Actually, it has nothing to do with Joe Corvo. I don't think he'll be in our top-6. And that makes our defense STRONGER than it was last season with Kaberle.
Seguin has never gone into a post-season as THE GUY on offense. Our third line is worse than it was last season. And we're out a Nathan Horton, which puts our "top line" in a heap of trouble.
Tim Thomas hasn't looked as strong this year... Which I believe is mainly due to his lack of confidence in his defense. And Rask is still hurt, leaving Khudobin as the guy if Timmy falters.
The one thing that could turn the tide, is Milan Lucic. He's healthy this year and has the ability to turn games in the Bruins favor when he's in playoff beast mode. The problem? He's up against a bigger big-game player in Ovechkin and may not be enough.
This makes sense, but I see it another way.
I believe Bergeron is better offensively this year. Marchand has shown he can perform when it matters. I think Timmy has been a bit better the last few weeks after some faltering. Seguin has been in the playoffs and knows what it takes. He has grown a lot this year.
Peverley is fully healthy and Kelly has his scoring touch. I really like this matchup.
And I agree on Lucic. When he's healthy he can change a series. I'm getting psyched up just thinking about this!
I gotta wonder what Seguin's final weight will be when he's done growing. I'd love for him to get close to Ovi's size. 230 pounds is hard to move off the puck, and is devasting in the corners.
Edit sorry it's off topic, just thinking about how physical Ovi plays for a superstar.
I believe Bergeron is better offensively this year. Marchand has shown he can perform when it matters. I think Timmy has been a bit better the last few weeks after some faltering. Seguin has been in the playoffs and knows what it takes. He has grown a lot this year.
Peverley is fully healthy and Kelly has his scoring touch. I really like this matchup.
And I agree on Lucic. When he's healthy he can change a series. I'm getting psyched up just thinking about this!
With all due respect:
Seguin doesn't "know what it takes"... Not yet. He had two big games against TB last year and then was a non-factor the rest of the way. That was WITHOUT being the main focus of other team's checkers.
Bergeron is everything wonderful (my favorite NHLer for years now), but he's the same player as he was last season. That's not a BAD thing at all. But it's not an improvement either. Marchand - ditto.
I don't see a different player in Peverley or in Kelly. And Pevs was healthy going into the playoffs LAST season as well.
Also, factor in that there isn't a team in the entire NHL who has played as much hockey as the Boston Bruins in the last 12 months.
I'm still a little more worried about Thomas than Horton.
The team has been playing without Horton for some time now and they know he's not going to be there. Similar to Savard last year.
Also, the B's did win 4 out of 5 in the finals without Horton last year.
Yes they did but Vancouver was already minus a top d man (Hamhuis)on the hit on Lucic in 1st game,Then they lost Rome too in that Horton play.Thats 2 top 3 for them,Harder to replace D men then forwards ,i would not read too much into that part,I think Bruins are weaker this time around ,but more experienced.
Yes they did but Vancouver was already minus a top d man (Hamhuis)on the hit on Lucic in 1st game,Then they lost Rome too in that Horton play.Thats 2 top 3 for them,Harder to replace D men then forwards ,i would not read too much into that part,I think Bruins are weaker this time around ,but more experienced.
If Rome is on your top-3... You're a lottery team. Not a playoff one. And CERTAINLY not one in the Cup Finals.
Seguin doesn't "know what it takes"... Not yet. He had two big games against TB last year and then was a non-factor the rest of the way. That was WITHOUT being the main focus of other team's checkers.
Bergeron is everything wonderful (my favorite NHLer for years now), but he's the same player as he was last season. That's not a BAD thing at all. But it's not an improvement either. Marchand - ditto.
I don't see a different player in Peverley or in Kelly. And Pevs was healthy going into the playoffs LAST season as well.
Also, factor in that there isn't a team in the entire NHL who has played as much hockey as the Boston Bruins in the last 12 months.
