Don't get me wrong, I will still enjoy the playoffs, but yes in the end I will be disappointed if I have to watch the hand shake as a loser. Just like in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Well I think you'll agree with me that it's much harder to stomach those when you're actually in attendance.
Don't get me wrong, I will still enjoy the playoffs, but yes in the end I will be disappointed if I have to watch the hand shake as a loser. Just like in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
I don't think that means you'll consider them a failure. I'll be disappointed if they lose this season at any point as well, even if that point is game 7 of the Cup Finals in OT against Nashville and they didn't do a single thing all series to make me hate them.
If the Caps play inspired hockey and their skill players steal the series then I won't start hopping up and down and shouting at the moon.
I know fans like to measure progress/success/failure in terms of playoff rounds advanced, but Pat Burns once said the first round is the toughest. What that means to me is that you can meet the 'wrong' opponent at any time, first or fourth round. For example, if Chicago gets past Vancouver last year, they probably make it to the Cup Finals? The fact that they lost in Rd1 wasn't an indictment of the team/leadership/coach/their will to win/etc. They just got beat in a tough series (thanks to a bad clearing attempt).
Doing "well enough" is such a bad term to use regarding Playoffs. Of course, the one and only ideal of doing well enough is the Cup, but there's 16 Teams battling for this goal, some Teams are even taking a really deep dive at it...
Talking about doing well despite not winning the Cup Finals, using this term is determined by so many factors for me.
If this Team battles well, fighting a hard 7-game series against any of the top contenders, showing the effort and hustle we've seen last year, of course I will be disappointed because they were losing, disappointed, because we could not get that one funny bounce in quadruple OT. I will be disappointed because, of all oponents, a notorious diver or some whiny antic ridden polar bird picks up the puck and gets a lucky bounce. But I will be proud of the Bruins putting up the effort, I will be proud seeing them fight a brave fight, I will be proud of the beaten heros.
If this Team gets plagued by injuries, but keeps fighting, keeps putting up big hits to wear down Rinaldo and keeps firing beach balls at Bobby Lou, if this Team keeps fighting an uphill struggle against too many zebras on the ice and Shana-bans and keeps doing their best, I will be proud.
If this Team decides just to fold, going 0-2 down in one series, though, I will be extremely disappointed. I will be wanting to see heads roll.
Luckily, though, we all know better. We've seen the effort this Team put up last year - and I trust in them, that they will be doing it again.
I voted for "well-fought 2nd or 3rd Round", because I believe in this Team, if the effort is up, to roll over any of the non top-contenders in at tops 6 games. We know, how talented this Team is. Now, just go out and show it.
Do you think the Yankees or the Canadiens have a "good enough point"?
Anything other than a Cup, I will be disappointed.
Last time I checked the Bruins were 4th all time in cup wins, only 5 away from the Wings.
I'm not sure about the Yankees, but if the Canadiens had a good enough point, it would be pretty low, like not being one of the worst 3 teams in the league...either way, any urgency on the part of their fans did no spur their team on to great heights.
There is a difference between being complacent and being realistic. Obviously, everyone wants the Bruins to win another cup, and most of us think they have a good shot of doing that, but I'm not going to be angry at this team (angry in general maybe) if they lose in game 7 to Pitt in the second round. This team has been amazing to watch the last couple of years, and if they bust ass in the playoffs and just lose to a better team, I can't really be angry about that...let down, maybe, but not angry at the team.
That effort is going to be good enough for me as a fan, no matter how far they actually advance. That's why the Red Sox suck right now, because I feel like I care more than they do (which isn't saying much). I know the Bs will leave it all out on the ice.
Well, if they lose a tough fought 7 games to a team like Pittsburgh in the next round or finals (which is possible) I won't fault them, but if they don't have to play Pitts or they somehow beat them anyways - I think anything less than the cup finals is a failure barring serious injuries. This team has what it takes the repeat, and I personally think they if they do make it to the finals, they will repeat (again barring some weird injury that knocks chara or Thomas or Bergeron out)
Stay healthy and they could start making this look like a dynasty. BUT, I'm just gonna think about the caps for now
I really want the team to repeat, but I think the cup is probably one of the hardest sports trophies to repeat in, and will be satisfied if they face a tough opponent in the 2nd or 3rd round, and play well but lose (I will be frustrated if they play poorly though-I want to see a good series with good hockey if they are going to lose).
I think this year is tough-mostly because the team isn't as healthy and there are some questions about who steps up to replace those we have lost from last season and to injury.
It's a sliding scale. As a life long fan of a team that has generally underachieved (except last year of course) I've always found a way to justify/be okay with what happens.
In each round I say if they make it to the next I will be satisfied. But then when we make it to the next round, I say well I want them to win and if they get by this one I will be okay with whatever happens. And so on.
I couldn't believe my thirst last year once we got to the finals for the win. I thought I would be okay with them just getting there because it was more than I expected when entering round 1, but once there ohhhh baby did I want to win and to lose would NOT have been good enough.
So sliding scale but as of right now if the get out of the east with their injuries and the talented opponents I would be very happy.
It's more "big picture" than anything. I don't think we have the team that is going to win this season, so why would I EXPECT them to?
