Round 1 — Bruins - Canes

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
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I really don’t get why they have a day off today. There’s really nothing that the coaching staff would like to work on today? No team meetings or video work even?

So I guess the plan is just to keep doing the same things with a different goalie out there and see if it works this time.
 

RedOctober3829

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I really don’t get why they have a day off today. There’s really nothing that the coaching staff would like to work on today? No team meetings or video work even?

So I guess the plan is just to keep doing the same things with a different goalie out there and see if it works this time.
I think it's a good thing. After they unraveled last night, they need a day away from the ice to get their heads together and come back with a different mindset. With the technology today, they get the film clips all on their iPads or laptops right after the game so they're watching film.

I agree with the sentiments that they can't fall behind again. Carolina is just too good defensively.
 

cshea

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It's horseshit. Marchand bumps Kochetkov as he's covering the puck. Marchand does what they want him to do and doesn't engage. Kochetkov skates over to confront and gives Marchand a whack, to which Marchand responds in kind. They both get matching minors, which is perfectly understandable. Now the NHL comes after Marchand because he's Marchand.
 

Cotillion

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It's horseshit. Marchand bumps Kochetkov as he's covering the puck. Marchand does what they want him to do and doesn't engage. Kochetkov skates over to confront and gives Marchand a whack, to which Marchand responds in kind. They both get matching minors, which is perfectly understandable. Now the NHL comes after Marchand because he's Marchand.
This was also a 5K fine... these seem very similar...

View: https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1521349216886566913?s=20&t=fEwyViot0hiYpYHvBo07Og
 

The Napkin

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right here
It's also a shot across the bow to the Bruins in general that they're watching and anything they do tomorrow is going to get extra attention.
 

joe dokes

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It's horseshit. Marchand bumps Kochetkov as he's covering the puck. Marchand does what they want him to do and doesn't engage. Kochetkov skates over to confront and gives Marchand a whack, to which Marchand responds in kind. They both get matching minors, which is perfectly understandable. Now the NHL comes after Marchand because he's Marchand.
This is right. (I was saying Frobot deserved what he got.)
 

54thMA

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It's horseshit. Marchand bumps Kochetkov as he's covering the puck. Marchand does what they want him to do and doesn't engage. Kochetkov skates over to confront and gives Marchand a whack, to which Marchand responds in kind. They both get matching minors, which is perfectly understandable. Now the NHL comes after Marchand because he's Marchand.
Marchand bumped Kochetkov as he's covering the puck................then Kochetkov gave him a shot to his shin pads......................then Kochetkov whacked Marchand, so that's two shots he got in, Marchand responds, both get a penalty.

Two shots to one, two penalties, one guy gets fined.

That's a Hell of a system the NHL has in place.
 

RedOctober3829

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Swayman was awesome last night. He came up with the big saves Ullmark did not.

Also big shoutout to Derek Forbort on the PK. He’s a shot blocking machine and was out on the ice for 7 of the 10 minutes they were shorthanded.
 

BaseballJones

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Was at Dr. Strange last night so I didn't see the Bruins game. Nice win though! Now if somehow then can win Game 4, we actually have a legit series on our hands!
 

durandal1707

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Swayman was awesome last night. He came up with the big saves Ullmark did not.

Also big shoutout to Derek Forbort on the PK. He’s a shot blocking machine and was out on the ice for 7 of the 10 minutes they were shorthanded.
Swayman was tremendous, the weird soft goal in the 3rd aside. In particular he made some massive saves after Coyle's SHG that prevented Carolina from retaking the lead. And between these two teams, whoever has the lead can play their game confidently, as we saw in the 3rd, which was the Bruins' best period by xGF (79.2% 5v5).

It was definitely Forbort's best game as a Bruin. And once the B's got their legs moving in the 2nd, I think we saw the value that Reilly brings to the table.

Reuniting 63-37-88 was also crucial. They had an astounding 90% xGF 5-on-5 (0.57 to 0.06 expected goals). That came at the expense of the other lines, but I'm thinking that the way to win this series is to concentrate firepower like this. It is a bit scary to be back to the same old gameplan of living and dying by the top line, but I think those three together are the only ones who can consistently break down the Canes' defense, generate quality scoring chances, draw penalties, etc. The other lines then just need to be competitive.
 

