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Post by Boston_Habs on May 26, 2016 9:19:17 GMT -5
I heard Thornton's comments about DeBoer. I know there are other factors involved as mentioned above….but coaching DOES make a difference. Tone at the top….you can see that the whole team is performing with primo confidence in itself. I'd have to think that DeBoer devised a system to shut down Tarasenko. Sure he got a couple after the Sharks built a 4-0 lead…but those were his only 2 pts. of the series. Interesting. Not sure it's the X's and O's as much as the leadership and confidence that he inspires in the team. The Sharks always had the knock as playoff chokers and that tag starts to get into the collective psyche of the team. Eventually you start to wait for the other shoe to drop. De Boer seems an awful lot like Jon Cooper in Tampa. Young, relates well to the players, but trusts them and allows them to play with confidence and even make mistakes. Berg made that comment about when you play scared, you make mistakes. But something tells me that comes from Therrien. I'm not sure the problem is the X's and O's as much as trusting the players, letting them make mistakes, and have fun! You can't be wound too tight. I think Hitchcock has a similar problem in St. Louis. Talented bunch and that should have been a much more even series, but the Blues just looked tight the whole time. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 26, 2016 9:56:49 GMT -5
I heard Thornton's comments about DeBoer. First thing out of his mouth when asked about the main difference this year. From Out of Playoffs to Stanley Cup Finals... Wonder how Todd McLellan feels after hearing that ... he had a talented lineup and failed to bring it to the next level in San Jose ... now he has a talented lineup in Edmonton and the team continues to mark time ... meanwhile, Peter DeBoer takes over the Sharks and makes it to the final pretty much with the same lineup he had in SJ ... but, to be fair to McLellan, I don't think he has the on-ice leadership in place in Edmonton to make a difference ... we've talked about it before, but the two guys who might have been able to help Edmonton are now in Buffalo; Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges ... guys like them make a huge difference ... I have no way of knowing one way or the other, but unlike the present leadership, I don't think Gionta and Gorges would have let the team slide as low as they did this past season ... Cheers. |
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Post by Willie Dog on May 26, 2016 21:58:54 GMT -5
Wooooohoooo Tampa gets eliminated.... love it
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Post by seventeen on May 26, 2016 22:01:31 GMT -5
Cooper will have to wait until next year. 2-1 for the Pens. The Bolts had 2 cracks to close it out and couldn't do it. It's a good day. I think Tampa will have a tougher time next year. They, probably more than most, will be hurt by the shrinking goaltending equipment. It's been Bishop's staple and if there's more net showing, I don't think he has the athletic ability to compensate. My opinion, anyway.
The Pens-Sharks series should be a good one. I think San Jose is better on the back line and that should be enoough, but it won't be easy. Sullivan has the Pens playing at the best of their ability.
I'm just so tickled that Tampa won't be part of it. Colour me an insensitive jerk, but it pleases me greatly not to have to took at a smirking Jon Cooper. I still think Boucher got screwed in Tampa because Yzerman wanted Cooper, so karma suits me just fine.
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Post by blny on May 26, 2016 22:12:25 GMT -5
I think the two best teams have made it, and they both like to play up tempo hockey. It shapes up to be a rather entertaining series.
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Post by franko on May 26, 2016 22:20:12 GMT -5
heck, I may even tune into a game this playoff season.
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2016 22:44:13 GMT -5
Shots 39-17 for Pittsburgh. Tampa shut down almost entirely.
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Post by CentreHice on May 26, 2016 23:05:38 GMT -5
I think the two best teams have made it, and they both like to play up tempo hockey. It shapes up to be a rather entertaining series. I agree! Mostly because it's featuring two teams I don't even mildly dislike. Good stories on both sides. San Jose, I suppose, would be the sentimental favourite….Thornton, Marlieau, Wilson…and I really like Peter DeBoer. But I have nothing against Pittsburgh winning it. Mike Sullivan has done a whale of a job this year. I didn't see tonight's game, but I saw most of the other six…..and the camera sure seemed to love Cooper. Were Hughson & Co. cheering for Tampa once again? Not sorry to see them gone at all. Vasilevskiy musti've had a great game. Back to the FinalsJones and Murray have been solid, without question…but they've not been asked to be spectacular on a consistent basis. But, I think the Cup winner just might need a Conn Smythe performance in net. Maybe even the losing goalie will win it a la Roger Crozier/Ron Hextall…. |
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Post by blny on May 27, 2016 5:36:54 GMT -5
There are a number of interesting story lines. Sullivan played for the Sharks in their first season. He was also the coach in Boston when Thornton was traded. Reimer is the Sharks backup. That means he, along with Polak and Kessel are former Leafs in the Finals.