Now, that's not to say I won't be disappointed with anything less. Of course I will. I cheer this team on as loud as anyone... and I'm crushed with any loss.
But... Before the game starts? I have to look at it realistically before my emotions take hold. This team WILL catch up to those Red Wings in Cup wins. Over the last few years, I feel as though I'm rooting for the Bruins team that I always wanted to root for.
Good posts. I can die happy, because I thought I'd never see it either. They are a well run organization, more than fair to their players, and the team itself plays my kind of hockey.
And -- I'm not cyncial about the Bruins anymore, which is nearly incredible.
It's more "big picture" than anything. I don't think we have the team that is going to win this season, so why would I EXPECT them to?
Now, that's not to say I won't be disappointed with anything less. Of course I will. I cheer this team on as loud as anyone... and I'm crushed with any loss.
But... Before the game starts? I have to look at it realistically before my emotions take hold. This team WILL catch up to those Red Wings in Cup wins. Over the last few years, I feel as though I'm rooting for the Bruins team that I always wanted to root for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Ladd
Any well fought series.
If the Caps play inspired hockey and their skill players steal the series then I won't start hopping up and down and shouting at the moon.
I know fans like to measure progress/success/failure in terms of playoff rounds advanced, but Pat Burns once said the first round is the toughest. What that means to me is that you can meet the 'wrong' opponent at any time, first or fourth round. For example, if Chicago gets past Vancouver last year, they probably make it to the Cup Finals? The fact that they lost in Rd1 wasn't an indictment of the team/leadership/coach/their will to win/etc. They just got beat in a tough series (thanks to a bad clearing attempt).
These two posts wrap it up nicely.
This team earned a chance to stay together and compete, whether we like it or not. They'll have to overcome the same flaws they had last year. This time they're down, at least the way I see it, two guys who were key players up front. Not to mention on the back end. More pressure than ever for our go to guys to get it done, and for others to step up. Last year, they certainly did.
Anyone who takes the Caps lightly is setting themselves up for disappointment. It doesn't matter how disappointing they've been for the last two seasons. All that matters is how they play now. They have more individual talent on their 1st line than we do on our top 3. If they're so permitted to be factors... we go home. There are no bad or easy teams in the playoffs.
I'm where I was last year. We go as far as TT can take us. They could go down in one round, or win the Stanley Cup. If they ALL bring their A game, we know they can do just that.
Hopefully, they're rallying around the fact that no one is really talking a/b the B's. It's been all Flyers and pens, Rags and Sens. As if no one is really giving them much of a chance to repeat. I hope they feed some people some double decker and extra rare **** sandwiches to eat. Which has been TT's specialty.
If not, I think we'll surely see some changes. Some that many aren't going to like very much.
Anything less than a cup repeat would put me in a very seriously demoralized state for a long time
There's a reason why a team hasn't won back-to-back Cups in more than a decade (and it took a seriously tremendous team to do so).
The Bruins played the equivalent of another third of a season last spring. That takes a real toll, both mentally and physically. Injuries are always going to be a factor in the playoffs - it's just a matter of degree. A goaltender could come out of nowhere (remember Halak?) and carry a team. Of course you have to be a great team to win a championship, but getting a fortunate bounce here or there doesn't hurt either.
All you can ask your team to do is give it everything they've got.
Not repeating would certainly be disappointing, but going into a "seriously demoralized state" is a bit of an overreaction, wouldn't you say? It's not like the Bruins' future is bleak, is it?
They need to make it out of this round. I wouldn't be shocked, but definitely disappointed. Washington isn't your normal 7 seed.
If they fall to the Pens or Rags in round two, I'm not gonna make a fuss. They got their cup and kept their core in tact. They should be able to make another run at it next year. I'm not discounting the amount of hockey they played last year. It's bound to catch up to them.
Second round. They will have all they can handle in round one and I am not sure they will win it............In fact, I don't think they will but they at least got the jump in game one. Obviously game two is key as I think the Caps may change their style and possibly slip-or blow us out-in game three. I wish game two was not on the Penguins, Captials, Rangers network.................
Second round. They will have all they can handle in round one and I am not sure they will win it............ In fact, I don't think they will but they at least got the jump in game one . Obviously game two is key as I think the Caps may change their style and possibly slip-or blow us out-in game three. I wish game two was not on the Penguins, Captials, Rangers network.................
After watching their effort last night, you don't think they will win this series? I know it's just one game, but they looked good. Not sure Washington will be able to bring that effort for 3 more games.
After watching their effort last night, you don't think they will win this series? I know it's just one game, but they looked good. Not sure Washington will be able to bring that effort for 3 more games.
No complaints with their effort, and have almost never had any problem with their playoff effort or gameplan under Julien. However, I am pretty sure the Caps will bring full effort for as long as necessary. I never question the opponent's ability to show up until it's 3-0. Washington actuallyimposed their style on that game in just the way I expected. That worries me.
No complaints with their effort, and have almost never had any problem with their playoff effort or gameplan under Julien. However, I am pretty sure the Caps will bring full effort for as long as necessary. I never question the opponent's ability to show up until it's 3-0. Washington actuallyimposed their style on that game in just the way I expected. That worries me.
I didn't mean 'effort' in the 'gee golly you guys all tried real hard' sense. I meant it as in the game the played.