Can't argue on the Seguin point but he does have another season under his belt so that will help him. I don't know why but I feel like Bergeron is faster than he was last year. Same passing, same defense but he just looks faster to me.
Marchand I think is more confident, if that's possible. I think we take them in 6.
I don't think this year's 3rd line is appreciably worse than last year's. Kelly, Pouliot, and Rolston have real chemistry. I think people are looking at Ryder's numbers in Dallas as their 1st line winger and somehow thinking that they'd translate back as our 3rd line winger. Pouliot isn't as good offensively, but I think he's better along the boards and in space on the backcheck. Rolston adds Peverley-lite quickness to the line as well, which meshes with Kelly's game nicely.
The Bergeron line is far more dynamic than it was last year. No offense to Rex, but it's an incredible line.
The big question is Krejci's line. Can Peverley find a scoring touch?
I'm not expecting a Cup win. I AM expecting the Bruins to handle Washington in 5 or less. If any team has a history of shrinking from the moment, it's Washington.
I think we'll be surprised by what Lucic does this year in the playoffs. I can't wait for all the threads whining about him throwing a gloved punch or two lol.
1 month of poor play followed by 2 months of brilliance leading to 3 months of mediocrity,finishing with a couple of weeks of good play. The goalie saved their behinds last year and with few exceptions he's not on par with last year's goalie. This year's team may or may not be as good as last year's but it's no better and the goalie is the key. Is he as good as last year?
I think Thomas will be fine.Horton's absence and the play of our 3rd line is what concerns me in the playoffs. The 3rd line is playing well but Peverley-Kelly -Ryder were a great 3rd line last year.Peverley just doesn't seem to be the same player when he plays with Krejci on the 1st line.
The 3rd line doesn`t worry me one bit, Kelly`s a proven winner, Rolston has shown he`s not quite done yet and Poo has been fantastic lately and together, I`d argue they have been consistently one of, if not the most solid all around line lately (pts aside)
The key is health and discipline IMO. Let`s keep our fingers crossed that Quaider/Boychuk aren`t just playing, but playing healthy, this will allow Julien to leave Corvo where he should, upstairs. I don`t worry about Timmy either, I have long ago lost my concerns with his play when it`s crunch time.
If our boys start running around playing the "chase" game with Ovi/Semin/Backstrom, they`ll get burned, if they stay disciplined, within the system, and avoid penalties, sorry, the Caps have no chance 5 on 5 IMO.
Lots of ifs, and the playoffs, as we all know is a different beast, a hot goalie, a few bounces, a few bad calls can change it all. They`ll miss Horty, but not as much as I think many here believe they will
To think that this team its better than lsat years team is ridiculous. Whether you like him or not, ryder was such a luxury to have on your third line. He always had his potential that hes showing in dallas. Not only that, but you had peverley on your third line.
I don't think this year's 3rd line is appreciably worse than last year's. Kelly, Pouliot, and Rolston have real chemistry. I think people are looking at Ryder's numbers in Dallas as their 1st line winger and somehow thinking that they'd translate back as our 3rd line winger. Pouliot isn't as good offensively, but I think he's better along the boards and in space on the backcheck. Rolston adds Peverley-lite quickness to the line as well, which meshes with Kelly's game nicely.
The Bergeron line is far more dynamic than it was last year. No offense to Rex, but it's an incredible line.
The big question is Krejci's line. Can Peverley find a scoring touch?
I'm not expecting a Cup win. I AM expecting the Bruins to handle Washington in 5 or less. If any team has a history of shrinking from the moment, it's Washington.
I think the real question is: Do Krejci will show up for each and every series this spring?
Seguin doesn't "know what it takes"... Not yet. He had two big games against TB last year and then was a non-factor the rest of the way. That was WITHOUT being the main focus of other team's checkers.
Bergeron is everything wonderful (my favorite NHLer for years now), but he's the same player as he was last season. That's not a BAD thing at all. But it's not an improvement either. Marchand - ditto.
