The bruins loss the other night...

[Bronko]

There are differing schools of thought on this. Many coaches agree that a 6-4 is not as effective as 5-3 just simply due to the extra congestion on the ice with the bodies, add to it that they can ice the puck with impunity due to the penalty and it just doesn't seem worth it.

However Julien has done this before and oddly enough, he is not in a small majority. Joel Quennville does it, as does Mike Babcock with the Red Wings. Their theory is that at this elite level, any time you can get gain a 2 man advantage on your opponent down a goal with very little time left, you do it. They don't care about the circumstances, its a numbers game.

[beaver]

Originally Posted by Bronko

There are differing schools of thought on this. Many coaches agree that a 6-4 is not as effective as 5-3 just simply due to the extra congestion on the ice with the bodies, add to it that they can ice the puck with impunity due to the penalty and it just doesn't seem worth it.

Although it adds congestion, I think the Bruins use that congestion. They are scrappers, not many pretty goals compared to other teams. That is why they struggle in 4 v 4 overtime scenarios. The majority of their goals come with tons of traffic in front of the net. That is where a guy like Recchi shines.

I would have pulled the goalie. Considering how the Bruins 5 v 4 power play has done this year, you have a better chance at scoring by adding another skater. If it were this time last year, dif story.

The blame should be put on Morris for dumping the puck in on that delayed offside. Any NHL player can put the puck in an empty net from there when given that much time. I haven't played competitive hockey in 5 years, but I bet I could put it in from there with that time.

They have had trouble scoring and finishing games all year.

[eskimo]

The B's have trouble maintaining a lead or closing a game in general. They actually play smarter coming from behind.

I won't go as far to say it was Derek Morris's fault although he should have brought the puck back and regrouped. 6 on 4 is better then 5 on 4 any day, regardless of congestion. It's one more guy available, one more guy to set up a screen, one more guy to draw a player back to open up a lane, one more guy for the goalie to keep track of.

Pulling the goalie is a all or nothing strategy and I've seen it work very well for the B's.

The B's are still playing great hockey right now.