Buck Foston! So glad to see the Blues win.
Marchand easily has the most punchable face in the NHL. F Mcavoy too.
Marchand easily has the most punchable face in the NHL. F Mcavoy too.
OT - Stanley Cup Finals 2019 ......
- Thread starter goalieman
- Start date
I loved last night's game and how it played out. Perfect. Jesse James loved it. The Tuck Rule loved it. Spygate loved it. Inflategate loved it. Bob Kraft's Message Parlor loved it. All those Red Sox fans, Jimmy Fallon, Mark Wahlberg, eat it. Boston Strong. Big Papi, eat it. Bobby Orr was not as good as Mario Lemieux.
Those fans deserve misery. Deserve it.
Those fans deserve misery. Deserve it.
I'm watching the Stanley Cup Final series as a hockey fan although I must admit that I often find myself rooting for St. Louis during the games.
Game 5 was another close, tough, physical game and overall I enjoyed it. St. Louis won 2-1 and leads the series 3 games to 2.
Throughout the series there have been, as is often the case, some questionable calls and non-calls by the officials, however, the non-call with 9+ minutes to play in the 3rd period on Bozak tripping Acciari from behind with St. Louis up 1-0 was IMO a blatant missed call by the referee which directly affected the game. Acciari was clearing the puck from the zone, was tripped from behind which kept him from clearing the zone and allowed St. Louis to keep the puck in the Boston zone and a few seconds later scored to make it 2-0 ...... it turned out to be the game winning goal .... if the penalty is called, it still would have been 1-0 St. Louis but with Boston on the power play ..... St. Louis still may have won the game even if the penalty was called and sometimes you just have to overcome these missed calls but, in all fairness, the referee just can't miss that call .... he was 15-20 feet away with a perfect view of the play and swallowed his whistle .... I can't imagine the outcry in Pittsburgh if it was the Penguins instead of Boston in that situation ...... nothing can be changed and for Boston it is best to forget about the non-call and prepare themselves better for Game 6 as the Stanley Cup Finals are still up for grabs ! ...... Game 6 should be interesting.
Game 5 was another close, tough, physical game and overall I enjoyed it. St. Louis won 2-1 and leads the series 3 games to 2.
Throughout the series there have been, as is often the case, some questionable calls and non-calls by the officials, however, the non-call with 9+ minutes to play in the 3rd period on Bozak tripping Acciari from behind with St. Louis up 1-0 was IMO a blatant missed call by the referee which directly affected the game. Acciari was clearing the puck from the zone, was tripped from behind which kept him from clearing the zone and allowed St. Louis to keep the puck in the Boston zone and a few seconds later scored to make it 2-0 ...... it turned out to be the game winning goal .... if the penalty is called, it still would have been 1-0 St. Louis but with Boston on the power play ..... St. Louis still may have won the game even if the penalty was called and sometimes you just have to overcome these missed calls but, in all fairness, the referee just can't miss that call .... he was 15-20 feet away with a perfect view of the play and swallowed his whistle .... I can't imagine the outcry in Pittsburgh if it was the Penguins instead of Boston in that situation ...... nothing can be changed and for Boston it is best to forget about the non-call and prepare themselves better for Game 6 as the Stanley Cup Finals are still up for grabs ! ...... Game 6 should be interesting.
I have to admit I will be a lifelong Blues fan if they pull it out. Marchand is all that is wrong with the NHL. I don’t particularly like Bergeron either but if he played for us that’d go away.
One win away for the Blues. I haven’t rooted for a team other than the Pens to win the Cup this hard in years. Being an expansion brother of the Pens from the 60s also makes me root for them (not that I would root for Philly). You’d have to say they are the best, most consistent franchise never to have won the Cup. They’ve had a boatload of playoff chances, have had some all-time great players (Brett Hull at the top of the list) and have always been well run.
Hey goalieman, it is more than ok to root for the Blues! I think all hockey fans in the Pittsburgh area have adopted them as their team due to hatred of the Bruins and all things Boston. Even Pittsburgh people who have relatives in the Boston area don't like the Bruins or Sox or the NFL cheaters. The Celtics got a pass for me because they had Larry Bird, but I can't stand them now!
People never want to admit that their passion for following sports is driven at least as much by hate of opposing teams (and towns, schools etc.)as it is for love of your own. As we all know, frankly sometimes your team doesn't give you much to love.
