Game 7 - Bruins v. Blues

mwonow

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Sep 4, 2005
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What a shitty way to end this great, great postseason. Just way too many defensive breakdowns and eventually Rask wasn't going to bail everyone out all the time. If anyone shits on Rask for this game, you would be showing that you don't know much about hockey. You can argue that 1 goal was one he should have stopped. When the best players on the team make breakdown after breakdown, you aren't winning. Tuukka Rask was the reason they were still playing hockey.
Defensive? They carried possession but couldn't score. And when the puck went the other way it ended up in the twine.

Scorers gotta score, goalies gotta stop. Their'n did, our'n didn't.
 

Silverdude2167

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Oct 9, 2006
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Amstredam
Do you think that it was a strategy to rely on their goalie to keep them in the game?

Teams that score four goals and shut you out until garbage time and don’t take advantage of some horde of egregious officiating or bounce or bolt of lightning or earthquake deserve to win. It’s pretty much the definition of sports and why the scoreboard doesn’t show Corsi factor.

You’ve probably been drinking more than I have, so you can have the last word if you’d like.
Completely sober...which makes this more fun.
I honestly do not think the Blues were better tonight, they won, but they did not play better, which is not that unusual in the NHL.
 

Pints of Guinness

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May 27, 2018
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I’ve grown a strong hatred for the Blues over the course of this series. The Blackhawks series hurt and I was in the building for that game 6 but that team was a fucking wagon and I held no ill will towards then.

This Blues team is a bunch of head hunting pricks with goons all over their coaching staff. Fuck them.
 

Helmet Head

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The end of the first period was an absolute killer. They completely dominated the game to that point and deserved better. It is hard to blame Rask cause he has been so good and they wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for him but he really let them down there. Letting those goals in completely changed the tenor and momentum of the game and they never recovered. He was badly outplayed tonight and it completely sucks cause he has been so darn good this whole postseason.

And yes I understand the offense didn’t score until the end but that first goal was so paramount in winning this game and Bennington stopped a bunch and Rask let in his first real chance.

And so goes the puck luck of hockey i guess

Congrats to the blues.
 

scottyno

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Dec 7, 2008
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ugh, why are any of you still watching that, pretty sure I've never watched a single second of a postgame where a Boston team lost a final
 

shoosh77

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I want to put this out there now, but a sincere thank you to the die hards who ride all season long and let us lurkers join the fun in the playoffs. You guys make the experience 100x better than it would otherwise be. Looking forward to popping back in next Spring as they make another run.
 

McBride11

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Fuckity fuck.

Helluva season from an extremely likable team. Still pissed as the missed slew foot leading to a goal.

But Stl capitalized this game and played shutdown D.
Best line in hockey was basically quiet all series.

It sucks. Im gonna be pissed tmrw when Im tired and grumpy from less sleep. But it was a helluva ride. Stl got the job done, and there was relatively little fuckery this game.
Hat tip where it is due.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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What a shitty way to end this great, great postseason. Just way too many defensive breakdowns and eventually Rask wasn't going to bail everyone out all the time. If anyone shits on Rask for this game, you would be showing that you don't know much about hockey. You can argue that 1 goal was one he should have stopped. When the best players on the team make breakdown after breakdown, you aren't winning. Tuukka Rask was the reason they were still playing hockey.
I agree with your last sentence and I don't think anyone is crapping on Rask. I, for one, simply asked the question of whether or not this would affect his legacy. There was one goal he should have stopped. Unfortunately, it was the most important one of the game - at the end of the first. When it comes to legacies, as we all know, championships matter. It's how sports goes, unfortunately. Tuukka still has many very good years left in him. I'm simply asking how losing this game - even if he played well, just not well ENOUGH tonight - would affect his legacy. Maybe some, maybe not at all. I get that we're all pissed about tonight and really, the defense let him down huge for sure, but it's a legit question to ask.

You KNOW it's gonna be asked all week and offseason long.
 

