2018-19 Stanley Cup - Bruins vs Blues

[shmessy]

Series is over.

No it's not.

.

 

[Drewski]

A couple morning after thoughts.

1. Regardless of the sport, I find it personally unconscionable that the championship game/series gets impacted by poor officiating; regardless of how that manifests. As @maust1013 said earlier, playoff hockey used to be officiated by "letting them play" on the ticky tack stuff and calling the obvious/egregious/"we can't not call it" stuff. Missing the two heads shots on Krug and MoJo plus the slew foot on Accari...but calling Marshmont for slashing on a unsecured puck is nuts. Bettman I am sure would rather people be talking about Cinderella from St. Louis, free from controversy (its a great story)....

2. Point 1 doesn't remove culpability from the Bs. When you play so poorly 5-5 and aren't scoring, you put your fate in the hands of the officials. How the top two lines have fallen completely off the map is beyond me. Fatigue, injury, whatever it is, boy what a let down.

3. Berube may have been a player from a different time (goon, which really don't exist all the much anymore in the current NHL) but he is a coach built for the modern media era. Post Game 3 he *****es and complains about the officiating, last night, he claims "he isn't in the position of questioning officiating judgement calls". Gimme a break with that attempted Jedi Mind Trick BS Craig. You're not that smart...and further, we have tapes.

4. The Bs will rue the day they had Binnington on the ropes coming out of Game 3 and what should have been the subsequent knockout (Game 4) he has turned his fortunes completely around. Credit to him. Bs didn't score for over a complete game between Games 4 and 5.

5. Still way too much fancy BS by the top 2 lines. Pasta, Krejci, Bergy, Marshmont should all be simplifying their game; pucks on net, crash the rebounds etc. Dipsy doo drop passes, poor set pieces, passing up open shots, the "Pasta blast from the halfboards" haven't worked at all in over a week. But keep going to that well boys....

6. I thought the D played well last night. A single goal to the hottest player in the series (even if it was with too many men on the ice; so that missed call from earlier in the series is now equaled) should be a recipe for success.

7. I said between Game 4 and 5 whoever wins Game 5 will take the series. Hoping the Bs have a rabbit in their hat, but that doesn't seem to be the case. They were down 3-2 to the Leafs, but the Leafs pose a different set of challenges than the Blues do. Ironically, the Bs were average 3.29 GF/G and 2.43 GA/G in that series. In this series, the stats are basically the same; 3.2 GF/G, 2.6 GA/G.....Hopefully they can "basically the same" the outcome as well. Winning Game 6 and 7 would be quite the story. And I do harken back to the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion DVD that came out. There was a scene where Andy Ference was talking about his SC experience when he played in Calgary (2004 Finals against TB). Calgary was up 3-2 heading into Game 6 and ended up losing Game 6 in Double OT. He explains how devastating that was because you go from "what winning the cup would be like" to having to then compete in a Game 7 and how resetting that mentality is tough (he was juxtaposing it against the Bs in 2011 needing to win a Game 6 to extend the series against Vancouver).

 

[RobertWeathers]

It would appear that way especially when the Bruins forwards all looked hesitant last night whenever they went after a loose puck. The Blues dominated and dictated the play in the slots in both zones even though the stat line shows the B's had more shots and hits. 90% of their shots were low-quality attempts from inside or just above the faceoff circles and didn't get after the rebounds like they did against Toronto, Columbus and Carolina. These guys need to do a serious gut-check before getting on that plane to St. Louis. I still believe that they are the better team and playing in front of a hostile crowd with their backs against the wall may be just what they need.

B are very timid and disorganized in the offensive zone. The Blues' style of play is having more of a mental impact than a physical one.

 

[RobertWeathers]

A couple morning after thoughts.

1. Regardless of the sport, I find it personally unconscionable that the championship game/series gets impacted by poor officiating; regardless of how that manifests. As @maust1013 said earlier, playoff hockey used to be officiated by "letting them play" on the ticky tack stuff and calling the obvious/egregious/"we can't not call it" stuff. Missing the two heads shots on Krug and MoJo plus the slew foot on Accari...but calling Marshmont for slashing on a unsecured puck is nuts. Bettman I am sure would rather people be talking about Cinderella from St. Louis, free from controversy (its a great story)....

