GDT: Group B - May 13 - Russia vs Czech Republic

[BigBadBoar]

This was not the Czech game at all. Guys got heavy legs, there was way too little energy and dynamics. It was the opposite to the Sweden game, where the team seemed boosted with energy, today it simply was not the right day.
Hronek's dive after that roughing was needles, I understand he was frustrated and in desperation, but it could be 6 on 4 if he didn't try to show the referee how ugly misconduct it was.
Still this was just one group stage game, no disaster.

 

[Firsov99]

I agree about Bobrovsky and Panarin... it's almost as though 95% of the best Russian team possible got eliminated early.

Yes, it's a mere coincidence. Plus a few Russians have no new contracts, so they didn't come to the WC. Here's the list of stars that didn't make it: Panarin, Tarasenko, Radulov, Provorov, and Bob.

 

[ViD]

If not for that brain fart at the end of the first game, we could’ve shut out all 3 opponents

 

[Firsov99]

FTR - I'd even agree Russia has better players overall. We don't get to 6th in the world by accident.lol

This ranking could be deceiving though. I think that it's more indicative of the depth. Unfortunately, we don't have any tournaments that could measure the top strength of teams.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Well, there is now a good chance, we'll win the group, but it's hard to say, what place is the best. Slovakia will probably be the 4th, and they play at home, so are very dangerous.

 

[Czechboy]

Sorry, but I watched every single game. Stats don't tell the story that he is a giveaway machine these playoffs. He had some short bursts of being himself, but he is not living up to his potential of the top goal scorer on the team. Krejci, on the other hand, I don't have enough good words to say.

I've watched very game too.. Top 10 points and Top 5 goals seems about right. His regular season was outstanding too. Still wonder how he got hurt (my guess is drunken fall.lol).

 

[Babula]

Sorry, but I watched every single game. Stats don't tell the story that he is a giveaway machine these playoffs. He had some short bursts of being himself, but he is not living up to his potential of the top goal scorer on the team. Krejci, on the other hand, I don't have enough good words to say.

So why is bottom six doing better right now than top six ?

 

[ViD]

Well, there is now a good chance, we'll win the group, but it's hard to say, what place is the best. Slovakia will probably be the 4th, and they play at home, so are very dangerous.

Yeah, it looks like no matter where we finish the group stage, quarterfinals will be tough.

However, avoiding USA and Canada is preferred

 

[Startseva]

I don't ''cry'' usually about refs, but really, what the f***?

 

[nazartp]

So why is bottom six doing better right now than top six ?

Sorry - do not understand the question. Boston's top 6 right now are used heavily in checking role - Bergeron - Marchand - Pastrnak are their typical match-against-the-top line selves. Bottom six are doing better because they are matched against weaker lines and defense pairings and are doing really well.

 

[Norman Moscow]

More stars we have, less results we're getting.
Only quarters are matter now.

 

[Czechboy]

Well, there is now a good chance, we'll win the group, but it's hard to say, what place is the best. Slovakia will probably be the 4th, and they play at home, so are very dangerous.

I wouldn't overlook that Swedish squad. If they beat you in regulation.. it could be a very ugly 3 way tie still.

 

[nazartp]

I've watched very game too.. Top 10 points and Top 5 goals seems about right. His regular season was outstanding too. Still wonder how he got hurt (my guess is drunken fall.lol).

We had people clamoring on B's board to sit him for a game - especially after game 5. Pucks came to die on his stick. He was moderately better in Columbus series, but not by much. He had a decent game yesterday, but the last period reverted to giving up the puck. He's better than that and I am also wondering if he is still recovering from the broken thumb.

 

[Czechboy]

This ranking could be deceiving though. I think that it's more indicative of the depth. Unfortunately, we don't have any tournaments that could measure the top strength of teams.

Thank god! We're at least 2 years away from a competitive best on best team...

 

[ViD]

More stars we have, less results we're getting.
Only quarters are matter now.

What about 2008 and 2012 golds?

 

[Babula]

Sorry - do not understand the question. Boston's top 6 right now are used heavily in checking role - Bergeron - Marchand - Pastrnak are their typical match-against-the-top line selves. Bottom six are doing better because they are matched against weaker lines and defense pairings and are doing really well.

Ok. I was thinking about some possibly injuries or anything... good for Boston team, they have these "Bottom lines"

 

[Czechboy]

Yes, it's a mere coincidence. Plus a few Russians have no new contracts, so they didn't come to the WC. Here's the list of stars that didn't make it: Panarin, Tarasenko, Radulov, Provorov, and Bob.

Now think of who Canada is missing... McDavid, Crosby, Weber, Doughty, Subban, Price, Tavares, Marner...

 

[Kshahdoo]

Funny, Gusev and Kucherov started to play together at age 6... I mean, imaging what a team that was.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Now think of who Canada is missing... McDavid, Crosby, Weber, Doughty, Subban, Price, Tavares, Marner...

The thing is, you don't need 20 forwards, you need 12 only. We have three "1st lines" without Panarin, Tarasenko, Radulov...

 

[Czechboy]

We had people clamoring on B's board to sit him for a game - especially after game 5. Pucks came to die on his stick. He was moderately better in Columbus series, but not by much. He had a decent game yesterday, but the last period reverted to giving up the puck. He's better than that and I am also wondering if he is still recovering from the broken thumb.

Guys on the boards want to sit your 2nd leading playoff scorer (3 way tie)?

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?rep...r=team.6&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points

If this happens, please send him to Bratislava!lol

 

[Czechboy]

The thing is, you don't need 20 forwards, you need 12 only. We have three "1st lines" without Panarin, Tarasenko, Radulov...

It is sick how deep this team is at forward.

 

[nazartp]

Guys on the boards want to sit your 2nd leading playoff scorer (3 way tie)?

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?rep...r=team.6&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=points

If this happens, please send him to Bratislava!lol

I know, it was somewhat silly, but he does look bad with all the giveaways. He was easily one of the worst players in Toronto series, except his heroics in game 6. In that series he reminded me of himself in his first year with the B's. Hope he plays better going forward - B's will need their top line scoring.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Russia was definitely better... hats off to them. So many game breakers! We had over a dozen goals going into the game... you'd think we could score 1. Kovar on the breakaway, the 2 posts. Mind you, Russia had a lot more breakaways and a post themselves. I'd say it went exactly how it should've for them. Not sure if a Faksa or Francouz would've helped our cause today (or a Gulas?).

Czechs looked very good in the 1st and at the start of the 3rd, but they were outplayed badly in the 2nd, Russia could have probably scored 4-5 goals in the period.

 

[Firsov99]

Now think of who Canada is missing... McDavid, Crosby, Weber, Doughty, Subban, Price, Tavares, Marner...

Of course. Canada, USA, Finland, Sweden - all of these teams are missing stars. I wasn't trying to make a point that only the Russians and the Czechs were missing players.

 

[Norman Moscow]

I'm sure Jagr could add power to Czech's.