Robbing Peter to pay Paul...we are where we have been for 6 years, trying to find a decent 2RW. Move Smith to 2RW and leave him there...let the three of them gel.
- bluemoon737

Loading BM & PB & DP on same line makes it easier to shut down the Bruins.
Having 2 very good lines will spread out the scoring and have a more balanced attack.
The trio can play together on PP unit-1.

Smith can always be tried at 1RW. Brad & Patrice can generate a lot of offense if they have someone decent beside them - does not have to be a Rocket-winner.

Loading BM & PB & DP on same line makes it easier to shut down the Bruins.
Having 2 very good lines will spread out the scoring and have a more balanced attack.
The trio can play together on PP unit-1.

Smith can always be tried at 1RW. Brad & Patrice can generate a lot of offense if they have someone decent beside them - does not have to be a Rocket-winner.
- Nasty_Duck

You know why Pasta, Bergy, and Marchy are so good together? Because they have chemistry built over how many seasons together now? You have a consistent 20+ goal scorer in Smith to add to a consistent 20+ goal scorer in Debrusk centered by a play making center. Put them together and leave them together...let them learn how to play together vice...well, isn't working after one period, time to mix things up. Seems like the instant gratification desire is overcoming the long term benefit of chemistry. How can you know exactly what you have until you let what you have figure out how to play together?

Loading BM & PB & DP on same line makes it easier to shut down the Bruins.
Having 2 very good lines will spread out the scoring and have a more balanced attack.
The trio can play together on PP unit-1.

Smith can always be tried at 1RW. Brad & Patrice can generate a lot of offense if they have someone decent beside them - does not have to be a Rocket-winner.
- Nasty_Duck

This exactly how Tampa & St Louis beat them. It will be how any team beats them until Sweeney and Cassidy either learn from it or one of them is canned.

Sweeney took a gamble on Kase but its not going to pan out. He is what he has been the whole time in Anaheim...an oft injured under achiever. They are as they have been during Sweeny's tenure. Thin at the wings and a paper tiger in the playoffs.

Keep Debrusk on the top line and put Pasta with Krejic. Give us 2 lines of scoring
- blackbruin

only works if Debrusk scores, I thought he had a better nose for the net.

You know why Pasta, Bergy, and Marchy are so good together? Because they have chemistry built over how many seasons together now? You have a consistent 20+ goal scorer in Smith to add to a consistent 20+ goal scorer in Debrusk centered by a play making center. Put them together and leave them together...let them learn how to play together vice...well, isn't working after one period, time to mix things up. Seems like the instant gratification desire is overcoming the long term benefit of chemistry. How can you know exactly what you have until you let what you have figure out how to play together?
- bluemoon737

When did being a 20 goal scorer become such a good thing? Means 3 of 4 nights he's not scoring.

When did being a 20 goal scorer become such a good thing? Means 3 of 4 nights he's not scoring.
- 77emac77

Means he belongs on the 3rd or 4th line.

The last full season (2018-19) there were a total of 45 players who scored 30 or more goals. That's not even 1.5 per team. Not sure where you guys are thinking there are a bunch of over 20+ goal scorers on the 2nd line. You guys are being unrealistic...

The last full season (2018-19) there were a total of 45 players who scored 30 or more goals. That's not even 1.5 per team. Not sure where you guys are thinking there are a bunch of over 20+ goal scorers on the 2nd line. You guys are being unrealistic...
- bluemoon737

Maybe you are be unrealistic and overvalue DeBrusk.

He's lazy, and technically has only scored 20+ goals once. Not sure you can say he's a "consistent 20 goal scorer".

Maybe you are be unrealistic and overvalue DeBrusk.

He's lazy, and technically has only scored 20+ goals once. Not sure you can say he's a "consistent 20 goal scorer".
- Nasty_Duck

You're right, he's technically only gone over 20 once (27 in his second season). His rookie campaign, only 16 goals. Last year, only 19...in a 65 game season...yep, no way he was going to score that 20th in 17 games...

You're right, he's technically only gone over 20 once (27 in his second season). His rookie campaign, only 16 goals. Last year, only 19...in a 65 game season...yep, no way he was going to score that 20th in 17 games...
- bluemoon737

So we gonna pro-rate every player on games and say there's a lot more 100-point players than we actually think?

Point is he's lazy (didn't see you deny that) and he has not stepped up his game like we hoped.

Putting all our eggs in one basket on the first line makes it much easier for good teams to shut down the Bruins. Then their good second line has it's way with the Bruins mediocre 2nd line and that results in a loss. If Bruins 1st line does not score they have almost no chance of winning.

Means he belongs on the 3rd or 4th line.
- glove_was_stuck

Exactly, when they brought in Smith, my first thought was.. .Great , another 3rd liner....

So we gonna pro-rate every player on games and say there's a lot more 100-point players than we actually think?

Point is he's lazy (didn't see you deny that) and he has not stepped up his game like we hoped.

Putting all our eggs in one basket on the first line makes it much easier for good teams to shut down the Bruins. Then their good second line has it's way with the Bruins mediocre 2nd line and that results in a loss. If Bruins 1st line does not score they have almost no chance of winning.
- Nasty_Duck

Feel free to look up my past comments on Debrusk. Basically, he is still maturing as a player and he is very "moody" and gets in his own head when things aren't going well for him and it effects the rest of his game and yes, looks "lazy" at times during those stretches. Again, that's a maturity thing. When he is "on", he is a very dynamic player in all areas of the game. Bottom line is he's a "decent" second line player.