2. Point 1 doesn't remove culpability from the Bs. When you play so poorly 5-5 and aren't scoring, you put your fate in the hands of the officials. How the top two lines have fallen completely off the map is beyond me. Fatigue, injury, whatever it is, boy what a let down.

3. Berube may have been a player from a different time (goon, which really don't exist all the much anymore in the current NHL) but he is a coach built for the modern media era. Post Game 3 he *****es and complains about the officiating, last night, he claims "he isn't in the position of questioning officiating judgement calls". Gimme a break with that attempted Jedi Mind Trick BS Craig. You're not that smart...and further, we have tapes.

4. The Bs will rue the day they had Binnington on the ropes coming out of Game 3 and what should have been the subsequent knockout (Game 4) he has turned his fortunes completely around. Credit to him. Bs didn't score for over a complete game between Games 4 and 5.

5. Still way too much fancy BS by the top 2 lines. Pasta, Krejci, Bergy, Marshmont should all be simplifying their game; pucks on net, crash the rebounds etc. Dipsy doo drop passes, poor set pieces, passing up open shots, the "Pasta blast from the halfboards" haven't worked at all in over a week. But keep going to that well boys....

6. I thought the D played well last night. A single goal to the hottest player in the series (even if it was with too many men on the ice; so that missed call from earlier in the series is now equaled) should be a recipe for success.

7. I said between Game 4 and 5 whoever wins Game 5 will take the series. Hoping the Bs have a rabbit in their hat, but that doesn't seem to be the case. They were down 3-2 to the Leafs, but the Leafs pose a different set of challenges than the Blues do. Ironically, the Bs were average 3.29 GF/G and 2.43 GA/G in that series. In this series, the stats are basically the same; 3.2 GF/G, 2.6 GA/G.....Hopefully they can "basically the same" the outcome as well. Winning Game 6 and 7 would be quite the story. And I do harken back to the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion DVD that came out. There was a scene where Andy Ference was talking about his SC experience when he played in Calgary (2004 Finals against TB). Calgary was up 3-2 heading into Game 6 and ended up losing Game 6 in Double OT. He explains how devastating that was because you go from "what winning the cup would be like" to having to then compete in a Game 7 and how resetting that mentality is tough (he was juxtaposing it against the Bs in 2011 needing to win a Game 6 to extend the series against Vancouver).

Since G3 Binny has a .952 save %

If they can't out-physical them, they need to start banging this kid around. Stop being so f-ing cute with the tape to tape passes and start slinging shots at the net

Sometimes a team playing desperate hockey brings out the true essence of their game.

I'm not throwing in the towel just yet. They have it in them...but I'm not exactly confident either.

 

[fair catch fryar]

Since G3 Binny has a .952 save %

If they can't out-physical them, they need to start banging this kid around. Stop being so f-ing cute with the tape to tape passes and start slinging shots at the net

Sometimes a team playing desperate hockey brings out the true essence of their game.

I'm not throwing in the towel just yet. They have it in them...but I'm not exactly confident either.

A new term used these days in hockey analytics called the "Royal Road" tells the entire story of this series. It's based on which team controls the straight line from crease to crease the width of both slots. According to the nerd algorithm that determines high-percentage shots, it claims that up to 85% of goals in a game originate in this area. The Bruins tried to play physical last night, but they put their tails between their legs in this area and it was apparent as the bulk of Billington's saves were from outside this area. The B's need to control this area like they did against Columbus and Carolina and made all-world goalie Bobrovsky look vulnerable.

 

[everlong]

Part of me thinks the B's should call up a goon for Providence for game 6 and in the first minute of the game just have him take somebody from the Blues out plain and simple, or have Backes do it. At that point the refs have to start calling everything. Sure you have to kill the penalty but the B's have been better short handed than 5-5. Either that or just run Billington. I hate to advocate for things like these but it's clear the league is going to let the Blues continue to get away with it.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Part of me thinks the B's should call up a goon for Providence for game 6 and in the first minute of the game just have him take somebody from the Blues out plain and simple, or have Backes do it. At that point the refs have to start calling everything. Sure you have to kill the penalty but the B's have been better short handed than 5-5. Either that or just run Billington. I hate to advocate for things like these but it's clear the league is going to let the Blues continue to get away with it.

Agree 110%.

They need to run at Binnington.

It's not like on the PP the Blues are trotting out Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey and Anderson for Christ's Sake. Time to sweep the leg. Hopefully Butchy's tirade last night helps.

