Hey, hey, hey, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
At least we found out that 3 month old Jameson without a cap is not toxic and still gets you drunk.
Real drunk.
Can we take some positives out of this play? Please?
I believe Boychuk deserves to be on that list, too. He was one of a handful of players tonight that finished even and has played exceptionally well over the past few games.
I think that what makes it worse is that it isn't good hockey to watch or enjoy. It is teams kicking the crap out of a limp Bruins squad.
This.
The slump in October wasn't so awful because most of the games were still good games to watch and the Bruins kept the games close.
This spiral has been painful to watch. The team isn't playing well-not just losing, but totally playing awful. It isn't fun hockey to watch at all. As a matter of fact the Bruins are so wounded right now that teams see it and know they likely have an easy win ahead of them. The Bruins don't appear to be making teams work for their wins.
I also don't think this is a coaching issue. I think it is a mental game right now, and the only fix for the mental game is the players themselves. They need to find their identity and play like they are capable of. I do think Horton and Peverly were much bigger losses than they appear, but it can't be denied that some of the worst games this team has played this year have been with the two of them on the sidelines.
Also at this point, if Peverly came back tomorrow I am not sure this team would get better. They aren't reslient anymore. Used to be when something didn't go their way, they would dig deep and overcome it. now they just seem to fold and give up. They are playing like a defeated team.
I haven't posted a ton this year......but I'll call it the way I see it:
I just pray to god that this team has mentally shut it down and they are going to flip the switch for the playoffs......but what's happening now is unacceptable.
First, they have to make the playoffs. Not a given the way they're playing.
Then, unless they turn things around, they're playing golf in early May.
It's the D blowing coverage, forwards playing lazy defense...
Quote:
Originally Posted by TCL40
I will also add making lazy and careless passes...
I will add that the passes are rushed (both passing and receiving) and that the forwards are standing around and not moving their feet.
There is a real malaise that has settled in, for whatever reason, and I believe most of the problems are all mental. They began having problems back in January and at this point in the season the problems are now so amplified that they seem to be over thinking everything. Somehow they need to relax and settle back into the rhythm they had established during their November/December run. All easier said than done, though.
I will add that the passes are rushed (both passing and receiving) and that the forwards are standing around and not moving their feet.
There is a real malaise that has settled in, for whatever reason, and I believe most of the problems are all mental. They began having problems back in January and at this point in the season the problems are now so amplified that they seem to be over thinking everything. Somehow they need to relax and settle back into the rhythm they had established during their November/December run. All easier said than done, though.
Mistakes made that we just have not become accustomed to seeing with this team, prime example last night, first 5 mins, our captain with a beautful pass right up the middle to the Panther D-man, they didn`t score but.....
Interesting how Thomas just stormed off the ice last night.... Bee lined it, right to the runway...He didn't acknowledge one teammate...I do think he may have given a fan a high five IIRC, but he is ****ing livid right now. I've been a little down on Tim, but his defense has been terrible
First, they have to make the playoffs. Not a given the way they're playing.
Then, unless they turn things around, they're playing golf in early May.
The chanced of them not making the playoffs are about equal to half the board getting hit by lightning on the way home from work next sunny day.
They may end up 7th (likely) and very small chance of 8th, but that is as far as the slide could go. Mathematically speaking, if the Bruins went 6-6 on the way out, with no OT points, then Buffalo would have to earn 21 points in their final 11 games. of course if Boston plays below .500 things could get dicey. If Boston earned 10 points in their final 12 games, Buffalo would still have to earn an incredible 19 pts to overtake them for 8th by virtue of Boston holding the tie breakers, Buffalo would have to finish ahead of the Bruins. Winnipeg has a game in hand on Buffalo and one point behind them, but, thye hold the tie breaker over Boston. Still the universe would pretty much have to collapse for the Bruins not to gain at least the 8th seed.
Not that they are primed to do much in the playoffs though.
Credit to Bob Mand for this insight
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Last edited by scotiahockey: 03-16-2012 at 09:19 AM.
Interesting how Thomas just stormed off the ice last night.... Bee lined it, right to the runway...He didn't acknowledge one teammate...I do think he may have given a fan a high five IIRC, but he is ****ing livid right now. I've been a little down on Tim, but his defense has been terrible
WHole team has been bad, Timmy included. People pointing to one aspect are probably tired of seeing it fail for so long, but its been a while since we got (a) consistent scorign, (b) stable defense or (c) solid goaltending. Its all a mess right now.
I don't blame anybody for pointing figers at this point. Personally, I point the fingers at Chara, Thomas and Julien. Captain (and highest paid player), Starting Goaltender and Coach. One of these guys needs to step up to make a difference, and while Julien can't play the game for them, he has to have some leverage at his disposal. I don't claim to know whether he's coaching his team effectively or not, but I know that when its not working its time to throw out the tried-and-true and make something happen.
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Last edited by doubleminor138: 03-16-2012 at 08:17 AM.
It's the mental breakdowns and errors that are killing the team right now. Last night there were 2 Seidenberg mistakes, 1 Campbell, and a Corvo that directly turned into goals, not to mention the bad luck on Kelly's turnover that resulted in a goal. Until they start to correct those, the streak will continue.
It's the mental breakdowns and errors that are killing the team right now. Last night there were 2 Seidenberg mistakes, 1 Campbell, and a Corvo that directly turned into goals, not to mention the bad luck on Kelly's turnover that resulted in a goal. Until they start to correct those, the streak will continue.