Beomoose

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May 28, 2006
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Exiled
Can't believe we came out so hot in Game 1 and ended up with this Game 7. That said, hell of a season.
 

kenneycb

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Dec 2, 2006
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The end of the first period was an absolute killer. They completely dominated the game to that point and deserved better. It is hard to blame Rask cause he has been so good and they wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for him but he really let them down there. Letting those goals in completely changed the tenor and momentum of the game and they never recovered. He was badly outplayed tonight and it completely sucks cause he has been so darn good this whole postseason.

And yes I understand the offense didn’t score until the end but that first goal was so paramount in winning this game and Bennington stopped a bunch and Rask let in his first real chance.

And so goes the puck luck of hockey i guess

Congrats to the blues.
Letting Ryan O’Reilly get a free tip and Petro a mini-break is a let down by the D. It’s not an either/or type deal. If Tuukka wasn’t great in Game 6 and they’re not here.
 

DeadlySplitter

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Oct 20, 2015
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let people shit on Rask, nothing you can do...

the way the game got played, it's not that likely we win if it was 1-0 into the 2nd anyways. they really did not have it tonight
 

Marciano490

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Underrated storyline was the way the Blues controlled the front of the net in both zones. They were constantly muscling our guys, lifting their sticks and clogging the lanes. But, we let too many guys stand in front of Rask with their sticks on the ice and left too many open lanes for their D to rifle shots.
 

kenneycb

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I agree with your last sentence and I don't think anyone is crapping on Rask. I, for one, simply asked the question of whether or not this would affect his legacy. There was one goal he should have stopped. Unfortunately, it was the most important one of the game - at the end of the first. When it comes to legacies, as we all know, championships matter. It's how sports goes, unfortunately. Tuukka still has many very good years left in him. I'm simply asking how losing this game - even if he played well, just not well ENOUGH tonight - would affect his legacy. Maybe some, maybe not at all. I get that we're all pissed about tonight and really, the defense let him down huge for sure, but it's a legit question to ask.

You KNOW it's gonna be asked all week and offseason long.
The point is his legacy will be unfairly maligned because HE LOST IN 2 FINALZ!
 

88 MVP

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I haven’t felt this let down by a sporting event in a long time. It sucks that this core of players might not win another cup. The Bruins were clearly the more talented team, just a confluence of bad luck, shitty officiating, and timely plays for St Louis.

-Gryz gets knocked out in Game 2, and the B’s end up gassed late playing down a man - they could have won and taken control of the series.
-The non-call trip on Acciari in Game 5
-Binnington stood on his head tonight, especially in the 1st period, while Tuukka didn’t have his best night
 
Mar 1, 2009
557
Sounds petty but ice conditions played a role in the Bruins offensive struggles tonight. A lot of whiffing on shots and passes and possessions that weren’t prolonged because of it. While this affects both teams it certainly works to the advantage of the Blues’ game, or lack there of
 

kenneycb

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I mean I can. Dirty team and refs changing how they called the series halfway through really helped.

Can't complain about the refs in game 7 through is nice.
They were physical. They weren’t dirty outside of the end of Game 6. They outphysicaled and played shutdown D. Bruins in 2011. I honestly feel no ill will towards the Blues.
 

JCizzle

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Hell of a season from this team, not what I expected at all after getting blown out by the Caps. Feel super shitty for Bergy and Chara, they deserved this.
 

kenneycb

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Sounds petty but ice conditions played a role in the Bruins offensive struggles tonight. A lot of whiffing on shots and passes and possessions that weren’t prolonged because of it. While this affects both teams it certainly works to the advantage of the Blues’ game, or lack there of
Here comes the Waaaaaaaambulance
 

Dr. Gonzo

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Jan 8, 2010
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Sounds petty but ice conditions played a role in the Bruins offensive struggles tonight. A lot of whiffing on shots and passes and possessions that weren’t prolonged because of it. While this affects both teams it certainly works to the advantage of the Blues’ game, or lack there of
No
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
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Dec 12, 2004
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Oh I bawled my eyes out. Bright as this team’s prospects are, this flat out does not come along that often.