There is nothing worse than watching a sports team you love get physically dominated. Its death by 1000 paper cuts. Its painful.

 

[maust]

A couple morning after thoughts.

1. Regardless of the sport, I find it personally unconscionable that the championship game/series gets impacted by poor officiating; regardless of how that manifests. As @maust1013 said earlier, playoff hockey used to be officiated by "letting them play" on the ticky tack stuff and calling the obvious/egregious/"we can't not call it" stuff. Missing the two heads shots on Krug and MoJo plus the slew foot on Accari...but calling Marshmont for slashing on a unsecured puck is nuts. Bettman I am sure would rather people be talking about Cinderella from St. Louis, free from controversy (its a great story)....

2. Point 1 doesn't remove culpability from the Bs. When you play so poorly 5-5 and aren't scoring, you put your fate in the hands of the officials. How the top two lines have fallen completely off the map is beyond me. Fatigue, injury, whatever it is, boy what a let down.

3. Berube may have been a player from a different time (goon, which really don't exist all the much anymore in the current NHL) but he is a coach built for the modern media era. Post Game 3 he *****es and complains about the officiating, last night, he claims "he isn't in the position of questioning officiating judgement calls". Gimme a break with that attempted Jedi Mind Trick BS Craig. You're not that smart...and further, we have tapes.

4. The Bs will rue the day they had Binnington on the ropes coming out of Game 3 and what should have been the subsequent knockout (Game 4) he has turned his fortunes completely around. Credit to him. Bs didn't score for over a complete game between Games 4 and 5.

5. Still way too much fancy BS by the top 2 lines. Pasta, Krejci, Bergy, Marshmont should all be simplifying their game; pucks on net, crash the rebounds etc. Dipsy doo drop passes, poor set pieces, passing up open shots, the "Pasta blast from the halfboards" haven't worked at all in over a week. But keep going to that well boys....

6. I thought the D played well last night. A single goal to the hottest player in the series (even if it was with too many men on the ice; so that missed call from earlier in the series is now equaled) should be a recipe for success.

7. I said between Game 4 and 5 whoever wins Game 5 will take the series. Hoping the Bs have a rabbit in their hat, but that doesn't seem to be the case. They were down 3-2 to the Leafs, but the Leafs pose a different set of challenges than the Blues do. Ironically, the Bs were average 3.29 GF/G and 2.43 GA/G in that series. In this series, the stats are basically the same; 3.2 GF/G, 2.6 GA/G.....Hopefully they can "basically the same" the outcome as well. Winning Game 6 and 7 would be quite the story. And I do harken back to the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion DVD that came out. There was a scene where Andy Ference was talking about his SC experience when he played in Calgary (2004 Finals against TB). Calgary was up 3-2 heading into Game 6 and ended up losing Game 6 in Double OT. He explains how devastating that was because you go from "what winning the cup would be like" to having to then compete in a Game 7 and how resetting that mentality is tough (he was juxtaposing it against the Bs in 2011 needing to win a Game 6 to extend the series against Vancouver).

I think Rask summed the no call up from what the players perspective needs to be:
"Things happen quick, but it doesn't help to complain about it afterwards. But, you know, it sucks it was kind of a deciding play of the game. It is what it is."

Cassidy addressed it in his post game comments with the proper word: "egregious"

At this point I think it behooves Neely to blast the league office publicly in no uncertain terms. The league's mandate on not dropping the gloves needs to go by the wayside if this BS continues. First non call cheapshot in game 6 should result in every Bruin on the ice dropping the gloves and grabbing a dance partner. In their desire for a showcase event, that their refs aren't capable of officiating properly, the league has given itself a huge black eye by allowing dirty sh!t play to replace hardnosed hockey and dictate the game. It's hard to blame StL for what their doing when they are getting away with it, it's only a penalty when it gets called after all. Bozak even pulled up mea culpa style in anticipation of a call after the slew on Acciari, not his fault it wasn't called.

 

[BlueThunder]

Still not sure HOW the ref looking right at that Accari trip didn't call it.......WTF was he doing......daydreaming ???? That was the game in a nutshell right there........Bruin PP vs a Blue Goal.........SMH

 

[BlueThunder]

Agree with an earlier post...The Bruins have to play better and not let their destiny be put in the hands of the refs....

