone ran at him, then Clifton took a run. The speed of the game immediately upped and the Bruins scored.

Greer only played 7:31.

I thought he was very good in that short time.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Bergeron and Krejci retire and Chychrun doesn't materialize you may be forced to
see Zacha and Hall as your #1\2 centers...lol. Although those two would keep
Coyle as a #3 C. Wonder if #88 would be ok with #18 or #71 as his pivot on a go forward basis.

Top 6 would probably roll like this

63-71-88
74-18-Lysell

Sweeney would need to go for a FA winger for certain.

Maybe Hall will retire too.

Then what?

 

[KillerMillerTime]

In Halls rookie season in Edmonton he took a grand total of 105 face offs in 65 games played (roughly 1-1/2 face offs per game)

In his 2nd season in NJ he took 148 face offs in 76 games (2 face offs per game)

Taylor Hall has not played center in the NHL

You are absolutely wrong. There are articles on the internet on it.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

There were quite a few games. Maybe because that winning goal was so dramatic?

Lots of low scoring games.

Crosby with 3 assists in a 3-1 win and Jake Allen with a shutout (for Montreal!) seem to be the only other big games.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

They dicked around with it in preseason. Never had more than 105 faceoffs in a season in EDM (standard for a top line winger). He had 148 faceoffs his MVP year in NJ, but was not a center. He's taken 432 faceoffs in 381 career games.

The Bruins could actually go get someone to play center instead of playing Taylor Hall at center, just like they could go get a wing instead of playing Connor Clifton there.

He played a few (3) RS games at center.

They dicked around with it in preseason. Never had more than 105 faceoffs in a season in EDM (standard for a top line winger). He had 148 faceoffs his MVP year in NJ, but was not a center. He's taken 432 faceoffs in 381 career games.

The Bruins could actually go get someone to play center instead of playing Taylor Hall at center, just like they could go get a wing instead of playing Connor Clifton there.

Lol, Clifton at wing compared to Hall at center is magnitude worse comparison than apples to oranges.

Of course they can go out and get another center.

 

[Walkenthewalk]

I didn’t see Marcus Foligno in there supporting his big bro. What, couldn’t get the night off? So selfish!

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Greer only played 7:31.

And was good in every second of it

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Incredible Bruins could win a game where they were so owned on faceoffs. Bergy only 9-21, but Krejci, Coyle & Frederic combined for 3-27.

Zacha turned into Mark Messier late.

Ullmark was huge in OT.

Lindholm looked like the great player he was earlier in the season.

Hall scores, time for a hot steak.

Marchand & Bergeron starting to be worrisome.

Lindholm and Grzelcyk now one & two in the league in plus/minus.

 

[Terrier]

Leona Zacha and the rest of the Bruins' siblings lost it after Pavel Zacha's game-tying goal against Dallas

Leona Zacha and the rest of the Bruins' siblings had plenty to cheer about during Boston's overtime victory over the Stars on Tuesday.

www.boston.com

 

[ODAAT]

That PK with Carlo and Forbort was amazing, great ass save by Forbort too, Zacha picking up that puck in his own zone and literally exploding away from the Stars players was beautiful to watch

 

[goldnblack]

Leona Zacha and the rest of the Bruins' siblings lost it after Pavel Zacha's game-tying goal against Dallas

Leona Zacha and the rest of the Bruins' siblings had plenty to cheer about during Boston's overtime victory over the Stars on Tuesday.

www.boston.com

amazing

That PK with Carlo and Forbort was amazing, great ass save by Forbort too, Zacha picking up that puck in his own zone and literally exploding away from the Stars players was beautiful to watch

That's why I'm not opposed to Gavrikov at say a 1st (but just that). If you wind up facing Edmonton or Toronto or teams like that, your PK is just a beast. You'd dress your pairings a bit different imho.

 

[ON3M4N]

Bergeron and Krejci retire and Chychrun doesn't materialize you may be forced to
see Zacha and Hall as your #1\2 centers...lol. Although those two would keep
Coyle as a #3 C. Wonder if #88 would be ok with #18 or #71 as his pivot on a go forward basis.

Top 6 would probably roll like this

63-71-88
74-18-Lysell

Sweeney would need to go for a FA winger for certain.

I'd be shocked if Bergeron retires after this season. He's currently on pace for a fringe 30/30 season and next year is the teams 100th season. Pastrnak and Zacha have been playing together this season and appear to have good chemistry. Probably doesn't hurt that they are fellow countrymen.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I'd be shocked if Bergeron retires after this season. He's currently on pace for a fringe 30/30 season and next year is the teams 100th season. Pastrnak and Zacha have been playing together this season and appear to have good chemistry. Probably doesn't hurt that they are fellow countrymen.

I expect Bergeron back for sure if they don't win The Cup. If they do, he may retire.

 

[Bruinaura]

After reading about some of the potential prices, for some reason this scene came to mind...