I feel exactly the same way. I think if the Pens can't win, the two teams I would root for is St Louis or Buffalo. So.....GO BLUES!!!!
Let's face it, in many, no most cases, the hatred is really aimed towards fanbases over teams. Though the combination of Marchand, Chara and the Boston fans, it makes it fairly easy to root against.
Also, fans typically are FAR more heated about other fans then the teams are against each other. Especially many pro sports. Everybody's on the same team, the Fighting Benjamins.
I am rooting for the Blues as well, but that was as bad a no call as you’ll ever see in that spot. That was an egregious mistake by Kelly Sutherland — who is generally an exceptional official, BTW — that turned into a catastrophe when Perron scored seconds later.
I think the problem came a few minutes earlier whenever there was a questionable interference call against St. Louis.
Boston, which has really struggled at even strength in the series, then was trying to buy a few calls and by the time Acciari was obviously tripped, I think there was a little bit of Boy Who Cried Wolf Syndrome going on there. Unfortunately for everyone involved, he really was slew footed there and it proved to be the decisive play in the hockey game.
Still, with all of the focus on the Bozak slew foot, I think people are losing sight of the larger picture here, which is that St. Louis is controlling the series at even strength. That is really surprising and it is horrible news for Boston if they are forced to rely on their power play to win the Stanley Cup.
Having a great power play is a wonderful thing and Boston has a phenomenal power-play. However, it has to be an extra ingredient to success, not the main course.
I think the problem came a few minutes earlier whenever there was a questionable interference call against St. Louis.
Boston, which has really struggled at even strength in the series, then was trying to buy a few calls and by the time Acciari was obviously tripped, I think there was a little bit of Boy Who Cried Wolf Syndrome going on there. Unfortunately for everyone involved, he really was slew footed there and it proved to be the decisive play in the hockey game.
Still, with all of the focus on the Bozak slew foot, I think people are losing sight of the larger picture here, which is that St. Louis is controlling the series at even strength. That is really surprising and it is horrible news for Boston if they are forced to rely on their power play to win the Stanley Cup.
Having a great power play is a wonderful thing and Boston has a phenomenal power-play. However, it has to be an extra ingredient to success, not the main course.
Yeah, I agree, St. Louis has overall had the better of the play 5v5 as their fierce, tight, tough forecheck has slowed Boston down and in addition the Boston power play was 0/5 the last two games ..... a bad combination for the Bruins.
Barbashev is suspended for the Blues tonight but they get Thomas back which should be a big booster for St. Louis ...... for the Bruins, Grzelcyk is still out and the Bruins who played 11 forwards and 7 defensemen last game will go back to the usual 12 forwards and 6 defensemen ...... according to reports earlier today, they are replacing the 7th D-man, Steven Kampfer, with a forward, Karson Kuhlman, a 23 y/o who only played 11 games during the regular season and hasn't played a playoff game since Game 3 of the 2nd round while healthy scratching veteran David Backes again ...... Backes is a gritty very experienced player while Kuhlman is very inexperienced but faster and a little more offensively oriented ..... I think Kuhlman for Backes is a calculated risk for the Boston coach, we'll see if they actually go ahead with that switch at game time. Of course, Chara will be playing with a broken jaw which affected his play in Game 5 IMO.
It looks bad for Boston right now, but you never know in hockey ...... Boston will need to play a simple game, get the puck out of their zone better with speed, limit giveaways, get their power play clicking again, and get a big game from Rask .....should be an interesting game..... also, I forgot to mention that Boston has to get much better on face-offs as they have been terrible the last two games.
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Oh, I don’t think Boston is in trouble at all. I think they have a very good chance to win tonight and again on Wednesday. I think it’s almost a complete coin toss up at this point.
I think Boston can win it also ..... if they do what I said they need to do above !!!!! .... LOL !!!!!!
WE HAVE A GAME 7 IN THE STANLEY CUP FINALS ...... there is nothing like it (even better if it goes to overtime) !!!!!!
Game just ended, some initial post game thoughts ......
- Boston got a power play goal (Goal #1 was a 5 on 3 goal) which was big.
- Boston's execution of their defensive assignments in their own end and in the neutral zone were outstanding.
- Bruin's breakout was much faster and precise with very few giveaways.
- Boston did a much better job of winning battles on the boards in the St. Louis zone.
- Decision to play the youngster, Kuhlman, over the veteran Backes was a good one ..... Kuhlman was good and his goal to make it 3-0 was a beautiful shot.