 

[Drewski]

 

[maust]

Can't imagine why...

 

[SBLIII]

I don't feel good at all after what I saw last night.

 

[Drewski]

Can't imagine why...

This whole Postseason has left a bad taste in the mouth. The officiating has been horrific from the drop. Which is really unfortunate because I would argue there is little in the sports calendar that can compete with the excitement of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But the NHL has really stepped in it and its through nothing other than their own making. They want the fighting/enforcer roles out of the game, because it has no place in a "more skill oriented game" and turns potential fans off. Meanwhile the always been there fan base of the sport understands and appreciates how those things are part of the game. They then double down by apparently having refs call no penalties.

I don't blame the Blues for how they have approached this playoffs. They have seemingly identified the concept of "they won't call everything, because no one wants a penalty fest" and conducted themselves accordingly. Unfortunately, that creates doubt as to what rule book is being called. Doubt creates confusion and hesitation. Hesitation evens the playing field. Its a beautiful approach.

As I said above, the Bs missed the boat on this and when the situation should have driven them to hunker down, get more chippy, they instead wait for something that is never coming, which pulls them completely away from their game.

Make no mistake, I love physical hockey; I love a huge hip check or a huge shoulder to shoulder shot. I love any hit that makes me go, in real time, dammmn!!; even hockey that may cross the line; hell me and my roomates in college had a twelve foot long, three section homemade PVC bong we called Kyle McLaren for the yard sale hit he put on Richard Zednik in the '02 Playoffs. But you can't just go from "hey we call the games to keep the skill evident and anything that takes away from that is a penalty" to what they are doing now. Head shots uncalled (then suspended for), a hold that requires a Michael Ryder like save from a forward to negate the advantage, tripping along the boards freeing up the puck for an OT winner.

Game 6 is do or die obviously. As others have said, I hope the Bs bring some of this with them to StL. They have to realize as we do that they aren't going to be rewarded from abstaining from the "goonish" play. Fight fire with fire (without intending to injure anyone) and see where it nets you out.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

The Bruins are done. Chara was a good story but did not play many minutes and sitting Backes was a huge mistake. He is our enforcer of sorts and without him we got pushed around. Our D is skilled but they are small as a group. Top line has been shut down and Marchand is auditioning for the Harlem Globetrotters with his fancy skating. Just play hockey. Lost respect for the Blues because they are taking the physical play over the line. They did it against SJ and knocked out two top players in that series. I live outside STL, and now have to listen to these inbred fans and loser media personalities that have absolute hatred for anything Boston sports. The NHL should be ashamed of this product that is on display. Make no mistake, we are done. We are beaten in every sense and our guys know it. They dont have the fortitude to rally and come back. When was the last time a Bruins team was bullied like this? It's tough to watch.

We’ve ramped up the hitting big time compared to the SJ series. I assume we’re talking hits to Hertl and Pavelski since Karllson left via groin injury? Of the 2 Hertls was the worst, he did take contact to the head as well as shoulder; couldve warranted a game suspension. Pavelskis on the other hand was a clean check in the boards. This hit aggravated his past concussion symptoms, imo they brought him back too soon. To a healthy player that check wouldn’t have done anything.

You said your near STL, and I see AF retired (TY for your service) you near the Scott AFB area?

 

[Drewski]

We’ve ramped up the hitting big time compared to the SJ series. I assume we’re talking hits to Hertl and Pavelski since Karllson left via groin injury? Of the 2 Hertls was the worst, he did take contact to the head as well as shoulder; couldve warranted a game suspension. Pavelskis on the other hand was a clean check in the boards. This hit aggravated his past concussion symptoms, imo they brought him back too soon. To a healthy player that check wouldn’t have done anything.

You said your near STL, and I see AF retired (TY for your service) you near the Scott AFB area?

My dad's hometown, Belleville IL

 

[RobertWeathers]

The Sanford hit on Krug was just as cheap. He should also be getting a phonecall.

If I wanted to watch 1977 Flyers/Sabres I'd build a Way -Back machine.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

The Sanford hit on Krug was just as cheap. He should also be getting a phonecall.

If I wanted to watch 1977 Flyers/Sabres I'd build a Way -Back machine.

Imo both of these were worse than Sunny’s on Gryz.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I am vigorously tearing up a wood post

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

My dad's hometown, Belleville IL

Grew up in Ofallon (right next to Belleville)