Congrats to the non-subhumans of Missouri, few as you may be. Craig Berube and Steve Ott can both drop dead tomorrow for all I care. Colton Parayko and Ryan O’Reilly are IMO by far the best Blues. I feel a tinge of happiness for them, but three straight dropped home games - having attended two (or 1.67) - fucking hurts

SemperFidelisSox and whatever that blues fan troll account was can go dance in traffic. Hearty (honestly) congratulations to @Catcher Block - enjoy this bud
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Dec 19, 2009
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I will always wonder if this series goes differently if Grz is healthy in all the SCF games. Or the officials weren't on the take on Game 5.
 

twibnotes

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Underrated storyline was the way the Blues controlled the front of the net in both zones. They were constantly muscling our guys, lifting their sticks and clogging the lanes. But, we let too many guys stand in front of Rask with their sticks on the ice and left too many open lanes for their D to rifle shots.
So true. Bennington gave up some monster rebounds, and we weren’t well positioned to field them
 

Silverdude2167

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They were physical. They weren’t dirty outside of the end of Game 6. They outphysicaled and played shutdown D. Bruins in 2011. I honestly feel no ill will towards the Blues.
They received two suspensions and won a game on slew foot.
They tried to take off Pasta's head in game 3 I think and always aimed high.

You actually don't think they were dirty?
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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The fault was not in losing game 7. Anyone can lose a game. The fault was in letting it get to 7.

I think the main reasons it went to 7 is them losing a key defenseman in 2 different games. Shit happens, it played out, and I also give the Blues full credit for playing a tough series and a deserving champ
 

scottyno

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They were physical. They weren’t dirty outside of the end of Game 6. They outphysicaled and played shutdown D. Bruins in 2011. I honestly feel no ill will towards the Blues.
other than what, at least 3 uncalled headshots in game 5? first team ever to win the cup with 2 scf suspensions (which combined for 2 minutes in penalties)
 

catomatic

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Jul 16, 2005
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The goal at the end of the first was a play he could have made and he NEEDED to make and he didn’t. Yeah Marchand let the play happen but you want to be an all time goalie? You gotta make that play.
That's pretty tough - guy in the slot, unfettered, defense in total disarray? Backhand to top shelf/corner? Not really on Tuukka. Tip by O'Reilly? Somebody got outmuscled up high. Pasta failed to stay on the backcheck on another when he could have lifted a stick. Multiple whiffs by him, Coyle, DeBrusk, Marchand. Bad night at the worst time. That said, if your shooting % in clinchers is 33%, you can Clutch, Grab, Concuss and Park the Bus your way to the cup. In wake of league sanction of StL "style," concussion experts are now flooding NHL offices with resumes for anticipated expanded protocol programs. Haven't heard a word of credit to the opponent yet. Anyone?
 

RedOctober3829

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Defensive? They carried possession but couldn't score. And when the puck went the other way it ended up in the twine.

Scorers gotta score, goalies gotta stop. Their'n did, our'n didn't.
The first goal was on a deflection that looked to be going wide. The 2nd one was an odd-man rush that resulted from one of the worst changes I've ever seen. Not much Rask could do on those ones.
 

JCizzle

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They received two suspensions and won a game on slew foot.
They tried to take off Pasta's head in game 3 I think and always aimed high.

You actually don't think they were dirty?
They were dirty. Can't argue it. But the Bs top guys being hurt coming in is what did us in. The Bergeron line is all going to get work done I think
 

cshea

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Bottom line is the Bruins were too reliant on special teams. The 1st line never got going in the finals and thus the team never really had the ice tilted at 5x5.

1st line- bad to mediocre
2nd line- Krejci, DeBrusk and an anchor
3rd line- did their job, probably should’ve played more
4th line- mostly garbage
 

kenneycb

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Dec 2, 2006
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They received two suspensions and won a game on slew foot.
They tried to take off Pasta's head in game 3 I think and always aimed high.

You actually don't think they were dirty?
Yes. They were bad hits but not out of their way Matt Cooke hits. It happens with physical teams. That also wasn’t a slew foot. It was a misplayed battle for the puck that was a tripping.
 

