BOSTON — It’s pretty quiet here at TD Garden, some 3 1/2 hours away from the start of Game 7 between the Bruins and Montreal.
So I had some time to watch and re-watch Jonathan Toews’ game-tying goal from last night. I saw it live and all the Versus replays last night, but I was a little foggy after watching the Bruins and then spending a couple hours writing.
Sure, Chicago lost the game in overtime. But when you watch the effort Toews made to put the puck past Roberto Luongo, you really realize how much the Bruins lack in terms of grit and determination.
Here’s another look at the Toews goal:
In tonight’s Game 7, is there a player in black and gold that’s capable of making such a dire effort? When’s the last time you saw a Bruins player score a goal that made you think he had the heart of a champion?
For all we know, the Bruins won’t need such a valiant effort to beat Montreal. But if they’re going to advance as far as they think they can, sooner or later it’s going to take a Toews-like effort to score a big goal or make a big defensive play. Even if they have “top-four talent” like Cam Neely once famously claimed, do they have “top-four heart”?
I think tonight we’re going to find out if they even have top-16 heart.
Adios Danbo, don’t let the puck hit you on the way out.
Then I guess you’ll continue to laugh at your friend because he has a BMW, but you’re only allowed to own a Ford because your dad said so, because that’s “old school”. That’s fine by me…
Danbo- I think you are wrong. Neely is putting together an old school, everybody hits everybody stand up for themselves. Subban’s consistent “turtleling” and hiding behind the refs is not a Bruin trademark. In the words of Neely, “that dog wouldn’t hunt.”
@ Bojangles, As bad as Subban is at playing hockey. I’m pretty sure that if you could have him in your team right now, in exchange for lets say….any defenseman on your team(besides Chara), you would take him.
Am I wrong?
As for diving accusations. I don’t find it terribly hard to believe that if a larger player -lets say Chara- hits a smaller player, -lets say Cammalleri- said player will fall in an exagerated maner. I’m not saying the Habs don’t dive. I just don’t think they dive a lot more than any other NHL team.
BBG – please un-cock the gun, and take a deep breath.
As for you Danbo. Those top two lines are pretty good, and while no one can stand the guy, Subban will be a terror when he learns how to play hockey.
BUT, aren’t you totally embarrassed by how your team dives all over the ice like a bunch of euro-soccer sissies? Seriously.. as good as Price and Subban are, I don’t think I could ever actually ‘root’ for them. Not a pair between the two of ‘em.
@David..Montreal a “big game team”?? Have you seen a BRUINS game???.did you read the story? Not 1 comment by Matt about the Habs,nothing about being superior..the valiant effort is about J Toews making the play of the game for his team.No one else had commented his was the first one so that makes him a troll.He came to the blog picked the first story and made a statement (see time stamp of his post)…..sorry dude A hab fan will NEVER tell me what I think…..More like he has INFeriority complex for his habs.
GoO BRUINS GO !!! ALL OF EM.
@George, the Habs should have put this series away after 2 wins in Boston. There is no real excuse for a loss to Boston.
We have the fire power. Our defensive core is still respectable, even in the absence of Gorges and Markov. And I don’t think motivation was a problem either.
Like I said earlier, win or lose, at least we know where our team stands. I highly doubt excuses will be any good for Julien and his team if the Bruins lose either.
Have a good game.
@ Bleed Black &Gold I didn’t have to sign up to anything to come here and post.
You have a right to your opinion. Fortunately, there are more sensible Bruins fans out here I can actually have a debate with.
I must admit, you guys are better debaters than the Pittsburgh & Washington fans are…
But I still dislike your team…
My advice to the Bruins players: Just be yourselves, and play like there is no tomorrow!
whoops I meant Toews
Teows is lights out, maybe Seguin can turn into him one day – as far as tonight goes this franchise will either be full speed ahead or they will blow this thing up
Bleed black and gold,
Dude, not cool. He’s voicing a difference of opinion in a reasonable, respectful way so as a discourse may be had. There’s a reason Matt K hasn’t blocked him. He isn’t “trolling” in the same way others have. If he wants to point out what has happened, and throw in a slight insult that possess some truth, then he shouldn’t be blocked nor considered a troll. He isn’t insulting anyone directly, nor accusing us of something such as blood lust.
Plus, he has a point. Montreal has been a big game team. This should be a good game 7, but if the Bruins do show up (and the officiating isn’t miserable) the bruins win.
*Markov
danbo’s 1st post if the Canadiens lose is as follows……’Yeah big deal the Bruins beat a Montreal team without Markovav or Gorges’.
Today on the radio 990′s Tony Marinaro (spell?) ended his appearance by reminding everyone how Markov and Gorges are out and the Bruins really should have won it anyway. Either way Habs fans will have their no lose arguments just like us Bruins fans will so get off your high hockey horse
p.s. DUMBO,thanks for signing up for the BRUINS BLOG…..no matter how bad I have wanted to tell off one of you trolls I have NEVER signed up for a HABNOT account.
I knew I would find a HAB TROLL HERE!!!! The OFFICIAL DIVING team of the NHL.Quick call 911.
Get outa here The Montreal fans and team are an embarrassment to hockey.OH yea how is Maxi Pad?
bummer for toews but glad that kane has more time now to get arrested back in buffalo.
Toews is one of my favorite players in hockey. I think he is tenacious and just seems to will things to go his way-even if sometimes they don’t.
Danbo, I respect your comments but I – of course – have to disagree; I DO think that Montreal has an inferior team. That being said, its not talent-on-paper/potential alone that dictates the outcome of a series. Its about who shows up to play; who delivers on their talent when it really counts. That is what I believe the Bruins lack, and as of yet this team has given us B’s fans no reason to suspect otherwise…
But that’s what tonight is all about. Either the Bruins prove tonight that their hearts aren’t made of glass, or the Canadiens prove (again) that what their squad may lack in strength/depth/talent, they make up for with desire and clutch play.
I’m really hoping that they make a statement tonight- its about time that this club learns to deliver in the clutch and make every opportunity count. Let’s go Bruins!!!
I don’t want to take anything away from Toews. That was a timely goal and a great effort to stick with the play after the pass, the shot, and the rebound. I guess it falls into the “create your own luck” category.
As far the B’s go, Bergeron and Chara have the heart of a champion. I would like to include Lucic and still may after we find out what”s ailing him.
Danbo, very good point. I think Montreal’s speed and skill are actually better suited for a shorter-term tourney like the playoffs than they are over an overly long season (when their lack of size means more injuries, although injuries happen to big guys, too).
I really wonder if the “Big Bad Bruins” team we’ve constructed is not very well-suited to the league’s new emphasis on skill, etc.
Speaking of bad, has a team ever played a 7 game series and NOT scored at least 1 power play goal? I’m beyond the point of embarrassment at our PP.
Go on now, keep on thinking that Montreal doesn’t have a team. I have a news flash for all of you who have a misplaced superiority complex concerning the Bruins:
Montreal eliminated the top 2 teams in the East last year with roughly the same team; teams who had exactly the same mentality as Boston fans going into their series: Montreal is an average team at best, hence requiring and average effort to beat out.
Ask Washington, ask Pittsburgh…how Montreal went to their respective arena and kicked their butts at home to take the series.
You spit in the air, it falls in your face. Don’t under estimate your opponent; But don’t take it from me, I’m just another Habs fan.
Win or lose, at least I know where my team stands. Can you say the same? Have a great game.