As far as moving Pasta to the 2nd line, do you think the overall goal totals for the Bruins go up, stay the same, or go down in that scenario? My bet is overall production for the team goes down...so where to you get those goals back? I agree 100% that we need at least 2 lines that are capable of routinely scoring...but in my opinion you don't get there by making one of your lines worse.

Management should have addressed this by now but they haven't...that is on them. The only move made this off-season to do that was the Smith signing so do something with that...put him on the second line and let those three develop some chemistry. Kase and Ritchie are NOT the answer.

Feel free to look up my past comments on Debrusk. Basically, he is still maturing as a player and he is very "moody" and gets in his own head when things aren't going well for him and it effects the rest of his game and yes, looks "lazy" at times during those stretches. Again, that's a maturity thing. When he is "on", he is a very dynamic player in all areas of the game. Bottom line is he's a "decent" second line player.

As far as moving Pasta to the 2nd line, do you think the overall goal totals for the Bruins go up, stay the same, or go down in that scenario? My bet is overall production for the team goes down...so where to you get those goals back? I agree 100% that we need at least 2 lines that are capable of routinely scoring...but in my opinion you don't get there by making one of your lines worse.

Management should have addressed this by now but they haven't...that is on them. The only move made this off-season to do that was the Smith signing so do something with that...put him on the second line and let those three develop some chemistry. Kase and Ritchie are NOT the answer.
- bluemoon737

I say they will win more games. Goal scoring might stay same, or even go down a bit. But it will be less sporadic, and Bruins will fare better against good teams that are adept at shutting down one good line. They will be more competitive in the matches that have more importance.

And I was mostly pulling your chain on the 19 goal season. I'll give him two 20 goal seasons. I mean, Brad Marchand is a 40-goal scorer, right. But I'd have to see more seasons like that from Jake to claim it's consistent. And maybe lazy does not apply. Better word might have been soft. He is easily pushed off the puck and gives up on plays way too soon.

Exactly, when they brought in Smith, my first thought was.. .Great , another 3rd liner....
- 77emac77

My hope was he clicks with Coyle and you have some viable secondary scoring. Rather than having Coyle and 2 revolving doors of plugs

My hope was he clicks with Coyle and you have some viable secondary scoring. Rather than having Coyle and 2 revolving doors of plugs
- glove_was_stuck

Remember when Coyle, Kuraly, and it was either Bjork or Stud were put together and had a lot of energy for a game or so then had an off period or two and that line was scrapped. It's nothing but shuffling below the top line and if instant results aren't seen...time to start the blender again.

And let's talk about constantly drafting centermen and shoving them on the wing once they get a chance in the NHL and be surprised when they don't take off. Put Fredrick at center on the 4th line and let him play the position he is used to. Let Stud center the third line and put Coyle at 2RW...at least he has played quite a bit of wing at the NHL level in Minnesota.

But to comment directly on your post...way too many revolving doors in this line up...how is anyone supposed to create chemistry? If no instant results...time to mix it up again.

Remember when Coyle, Kuraly, and it was either Bjork or Stud were put together and had a lot of energy for a game or so then had an off period or two and that line was scrapped. It's nothing but shuffling below the top line and if instant results aren't seen...time to start the blender again.

And let's talk about constantly drafting centermen and shoving them on the wing once they get a chance in the NHL and be surprised when they don't take off. Put Fredrick at center on the 4th line and let him play the position he is used to. Let Stud center the third line and put Coyle at 2RW...at least he has played quite a bit of wing at the NHL level in Minnesota.

But to comment directly on your post...way too many revolving doors in this line up...how is anyone supposed to create chemistry? If no instant results...time to mix it up again.
- bluemoon737

I’ve been thinking this for awhile but Coyle is too damn good for a 3rd line role. It does give the Bruins excellent strength up the middle. It would be nice to see him get some work in with the Krejci or Bergeron. Why not at this point!

Remember when Coyle, Kuraly, and it was either Bjork or Stud were put together and had a lot of energy for a game or so then had an off period or two and that line was scrapped. It's nothing but shuffling below the top line and if instant results aren't seen...time to start the blender again.

And let's talk about constantly drafting centermen and shoving them on the wing once they get a chance in the NHL and be surprised when they don't take off. Put Fredrick at center on the 4th line and let him play the position he is used to. Let Stud center the third line and put Coyle at 2RW...at least he has played quite a bit of wing at the NHL level in Minnesota.

But to comment directly on your post...way too many revolving doors in this line up...how is anyone supposed to create chemistry? If no instant results...time to mix it up again.
- bluemoon737

im not against that

im not against that
- 77emac77

I don't think Krejci and Coyle would work that great together TBH. They are both better with the puck so i think having depth in the middle is more beneficial.

I don't think Krejci and Coyle would work that great together TBH. They are both better with the puck so i think having depth in the middle is more beneficial.
- Mahewman

Don't necessarily disagree with that. I was looking at it from the standpoint of trying see what we have with Stud playing his natural position vice our typical forcing a young centerman on to the wing at the NHL level.

Studnicka had a solid third period. Don’t think he touched the ice in OT. Sick shoot out goal from Debrusk

Studnicka had a solid third period. Don’t think he touched the ice in OT. Sick shoot out goal from Debrusk
- Mahewman

Good win for the B's. Got some even strength goals and a Shootout win. Hopefully gets the offense going.

What a beauty by DeBrusk!