OKAY diehard B's fans... lets here your predictions for this series. Carolina is coming off an emotional win and they were hot down the stretch in the regular season. B's handled them easily all year but will this be different? I say B's in 5 and start my guess with a 2-0 shutout by Thomas tonight....



whattayathink????

GO BRUINS!

I think the B's win the series in 6. Carolina played great hockey down the stretch, Staal was fantastic. Cam Ward was brilliant in the net. I don't like the Bruins tonight though. 9-10 days off between games in any sport is brutal especially hockey. I am sure they worked hard trying to keep the intensity level up, but Carolina just finished a series and will be looking to keep on rolling. Tough one tonight.

I will be at the game and will report back in the am!

I just scored face value balcony tix for the game off of CL!!!!!!!!!!!!

NICE!!!

I'll go with B's in 5 also. Rough start tonight but they get stronger towards the end of games.

I think the B's win the series in 6. Carolina played great hockey down the stretch, Staal was fantastic. Cam Ward was brilliant in the net. I don't like the Bruins tonight though. 9-10 days off between games in any sport is brutal especially hockey. I am sure they worked hard trying to keep the intensity level up, but Carolina just finished a series and will be looking to keep on rolling. Tough one tonight.



I agree with Peter, but I'm leaning toward 7 games. Their goalie is very good.

I see this being a 6 or 7 game series. Carolina has excellent goal tending and are an all around fast team. Goals are going to be tough to come by the way they've been playing. The B's key to winning is to keep playing physical but staying out of the box. It's going to be a great series.

Bruins in 6. They have dominated the 'Canes this year and I think the dominance continues in this series.

I only say 6 because of the amount of time they have been off. While good for bumps and bruises, it sucks for timing etc..... If Boston wins tonight I say Bruins in 5.

bruins in 5. 3-1 tonight....




Edit...


if bruins win tonight i think they will win in 4 or 5,

if they lose then it will go 6 or 7......


i actually hope it goes to 7 games so i actually have something to look forward to watch on tv....:rolleyes:

Canes are on an emotional high, B's had too much of a layoff... I don't like the Bruins chances tonight, if they do lose tonight I think they will rebound quickly but still won't take 4 straight so B's in 6

lookin good

ehhh, i was close enough..
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Only thing I can complain about is the fact that Thomas got run over twice. Me thinks that will stop soon.

and I were walking through the new Sports Authority last week. We hit the sports apparel section where they have all the sports jerseys. My son says "Daddy, I know who #33 is on the Bruins" I reply " Oh yeah Bubba who is it?"

He responds "Jose-o Chara" :rotflmao: I nearly fell over laughing.

One observation, the B's were having a hard time getting the puck out of their zone via up the boards. Carolina does a good job of cutting those avenues off and caused a bunch of turnovers, which could have been worse as far as scoring chances. They need to look at that and maybe try skating it out of the zone up the middle or passing up the middle more. Other than that not much to complain about. They looked very good.

Great game, solid win. Not a high level of "playoff intensity" and it was rather tame on the rough play. Regardless, watching it live it seemed to me that Carolina does not have a prayer to take this series. IMO the B's out-hustled and outplayed them for most of the night. Thomas was solid when he needed to be and the B's always find ways to score. This may be a sweep too....

Great game. The B's just plain win all the small battles. They never give up on the puck and that is what wins.

Bruins struggled at time and were trapped in their end a lot. Their own zone defense is as good as I have seen. They have completely bought into Julien's defensive scheme. Carolina played poorly. Love the Bruins tomorrow night. Can't wait!:humpty:

Bruins great on the forecheck , Ill Take Bs in 5 . They have to stop the charging on Thomas , its nothing but a cheap shot ,That cant happen ever ,send a message ....

WTF??? do you have to subscribe to Versus to watch this game? I don't see it on anything on regular cable even HD?

-spence

channel 65 Comcast in my town. I don't subscribed, not to my knowledge anyway. Not going to happen tonite. B's looked a little flat early and Ward was fantastic. Oh well I said 7 games so they can loose 2 more.

Canes' goalie was amazing. Sucks that the B's lost but fun to watch him. You had to appreciate it.

Ward stood on his head but the B's missed some open nets too. Disallowed goal was a goal. I still say B's in 5....

B's were flat- a stride behind most of the night, 'canes played a little desperate- their goalie made some phenom saves. B's in 6...

You know it was bound to happen as far as a slow down on the B's part. I think they still take it in 6.

I think B's in 6 as well. You have to expect the canes will take a couple on wards hot goal tending. I think we will get at least one win while in NC.

I think they thought they could win without playing 100%..I mean after all we took them 5 games in a row and we didn't play all that well in the first playoff game. Why come out with everything if you don't need to. But I think the message got thru in game 2.