I don't see a different player in Peverley or in Kelly. And Pevs was healthy going into the playoffs LAST season as well.
Also, factor in that there isn't a team in the entire NHL who has played as much hockey as the Boston Bruins in the last 12 months.
The key factor, IMHO, will be the ability of the team to do the little things right and to make sound decisions in our own end. If we do that, we have a good chance to go deep. Now, they will have to put aside Shanahan's vendetta against them and play a very physical series against Washington. Washington have a TON of speed so we have to " reduce " their enthusiasm to chase the puck and make plays along the boards. We can't let a guy like Ovi or Semin having a free ride in front of our net.
The key factor, IMHO, will be the ability of the team to do the little things right and to make sound decisions in our own end. If we do that, we have a good chance to go deep. Now, they will have to put aside Shanahan's vendetta against them and play a very physical series against Washington. Washington have a TON of speed so we have to " reduce " their enthusiasm to chase the puck and make plays along the boards. We can't let a guy like Ovi or Semin having a free ride in front of our net.
Yep, don`t chase the Caps around, if Ovi/Semin want to play tic tack along the boards, skate around, let em
All this talk about how to stop the Caps, not one mention about how the he** can the Caps stop 4 balanced lines wearing a spoked B on their chest???
Yep, don`t chase the Caps around, if Ovi/Semin want to play tic tack along the boards, skate around, let em
All this talk about how to stop the Caps, not one mention about how the he** can the Caps stop 4 balanced lines wearing a spoked B on their chest???
To be honest, i think it will depend on Krejci's line performance. If they are playing like they should, then the Caps will have an hard time to cover both Krejci's and Bergeron's line. If i'm the Caps, i'm paying more attention to Bergy's line because the three guys are absolutely lethal when you make a mistake against them ( a combine +101 differential ). Knowing that, i think the Caps will be wise enough, when they will have the final say on the lines, to match their top line against Krejci. That's why we need #46 to be ready to play from the get go.
We have again a great hockey team but I don't think we are as strong as last year. The 3rd line last year with Ryder- Kelly and Peverley gave us 3 offensive lines, this year it has been mostly our top 2 lines and getting the couple here and there from the 3rd and 4th. Ryder and Recchi > Pouliot, and I have nothing against Benoit. Hopefully he proves me wrong
To be honest, i think it will depend on Krejci's line performance. If they are playing like they should, then the Caps will have an hard time to cover both Krejci's and Bergeron's line. If i'm the Caps, i'm paying more attention to Bergy's line because the three guys are absolutely lethal when you make a mistake against them ( a combine +101 differential ). Knowing that, i think the Caps will be wise enough, when they will have the final say on the lines, to match their top line against Krejci. That's why we need #46 to be ready to play from the get go.
Good Post, I`m betting our 3rd line will have a sneaky good series, The Cage/Rolston and Poo will hurt the Caps as the "forgotten one`s"
We have again a great hockey team but I don't think we are as strong as last year. The 3rd line last year with Ryder- Kelly and Peverley gave us 3 offensive lines, this year it has been mostly our top 2 lines and getting the couple here and there from the 3rd and 4th. Ryder and Recchi > Pouliot, and I have nothing against Benoit. Hopefully he proves me wrong
The 3rd line as it sits now worries you re: ability to contribute??? Not me, remember, before the playoffs began, Pevs had put up merely 7pts as a Bruin.
I`ll take the speed, the energy and the experience of this 3rd line, I appreciate Rydes and what he did , but this line, with solid speed can absolutely cause chaos when forechecking, and lookin at that Cap defense core, could be an ugly series for them.
Constant attack of Wideman and Green would be my game plan.
I`m not as worried as most here with the Caps, I`d suggest, Hunter has, by far, the biggest test trying to figure out how to stop this team who`ll continue to roll out 4 lines, 3 of which can hurt ya offensively, and a 4th that proved last year, they aren`t there for optics