- Rask was OUTSTANDING in goal !!!
- Refs did a good job tonight.
Game just ended, some initial post game thoughts ......
- Boston got a power play goal (Goal #1 was a 5 on 3 goal) which was big.
- Boston's execution of their defensive assignments in their own end and in the neutral zone were outstanding.
- Bruin's breakout was much faster and precise with very few giveaways.
- Boston did a much better job of winning battles on the boards in the St. Louis zone.
- Decision to play the youngster, Kuhlman, over the veteran Backes was a good one ..... Kuhlman was good and his goal to make it 3-0 was a beautiful shot.
- Rask was OUTSTANDING in goal !!!
- Refs did a good job tonight.
Whoops. I remember in 91 when the parade route for the North Stars was publicly revealed. It did not end well for them.
Game 6 was not surprising. In fact, again I think the 4 best threats for the Cup were in the East. 3 of them went out in the 1st rd. Boston was left and had an easy path to the finals. They are a complete and deep team. And with Rask playing at a Conn Smythe level, they are just going to be hard to knock out.
Binnington is going to have to play the game of his life in Game 7. Maybe this is wrong, but I usually find the team that forces game 7's in hockey, usually win.
But I also know, Game 7's at home are not necessarily an advantage, as the pressure is on.
Binnington is going to have to play the game of his life in Game 7. Maybe this is wrong, but I usually find the team that forces game 7's in hockey, usually win.
But I also know, Game 7's at home are not necessarily an advantage, as the pressure is on.
I actually thought St. Louis played a pretty good game last night. I think they were a little bit unlucky, to be honest. Boston scored on their 5-on-3 early on and were therefore able to play with the lead.
Boston had the two-man advantage on two very easy and legitimate calls. However, it’s unusual to find yourself in that position.
Then, on Carlo’s goal from the blue line, to make it 2-0, that was just a really bad hop. Honestly, I don’t even consider that a bad goal as much is I consider that a total fluke.
Personally, I think Dunn made the mistake that started the whole thing. I don’t think you can just cavalierly throw the puck back into your own end from the neutral zone. Too many bad things can happen against an aggressive forechecking team like Boston when you do that. You need to make a safer play up along the boards. You’re just down just one goal at that point and you still have all the time in the world to equalize.
I actually thought from late in the first period until Boston scored its third goal midway through the third period, St. Louis was slightly better.
Tuuka Rask is a hell of a goaltender and he was really on his game last night. He was also a little bit lucky but that comes with being good.
I think Game 7s are almost always a complete tossup. It comes down to who gets a bounce here or there, who scores first, which goaltender plays better, etc.
This one is no exception. These two teams are really close. Boston has the much better power-play and more speed. St. Louis is a more consistent even strength team with regard to its structure and St. Louis does a better job of limiting second chance opportunities.
I don’t think Binnington has to play out of his mind for St. Louis to win in Boston on Wednesday. However, he cannot allow any cheapies because Rask won’t.
I also think that St. Louis probably needs to score first. I think they would have a tough time coming back from a goal or two goal deficit. However, if they go up on Boston by two goals, I think the B’s would have a tough time coming back against them as well.
Analysis aside, this is awesome! It’s really fun to see these and I’m really looking forward to Wednesday evening. Also, I too would love to see it decided in overtime and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is – these two teams are that close.
Boston had the two-man advantage on two very easy and legitimate calls. However, it’s unusual to find yourself in that position.
Then, on Carlo’s goal from the blue line, to make it 2-0, that was just a really bad hop. Honestly, I don’t even consider that a bad goal as much is I consider that a total fluke.
Personally, I think Dunn made the mistake that started the whole thing. I don’t think you can just cavalierly throw the puck back into your own end from the neutral zone. Too many bad things can happen against an aggressive forechecking team like Boston when you do that. You need to make a safer play up along the boards. You’re just down just one goal at that point and you still have all the time in the world to equalize.
I actually thought from late in the first period until Boston scored its third goal midway through the third period, St. Louis was slightly better.
Tuuka Rask is a hell of a goaltender and he was really on his game last night. He was also a little bit lucky but that comes with being good.
I think Game 7s are almost always a complete tossup. It comes down to who gets a bounce here or there, who scores first, which goaltender plays better, etc.
