Seguin/By S. Bradley
BOSTON — After Tyler Seguin scored a goal and an assist, and the Bruins’ power play remained pathetic with an 0-for-4 showing in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final last night, the “Seguinistas” were out in full force demanding the rookie be part of Boston’s man-advantage.
Frankly, the Bruins’ power play couldn’t be much worse than it’s been in these playoffs — now 2-for-41 — with Steven Tyler working the half wall, never mind Tyler Seguin. But Julien limited the speedster to just 11 shifts, all at even strength, for a total of 9:38 of ice time.
After the Bruins fell behind Tampa Bay one game to none with a 5-2 loss, Julien was in no mood to address the absence of Seguin from the power play. Considering Seguin was only part of the power play part-time all season, it wasn’t a surprise that he was left out of that role in his first NHL playoff game.
Nonetheless, Julien was asked again about Seguin and the power play, and provided a more-detailed answer at the TD Garden today.
“I think it’s a situation here where you’ve got to understand this is a 19-year-old that hasn’t played in 11 games. He comes back in and you want to give him some small chunks to bite on, and certainly work his way up,” said Julien. “But I think the other part is if our power play had not started picking it up, which I thought our first power play was really not a good one, our second one got a little better and then we got some shots starting to go through on the other one. Had it not, then we would have thrown him in there.
“But our power play’s been good the last couple of games, and just because you struggle on the first couple of ones, you explode it again and try something new. And I think had it not gone well, we would’ve, and he would’ve certainly been considered.”
After the Bruins’ loss, Seguin sounded like a teenager that knows he has to work for everything he’s going to get in terms of ice time.
“Well I definitely do [want to play on the power play], but I know what I got to do right now. I’ve got to contribute any way I can and if I get that opportunity I’m going to try to make the most of it,” he said. “And I know I’ve been sitting out all playoffs, so I understand why I’m not being thrown on the power play right away.
You can argue the merits of Boston’s “good” power-play opportunities against the Lightning and at the end of the Philadelphia second-round series. At this point, we have to expect that Julien’s expectations have been lowered. The power play is high-school-dropout kid that he’s proud of because he didn’t get arrested this week.
But now you have your clear-cut answer from the coach on Seguin’s absence. And you “Seguinistas” can hold out hope that if he stays in the lineup, Seguin will get his chance to revive the power play.
[...] Some declared "the kid’s not ready to be relied upon just yet." Some playfully referred to those desirous to see the 19-year-old in the lineup as "Seguinistas." [...]
[...] Some declared "the kid’s not ready to be relied upon just yet." Some playfully referred to those desirous to see the 19-year-old in the lineup as "Seguinistas." [...]
Well… that settles this debate…
Well I agree Julien is stubborn. Seguin did however practice on the PP today so maybe he gets a shot and honestly the best place to play a defensively weak, but offensively talented forward is on the PP.
I do think the PP has stunk so bad that the players tend to go on them very tight and just don’t skate or pass with any confidence. I honestly think they mostly stand there and wait for passes and look for passes. They also don’t do much screening (well Bergeron does, but Bergeron is out and I don’t think i saw anyone screening the goalie other than the brief moment Chara was down there).
i thought kaberle was going to save the power play? there are two problems with this power play that none of the hacks in the media want to admit or simply don’t understand:
1. the bruins continue to lack the talent up front to have a great power play. they don’t have stud forwards like the red wings, sharks, canucks, lightning, flyers, blackhawks, etc.
2. the whole power play is predicated on getting the puck to the point for slap shots from 60 feet. while that can be a good play it shouldn’t be the primary goal of the power play. they have a man advantage and should be working to create 2 on 1 opportunities. not firing the puck into the shin pads of penalty killers. this is hockey 101.
also, the whole argument with not playing seguin is he isn’t good defensively. fine. but what is the point of having what is (allegedly) the best defense and defensive system in hockey if they can’t cover the occasional errors from a talented rookie playing on the third line? not to mention this fraudulent norris trophy favorite and a vezina caliber goalie. julien is stubborn simple as that.
Seguin definately should be out on the powerplay. I would also try 3 defenceman out on each unit with 2 playing the point & one playing forward position. Chara,Seidenberg & Kaberle would be my candidates to be tried up front. Chara would be excellent in front of the net for screening/tap ins/physical presence. Seidenberg could work the corners/boards when he was out there. Kaberle would be good in the slot especially if he would shoot the puck. You would still have Boychuk,Ference,Mcquaid plus one of the above mentioned to run the points during the P.P. & it would give a new look to an otherwise dismal P.P.
Put Lucic & Horton out there with Chara at forward position & Boychuk & Mcquaid on the point, talk about a tower of power play. Or how about Krecji,Sequin & Kaberle up front with Seidenberg & Boychuk on the points. Certainly looks good enough to try, considering how crappy our power play is at this point, what have we got to lose.
They can win without Bergeron. Had they not scored twice on themselves on Saturday, the could have won that game. They can do it without Bergeron, but it will take more effort from the guys on this team that are the “playoff passengers” : Lucic, Ryder, Kaberle (not I have given up on him), Peverly. They need way more out of those guys.