Yep, this team could put up a wood plank in the net, covering every inch of space, and with these giveaways, they`d still get scored upon eventually.
The boys are making huge mistakes, nobody is scoring, nobody is making a save, this is a collective effort, and that effort and focus is horrific right now
Interesting how Thomas just stormed off the ice last night.... Bee lined it, right to the runway...He didn't acknowledge one teammate...I do think he may have given a fan a high five IIRC, but he is ****ing livid right now. I've been a little down on Tim, but his defense has been terrible
Interesting how Thomas just stormed off the ice last night.... Bee lined it, right to the runway...He didn't acknowledge one teammate...I do think he may have given a fan a high five IIRC, but he is ****ing livid right now. I've been a little down on Tim, but his defense has been terrible
He isn't doing himself any favors. When he came in to relieve Turco the other night and let in a goal, he stood up straight and held his arms out to the team like, "Come on guys where's the defense!?" That pissed me off more than the goal. Body language on this team tells the whole story. They've quit for the time being.
Yep, this team could put up a wood plank in the net, covering every inch of space, and with these giveaways, they`d still get scored upon eventually.
The boys are making huge mistakes, nobody is scoring, nobody is making a save, this is a collective effort, and that effort and focus is horrific right now
The first thing to go when dealing with fatigue is decision making. it makes sense watching them, lacking any sustained "jump" at all during games and constantly blowing focus..
But, I am not one to accept excuses.
There are measure that can be taken to battle fatigue. Vitamin regiments, massage, sleep therapy, nutritional therapy, and if fatigue is the issue, then the coaching and training staff have got to pull out every stop to combat it. This team should be put on a strict curfew right now, and should be banned from any foods that lend to crash and alcohol altogether, and the team should be consulting nutritionists and homeopaths looking for any possible answers. Caron looks fine, and Pouliot, and even as far as energy level goes, Corvo, which all makes sense as none of them took part in the playoffs last year.
But still, things are DIRE right now and they need to over turn EVERY stone in looking for fixes. This team looked unbeatable for 2 months and now the Providence Bruins would beat them in a 7 game set.
You know though-one thing about the fatigue (real or not), it is clear there are mental errors and just pain stupid decision making. The more peope make those mental errors and bad decisions, the more frustrated the team gets and I think they have basically stopped trusting each other.
I think last night when they got opportunities to score (and even as pitifully as they have played they have managed to generate some outstanding opportunities) they end up almost forcing everything so the chance ends up going to to naught. It isn't always a hot goalie, but just digging a little too hard on the stick, putting a little too much or too little on the pass etc. They aren't finishing those chances, but as often as not they look like they are trying too hard.
Maybe instead of a practice this team needs some team building, trust building type exercises. November and December show the team knows how to play good defense and shoot the puck in the net-right now they are missing the mental aspects of the game.
You know though-one thing about the fatigue (real or not), it is clear there are mental errors and just pain stupid decision making. The more peope make those mental errors and bad decisions, the more frustrated the team gets and I think they have basically stopped trusting each other.
I think last night when they got opportunities to score (and even as pitifully as they have played they have managed to generate some outstanding opportunities) they end up almost forcing everything so the chance ends up going to to naught. It isn't always a hot goalie, but just digging a little too hard on the stick, putting a little too much or too little on the pass etc. They aren't finishing those chances, but as often as not they look like they are trying too hard.
Maybe instead of a practice this team needs some team building, trust building type exercises. November and December show the team knows how to play good defense and shoot the puck in the net-right now they are missing the mental aspects of the game.
Yep. I can forgive physical mistakes here and there, it happens. Mental errors are the most costly, and they're unforgivable. Kids learn that at age 10 now My little league baseball coach never cared if I dropped a fly ball or was thrown out stealing, as long as I was in the right places at the right time I was kept outta the dog house.
One has to wonder if Thomas is injured. I wonder if that leg issue he had 2 seasons ago is making a come back. He hasn't been playing the Battlefly style he's known by, and we saw that same change in his style during that time.
I think we're a lot more injured than just the guys missing from the lineup...
Last season we had the depth to get these minor injuries healed up, but with the current roster there just isn't room for resting our big players.
I just hope we can find our way out of this one, it is hard to watch...
He isn't doing himself any favors. When he came in to relieve Turco the other night and let in a goal, he stood up straight and held his arms out to the team like, "Come on guys where's the defense!?" That pissed me off more than the goal. Body language on this team tells the whole story. They've quit for the time being.
So here at HF boards if:
Thomas raises his hand in frustration he is in the wrong - When he did this against the Sens with the Alfredson goals I still don't believe he was calling anyone out but instead making the motion of "is this seriously happening?" I think the same thing today by the way. There are often times when he is the first guy to go to a defender and tap their shin pads after they put the puck in his net.
Thomas slams his stick against anything or tryies to lift his net in the air he is immature (the Bruins front office requested he stop doing this a couple of years ago)
Thomas does neither of these and shows no emotion he doesn't care
What I would like to see is our Captain do something. Anything. Well except for turn the puck over in his own zone, that is getting old fast.
My little league baseball coach never cared if I dropped a fly ball or was thrown out stealing, as long as I was in the right places at the right time I was kept outta the dog house.