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Post by franko on May 27, 2016 6:09:16 GMT -5
Reimer is the Sharks backup. That means he, along with Polak and Kessel are former Leafs in the Finals. cue TSN and "if onlys" |
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Post by blny on May 27, 2016 6:12:36 GMT -5
Reimer is the Sharks backup. That means he, along with Polak and Kessel are former Leafs in the Finals. cue TSN and "if onlys" I don't think there's anyone in TO delusional enough to suggest, or even think, that those three players would have put the rest of the Leafs roster over the hump.  |
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Post by Boston_Habs on May 27, 2016 7:34:46 GMT -5
Shots 39-17 for Pittsburgh. Tampa shut down almost entirely. I'd say Tampa was outplayed for most of the series, but you have to admire the toughness and clutch play from some of those guys. Jonathan Drouin really blossomed in the playoffs (that was a sweet goal last night) and if they do re-sign Stamkos, then that is still a highly dangerous team. To get that far without Stamkos, without Stralman for a long stretch, and then taking the conference finals to Game 7 with their backup goalie is pretty impressive. There's no way we could do that. Sharks-Pens could be a great series. Both teams are peaking, but I give a slight edge to San Jose. The Sharks are a big team and will be a handful for the Pens, plus they have lots of guys who are providing offense. OTOH, Pittsburgh has been hot since the second half of the year. Should be very close if the goaltending on both sides holds up. |
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Post by franko on May 27, 2016 9:21:16 GMT -5
I don't think there's anyone in TO delusional enough to suggest, or even think, that those three players would have put the rest of the Leafs roster over the hump. since when would that do anything about click bait? |
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Post by blny on May 27, 2016 9:30:49 GMT -5
I don't think there's anyone in TO delusional enough to suggest, or even think, that those three players would have put the rest of the Leafs roster over the hump. since when would that do anything about click bait? I don't visit those kinds of websites lol. |
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Post by jkr on May 27, 2016 10:22:24 GMT -5
Shots 39-17 for Pittsburgh. Tampa shut down almost entirely. I'd say Tampa was outplayed for most of the series, but you have to admire the toughness and clutch play from some of those guys. Jonathan Drouin really blossomed in the playoffs (that was a sweet goal last night) and if they do re-sign Stamkos, then that is still a highly dangerous team. To get that far without Stamkos, without Stralman for a long stretch, and then taking the conference finals to Game 7 with their backup goalie is pretty impressive. There's no way we could do that. Agree totally. That's like taking Pacioretty, Subban & Price out of the line up and taking the Penguins to 7 games.No way it would happen. |
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Post by seventeen on May 27, 2016 10:26:58 GMT -5
Shots 39-17 for Pittsburgh. Tampa shut down almost entirely. I'd say Tampa was outplayed for most of the series, but you have to admire the toughness and clutch play from some of those guys. Jonathan Drouin really blossomed in the playoffs (that was a sweet goal last night) and if they do re-sign Stamkos, then that is still a highly dangerous team. To get that far without Stamkos, without Stralman for a long stretch, and then taking the conference finals to Game 7 with their backup goalie is pretty impressive. There's no way we could do that. Mainly because we just don't have the right, or enough, scoring punch. The way the Pens outplayed Tampa this series, it should have been over in 5 games. Good goaltending and timely scoring (the bane of the analytics guys) put the Lightning in a position where a lucky bounce could have won it all. Interesting about Sullivan and it keeps reinforcing my theory that good coaches are usually guys who have failed in other situations and been fired. Moral of the story is don't hold firing against a coach unless they've proven to be unable to succeed, even with a good roster. To get to that level, you normally have to have some ability. The exception would be if you're a big fish in a small pond and get hired just because you fit certain constrained requirements.  |
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Post by franko on May 27, 2016 16:49:36 GMT -5
since when would that do anything about click bait? I don't visit those kinds of websites lol. you don't live in Toronto |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 29, 2016 17:35:17 GMT -5
Didn't want to open another thread with the final being played right now ... watching the Memorial Cup and it's a great goaltenders' duel ... both these kids look great ...