MiracleOfO2704

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The lines shook down like this at the end:

Perfection
Hall-Haula-Smith
Nosek-Coyle-DeBrusk
Foligno-Lazar-Wagner

The optimist in me wants to think Cassidy likes the Coyle-DeBrusk chemistry and decided to keep them together.
 

durandal1707

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The lines shook down like this at the end:

Perfection
Hall-Haula-Smith
Nosek-Coyle-DeBrusk
Foligno-Lazar-Wagner

The optimist in me wants to think Cassidy likes the Coyle-DeBrusk chemistry and decided to keep them together.
I think we'll have to see. I brought up in the past that Coyle and DeBrusk have not worked well together, at least according to their With/Without numbers.

As I mentioned in the game thread, I wouldn't mind seeing Frederic in for Foligno, even if it's not much of an "upgrade." Wagner was surprisingly just fine to my eyes last night.
 

cshea

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Details are scarce, but I believe McAvoy can't play until Thursday at the earliest. I'm assuming he's symptomatic, hence being tested. I believe he now must then remain in a 5-day quarantine. They could've changed them quietly, but that's what I can find as the most recent protocols. Cassidy said yesterday he didn't know the latest protocols so I guess all we can do is wait and see.

I don't think it's a coincidence that yesterday's game with McAvoy out was the first game this series that Carolina controlled 5x5 play. Getting Lindholm back at a minimum, but the Bruins really struggled yesterday when anyone other than the Bergy line was on the ice. Fortunately, Carolina was incredibly undisciplined and the Bruins were able to take advantage.
 

RetractableRoof

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Details are scarce, but I believe McAvoy can't play until Thursday at the earliest. I'm assuming he's symptomatic, hence being tested. I believe he now must then remain in a 5-day quarantine. They could've changed them quietly, but that's what I can find as the most recent protocols. Cassidy said yesterday he didn't know the latest protocols so I guess all we can do is wait and see.

I don't think it's a coincidence that yesterday's game with McAvoy out was the first game this series that Carolina controlled 5x5 play. Getting Lindholm back at a minimum, but the Bruins really struggled yesterday when anyone other than the Bergy line was on the ice. Fortunately, Carolina was incredibly undisciplined and the Bruins were able to take advantage.
Going into the next game, Carolina obviously has last change. That doesn't bode well.
 

RedOctober3829

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Details are scarce, but I believe McAvoy can't play until Thursday at the earliest. I'm assuming he's symptomatic, hence being tested. I believe he now must then remain in a 5-day quarantine. They could've changed them quietly, but that's what I can find as the most recent protocols. Cassidy said yesterday he didn't know the latest protocols so I guess all we can do is wait and see.

I don't think it's a coincidence that yesterday's game with McAvoy out was the first game this series that Carolina controlled 5x5 play. Getting Lindholm back at a minimum, but the Bruins really struggled yesterday when anyone other than the Bergy line was on the ice. Fortunately, Carolina was incredibly undisciplined and the Bruins were able to take advantage.
Yes he’s out 5 days. They don’t daily test anymore so per Ty Anderson he had to have had symptoms. He could be back for Game 6 if he’s healthy enough.

Lindholm is practicing today.
 

jk333

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Details are scarce, but I believe McAvoy can't play until Thursday at the earliest. I'm assuming he's symptomatic, hence being tested. I believe he now must then remain in a 5-day quarantine. They could've changed them quietly, but that's what I can find as the most recent protocols.
I was trying to figure out how he could play Tuesday and I don’t have any way.

However, I bet they can get him back Thursday if he feels up to it in almost any case.
 

steveluck7

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Fluto mentioned on T & R this morning that they aren't going to mess around with Charlie as he had the heart procedure back in 2018. Hopefully symptoms were / are mild and he's back for game 6 but it doesn't seem like they're going to pressure him
 

Lupe Whalewatch

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Frederick has been awful this series. If they're removing Wagner I'd prefer it be for someone with SOME finish - ie - McLaughlin.
I agree.

Cassidy told Wags his game has been excellent but he's going back to what is more familiar for guys during the year. That sounds like Frederic.
 

durandal1707

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Hopefully being a healthy scratch the past few games has Frederic fired up and focused for tonight. We'll have to see, but honestly I thought he was the worst forward in the first two games. Personally I would scratch Foligno at this point, but I guess that's just not a possibility.
 

tims4wins

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Love the 4:30 start as my 10yo son has gotten super into the Bs and has been begging me to stay up to watch the night games. He's psyched for Saturday.
 

cshea

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I think I leave Pasta on the 2nd line to start tomorrow. If Staal gets Bergy, and I don't see why Brind'Amour would go away from that now, then the Bruins really need another line to step up. The Bergeron line has been OK against Staal but not completely dominant.