I look for a much more physical game by the B's...the Canes don't play physical we can pound them pretty good, and make them hesitate a little when heading into the corners and up the walls...but we have to stay out of the box. We need more up-tempo play like the 3rd period of the last game and we need good hard checks by the big b's.

Should be a good game tonight. They will be into the game tonight.

IMO Versus is doing a decent job with the playoffs. NBC was good too. Tonight we are NSSN.


My worry is the Caps...I hope they Pens beat up the caps good and Ovi gets an upper angel sprain or something. As good as he is, I don't care for his style of play. He just loops the circles and wait for the feed and shoots on everything. He has a great shot but someone has to slam is ass hard and knock him down a few times. He dishes it out but he rarely gets touched.

My worry is the Caps...I hope they Pens beat up the caps good and Ovi gets an upper angel sprain or something. As good as he is, I don't care for his style of play. He just loops the circles and wait for the feed and shoots on everything. He has a great shot but someone has to slam is ass hard and knock him down a few times. He dishes it out but he rarely gets touched.

Ovechkin is a very physical player. Next time you're watching the Caps, focus on him when he doesn't have the puck. He doesn't get touched much because he avoids it, but he isn't shy about putting the hurt on the other guy. He is a lot tougher than he gets credit for. In this series, keep an eye on him when he's on the ice with Malkin. There is some bad blood there and Ovechkin isn't shy about going after him.

As for the B's, I think they'll be fine. They play well on the road and as good as Ward is, it will be tough for him to keep standing on his head the way he did on Sunday. I'd like to see the B's play a little more physical, too. When they do that, it creates scoring opportunities.

Me and my friend Bud Light have been waiting all week for this game...:cheers2:

Bruins need to come out PHYSICAL... BIG TIME. I feel like Carolina had a distinct edge on Sun, and we need to put our foot down, and get an early lead.

I would put money that you see Lujic or Thornton drop the gloves early...:fight:

Only problem is that Ive got to watch both the Celts and the Bs at the same time.

#$%%$^&% cant believe we lost :bsod:

Great playoff hockey but a disheartening result. B's got outshot two to one and cannot expect to move on without taking more shots instead of trying to make the perfect play. ALL THREE Canes goals came as a result of B's give-aways. Friday night now a must-win........

Depressing...I thought we had them at the start of OT, be bombarded ward but ward held his ground.

You are right about the number of shots...we need a lot more, the O was only there for spurts...we need it for 60 min.

There is no reason we can't beat these guys, they are not ***that*** good and not very deep. Granted ward and staal are great players, but we can contain staal and beat ward.

We need to HIT more, SHOOT more and let them know we mean business. It is time to wipe that caviler smile off the face of the B's and hit the %$%$%$%$ out of them. I noticed they coughed up the puck a few times when they saw #17 headed in their direction...Clean hitting works on these guys.
My Bro' in law lives in Raligh and I have to deal with phone calls during each game...come on Boston, it looks like you don't want it.
Fri is a must win.

I was flipping back and forth between the B's and C's, but saw enough of what you saw, Sandman. They need to be much more aggressive in both ends. One thing I picked up on was that the B's were not skating towards the puck, especially in the defensive end. They were just reaching for it with their sticks and trying to take it of the stick of the other guy without being physical enough. That's why Carolina was able to generate so many chances on offense. There's no excuse for that. The B's should be more rested than Carolina. Hopefully, they have a good practice today and come out real strong and aggressive on Friday.

'canes have legs, hot goale, and more want to now....does'nt look good...

All I have to say is...WTF. Not playing like the Bruins we are used to. Need to step it up big time to try and stop the Canes. What happened to the fighting, the physical play, the power play. I'm nervous.

I'm bummed to say this but it's over . I hope I am wrong but Canes are just a tad better IMO. Darn I thought we had a chance this year. Guess I will have to go listen to my Goal Bruins album and remember the good old days.

Going to game 5 tonight and yes, I am holding out hope. Look for the B's to really clamp down on defense and win tonight.

As my old hockey coach use to say when we down and things looked bleak...

"At least go out and leave an impression...and remember a bad impression is better then no impression."


I want blood, black eyes and broken bones this game. Take the reigns off Lucic and let him have at Staal. He had an open ice op last game that he avoided and it pissed me off, it would have clocked him good. Then after they are limping, shoot the hell out of the puck. Repeat as necessary.

check everthing that moves and finish said checks, dump the puck and disrupt the d forget the 3 pass shots, harass ward, and last knock cole out of the freekin' crease... b's win tonight :btu:.

good game! the 'canes gave the b's fuel for the next game with their cheap shots, one game at a time...worst sucker punch 've seen in hockey by walker and that #^&#^&#^&#^&head maurice's comments unreal- campbell should have something to say about this..