Cheers.
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Post by CentreHice on May 30, 2016 21:46:41 GMT -5
Jones and Murray putting on a show...especially in the third....
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 1, 2016 23:41:40 GMT -5
Another goaltending battle....
Entertaining series to watch.
Gonna get really rough in San Jose, I think.
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Post by blny on Jun 2, 2016 5:45:59 GMT -5
Sharks have had 2 good periods in 6 in regulation. The politicking has begun. Sharks are noting Crosby is getting extra time to set up for face offs, and skirting the rules once he gets in the circle. The winning goal came off a clear Crosby win, regardless of whether or not he 'cheated', against Ward. Sharks will get last change the next two games, but they need to take what they did in the first period of game one and the third period of game two and find a way to spend more of the game playing that way.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Jun 2, 2016 9:29:43 GMT -5
The Sharks were able to impose their game in the prior series wins against similar teams like the Kings and Blues, but the Penguins have been much quicker and have managed the puck extremely well. Once San Jose gets in the offensive zone, they have been able to get that heavy forecheck going and a couple of posts really hurt them, but for the most part the Sharks have not had the territorial advantage in this series that they had the other three.
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Post by blny on Jun 4, 2016 23:27:04 GMT -5
Gritty, if not convincing, win by Sharks. Must win. Series now 2-1 Pens. Pens can still impose their speed on the Sharks with every line. Thornton got his first points of the series. Pavelski and Couture are still not making an impact. Ward tied it in third and Donskoi got the winner in OT.
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Post by blny on Jun 6, 2016 22:06:53 GMT -5
Pens now in full control, with a chance to clinch on home ice. Pens dominate the possession stats, shots, blocked shots, etc. They've done a superb job smothering the Sharks with speed. San Jose looks slow of foot and mentally behind the play.
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Post by jkr on Jun 7, 2016 6:46:00 GMT -5
2 assists for Kessel last night. Leads Pittsburgh in pints in the playoffs & has to be the leader for the Conn Smythe. Much better playoff player than he has been given credit for. This must really burn for Leaf fans.  |
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 7, 2016 7:03:54 GMT -5
I actually feel good for Kessel.
Murray is quite the story, too. And Jones hasn't let down the Sharks.
Quality series to watch.
The Pens' d-corps has been really solid throughout these playoffs. Controlling their own zone quite well.
Everything has come together for that team.
Still could go 7, though....it's not as if the Sharks are out of gas.
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Post by franko on Jun 7, 2016 8:19:25 GMT -5
2 assists for Kessel last night. Leads Pittsburgh in pints in the playoffs & has to be the leader for the Conn Smythe. Much better playoff player than he has been given credit for. This must really burn for Leaf fans. not that they'd know what the playoffs are about anyway |
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 7, 2016 11:48:00 GMT -5
I know Fleury played very well during the Pens' resurgence after Sullivan took over the helm….but if the Pens win the Cup with Murray going 99% of the way….does Fleury become somewhat available?
Considering his age (he'll be 32 in Nov.) and injury history? He has a modified NTC.
I can see Lou and Babcock putting out the feelers already…
Of course, that's a lot of commitment--$5.75 for another 3 years--for a team on the rebuild...
Depends on whether or not they'd like more stable goaltending with which to develop some offensive confidence….instead of always chasing the game like they did this past year…
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Post by seventeen on Jun 7, 2016 11:49:24 GMT -5
Pens now in full control, with a chance to clinch on home ice. Pens dominate the possession stats, shots, blocked shots, etc. They've done a superb job smothering the Sharks with speed. San Jose looks slow of foot and mentally behind the play. It could also be they're worn out from 3 very tough series. |
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Post by seventeen on Jun 7, 2016 11:50:23 GMT -5
2 assists for Kessel last night. Leads Pittsburgh in pints in the playoffs & has to be the leader for the Conn Smythe. Much better playoff player than he has been given credit for. This must really burn for Leaf fans. It must also stick in the craw of Steve Simmons, who is adamant that a Phil Kessel team would NEVER win the cup. |
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