Also, it's stupid, but they literally need to get punched in the face and skate away in the post-whisle scrums. 3 times in Carolina they've gotten an extra penalty in a post-whistle scrum and the Canes have scored on the ensuing PP. It sucks it's being officiated that way, but it is what it is. Skate away.
 

jezza1918

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I think I leave Pasta on the 2nd line to start tomorrow. If Staal gets Bergy, and I don't see why Brind'Amour would go away from that now, then the Bruins really need another line to step up. The Bergeron line has been OK against Staal but not completely dominant.

Also, it's stupid, but they literally need to get punched in the face and skate away in the post-whisle scrums. 3 times in Carolina they've gotten an extra penalty in a post-whistle scrum and the Canes have scored on the ensuing PP. It sucks it's being officiated that way, but it is what it is. Skate away.
I heard some of Cassidy's post game last night, and he seemed to indicate Pasta would be on the 2nd line. Said they went back to perfection line for a couple games mainly to get individual guys going, and that they talked before game 6 about getting back to what's worked so well since Jan 1. Hopefully that holds true because I'm in complete agreement.

As for the refs, someone on EEI this morning made what I thought was decent point - with 3 game 7's tomorrow and no NBA action, it could be a terrific showcase for hockey. And for that reason alone, hopefully the refs swallow there whistles a bit more. If that happens, has to favor the bruins...
 

tims4wins

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I heard some of Cassidy's post game last night, and he seemed to indicate Pasta would be on the 2nd line. Said they went back to perfection line for a couple games mainly to get individual guys going, and that they talked before game 6 about getting back to what's worked so well since Jan 1. Hopefully that holds true because I'm in complete agreement.

As for the refs, someone on EEI this morning made what I thought was decent point - with 3 game 7's tomorrow and no NBA action, it could be a terrific showcase for hockey. And for that reason alone, hopefully the refs swallow there whistles a bit more. If that happens, has to favor the bruins...
Here's a quote. I agree they'll leave Pasta on the 2nd line in G7.

The Bruins had won both previous games in Boston by reuniting the line of Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, dubbed by some as "The Perfection Line." They powered their offense in Games 3 and 4, but Cassidy opted not to reunite them in Game 6, playing Jake DeBrusk on the top line and moving Pastrnak back with Haula and Taylor Hall, with whom he played in the regular season.

"[In Game 3], we had to block out some noise," Cassidy said. "Sometimes that's difficult for players, so we went back a formula that we knew had been successful for us at times. We used that line to galvanize the team a little bit. Today was more about how we were successful earlier in the season."
 

cshea

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I heard some of Cassidy's post game last night, and he seemed to indicate Pasta would be on the 2nd line. Said they went back to perfection line for a couple games mainly to get individual guys going, and that they talked before game 6 about getting back to what's worked so well since Jan 1. Hopefully that holds true because I'm in complete agreement.

As for the refs, someone on EEI this morning made what I thought was decent point - with 3 game 7's tomorrow and no NBA action, it could be a terrific showcase for hockey. And for that reason alone, hopefully the refs swallow there whistles a bit more. If that happens, has to favor the bruins...
I'm not sure how I feel about the "let them play" officiating. For one, the Bruins have played with the puck more than Carolina this series (53% CF%) so theoretically they're going to be fouled more often with no call. Secondly, the Bruins are basically surviving off the PP. Since game 3 the Bruins have 6 PPG's. The Canes have outscored the Bruins 13-9 at 5x5 this series and the underlying stats are all similar (117-117 in scoring chances, 42-39 Caroline in HDSC) so I think a 5x5 game becomes a coin flip. Plus the matchups have seemed to matter in Carolina. PP's are one way to get Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak on the ice together without worrying about the matchup on the other side.

The problem I find in the "let them play" games is the officials will let guys clutch, grab, hold, interfere, cross check, hook all day long and then arbitrarily call a random nothing hook out of nowhere because they feel they need to call something. And in these games, 1 PP can swing a game. Or we'll play with rules for a period or two and then throw the rule book out if it's close and late so the "players can settle it."

