Montreal @ Boston Saturday Nov 18 @ 7 PM EST

[seventeen]

Nov 18, 2023 19:40:04 GMT -5 folatre said:

Yeah, for a big guy, Kovacevic is just not hard wired to lay the body. Burrows is probably a cool guy with a super inspiring story about how he got to the league and truly maximized his playing talent, but this is enough time as an assistant to conclude he is not high end coaching material.

I have to believe with another last place position in the Atlantic and a bottom ten finish in the league that management will 'help' St. Louis make some bold choices about going in new directions with respect to his coaching staff for 2024-25.

Amen

[Willie Dog]

The shots from the point are so weak

[Willie Dog]

I think in the off season someone told Anderson he's a goal scorer and doesn't need to get physical anymore

[seventeen]

Swayman’s had an easy period so far. The Gallagher breakaway was easy for him because the back pressure was arriving and Gally’s not Mr stick handler so a shot was predictable.

[Willie Dog]

Its 5 on 5 in their end and they think they're on the pk... so f'n passive... what a bunch of pussies

[Willie Dog]

I'm not watching this game F them

[seventeen]

System huh? Cole had no idea where he should be. They always collapse and leave almost everyone wide open. That’s on MSL. Huge weakness fir the team.

Maybe the injury bug will finally hit Boston.

[seventeen]

Did I just hear McLean say ‘Pastrnak’ and ‘groin tear’ in the same breath?

[folatre]

They were hit hard by injuries at the start of 2022-23. The irritating thing is the culture of sacrificing to defend and sacrificing personal points for the collective good are so well ingrained that they somehow survived it. And now with Bergeron and Krecji retired, Hall traded, etc. they just keep doing what they do.

[seventeen]

Nov 18, 2023 20:02:23 GMT -5 folatre said:

They were hit hard by injuries at the start of 2022-23. The irritating thing is the culture of sacrificing to defend and sacrificing personal points for the collective good are so well ingrained that they somehow survived it. And now with Bergeron and Krecji retired, Hall traded, etc. they just keep doing what they do.

Not conducive to a long career or pain free life in retirement. We need to instill that in the Bruins.

[NWTHabsFan]

HNIC Marchand love fest in full force. And this is without Gary Galley to make it even more un”bear”able.

[jkr]

Nov 18, 2023 20:02:23 GMT -5 folatre said:

They were hit hard by injuries at the start of 2022-23. The irritating thing is the culture of sacrificing to defend and sacrificing personal points for the collective good are so well ingrained that they somehow survived it. And now with Bergeron and Krecji retired, Hall traded, etc. they just keep doing what they do.

I think it's a culture to be imitated. As much as we hate Boston, there is no denying their success. Luck will only carry you so far. Three trips to the Finals since 2011 is not lucky.

They get their stars to buy in unlike Toronto who get taken to the cleaners at contract time.

[NWTHabsFan]

That crap goal is probably game, set, match tonight…

[NWTHabsFan]

Why is Marchand’s helmet a slightly different shade than the rest?

Yup, I am officially distracted by anything right now. Not much else going on.

[seventeen]

Same story as last year

A). They outwork everyone. Unsustainable in the playoffs.

B) Lady Luck loves them. Until the playoffs start. Related to ‘A’ above.

I wonder how mich not having Arber in the lineup is affecting the team. It has nothing to do with their structure of course.

Off to the Jets game. That looks competitive.

[drkcloud]

Just awful. No improvement at all in the last 100 games. Not so sure MSL is the right guy anymore. No system, no powerplay, no penalty kill, no improvement, players regressing

[seventeen]

Nov 18, 2023 20:19:07 GMT -5 jkr said:

Nov 18, 2023 20:02:23 GMT -5 folatre said:

They were hit hard by injuries at the start of 2022-23. The irritating thing is the culture of sacrificing to defend and sacrificing personal points for the collective good are so well ingrained that they somehow survived it. And now with Bergeron and Krecji retired, Hall traded, etc. they just keep doing what they do.

I think it's a culture to be imitated. As much as we hate Boston, there is no denying their success. Luck will only carry you so far. Three trips to the Finals since 2011 is not lucky.

They get their stars to buy in unlike Toronto who get taken to the cleaners at contract time.

As Devils Advocate, I say its a recipe to lose. Three failed trips to the finals, no? They can look good all they want in the regular season. It guarantees no high picks and no Cups.

[folatre]

Good question, I have no firm sense one way or the other if St. Louis is holding the development of the team back. But we know Hughes and St. Louis are tight so I cannot see how a season with few expectations going south will make management waver in supporting him. However, once staff changes are encouraged/imposed in the summer, then the HC is going to face a lot of scrutiny in 2024-25 if the boys do not clean up the structureless, undisciplined style of hockey they play.

[NWTHabsFan]

Nice shot Slaf.

[seventeen]

Nov 18, 2023 20:24:01 GMT -5 drkcloud said:

Just awful. No improvement at all in the last 100 games. Not so sure MSL is the right guy anymore. No system, no powerplay, no penalty kill, no improvement, players regressing

I’d wait a bit longer but have the same concerns. Now, I ask you, how would you break that news?

[IamCanadiens]

Nov 18, 2023 20:34:26 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Nice shot Slaf.

very

[folatre]

But with Boston's talent level (not awe inspiring), one could argue that bossing the regular season is giving them the best possible chance to be successful given the fact that their roster is not elite.

[seventeen]

Nov 18, 2023 20:34:26 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Nice shot Slaf.

That’s going to ruin Skilly’s projections. 😇😄

[NWTHabsFan]

Nov 18, 2023 20:32:51 GMT -5 folatre said:

Good question, I have no firm sense one way or the other if St. Louis is holding the development of the team back. But we know Hughes and St. Louis are tight so I cannot see how a season with few expectations going south will make management waver in supporting him. However, once staff changes are encouraged/imposed in the summer, then the HC is going to face a lot of scrutiny in 2024-25 if the boys do not clean up the structureless, undisciplined style of hockey they play.

It is definitely amplified playing against structured, well coached and balanced teams back to back. Still have lots of work to do yet.

[NWTHabsFan]

Needed to stop that Jake

[seventeen]

Trent Frederic, that POS, likes playing against us. It’s goaltending again which continues to hurt…. Or maybe help (Celebrini).

[NWTHabsFan]

Good grief Pezz. Dumb penalty that was not needed. Story of the season

[seventeen]

Nov 18, 2023 20:40:02 GMT -5 NWTHabsFan said:

Needed to stop that Jake

Especially against that noted goal scorer.

[jkr]

I thought Slafkovsky covered that poorly- letting Frederic find an open lane.

[IamCanadiens]

Nov 18, 2023 20:35:33 GMT -5 folatre said:

But with Boston's talent level (not awe inspiring), one could argue that bossing the regular season is giving them the best possible chance to be successful given the fact that their roster is not elite.

They have one of the best goal scorers in the league in Pasta
They have one of the most talented pests in the league in Marchand
They have an excellent young all around defenseman in McAvoy
They have one of the best goalie tandem in the league

Maybe not elite but beyond Guhle, Montreal does does have any of those things.