Rancho Relaxo

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Jul 18, 2005
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I say this as someone whose wife is from St. Louis. I say this as someone who is deep in the red-necky, Branson domain of the state. I say this: Screw your jorts-wearing, Bud Light-drinking, provel cheese-eating fan base with the intensity of a thousand Steve Harveys.

But I love the Bruins no less. Thanks for an awesome season.
 

lars10

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They received two suspensions and won a game on slew foot.
They tried to take off Pasta's head in game 3 I think and always aimed high.

You actually don't think they were dirty?
That's also the attempt to take out Krug.. and there was another full on slash.. multiple cross checks and late checks, drags down by the head, holding the stick is apparently a thing... just a ton of penalties that weren't called.. nm all of the times they had 6-8 men on the ice. Some of it was definitely dirty...but they seemed to play with the idea that you can't call them all...and for this series/playoffs they were right.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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It’s amazing to have gotten this far with the first line being half-garbage/half-injured for basically the entire run. Needed them and it just never clicked.
 

Helmet Head

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Letting Ryan O’Reilly get a free tip and Petro a mini-break is a let down by the D. It’s not an either/or type deal. If Tuukka wasn’t great in Game 6 and they’re not here.
I am not blaming Rask at all for losing this series. They only made to to game 7 because of him.
That being said, he picked a bad time to have a so so game. The same can be said for Tim Thomas but he finished the job.
 

fenwaypaul

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This was harder to swallow than 2013, since the Blackhawks were the better team, but I felt the Bruins were the better team this year. As tough losses go, though, it doesn't come close to 1971 (arguably the most crushing loss ever by a Boston team). This was more like 1974--a near-great team stymied by a hot goalie on a goon team.
 

mwonow

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The first goal was on a deflection that looked to be going wide. The 2nd one was an odd-man rush that resulted from one of the worst changes I've ever seen. Not much Rask could do on those ones.
Yeahbut - you don't count on your goalie to stop only the ones that hit him, he needs to stop some that have a high degree of difficulty.

To be fair to Rask, there is no game 7 if he doesn't do that throughout the playoffs.

To be fair to everyone, Binnington did and Tukka didn't tonight.
 

lars10

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Well, they got away with some holds and a few trips, but the refs called nothing tonight (other than the delay of game that they had to).
yeah. mcavoy was taken down on his way to the net with a stick..no? There weren't as many possible penalties tonight, but there were definitely a few. B's dominated tonight in play..Blues just buried the few chances they had. It happens.
 

kenneycb

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other than what, at least 3 uncalled headshots in game 5? first team ever to win the cup with 2 scf suspensions (which combined for 2 minutes in penalties)
Why stop if they’re not calling it.
That's also the attempt to take out Krug.. and there was another full on slash.. multiple cross checks and late checks, drags down by the head, holding the stick is apparently a thing... just a ton of penalties that weren't called.. nm all of the times they had 6-8 men on the ice. Some of it was definitely dirty...but they seemed to play with the idea that you can't call them all...and for this series/playoffs they were right.
So they’re a physical team that plays on the edge. Glad we could clear that up with the airing of everything they may have done wrong.
 

Brand Name

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Losing 3 of 4 at home is unexplainable to me
Only the 99-00 Stars, 89-90 Bruins, 65-66 and 45-46 Red Wings, and 27-28 Maroons (who went 0-3) have lost 3 games at home in a SCF. Of those, only the 44-45 Wings and 27-28 Maroons lost in a winner take all/series finale game.

This is stupid stats drivel but goodness knows I need to research to get my brain elsewhere right now. This game did not feel like it was the score at the end of 60, given the possessions, opportunities, entries, etc. It's more typical in hockey, puck luck and all get that, but wow.
 

scottyno

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Dec 7, 2008
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yeah. mcavoy was taken down on his way to the net with a stick..no? There weren't as many possible penalties tonight, but there were definitely a few. B's dominated tonight in play..Blues just buried the few chances they had. It happens.
yes, blatant trip that 100% should have been a no brainer call