This one is no exception. These two teams are really close. Boston has the much better power-play and more speed. St. Louis is a more consistent even strength team with regard to its structure and St. Louis does a better job of limiting second chance opportunities.
I don’t think Binnington has to play out of his mind for St. Louis to win in Boston on Wednesday. However, he cannot allow any cheapies because Rask won’t.
I also think that St. Louis probably needs to score first. I think they would have a tough time coming back from a goal or two goal deficit. However, if they go up on Boston by two goals, I think the B’s would have a tough time coming back against them as well.
Analysis aside, this is awesome! It’s really fun to see these and I’m really looking forward to Wednesday evening. Also, I too would love to see it decided in overtime and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it is – these two teams are that close.
Some good thoughts DVY ....... I did, however, want to discuss the 2nd Boston goal scored by Carlo which was the game winning goal and have linked a highlight film below to try and illustrate my points regarding how Binnington played it ...... it was a tough save because the puck bounced, somewhat changing direction and speed but there were two things Binnington could and IMO should have done better to make the save significantly less difficult.
The play can be seen from multiple views between the 5:55 and 6:22 minute mark of the highlight film below (it is an 8:50 minute film) ..... watch all the views of the play, then go back and stop it at the 6:15 mark and watch it from that view ..... start it at the 6:15 mark and stop it at 6:18 (just after the puck bounces after the shot) ...... the first thing you notice is Binnington is in poor position, way too deep in the net and too close to the near post ...... the best position would have been out on the top of the crease near where the curved top of the crease meets the near edge of the crease ...... he was way out of position and basically what we call "behind" on the play which made the save more difficult ...... there was no physical reason for him not to be in better position as he had time to get there and no Bruin near him ..... run the film one more second to the 6:19 mark and stop it ...... it shows that Binnington makes another mistake by moving his stick and blocker out of position by rotating his stick and blocker outward exposing the 6 hole and causing the puck to hit the inner part of the padding on his blocker instead of the face of his blocker directing it through the exposed 6 hole for a goal ...... really what he should have done when the shot was taken was push out to the proper position while keeping his stick and blocker in good position (the blocker should be as perpendicular as possible to the trajectory of the puck) then moving the blocker as needed to stop the puck when it got to him ...... if he was in proper position with good stick and blocker position, he probably would have needed to move his blocker a few inches to make the save ...... he made a tough save a lot tougher and it ended up the game winning goal.
Actually, look at the tape from the 4:00 to the 4:04 mark ...... Rask makes a save on a St. Louis shot from the right circle just inside the face-off dot ..... it is a slightly different angle then Carlo's shot and it didn't bounce but the principles for the goalie are similar on the two shots ..... Rask is in excellent position at the corner of the crease with his stick/blocker in good position not exposing the 6 hole and he waits until the shot gets there to move his blocker some to stop the shot ..... from where Carlo's shot originated, Binnington should have been about 6 inches to the goalies right of where Rask was on his shot, not deep in his net ..... don't know if this post was of any interest but it is the way the goalie and his goalie coach should be looking at that play IMO.
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At this point nearly everyone is picking Boston to win. I tend to agree but I thought STL would lose this series 4-1.
That’s good analysis, goalieman. I appreciate your perspective. Honestly, my biggest problem on that play was with Vince Dunn, not Jordan Binnington. I think the latter was caught flat-footed - as you did a wonderful job of pointing out - but he never should’ve been in that position in the first place.
You have to make Boston earn everything they get – including zone entries. That puck cannot EVER enter your own zone voluntarily.
Incidentally, I also think Tyler Bozak made a poor play there. He had a chance to pinch the puck along the boards and for whatever reason he chose to float down the middle, taking no one in the process, and basically screened his own goaltender.
Basically, the play was a ham sandwich from toe to tip and whenever you make that many mistakes in a row, especially against the team as good as the Boston Bruins, more often than not it’s going to end up in the back of your net.
The good news for the Blues is that was Game 6, not Game 7 and they have another opportunity tonight to write their own history. If they win tonight, none of those previous mistakes will mean a single thing to anyone. Honestly, I think they have a great chance.
I am torn. I think Boston has been the better team, especially with Rask playing like he has. But Binnington is due for a big game after the last. He has been up and down, not surprising, he is a 25 year old journey man rookie.
Game 7's though, a lot of pressure on the home team. However, I always like in Game 7 the team that forces the Game 7 by winning Game 6.
