National Hockey League 2018-2019

The facts are that the B's are 17th in goals/game and yet 2nd in goals on the PP. Yes they are very good defensively (2nd) but the lack of scoring depth (only 5 guys have double digit goals) could be a problem if they get into a slump. Johannson and Coyle so far (small samples size to be sure) have exactly 1 point between them in 4 games so they certainly haven't come in and light it up. Pastrnak is still the number 2 scoring player on the team in spite of not playing for nearly a month. Those are potential red flags. The things they have in their favour in trying to win it all is a good/great defense and the best 2 way player in the game (still IMO), in Bergeron. But they will need to get more depth scoring I think if they are going to beat Toronto, probably Tampa then whoever comes out of the Metro (which I think is the easiest of the 3 series)

Every team has issues of one type or another. Fans often look past them and then are shocked when the team does not met expectation. Certainly the team with the fewest weaknesses is the Lightning. Still in a 7 game series anything can happen.
 
Let me clarify: what you're pointing out is not really current, if you are watching the games.

I was pretty bearish on this team earlier in the year, not in a 'them bums' way, but just thought there wasn't enough talent. There is definitely enough talent. And in fact, am delighted that the kids (Debrusk, McAvoy, Pasta, Heinen) are developing. We have a replacement for Chara waiting in Vaakanainen.

This is not December's Bruins; it's not even January's Bruins (Coyle and Johansson are great pickups for this team).

The Bruins are checking well, winning 50/50 battles and playing with great discipline in the neutral zone. Haven't seen such consistently good hockey in a long time - Cassidy deserves all the plaudits he gets.
 
This is not December's Bruins; it's not even January's Bruins (Coyle and Johansson are great pickups for this team).
Click to expand...

It's also not April/May's Bruins, playing well now gets you into the dance, it doesn't get you a parade. Yes based on how they are playing now they are a favourite but what's to stop them from being Decembers team again? Your belief not withstanding. Again they are a top heavy team in terms of offense and while the pickups should provide more depth, should doesn't mean will, time will tell. I always get concerned about teams that have too much of the offense concentrated with a few players (now they have 6 guys with 10 or more goals though :P).

Frankly a team that looks to be potentially the most dangerous again is Vegas, getting Stone was a BIG deal. Remember this is a team that went to the finals last year without Stone, Duchane and Pacioretty. The rest of league should be very concerned about the runner up from last year again
 
My belief comes from actually playing hockey. I don't know much about soccer; I know shitloads about hockey.

You don't unlearn team dynamics. All professional sports are so competitive that 'hot' teams emerge victorious. Injuries, bad goaltending ... even ice conditions (in humid places like Florida or Nashville) can determine a series. Knowing your teammate's tendencies on a break don't get unlearned. Discipline doesn't get unlearned.

Tampa is absolutely favored; after that I'd say Washington, the Bruins, Preds, maybe Vegas. I think Vegas did well last year because of hot goaltending - which can do it.

Given the speed of the game and the variables, I think hockey has the least-controllable outcome variants of any of the Major Four sports, which is what makes it so exciting. I'm just glad that the Bruins, who were foundering as a franchise for a bit, are in a great position for a few years to come.
 
What makes you think I only know soccer...I probably know as much about hockey as you do :shrug:. I never once said they were not good, I said there were concerns as there are with any team. Hot teams also cool off, and teams with over dominate scoring lines can get that line shut down in the playoffs where you can game plan better for it. Seen it happen a lot. The team that wins the cup usually has depth scoring (or rides an incredible hot goaltender (see MTL 1993))

I'd give Winnipeg the nod over the Preds, not sure why but the Preds just haven't looked as good when I've seen them. Vegas got a lot of depth scoring last year as well as from the blueline.

I agree about the least controllable, in particular no other sport can be turned by that one player (the goalie). You need depth scoring to win the cup usually. You need good goaltending to win the cup always. You can steal the cup from a better team with exceptional goaltending.
 
Referencing 'feeling' as my reasoning.

No, I actually referred to several areas where their performance improved. I don't see any similar detail in your posts. Let's try again.

The Bruins did not at all excite me at the beginning of the year, but since then:
* Heinen and DeBrusk showing much improved execution in the offensive zone
* Much better checking and discipline in the neutral zone
* Far, far fewer lapses in the defensive zone, particularly with TO's

And the players know their roles. Backes, a huge disappointment previously, is accepting that he is becoming an enforcer. Marchand's PIM and point totals have been crossing for several seasons. Chara no longer logs insane minutes (and can't, which oddly enough is net-positive news for B's fans).

What a hockey team needs to compete are good goaltending, discipline, and balance. Bruins used to be wanting in all three departments. Now, they're hitting on all cylinders. Still don't think they are collectively experienced enough to reach the Finals, but next year they should be, and for several years after because we've finally gotten past the salary-structure Chiarelli imposed.
 
I think Vegas is a legit threat too. Legit. The Bruins are too but I was thinking that they might be peaking early. Pittsburgh reminds me of them a bit - not in style of play but in that if everything is clicking at the right time, they are just deadly.

Columbus is surprising me...they got a bunch of extra upgrades and it has not translated to the win column.
Winnipeg, yes. The Caps...well, yeah - if they've learned a lot from last year and they get solid goal tending. It has seemed odd that their goal tending has let them down in many tight situations this year (IMO).

Tampa is bad ass. I don't want them to win. I really liked the Capitals winning last year for many reasons but not lost in those reasons was that they had never won before. I would love to see them repeat but it is extremely hard to do that. If they can't then I would really like someone new to win it.

The Islanders are damn solid. Calgary has moments when they look killer too.
 
Bruins-Panthers-Celebration-20190307-43-850x478$medium.jpg
 
Smug > Smog

Either way, I live in New Mexico.

Was unaware that the Stanley Cup was given out in March.
 
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