2008-09 Boston Bruins Thread

[YanksHater213]

holy f*** i left for my bball game up 2-1

 

what the s*** happened?

[msubulldogs21]

holy f*** i left for my bball game up 2-1

 

what the s*** happened?

 

The Sharks getting 3 goals in 6 minutes happened. Their last was an empty netter.

[TheKilo]

holy f*** i left for my bball game up 2-1

 

what the s*** happened?

 

Bad rebound goal against Thomas, snipe in the slot, and then a ******** goal that went off Thornton's skate.

 

San Jose choked the life out of them in the third, completely wore them down.

[rician blast]

Bruins were outclassed last night, at l;east in the third period. Sharks were bigger, tougher and wanted it more once they tied that game.

 

I know it is only one game, but it did seem to show some cracks in the B's. I still say the B's ARE one of the 5 best teams in the league, but I can't say they're the best, based on what I've seen since the A.S. break (and I'm not talking specifically about their record, but the way they're playing).

[BoSox21]

I still say the B's ARE one of the 5 best teams in the league' date=' but I can't say they're the best, based on what I've seen since the A.S. break (and I'm not talking specifically about their record, but the way they're playing).[/quote']

 

The Bruins are probably the third best team in the league behind the Sharks and Red Wings. Every good team tends to go into a funk around this time of year, the dog days of winter.

 

The Wings lost 5 in a row to end January and the Sharks just came off a 3-game losing streak of their own. The good teams who aren't really looking over their shoulder become vulnerable to the hungrier teams jockeying for playoff positioning. The Bruins will be fine.

[rician blast]

The Bruins are probably the third best team in the league behind the Sharks and Red Wings. Every good team tends to go into a funk around this time of year, the dog days of winter.

 

The Wings lost 5 in a row to end January and the Sharks just came off a 3-game losing streak of their own. The good teams who aren't really looking over their shoulder become vulnerable to the hungrier teams jockeying for playoff positioning. The Bruins will be fine.

 

This is true, and I'd probably place them in the 3-slot right now as well. Thing is even with some of their recent Ws it just seemed like something was missing, something beyond the convenient explanation of injuries.

 

I will say this...while I'm a bit dissapointed with the way the Krejci line has performed recently, the 4th line has been very, very good. Depth and goaltending are key come playoff time and I think the B's are deep...the goaltending has been outstanding but still concerns me.

[TheKilo]

I'd love to be able to dump Kobasew for someone who can actually play.

[BoSox21]

Depth and goaltending are key come playoff time and I think the B's are deep...the goaltending has been outstanding but still concerns me.

 

Meh, any team that doesn't have Brodeur or Luongo probably has concerns about their goaltending come playoff time

[rician blast]

Meh' date=' any team that doesn't have Brodeur or Luongo probably has concerns about their goaltending come playoff time[/quote']

 

You've definitely mentioned the two best, IMO.

 

Right now if I were SJ or he Wild I'd feel pretty damn good about my goaltending, too.

 

My concerns with the B's are Thomas has to make too many flopping saves, which tells me he's not always in position or anticipating right, and Fernandez can be great or can be soft, despite what his numbers show.

 

There are other teams who's goalies can easily get hot and be great...Buffalo with Miller, Anaheim with Giguere and Hiller, Detroit with Osgood and Conklin..any of those guys or combos could steal a series of 2 if really hot, so long as their teams compete.

 

Maybe I'm watching TOO much B's action and overanalyzing, but despite their numbers, Thomas and Fernandez don't strike me as series stealers...luckily for the B's the team is so good.

[TheKilo]

 

Maybe I'm watching TOO much B's action and overanalyzing, but despite their numbers, Thomas and Fernandez don't strike me as series stealers...luckily for the B's the team is so good.

 

Fernandez might be when healthy, in no way shape or form will Thomas ever be described as such.

[rician blast]

Fernandez might be when healthy' date=' in no way shape or form will Thomas ever be described as such.[/quote']

 

I thik you're right.

 

Personally I was hoping that Rask would be a platoon guy by now and that the B's would have had a shot at trading one of either Thomas of Fernandez and gettign something decent in return.

[soxlife92]

I'm sorry but how can anyone complain about the Bruins goaltending? Belive it or not, they and Chara are the backbone of this squad. Thomas leads the league in save pct. and Fernandez is 5th. I know that nobody on this board is trying to criticize them, but the way that you say that we can do better is just pitiful. I am going to go ahead and say that the Bruins would not be the team they are this year without Thomas and Fernandez between the pipes.

[TheKilo]

No one is saying Thomas isn't a good goaltender. What we're saying is Thomas will never be a goaltender who can "steal" a series for the Bruins.

 

There's a huge difference.

[YanksHater213]

I think Thomas can get hot and steal a series, but if he's just playing like he normally does we can't win games 1-0 and 2-1 comfortably and consistently.

[soxlife92]

Well with a .930 save pct (1st in the league) and 2.16 GAA (3rd in the league) he could steal a series pretty easily in my opinion. not to mention his performance in last years almost-upset of the Canadians in the playoffs. i believe in him and i hope that all of you could too. no fighting word intended.

[soxlife92]

excuse me. his 2.15 GAA is 2nd in the league. just correcting myslef.

[TheKilo]

Well with a .930 save pct (1st in the league) and 2.16 GAA (3rd in the league) he could steal a series pretty easily in my opinion. not to mention his performance in last years almost-upset of the Canadians in the playoffs. i believe in him and i hope that all of you could too. no fighting word intended.

 

You mean his awesome performance in Game 6, when he gave up 4 goals, or his awesome performance in game 7, when he gave up 5?

[rician blast]

I'm not criticizing Thomas or Fernandez, but I'm a realist and I'm going by what I see...not stats. I've been watching the B's, and hockey in general, religiously since the 1970's...I've seen goalies come and go and the ones who can truly steal a series...the Dryden's, Brodeur's, etc. stand out. The closest to that now, IMO, are Brodeur and Luongo, followed by Giguere, Ryan Miller, maybe Nabakov...you watch these guys play and you feel like your team can't get a puck by them. I never feel that with Thomas...his style lends itself to great games AND poor performances. When it comes playoff time, and every goal counts, he makes me nervous.

[Dojji]

What do you want to do about it though? Replace one of Thomas and Fernandez with Rask? Trust our playoff future with a 21 year old kid like the mistake the Habs made last year? And Rask has a bit of a "softies" problem himself you know.

 

Flip a coin, if it's heads, Fernandez MIGHT be healthy for the playoffs.

 

That's one of the reasons I'm not sure I'm interested in mortgaging everything for the playoff run this year -- I don't see us as close enough to a true finals lock to be sacrificing prospects who might be the key to future runs.

[rician blast]

What do you want to do about it though? Replace one of Thomas and Fernandez with Rask? Trust our playoff future with a 21 year old kid like the mistake the Habs made last year? And Rask has a bit of a "softies" problem himself you know.

 

Flip a coin, if it's heads, Fernandez MIGHT be healthy for the playoffs.

 

That's one of the reasons I'm not sure I'm interested in mortgaging everything for the playoff run this year -- I don't see us as close enough to a true finals lock to be sacrificing prospects who might be the key to future runs.

 

I'm not sure the B's are in a position TO do anything about it. Like you, despite the Bruins leading the NHL in points, I have doubts about their ability to reach the finals. Part of it has to do with how they were last year...have they REALLY improved that much in a year? Or are things just going very, very well for them? I've seen too many teams with 100+ pts get bounced from the playoffs in the first round and typically it comes down to a mediocre performance by a couple of top scorers and their goalie.

 

As I recall, though, the B's are tight on cap room next year, there are several RFAs who'll eat up most of what is coming off the books. Either Thomas or Fernandez won't be here next year, on that you can pretty much bank.

[Keeper]

I'm just happy the Blackhawks are relevant again.

[Dojji]

I'm not sure the B's are in a position TO do anything about it. Like you, despite the Bruins leading the NHL in points, I have doubts about their ability to reach the finals. Part of it has to do with how they were last year...have they REALLY improved that much in a year? Or are things just going very, very well for them? I've seen too many teams with 100+ pts get bounced from the playoffs in the first round and typically it comes down to a mediocre performance by a couple of top scorers and their goalie.

 

As I recall, though, the B's are tight on cap room next year, there are several RFAs who'll eat up most of what is coming off the books. Either Thomas or Fernandez won't be here next year, on that you can pretty much bank.

 

And my bet is Thomas stays and Fernandez moves on. Nothing personal with Manny but Thomas is the guy who has made a name for himself here and Fernandez is more of a mercenary. We'll see if maybe Rask can steal the job from Timmy next year -- Thomas seems to enjoy competition for the top spot anyway.

[rician blast]

And my bet is Thomas stays and Fernandez moves on. Nothing personal with Manny but Thomas is the guy who has made a name for himself here and Fernandez is more of a mercenary. We'll see if maybe Rask can steal the job from Timmy next year -- Thomas seems to enjoy competition for the top spot anyway.

 

I'd agree, Dojji.

[BoSox21]

I'm just happy the Blackhawks are relevant again.

 

It's a good thing for the NHL when every Original Six team is relevant, except Toronto and Montreal cause even if they suck they're always relevant

[rician blast]

Some day I'm going to get up to Montreal and see a B's-Habs game...never have gotten there, and I'm about as diehard a B's fan as anyone I know down here in CT.

[BoSox21]

You'd enjoy it, best atmosphere in the NHL

[msubulldogs21]

I'm going to be in attendence at the Bruins game in Nashville tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it as I have never been to an NHL game before. Actually, I've never been to any level of hockey game period. Hope to see a W.

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm not sure the B's are in a position TO do anything about it. Like you, despite the Bruins leading the NHL in points, I have doubts about their ability to reach the finals. Part of it has to do with how they were last year...have they REALLY improved that much in a year? Or are things just going very, very well for them? I've seen too many teams with 100+ pts get bounced from the playoffs in the first round and typically it comes down to a mediocre performance by a couple of top scorers and their goalie.

 

The Bruins have been so good this year because they are an extremely deep team. The Bruins don't rely on just one or two guys to make their offense go. They can survive a playoff series where their top two points leaders go into a scoring drought because they are getting great play from all four lines.

 

Just look at all of the injuries they have sustained and never missed a beat.

[rician blast]

The Bruins have been so good this year because they are an extremely deep team. The Bruins don't rely on just one or two guys to make their offense go. They can survive a playoff series where their top two points leaders go into a scoring drought because they are getting great play from all four lines.

 

Just look at all of the injuries they have sustained and never missed a beat.

 

I agree that their success is due to great depth. However, let's consider a playoff scenario akin to what I mentioned above...suppose Savard is shut down, and Krejci is shut down...they are the two players that their lines depend on most, maybe not always in terms of goals, but as far as setting up plays. Opposing teams will key heavily on them in the playoffs and be extremely physical with them...if they're nullified and Thomas or Fern has a less than stellar playoff, it could mean a quick exit.

 

This really goes for any team...your studs have to be reasonably effective and you've got to get outstanding goaltending.

[TheKilo]

Kessel has been s*** since coming back from mono, which doesn't help.