Now that was Bruins hockey. Those hard checks work for this team. That is their game, if they don't play like that and get suckered in to playing to the other teams strengths they don't stand a chance.


The canes coach was asked " What do you think the ramifications will be to the player how punched ward in the face"...his response was "sore knuckles".

Looks like Ward's orbital bone may be broken...if so he will need an operation and be out for a while a la Ryder earlier this season.

We need to take it to them just like that again game 6 and 7.

The Gaaaarden was rockin' last night and the B's dominated every aspect of the game. A complete reversal of the last game. Carolina spent a good portion of the game in the penalty box and when the B's were short they shut down the Canes PP. Ward looked average and Thomas made a coupla big saves when called upon. JOKE-an-an's whap to Charas' ankle was scary and Ward getting sucka punched will indeed be enough motivation to carry the B's into a game 7. Good to see the physical play.

Great game. Great energy. Hit everything in sight. Please prove me wrong. Sucker punch for sure.

Read that Ward has a broken orbital bone from the sucker punch. IIRC, a player that receives an instigator penalty within the last 5 minutes of a game automatically gets suspended for the next game.

I am almost postive he will get at least one game suspension..It it possible the league will go much further.

The beatiful part of the B's game is that gets under the skin of the other team and they react in a manner that just makes matters worse for themslefve.

I really hope by now they relize they have to play this Lucic/Neeley style of hockey to be successul.

Looked like a fun place to be last night.

As my old hockey coach use to say when we down and things looked bleak...

"At least go out and leave an impression...and remember a bad impression is better then no impression."


I want blood, black eyes and broken bones this game. Take the reigns off Lucic and let him have at Staal. He had an open ice op last game that he avoided and it pissed me off, it would have clocked him good. Then after they are limping, shoot the hell out of the puck. Repeat as necessary.


Heheheh...I should be the coach.:hee:

Great game, Bruins finally got back to playing their style of hockey, hit hard, grind it out and play down deep in the offensive zone, I wish Lucic had gotten to Walker but maybe it was a good thing, the Bruins are going to need him Tuesday night.

Walker should get at least 3 games and if they treat it the way they do in the reg season, he should get 5. You don't punch a guy who's still wearing his gloves. Period.

Having Ward out is going to make things tougher for the B's, especially if Chara's ankle is still bothering him tomorrow night. But, this could also be more motivation to the other guys to really step it up and take it to the Canes.

Here is the sucker punch of the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kd6_eccyYc

That guy has to be gone for at least 5 games for that sucker punch and the resulting injury to the player who will likely miss a few games with that type of injury. Although knowing hockey players he will wear a shield and probably be out there tomorrow. Wasn't even his bru ha ha. He butted in and hit him up high even before he punched him. I am glad L. didn't get a hold of him, they need him. If he does play he will be a marked man. Sucks I will have to listen to the next game on the radio.

Just read on ESPN.com that Walker received only a $2,500 fine!!!! They rescinded the automatic 1 game suspension for receiving an instigator within the last 5 minutes after meeting with Walker.

Their GM states "We've been taking punches for 5 games so it was just a matter of time before we threw one back"

Coach Paul Maurice when asked about what Walker should expect after the punch "Sore knuckles"

This series just got a whole lot more interesting. I expect the B's to come out with a fire under their asses tomorrow night. And the 'Canes had better hope it's a close game throughout. If it's a blowout either way, watch out.

walker will be a target- bet the farm on it :whackin:.

Just read on ESPN.com that Walker received only a $2,500 fine!!!! They rescinded the automatic 1 game suspension for receiving an instigator within the last 5 minutes after meeting with Walker.

Their GM states "We've been taking punches for 5 games so it was just a matter of time before we threw one back"

Coach Paul Maurice when asked about what Walker should expect after the punch "Sore knuckles"

This series just got a whole lot more interesting. I expect the B's to come out with a fire under their asses tomorrow night. And the 'Canes had better hope it's a close game throughout. If it's a blowout either way, watch out.

That is BS. Lucic missed a game for cross checking a guy up high and didn't hurt him. Walker jumps into a skirmish that he isn't even supposed to be a part of, sucker punches Ward and injures him, and all he gets is a small fine? If either team gets a comfortable lead late in game 6, watch out. Somebody may end up needing assistance to get off the ice.

Walker deserves to be out for a few games. I kind of wish he could play so he could get his buttocks beat like he should. These guys are too strong to be punching someone else when their not ready for it.

Pumped about the game, though. Hoping we can play that way in the next two games.

"We've been taking punches for 5 games" ? :laugha:

Tune in to game 6 %$%$%$%$%$%$%$ if you want to see some punches.

Can't wait!

Thinking about this punch today too much...