This is more of a rant against NHL officiating than anything else. I just don't trust them.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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Bruins Stats on twitter has some pretty clear breakdowns on how the matchups are going:

On-ice 5v5 play this series:
1 goal, 7 allowed Taylor Hall
2 goal, 6 allowed Erik Haula
0 goal, 5 allowed Brandon Carlo
0 goal, 5 allowed Jake DeBrusk
0 goal, 4 allowed Charlie Coyle
0 goal, 3 allowed Craig Smith

Players, 5v5
Bergeron and Marchand on-ice: 49 mins, 4 goals, 2 allowed
Bergeron and Marchand off-ice: 145 mins, 2 goals, 10 allowed
 

durandal1707

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Here's the 5v5 line-by-line breakdown last night:


Line TOI xGF% oZone Start% Actual Goals
Marchand-Bergeron-DeBrusk 9:37 53.3% 42.86% 0-1
Hall-Haula-Pastrnak 9:37 88.8% 90% 1-0
Frederic-Coyle-Smith 7:40 35.8% 40% 0-0
Foligno-Nosek-Lazar 8:28 29.2% 50% 1-0


That pretty much reveals the Bruins' strategy last night - Cassidy pretty much offloaded all defensive responsibility from the Haula line and it worked out pretty well. The tradeoff is that the 3rd and 4th lines struggled. The lone goal against 5v5 I would chalk up to a rare defensive lapse from McAvoy, which hopefully shouldn't happen again.

3rd line needs to be better. I wouldn't mind sitting Frederic again - the Canes seem like a poor matchup for him.
 

IdiotKicker

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I know it's true, but it doesn't seem to mesh with how strong the fourth line appeared, with at least a few shifts of consistent cycling pressure, one of which led to their goal. I thought they were fantastic last night.
 

Cotillion

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I'm not sure how I feel about the "let them play" officiating. For one, the Bruins have played with the puck more than Carolina this series (53% CF%) so theoretically they're going to be fouled more often with no call. Secondly, the Bruins are basically surviving off the PP. Since game 3 the Bruins have 6 PPG's. The Canes have outscored the Bruins 13-9 at 5x5 this series and the underlying stats are all similar (117-117 in scoring chances, 42-39 Caroline in HDSC) so I think a 5x5 game becomes a coin flip. Plus the matchups have seemed to matter in Carolina. PP's are one way to get Bergeron, Marchand and Pastrnak on the ice together without worrying about the matchup on the other side.

The problem I find in the "let them play" games is the officials will let guys clutch, grab, hold, interfere, cross check, hook all day long and then arbitrarily call a random nothing hook out of nowhere because they feel they need to call something. And in these games, 1 PP can swing a game. Or we'll play with rules for a period or two and then throw the rule book out if it's close and late so the "players can settle it."

This is more of a rant against NHL officiating than anything else. I just don't trust them.
This. Cause when they finally decide to call a penalty it’s something stupid or worse they don’t call any blatant penalties that actually effect the game but call the “have to call them penalties” where a guy with no intent throws it over the glass.
 

durandal1707

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I know it's true, but it doesn't seem to mesh with how strong the fourth line appeared, with at least a few shifts of consistent cycling pressure, one of which led to their goal. I thought they were fantastic last night.
The problem with them is the differential in high-danger chances. They only generated one, and gave up three over the course of the game. In particular they had one really bad shift at the start of the 3rd (0.345 expected goals allowed).

Edit: Here's NST's chart. You can see the deep red grouping for Foligno-Nosek-Lazar around the start of the third, which appears to be the B's worst 5v5 shift:
51568

Side note, Carlo and Forbort* did an excellent "bend but don't break" during the 5-on-3 and the remaining 5-on-4.

*edit edit
 
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cshea

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This is absolutely meaningless, but Carolina is 5-0 in game 7's in franchise history. Includes the Scott Walker game.

I'd say their overdue for a loss.
 

Dummy Hoy

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The problem with them is the differential in high-danger chances. They only generated one, and gave up three over the course of the game. In particular they had one really bad shift at the start of the 3rd (0.345 expected goals allowed).

Edit: Here's NST's chart. You can see the deep red grouping for Foligno-Nosek-Lazar around the start of the third, which appears to be the B's worst 5v5 shift:
View attachment 51568

Side note, McAvoy and Lindholm did an excellent "bend but don't break" during the 5-on-3 and the remaining 5-on-4.
The 5x3 was Carlo and Forbert, no? Chuckie was in the box.