The defense was a mess. Bartkowski was either turning the puck over or taking dumb penalties. Krug....I love his offensive skills, his speed, his mindset....but as a battle-on-the- boards defenseman....too small....it was glaring how many battles he lost on the boards in the third period. And Chara.......the guy is slipping physically, and with $7 mill, $7 mill, $5 mill, $4 mill on the books the next 4 years, cost vs performance will be painful. And Meszaros......slowest player in the NHL IMO. That deadline trade was an epic fail.
Then there is the Rat....he accomplished NOTHING all series except taking meaningless penalties...again and again. Losing 1-0 and he thinks white washing Price is the move? I wonder what the opinion of him is in their locker room because he puts the team in bad positions more so than good....and that has to wear thin, especially when the Habs were dominating the powerplay most of the series. And lastly, Marchand became a one trick pony....taking the puck down the boards, then circling back......where a Canadian player would be waiting to swallow him. If I could figure his move, you know the Habs connected the dots.....3 years at $4.5 mill per left on his deal.
Then there is the skill component involved in finishing....scoring. Just look at the Bruins shoot out stats during the regular season. The signs have been blaring all season this team lacks finishing skills. During the last month of the regular season, and especially vs Detroit, the Bs had so many break away chances on net by various players, and I can't think of a single goal. The Habs batted 50% on their break away opportunities vs Boston....which emphasizes the deficient defensive play, the value of finishers, and lets not forget Rask.....who was less than special.