If lucic did that to staal do you think the punishment would have been the same?
IMO He would’ve been suspended for a looong time. NHL rules are inconsistent.

would hate to be walker.... when the bruins are done with him, he will wish he was suspended.... we lose one of our best defensemen and he gets a measly fine.... he is going to get pounded in game 6 and 7.... the canes awoke a sleeping giant, and boston is going to take care of business.

NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell ruled it was NOT a sucker-punch. If that wasn't a sucker punch then WTF is?

Someone earlier brought up a great point that is being overlooked. If Ward cannot play tomorrow night (he did fly to Raleigh) then the Bruins will likely be down 3 defensemen. Ference, Ward and Hunwick would all be out.

That leaves 5 with Chara, Stuart, Montador, Hnidy, and Wideman. Montador blows. Hnidy is inexperienced (although he has played well when called on).

Will have to look up who is in Providence for defensemen. I know Johnny Boychuck is but is more of an offensive defenseman. Don't know who else though.

They're saying Ward will play tonight. Hopefully he will be effective as the B's need all the bodies they can get out on the ice tonight.

NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell ruled it was NOT a sucker-punch. If that wasn't a sucker punch then WTF is?

.


Then--if it wasn't a sucker punch--why was he fined?

Players don't get fined for hurting someone in a clean fight.

Real mixed message being sent, and that's why today's NHL is a joke :doh:

Doesn't make sense to me. I think Campbell's decision is BS, but I do want to see Walker get his faced broken tonight in a true, clean fight. I'm guessing Thornton will be out there first chance they get. Lucic might be too valuable at this point, but I'm sure he is fired up about it and won't hold back unless told so by the coaches.

Hope Ward can play and is effective. I know these guys are tough, but damn you just broke your face and your ready to play. Think he has a little grudge against his former squad.

Then--if it wasn't a sucker punch--why was he fined?

Players don't get fined for hurting someone in a clean fight.

Real mixed message being sent, and that's why today's NHL is a joke :doh:

You know Mike, I never even thought of that. That makes it even more f'd up.

Hopefully we go in and punish the 'Canes like we did in Game 5. Check the hell out of anything in a red jersey. Leave no doubt who the better team is.

http://bruins.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=660&id=41911

interview with Ward today....

looking good after 2....

Game 7! This would be a good come back if they can pull it off. They are playing like they should now. Hopfully Savard is ok.

Yeah they played very poised tonight. Staal is still a little b*tch. I especially liked the open hand blow to Ward's left eye as the puck was being moved up the ice.

The one thing that still bothers me is the fact that they still can't move the puck out of their own zone for what seems like minutes at a time.

Game 7! This would be a good come back if they can pull it off. They are playing like they should now. Hopfully Savard is ok.

Julien said after the game that Savard came to him to go back in and Julien told him to just rest. He said he'd be ready for Game 7.

Sweet

Not the prettiest game (except for the Lucic/Savard goal which was beautiful and lighting fast) but they were still able to force the canes to play their game for about 2/3 of the game. Which was good enough.
Game 7 should be exciting and I think if the canes push back :fight:they can expect some facial distortion in a big way...:rumble:

Not a big fan of Monitor...but he played his best game in a long time last night.

The best part of the game...seeing the look of disbelief on the all cane fan faces:crying::eek::bc::shocked:

Agreed about Montador as he is a liability when handling the puck but went mistake free last night. Wideman was the one coughing up the puck but really, who cares as the outcome was positive despite being outshot significantly. Probably the first game of the series that Thomas earned the W with some solid goaltending. Surprised by the lack of hitting/agressiveness last night. Only a coupla minor penalties. Expecting to win game 7 but not expecting it to be easy. Crowd (hopefully which I will be part of) will play a big role.

make me a liar please

The best part of the game...seeing the look of disbelief on the all cane fan faces:crying::eek::bc::shocked:


Same look on the Cap fans tonight.

and the same look on my face this morning too. Wasn't able to hear game at work last nite as I can't get it on radio on Cape. Saw goal this morning. Sucks it was such a freak goal. Oh well thats what can happen in a 7th game. Too bad.

I am disappointed beyond words, but hey... they had a great season and it was a blast to watch good hockey in Boston again... wait until next season!

Yeah that sucked. I still think we would have fared better if the coach took the leash off these guys. Overly disciplined play last night. We should have steamrolled them in the 1st period. (I told my son at the end of the first, "if we play like that we will loose the game")Coach tried to walk the line too close, should have let them deliver what the fans wanted. Take a few penalties but play the hardest physical game allowed by the league...that is the line they should have walked IMO.

Oh well, back to the real world. Hockey is too long...80 games for what? home ice advantage IF it goes to 7 games? IMO the league needs to make the regular season count more and have fewer teams in the playoffs. But it is more about how much $$$ they can squeeze from the fans .