Sam Hitchcock: Lightning Bludgeon Bruins in First Period Barrage

Man Marchand is a selfish player. How do fans like him? It's not even the poop he does that pisses me off, that stuff takes care of itself on the ice. It's the fact he spends so much time doing that stuff and focuses so much on pissing the lightning off he barely plays the game the way hes capable of. All it has done is lose Boston the 2 games he's decided to be an bumhole. Come on man. Imagine Point or Stamkos doing that. It would take such a big chunk out of our team. The bruins have a hard time remaining focused, and I hope the Lightning just keep driving the way they have been to win this series shorter than anyone thought.

and he takes stupid penalties. he can argue it with whatever he wants, but the fact is he is a known dirty hockey player, and the refs have an extra eyes on him more than anyone else and will call him for it. he should know that. he is in the NHL. Swallow your pride and play hockey.

anyway, with all of that said, I hope he continues doing this. It is making things easy for the Lightning. Game 4 for the Bruins is now essentially a must win. Not 100%, but as close as you can get to one.

Agitators like Marchand are a double-edged sword. Yeah, they can def. get the opposition off of their game. It's, sometimes, worth taking a 2-min sin-bin sit for a cheap shot... if it gets in the oppositions head. I get that.

But, as shown last night, it can mess with your own team's flow just as easily. With Marchand, the duality is even more pronounced as he's such an excellent player in all 3 zones and all situations.

I really hope that EN for Stammer gets the line off the snide; how often do you see Kuch go 4 feet wide of the net on a perfectly placed pass into a one timer? Snakebit and in their own heads, I think.

Agitators like Marchand are a double-edged sword. Yeah, they can def. get the opposition off of their game. It's, sometimes, worth taking a 2-min sin-bin sit for a cheap shot... if it gets in the oppositions head. I get that.

But, as shown last night, it can mess with your own team's flow just as easily. With Marchand, the duality is even more pronounced as he's such an excellent player in all 3 zones and all situations.

I really hope that EN for Stammer gets the line off the snide; how often do you see Kuch go 4 feet wide of the net on a perfectly placed pass into a one timer? Snakebit and in their own heads, I think.
- OzBolts

I think you're right about the first line. The luxury of waiting for them to get going like you can in the reg season is gone in the playoffs. No time to wait. But, the other lines are going well so you don't want to break them up. I guess you need to wait this one out.

The bruins are not intimidating the lightning, and it looks like they don't know what to do. Teams usually back off and become timid, but the Lightning keep taking it to them shift after shift. They are going to have to start playing hockey and just being better than the Lightning are.

It's great having a competent fourth line as well. They are playing miles ahead of what we got from the fourth line the last time we went to the Cup Finals. I'm glad the Kunitz still has a step in his game, unlike Morrow who's only asset was his "Veteran Leadership". It has been a much better signing this time around by Yzerman.

I think you're right about the first line. The luxury of waiting for them to get going like you can in the reg season is gone in the playoffs. No time to wait. But, the other lines are going well so you don't want to break them up. I guess you need to wait this one out.

The bruins are not intimidating the lightning, and it looks like they don't know what to do. Teams usually back off and become timid, but the Lightning keep taking it to them shift after shift. They are going to have to start playing hockey and just being better than the Lightning are.
- RileyB77

I knew just how good the "New Triplets" would probably be... but I have been so impressed with the full games from the Killorn/Cirelli/Gourde line. Really great stuff.

Also, Cally (despite being overpaid in astronomical fashion) may have had his best game as a Bolt for as long as i can remember. Physicial, responsible, chippy with some flashes of offense with Paquette and Kunitz. Really solid 4th line.

Despite Milbury, Pierre and NHL wanting Boston to win...The lighting are just better.

Depth on Blue line. While young bruin defenders have a bright future, right now they are learning some tough lessons. On top of that Charra and McQuaid look like museum relics out there.

The lack of scoring depth is also showing up right now for Boston.

I expect that to continue to unravel the Bruins and the lightning will move on.

Great game, Bruins didnt stand a chance. Lets get a win on friday and close it out at home.

The adjustments I expect the Bruins will make for game 4:
1. Contain the Point line with something other than Bergeron line.
I think it's time Boston moved it's top defensive pair off from covering the Stamkos line and on to the line that is winning the bolts games. The Point line is our most dangerous line right now. Boston needs it's top D line and a combination of forwards outside their top line to defend against that line.

2. The Bergeron line needs to attack the Bolts EVERY time the Stamkos line touches the ice. The Stamkos line is our weakest line right now. They aren't scoring, they are turning the puck over and aren't playing sound defense. Bruins tried this in game 3 but then abandoned the idea because they needed the Bergeron line to contain the damage of the Point line.

All these games have been close. Whichever team makes the better adjustments will win this series.

The adjustments I expect the Bruins will make for game 4:
1. Contain the Point line with something other than Bergeron line.
I think it's time Boston moved it's top defensive pair off from covering the Stamkos line and on to the line that is winning the bolts games. The Point line is our most dangerous line right now. Boston needs it's top D line and a combination of forwards outside their top line to defend against that line.

2. The Bergeron line needs to attack the Bolts EVERY time the Stamkos line touches the ice. The Stamkos line is our weakest line right now. They aren't scoring, they are turning the puck over and aren't playing sound defense. Bruins tried this in game 3 but then abandoned the idea because they needed the Bergeron line to contain the damage of the Point line.

All these games have been close. Whichever team makes the better adjustments will win this series.
- LightningMcKing

Good point, line.

Despite Milbury, Pierre and NHL wanting Boston to win...The lighting are just better.

Depth on Blue line. While young bruin defenders have a bright future, right now they are learning some tough lessons. On top of that Charra and McQuaid look like museum relics out there.

The lack of scoring depth is also showing up right now for Boston.

I expect that to continue to unravel the Bruins and the lightning will move on.
- TrueGrit

I can see Milbury but Pierre is just annoying. I’d pay to be able to have NBC mute his mike on broadcasts.

I can see Milbury but Pierre is just annoying. I’d pay to be able to have NBC mute his mike on broadcasts.
- tpd11

Personally I can't stand to listen to someone who I have zero credibility in and who is supose to be be an expert.

Personally I can't stand to listen to someone who I have zero credibility in and who is supose to be be an expert.
- Cloud

No I can see Milbury because he’s an ex Bruin and you’d expect some bias

While your assessment of the Stamkos line of late is accurate, there is ample evidence to assume that it will soon revert to the mean and begin producing. If/when that happens, this series ends quickly.

Mike Milbury should be in a straight-jacket and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a microphone.

Put him and Dave Mishkin in a dungeon together and throw away the key.

While your assessment of the Stamkos line of late is accurate, there is ample evidence to assume that it will soon revert to the mean and begin producing. If/when that happens, this series ends quickly..
- TrueGrit

It's a fairly safe bet that Stamkos is playing injured. He definitely tweaked something at the end of the regular season and hasn't been the same since.

Because it's not being mentioned:

Marchand puts a stick into Killer's face... in front of a ref... Killer keeps his calm.

That was some big league discipline right there. Also, plays some head games with the refs.

Mike Milbury should be in a straight-jacket and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a microphone.

Put him and Dave Mishkin in a dungeon together and throw away the key.
- GalacticStone

There seems to be a lot of Mishkin hate for whatever reason. He is a radio announcer for the Tampa Bay Lightning. His goal calls can be a little over the top, but he is otherwise a pretty decent announcer.

There seems to be a lot of Mishkin hate for whatever reason. He is a radio announcer for the Tampa Bay Lightning. His goal calls can be a little over the top, but he is otherwise a pretty decent announcer.
- Let.It.Roll

i think a lot of people amp up their Lightning Power Play listening during this time of year, and they constantly play throw backs of dave mishkin calls all of the time, too often. So I think that's where the annoyance may be coming from. Is annoyance a word? anyway, if you listen to lightning powerplay you are always hearing him screaming in your ear.

otherwise, if you just listen to one game it's awesome !

Hopefully Stammer's line scores some goals tonight, either at even strength or on the powerplay. If that line starts to produce we have a good chance of closing this series out quickly.

It's a fairly safe bet that Stamkos is playing injured. He definitely tweaked something at the end of the regular season and hasn't been the same since.
- GalacticStone

Whats Kuch's excuse?

That goal was DIRTY, Point has insane hands.

THEYRE ON THE BOARD, FINALLY! About time Kuch showed up this series, beautiful shot!

The refs this series has been absolute poop.