Would it be nuts to bench Kaberle and let Kampfer play?
George should win a prize. He hit in on the head — no first line, no Bergy, no win.
MK
Seguin did his job. He went out and scored a goal with limited playing time, the problem is the rest of the team. This is the Montreal series all over again….1st line invisible but now there is no Bergeron so the other lines are struggling for chemistry and the fourth line can only do what they are good at which is create energy and hit people. If Bergeron doesn’t return at 100% this series will be won or lost by the Krejci line IMO.
BU I think you are right in that Seguin seemed to be about the only player skating with Tampa (although the Krejci line was skating pretty good, they just weren’t getting goals).
I don’t understand the lack of recognition that Seguin had legs and was shooting well-but scoring a goal and pretty much not getting anymore shifts indicates blindness.
I realize Seguin’s brief stint on the second line with Kelly and Marchand was to make up for PP lines, but honestly I think Julien should have thrown him out there a few more times to see if he could generate something with players a little more defensive minded and better at battles along the wall.
I think one of Julien’s biggest weaknesses is his stubbornness and often his inability to make in game adjustments. He just seems overly committed to his plan that if it isn’t working he just can’t seem to come up with an alternative.
Also, I wonder if one reason Julien didn’t play Seguin more was because for the most part that line didn’t play much 5 on 5-it is possible that it wasn’t so much Seguin but the line itself that wasn’t working for him. Peverly and Ryder didn’t see much ice time either-they only had more due to PP and PK duties. I am curious to see if there isn’t a reworking of the lines before Tuesday’s game.
clodd lets his prize players do whatever they want. For Seguins sake I hope he did not sign a long term contract with Boston. Someone that lets this kid learn on the fly will benefit greatly. All you cloddbots think if Seguin makes a mistake he should not play. What about the stupid mistakes your hand picked overrated players make. Kaberle never should have been put back on the ice after that glourious assist for Tampa. And Ryder has played so magnificently he will end up in the hall of fame. Seguin can out play half the forwards this team has if he was given a fair shot. Same for Caron.
Seguin off the PP is not shocking. He played 100 minutes of PP in the reg season and scored one goal. What is inexcusable is that Seguin was the only guy with any jump in his step and he played a measly 9 and a half minutes.
It’s all good to argue that ice time has to be earned, but unless Claude Julien bites his pride on the veteran brownie points issue, there will only be 3 games left for Tyler Seguin to his own brownie points.
Inexcusable. I’m not going to start screaming “fire Julien” with the rest of the bandwagon crew, but in any sport, winning means adapting, in the moment, to what’s going on then and there. And Seguin was the only Bruin able to carry the puck from end to end. He was also the only Bruin able to outskate Tampa. Ergo, play Seguin to avoid getting the last nail hammered into the coffin when you’re trailing by 2 with 7 minutes to go.
I’m glad Marchand accepted responsibility because just before Boychuck decided to take a penalty for throwing an unnecessary punch, Seguin had a clear shot on goal that threatened to narrow the Bolts’ lead to 3-2. What happened? Marchand was spacing out in front of the net, not looking at the puck (not sure what he was doing or who he was pursuing), and he accidentally blocked Seguin’s shot on goal. It may not have gone in, but it may have. And had it gone in, the comeback kids might have been telling a very different post-game story.
In sum, play more Seguin unless and until he gives you a reason not to. The kid has speed, skating ability and the energy to leap tall buildings right now. If you think that’s an exaggeration, watch the feed. I expected nothing from this kid until I watched the replays. They’re shocking.
I’m not a Clod fan. But I’ve also had a rational view concerning the little Amish kid (love the ‘beard’). I liked what I saw of Tyler last night, but Tomservo you’re wrong. The first time Seguin touched the puck he tried to make like Datsyuk, coughed it up and almost cost the Bs a score. Also don’t know why you’re whining about Kaberle and Ryder. Kaberle has been relegated to the bottom pair, and Ryder played 11 and change. If you’re going to bash Clod, you better do better.
I think you are delusional if you think they will give Seguin ice time or PP time. Julien doesn’t trust him even if he is doing well.
And if Bergeron comes back during the series Seguin will have a one way ticket to the press box-even if does well in the mean time, because Julien doesn’t trust him.
digger is right. Relax: it was his 1st game. Stop the Julien’s bashing. He led us to the Eastern Conference finals. His veterans-1st consevative strategy, though frustrating, got us to where we are now. I’m sure the bashers are the same than after game 2 vs Montreal. The 19-yo Seguin was playing in his 1st ever playoffs game in the top hockey league on this planet. It’s the 1st top 5 pick to play in a conference final in his post-draft year since ’93. The last game he played was on April 10th, over a month ago. & you expect him to play on the PP right away? Don’t worry: if he keeps on playing like this, the coaching staff will reward him with significant ice time & PP.
I would rather be a seginista than a cloddabot.
