Game 27 vs. Bruins - Thoughts from the Morning After

[Dickie Dunn]

-I thought they were cooked after the terrible 5 on 3 showing.

you must've seen a different 5 on 3 than I saw...

I remember like 3 really good opportunities, and Neal hitting the post

I good 5 on 3 scores a goal.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

[pcmforless]

Brandon Sutter!

He seems pretty clutch. He had scored the game tying goal vs Philly until 30 seconds later when Vokoun let in that stinker, had the winner vs MTL and then the two last night. I'm getting the Max Talbot with twice the talent vibe from him. I'd take 15-20 goals a year that are clutch and meaningful over 25-30 that are scored in bunches in blowouts.

[NebraskaNic]

Call me crazy, but I feel like since about a week and a half ago Consol has made a nice transition from over the top piped-in music to a bit more organ music and a bit more of a 'sporty' environment and the crowd has reacted. Seems like the crowd at the CEC has been much improved. Don't see threads complaining about noise lately.

[Great58]

Call me crazy, but I feel like since about a week and a half ago Consol has made a nice transition from over the top piped-in music to a bit more organ music and a bit more of a 'sporty' environment and the crowd has reacted. Seems like the crowd at the CEC has been much improved. Don't see threads complaining about noise lately.

You mean the crowd that remains until the end, right?
I agree it's been louder. But I don't know if that's due to a change in the media show, or just better hockey on the ice. I will try to pay attention to the sound on Sunday to see if I notice a difference in person.

[Luckybreak]

-Game blacked out for me AGAIN so I've got a few questions (I hate only seeing the goals, gives no clue to the flow of the game)
-What were the D pairings? Was Letang with Eaton and did it work? Was Engo OK or were we all screaming for MOAR DESPRES!?!
-Did the 4th line pick it up at all? Can't blame Glass moving from Chara's shot but did the PK continue to disappoint?
-Was Martin on the 5on3 PP? Did he get any decent PP time?
Thanks!

[MRandall25]

It was insanely loud last night, both ways. Bass is really high for the music. Much higher than Nationwide Arena.

Crowd was insane when the game was tied.

[IntangibleBeer]

I think I remember reading somewhere that Rutherford did not want to take a chance of losing out on Staal by waiting a year. RS did outstanding work with a bad situation.

But still fire RS. And DB while we're at it.

Don't forget Steiggy

And Sam's dog while you're at it!

[NebraskaNic]

You mean the crowd that remains until the end, right?
I agree it's been louder. But I don't know if that's due to a change in the media show, or just better hockey on the ice. I will try to pay attention to the sound on Sunday to see if I notice a difference in person.

Yeah, although from the television broadcasts it seemed like most everyone stayed, obviously outside of camera shot was a different story.

I don't watch the audience more than I do the on-ice action... I'm not that judgemental.

[MRandall25]

You mean the crowd that remains until the end, right?
I agree it's been louder. But I don't know if that's due to a change in the media show, or just better hockey on the ice. I will try to pay attention to the sound on Sunday to see if I notice a difference in person.

Yeah, although from the television broadcasts it seemed like most everyone stayed, obviously outside of camera shot was a different story.

I don't watch the audience more than I do the on-ice action... I'm not that judgemental.

There was a mass exodus after they pulled the 50/50 with 7:40 left in the 3rd.

[DelPen]

-Game blacked out for me AGAIN so I've got a few questions (I hate only seeing the goals, gives no clue to the flow of the game)
-What were the D pairings? Was Letang with Eaton and did it work? Was Engo OK or were we all screaming for MOAR DESPRES!?!
-Did the 4th line pick it up at all? Can't blame Glass moving from Chara's shot but did the PK continue to disappoint?
-Was Martin on the 5on3 PP? Did he get any decent PP time?
Thanks!

Letang was mostly with Eaton. I didn't even notice Engellend which is always good. I'd play Despres but no one sucked last night except Orpik's usual inept PK ability.

The 4th line blew, mostly due to Glass. And he was either late to the shooting lane or overskated it, he didn't chose to move out of Chara's shot. He really needed to drop though, him, Orpik and Bergeron all screened Fleury.

I think it was Crosby, Letang, Bennett, Neal and Kunitz on the 5-3 mostly. martin was out there with Nisky. Could be wrong on that though.

[brwi]

As I said last night, we like Brent Sutter now, but we'll love him in the playoffs. No, we should not move him to one of the scoring lines, but we should get him a RW with a little hockey sense.

Hope we love him in the playoffs...he's never been in the post-season before in his 3 years. Well, I guess BRENT has, but not BRANDON

[Great58]

I'm not that judgemental.

Guy next to me left with 5 minutes left in the Islanders game, fearful Dupuis would get the HT and then he'd feel obilgated to throw his hat. He wanted to keep his hat it seems. Kunitz's trick wasn't enough for him.
So I guess I am that judgemental, I thought it was lame. At least he left his sock monkey, my kids like that.

[Luckybreak]

Letang was mostly with Eaton. I didn't even notice Engellend which is always good. I'd play Despres but no one sucked last night except Orpik's usual inept PK ability.

The 4th line blew, mostly due to Glass. And he was either late to the shooting lane or overskated it, he didn't chose to move out of Chara's shot. He really needed to drop though, him, Orpik and Bergeron all screened Fleury.

I think it was Crosby, Letang, Bennett, Neal and Kunitz on the 5-3 mostly. martin was out there with Nisky. Could be wrong on that though.

Thanks DelPen

Glass is the first of Shero's 4th line pickups I've been really disappointed with. I find him strangely unlikeable - not in the Barnaby/Ruutu way - he just seems devoid of the charisma/energy that made up for Asham or Rupp's other shortcomings.

Re Letang-Eaton: one of the guys who never shows on highlights but seems to be surprising lots of people, is this pairing likely to stick? And if so is Nisky locked into the #5 slot/trade bait at this point?

[farnham16]

-Heck of a 40 mintue effort
-Forecheck was great
-Hitting was solid
-Sutter has the clutch gene
-Nice to see the team have two games in a row where they played solid defense

-Our bottom six is bad and needs fixed
-Our PK is a huge problem

[DocEmrick]

Chest.

[Pitt87]

-Heck of a 40 mintue effort
-Forecheck was great
-Hitting was solid
-Sutter has the clutch gene
-Nice to see the team have two games in a row where they played solid defense

-Our bottom six is bad and needs fixed
-Our PK is a huge problem

Agree with your assessment of the bottom six... but for me, its three guys that are the problem, not all six: TK, CMFA, and Glass. I don't see how TK fits anywhere anymore, and Adams is just a waste. Cookie is fine, though I wish he'd just make the hit sometimes (yes, really) and I think Jeffrey doesn't fit the system whatsoever.

Our aggression in general in our own zone is questionable. Its like we're not comfortable on defense at all. Bad example since it didn't end well, but the B's were happy to play defense against the best offensive weapon in the game, and probably would have done the same if Geno was playing also. Brooks, Engo, Tanger and Nisky look like they are anxious and uneasy back there, and its a constant series of mistakes & turnovers.

How Eaton has not earned his 3rd pair spot and how 47/58 isn't your top pair is completely beyond me. No leadership on the blue line these days, at all.

[Pens4Life]

After a few games,Eaton surely looks good.
Eaton - Letang
Orpik - Martin
Despres - Niskanen
x - Engo, Bortuzzo

until trade deadline..