I am going Boston 4-2. I hope and pray I am wrong. I really want the Blues to win. Not just out of a hatred for Boston and their fans, but a real affinity for the Blues and their fans.
Also, I would be remiss if I failed to congratulate Boston for what they did on the play we are discussing.
Jake DeBrusk, who is really a good young hockey player, BTW, did a great job along the boards to create that opportunity.
Also, Brandon Carlo recognized that Bozak was out of position and that he had a lot of room to maneuver. He just flipped the puck at the net and got a bounce. That’s a really smart play for a young defenseman and it paid off in a huge way for Boston.
St. Louis definitely made some mistakes on that play, but that’s two young players really doing wonderful things to generate offense there for the Bruins.
Jake DeBrusk, who is really a good young hockey player, BTW, did a great job along the boards to create that opportunity.
Also, Brandon Carlo recognized that Bozak was out of position and that he had a lot of room to maneuver. He just flipped the puck at the net and got a bounce. That’s a really smart play for a young defenseman and it paid off in a huge way for Boston.
St. Louis definitely made some mistakes on that play, but that’s two young players really doing wonderful things to generate offense there for the Bruins.
Good discussion/thoughts/analysis by all ..... it all comes down to one game now ....
Not sure who will win Game 7 and the Cup tonight, both teams are capable and whoever wins, it won't surprise me ......
Boston has home ice, a little more speed, a better power play, and the best goalie so far in the playoffs ......
St. Louis is more physical, plays with nice structure, four solid lines, and Binnington has been very good in games after a loss ......
Boston has been a little short-handed on defense with Chara playing with a broken jaw which I think has affected his play somewhat and Grzelcyk who has not played since his concussion although is said to be a game time decision tonight .....
The Game 6 officials who did a nice job in that game will be doing Game 7 tonight ..... if they "let them play" and swallow there whistles somewhat in Game 7, it would tend to be an advantage for St. Louis as they could use their physicality to the full extent and Boston's power play may get less chances (and St. Louis has played very well 5v5 so they want to stay out of the penalty box) ...... I'd like to see them call Game 7 much as they did Game 6 as I thought they were really good and we don't need another referee controversy tonight.
Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, there is not much like it in sports, can't wait !
Not sure who will win Game 7 and the Cup tonight, both teams are capable and whoever wins, it won't surprise me ......
Boston has home ice, a little more speed, a better power play, and the best goalie so far in the playoffs ......
St. Louis is more physical, plays with nice structure, four solid lines, and Binnington has been very good in games after a loss ......
Boston has been a little short-handed on defense with Chara playing with a broken jaw which I think has affected his play somewhat and Grzelcyk who has not played since his concussion although is said to be a game time decision tonight .....
The Game 6 officials who did a nice job in that game will be doing Game 7 tonight ..... if they "let them play" and swallow there whistles somewhat in Game 7, it would tend to be an advantage for St. Louis as they could use their physicality to the full extent and Boston's power play may get less chances (and St. Louis has played very well 5v5 so they want to stay out of the penalty box) ...... I'd like to see them call Game 7 much as they did Game 6 as I thought they were really good and we don't need another referee controversy tonight.
Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, there is not much like it in sports, can't wait !
Because of the flukey nature of hockey, where one bad decision or one bad bounce or even a questionable call by an official can and often does decide the game, there’s nothing else in sports like a Stanley Cup Final Game 7, IMHO. I’ve been pumped for this game for days and I honestly can’t wait to see what happens!
Head says Boston, heart says Blues...and gut is slightly leaning St. Louis too.
Head says Boston, heart says Blues...and gut is slightly leaning St. Louis too.
Man, every shot I am nervous. I can't imagine being a lifelong Blues fan watching this.
Jesus this is ridiculous. Boston has glorious chance after chance. The Blues get it and they are content to just dump the puck in the corners. I know the Blues want to play a "heavy" game, but the Bruins are beating them to the puck! They need to bleeping take the puck to the net and slot and stop just dumping it into the corners on offense.
The irony is that Boston is flying tonight too.
The hockey gods can be cruel sometimes.
Binnington for Conn Smythe! He outplayed Rask badly when it mattered most! Fabulous win for St. Louis and good result for the NHL overall. It is always nice to see a team win its first championship, especially one that has been around for so long. Worst in the NHL at one point and now Cup champs. Huge fan of the CHIEF Craig Berube and the way his team plays. This was a really fun series, glad St. Louis won it!