I’m awfully tired of seeing the PP result in a useless Chara one timer. Whatever they’ve tried hasn’t worked. They really need to try something else. Seguin can’t do any worse. I hate to kick someone when they’re down, but Kaberle needs some bench time. So far he’s not worth the conditional pick, much less Colborne and a #1.
i agree with all the segzy fanboys. pp can’t get any worse with the kid on it.
pp1 – khl line
pp2 – rex, marchand, segzy
Seguinistas? Is that code for “people with working vision”?
ribizzy- the point I’m making is some folks believe Julien’s been messing up since the first game of the season and here we are in the CF. If this is messing up I’m all for it.
Also, the PP does suck, they all hold the puck for too long and at that point the only option available is to pass back to the point. I’m sure Seguin, Thornton, and even the equiptment guy, have had a chance at the PP in practice and there is a reason you don’t see them on it.
Who has more potential thornton or seguin? Julien has played thornton more all year and seguin not only has more upside but he has produced more offense this year. Play the guys who can win you the game not the guy who hit harder.
hey Digger! It’s about winning the cup! If he messes up in any series then there’s a problem.If they loose series wanna have parade?Bruins came out flat!couldn’t match tampas intensity.Now if you wanna swing on claudes jock go ahead.but lets get the cup first
Lucic thinks he’s a sniper so he won’t really battle in front of the net to keep a screen going at all costs like Recchi will. I remember reading on other hockey discussion sites Leafs fans warning that we would be yelling at the TV for Kaberle to shoot the puck every game, and boy were they right. If Kaberle is not willing to shoot the puck then they need to go to a straight umbrella powerplay where Kaberle can work the half boards and Chara can be at the blue line for shots.
I didn’t see a problem keeping Sequin off the PP last night since he hadn’t played in a month and still needs to prove himself. Nice to see he finally hit somebody too. However, if The PP is just as pathetic in game 2 I would like to see him given a chance. When he was the 2nd option on the power play he was able to create chances for others and himself much closer to the goal. The biggest problem with the PP is coaching and how the PP is structured. They seem way too content to let the point just blast away. Unless their is a deflection those are way too easy for the goalie to handle. They need to mix it up so the other team can’t settle in for defensing just one style. Tampa on the other hand moved the puck down low and were consistently closer to the goal which opens space for better shots. Definitely agree they need to get a new assistant coach who will implement a new PP system next season.
The same delusions he sees when he says the power play looked good.
And honestly it isn’t even that I think they must play Seguin-I am actually okay if he goes back to the box if/when Bergeron comes back. I just think the power play is atrocious and what they are doing now isn’t working. I do think Seguin, Thornton or Paille couldn’t really make it look worse (although they might not make it look better).
I know Julien doesn’t really coach the power play, but why oh why hasn’t he relieved Geoff of the job and given it to somebody else.
also, i will never understand how Ryder stays in Claude’s good graces. The coach’s usual knock on those he sits is their lack of defensive responsibility. What did he see in Ryder on goal #2 exactly?
“Seguinistas” I love it! Now all they need is a t-shirt and a flag, They’ll be marching in the streets.
It’s funny how the B’s are in the Eastern Conference finals and folks are still complaining about Julien and Chiarelli. Ah guys, there are thirteen other teams in the East right now that are playing golf . Maybe, just maybe, the B’s management know what their doing.
I do think Julien is very stubborn and isn’t always good at adjusting to the other team-especially in game, although Julien this time around has seemed a little more willing to adjust and deviate.
I do think a much as they insist on Seguin earning ice time, they often give free passes to other players who blow it. Kaberle comes to mind, although Julien has shortened is minutes at times and shifted him from the second to third pairing.
One thing I have learned over the last few months is that I do not want them to resign Kaberle. I would rather develop Kampfer than keep Kaberle.
I see you’ve a dismissive term for fans who see a coach who fails to respond to in-game conditions. He’s got an offensive forward who schools the D the first time he touches the puck and is rewarded with zero TOI in a game the team’s struggling to produce offense. Kaberle commits a horrible turnover resulting in a goal and is out on the next shift and all subsequent power-plays. The response to Seguin isn’t so much about the player but the coach’s misuse of players and rigid insistence on his defensive system. Meanwhile, witness Guy Boucher changing strategy mid-game.
I still think Julien is delusional if he thinks any part of the power play looks good.
Sure there were a couple of PP where movement looked a little better, but the thing still looks godawfulatrocious.
I think the problem with the PP is the coaching at this point and if the coach looks at that abomination and thinks it looks good then he is either watching some other game or has massive delusions-I am voting on the latter. Until Julien recognizes just how atrocious this PP is, there really isnt’ anything that’s going to make it better.
Number one goal for next season is to hire an assistant who can actually coach a PP-wether Julien still has a job or not-what we have currently isn’t working.
“Frankly, the Bruins’ power play couldn’t be much worse than it’s been in these playoffs with Steven Tyler working the half wall, never mind Tyler Seguin.”
Good stuff Matt and spot on. Meh if only you could get away with knocking Julien on his dome with your mini-tape recorder and get away with it :sarcasm: