2008-09 Boston Bruins Thread

[rician blast]

Watching Bruins in 2 now, wtf is the deal with the Canadien fans all hating Lucic?

 

They should focus more on their crap team.

 

 

Until Lucic dropped Komisarek it was Chara that got booed every thime he touched the puck. How quickly they move on to a new enemy.

 

This actually all started last year in the playoffs when, because he played a physical series, the Canadiens said Lucic was "running around out there," a players term for someone who's running at players...so they felt they needed to do somethign about it. Komisarek challenged Lucic over and over and when the time was right, Lucic engaged him.

 

As for Larocque, that's fkn ridiculous and a bit embarrassing, IMO, that Carbonneau would put him, a goon, a fighter, out against Lucic, an offensive force, expecting Lucic to fight him. That would be like putting Thornton on Iginla.

 

We saw this sort of thing when Neely was playing...a team would send their goon out to try and coax Neely into a fight, and the goon would cross check, high stick, face wash Neely all night long.

[BoSox21]

Until Lucic dropped Komisarek it was Chara that got booed every thime he touched the puck. How quickly they move on to a new enemy.

 

This actually all started last year in the playoffs when, because he played a physical series, the Canadiens said Lucic was "running around out there," a players term for someone who's running at players...so they felt they needed to do somethign about it. Komisarek challenged Lucic over and over and when the time was right, Lucic engaged him.

 

The Canadiens said Lucic was "running around out there" meaning he was doing what he wanted without paying a physical price and the only guy on the team who was able to give him a little physical punishment was Komisarek, so that's why we went and got Laraque.

 

As for Larocque, that's fkn ridiculous and a bit embarrassing, IMO, that Carbonneau would put him, a goon, a fighter, out against Lucic, an offensive force, expecting Lucic to fight him. That would be like putting Thornton on Iginla.

 

We saw this sort of thing when Neely was playing...a team would send their goon out to try and coax Neely into a fight, and the goon would cross check, high stick, face wash Neely all night long.

 

That's not entirely accurate. Laraque's job was to shadow Lucic, to stay in his head and if he was willing to fight him. And it worked for the first and third periods when the two were matched almost shift for shift. The only time they didn't almost the exact same ice time was the second period when, wouldn't you know it, is when Lucic scored. But that was because of Kovalev's pathetic back-checking. Something I felt should have warranted him being benched.

[TheKilo]

The Canadiens said Lucic was "running around out there" meaning he was doing what he wanted without paying a physical price and the only guy on the team who was able to give him a little physical punishment was Komisarek' date=' so that's why we went and got Laraque.[/quote']

 

Wait so are you saying Lucic is to blame for hurting Komisarek?

[BoSox21]

Wait so are you saying Lucic is to blame for hurting Komisarek?

 

I don't see what your question has to do with what I said

[rician blast]

Lucic actually expressed some sympathy for Komisarek's injury, classy move.

[rician blast]

But that was because of Kovalev's pathetic back-checking. Something I felt should have warranted him being benched.

 

 

He's a pathetic defensive player...quit on several plays in the 6-1 B's win.

 

One year in the playoffs he feigned injury on a "slash", giving up the puck in the neutral zone, and allowing the B's to score a huge goal.

 

As for Larocque, you're right, his job was to get in Lucic's head. If that continues, look for Lucic to ultimately become more comfortable with the situation and start to take advantage of it...he's a much better skater than big George.

[TheKilo]

I don't see what your question has to do with what I said

 

The Canadiens said Lucic was "running around out there" meaning he was doing what he wanted without paying a physical price and the only guy on the team who was able to give him a little physical punishment was Komisarek, so that's why we went and got Laraque.

 

IOW, you're saying Komisarek was the only one willing to fight Lucic. Komisarek gets hurt in said fight, Lucic gets booed out of the arena on Saturday night....connect the dots?

[BoSox21]

One year in the playoffs he feigned injury on a "slash", giving up the puck in the neutral zone, and allowing the B's to score a huge goal.

 

I know, I was there.

 

IOW' date=' you're saying Komisarek was the only one willing to fight Lucic. Komisarek gets hurt in said fight, Lucic gets booed out of the arena on Saturday night....connect the dots?[/quote']

 

I was talking about the playoffs last year. And when I said physical punishment, I'm not talking about a fight. I'm talking about Komisarek being the only guy willing and able to check Lucic.

 

And to answer your question, I don't blame Lucic for Komi's injury, its an incidental injury and its a risk you take when you fight

[rician blast]

I know, I was there.

 

So was I. As a B's fan it was absolutely priceless.

 

Back to Lucic/Larocque, a lot of Habs fans are saying Lucic didn't man up and drop 'em against Larocque, one fan in the HB forums saying he hasn't "paid for what he did."

 

Here's the thing...he's not out running Koivu, or players of that ilk...he's banging in the corners, clean hits, usually against D-men the way that power forwards have hit D-man forever...think of the beating Ray Bourque used to take.

 

When Cam Neely played, they'd stick a Claude Lemieux on him and Claude would taunt, poke, slash, hold, high-stick, trip, face wash, etc. all game long, shift for shift. Then when Cam dropped the gloves, Claude would turtle...so did Samuelsson. That is the definition of not manning up.

 

The idea of putting a goon on to (1) challenge a key offensive player and (2) take him off his game is a bit of a different story. Effective? I think so, Lucic looked out of sorts for a while. But in no way do I think Habs fans are accurate in their assessment of Lucic for not fighting Larocque...he's got no running beef with the man, he isn't out head hunting and he isn't hitting the Canadiens top players for the most part.

 

I have no problem with the tactic as an effort to win, and I think Larocque's restraint showed class...he did his job without being a total goon. I do take issue with the idea that Lucic has done anything to warrant him taking on Larocque. If Lucic were to drop Koivu or Tanguay with a devestating hit, all bets are off...but that's not what has bene happening.

 

Side note: Lucic leads the league in hits, Komisarek is 6th despite being out, Aaron Ward is 9th, Chara 10th. Ovechkin is 12th! Better put Thornton on him next time they play.

[TheKilo]

Right, Lucic hasn't done anything dirty, it's all been clean hits, I don't understand the uproar for not dropping them against a guy who's what, 6'4", 245?

[BoSox21]

I don't blame Lucic for not fighting at all, he fought Boynton the night before and on top of it all, he was man enough to fight Komisarek at the end of the game in Boston so I commend him for it.

 

There are a lot of moronic fans in this city who think they know the unspoken rules of hockey but if I'm Julien or Lucic, I don't see a point in fighting Laraque. Like I said, he fought Boynton the night before and right now, Boston has all the momentum in the rivalry, why would he risk getting beaten up by the league's top heavyweight on the road and risk swinging that momentum?

 

The only time I have a problem with something like that is like when Jarkko Ruutu cheapshoted Maxim Lapierre with an elbow to the head and instead of getting the beatdown that was coming to him from Laraque, he ducked him and fought 5'8" Francis Bouillon instead but Lucic hasn't done anything dirty, he's just been a really effective player against the Habs

 

The only criticism I have is that Julien didn't send out Thornton to fight Laraque.

[rician blast]

The only time I have a problem with something like that is like when Jarkko Ruutu cheapshoted Maxim Lapierre with an elbow to the head and instead of getting the beatdown that was coming to him from Laraque, he ducked him and fought 5'8" Francis Bouillon

 

I agree 100%...that's the crap that pisses me off. Avery will do that too. In a game earlier this year he and Ott were running around cheapshotting the Bruins better players and when asked to go by Thornton or Hnidy, they ran, but Avery was willing to fight Andrew Ference. Now that's a punk.

[BoSox21]

I agree 100%...that's the crap that pisses me off. Avery will do that too. In a game earlier this year he and Ott were running around cheapshotting the Bruins better players and when asked to go by Thornton or Hnidy' date=' they ran, but Avery was willing to fight Andrew Ference. Now that's a punk.[/quote']

 

And that's why guys like that seem to change teams every year

[rician blast]

After the Dallas-Bruins game, Modano said if that is the type of hockey we're going to play, get me a job elsewhere, off the ice, because he was embarrassed. Apparently a number of Rangers players had no respect for Avery either. A lot of Rangers fans loved him, however.

 

Not sure how old you all are, but if anyone can remember Ken Linseman for the Bruins, he was a Class A pest and I couldn't stand the crap he pulled, even though I'm a B's fan. All sorts of cheap, after the whistle stuff, then skate away. I have no respect for that.

 

One guy on the Habs I think I like, but haven't focused enough on, is Steve Begin...he seems to skate hard and when on the ice, he will occasionally throw a heavy check.

 

BoSox, what's the story with him...what do fans feel about him, what does he bring to the table...am I over-valuing him?

[BoSox21]

He's a crowd favorite here but he's on the downside of his career. He's your typical max-effort, blue-collar guy who doesn't have all the talent in the world but leaves it all out on the ice.

 

He's been a healthy scratch almost all year which I disagree with cause the Habs as a whole tend to be lazy more than they should and a guy like Begin almost forces the rest of them to pick up their game. He's also on the last year of his deal and the general feeling is that he almost certainly won't be re-signed.

 

The organization seems to be giving Maxim Lapierre every opportunity to be Begin's successor as the energy guy but he just doesn't do the job as well although he has more talent.

[rician blast]

He's a crowd favorite here but he's on the downside of his career. He's your typical max-effort, blue-collar guy who doesn't have all the talent in the world but leaves it all out on the ice.

 

He's been a healthy scratch almost all year which I disagree with cause the Habs as a whole tend to be lazy more than they should and a guy like Begin almost forces the rest of them to pick up their game. He's also on the last year of his deal and the general feeling is that he almost certainly won't be re-signed.

 

The organization seems to be giving Maxim Lapierre every opportunity to be Begin's successor as the energy guy but he just doesn't do the job as well although he has more talent.

 

When he gets going, man, he's a pesky physical presence, creates some havoc out there.

[Mr Crunchy]

The Bruins and Canadiens both appear to be legit in the east but i cant help but wonder come April if these 2 clubs have what it takes to make the run for Lord Stanley.

I havent watched 10 regular season hockey games in 10 years but this Bruins team appears to be legit.

Lots of balance,some guys who are play makers,a couple of snipers and decent goaltending has them about as high on the hog as theyve been since Neely retired.

Lets hope they stay healthy as theres nothing around here quite like playoff when our guys are involved and have a legit shot at the whole thing.

[TheKilo]

They need another top line defenseman to be serious contenders, IMO....luckily they have the pieces in Providence to swing a deal if necessary.

[BoSox21]

I'm waiting for two things to see happen before I completely buy into the Bruins:

 

1. How they play when injuries hit. They got hit hard last season and it would be a bit unreasonable to expect all those guys to go injury-free the following season.

 

2. How they play when Tim Thomas comes back to earth a little bit. It's not a knock on Thomas at all but he's not a .944 save percentage goalie.

 

All that being said, the Bruins are more of a cup contender than the Habs at this point. The Canadiens haven't showed the necessary grit to seriously considered.

[Dojji]

There have been injuries already. Ferrence is out right now, Kobasew a bit earlier, and Sturm hasn't been playing.

[TheKilo]

Yeah, their defense has been hit pretty good with the injury bug, and Thomas will stay effective as long as Fernandez is (so they can platoon, and Thomas doesn't get fatigued).

[BoSox21]

fine, but he wont end up with a .944 save percentage

[TheKilo]

I don't expect them to play at a pace where they got points in 85% if their games - but I don't envision them falling off a cliff, either.

[BoSox21]

I dont see them falling off a cliff but right now theyre playing like a 1-2-3 seed in the East and I think they're more of a 6-7-8 seed.

[TheKilo]

lolwut

 

I called them the 4 seed earlier in the thread, or in the NHL thread, I believe, and I'll stick with that.

[TheKilo]

Oh, and to put some perspective into the Wideman/Boyes debate:

 

Brad Boyes: 17 games, 8 goals 7 assists, -15

Dennis Wideman: 21 games, 5 goals 5 assists, +11

[BoSox21]

for future reference, plus/minus is the most useless stat in hockey, perhaps all of sports

[TheKilo]

Care to explain?

[Mr Crunchy]

I find the west conference much deeper and after watching the playoffs last year i cant see a team in the east winning the whole thing...yet

i dont watch enuff hockey to make an educated analysis but during the playoffs last year i saw bigger,faster and more aggressive hockey from the california teams as well as the wings,who have been the best in the league over the last 10 years.

in the east you got Philly,a big physical team thats suited for playoff hockey

pitt has the best player and in this sport 1 stud can really make a difference

boston and montreal were after thoughts last year but the b's were banged up bad

this year if they stay healthy,they mature together and play within themselves they could win the east

i havent seen a west coast game yet.

[Dojji]

I find the west conference much deeper and after watching the playoffs last year i cant see a team in the east winning the whole thing...yet.

 

Dunno, once you actually get to the top few teams it's probably a lot closer.