Biggest Surprises and Disappointments this Season w/ Evan Marinofsky | Poke the Bear - video Dailymotion

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Poke The Bear with Conor Ryan Ep. 195  Evan Marinofsky of the New England Hockey Journal joins Conor Ryan to take a step back and look at this season in its entirety thus far, and name their biggest surprises and letdowns of the season. The Bruins have continued to get help from unexpected places, and have a few key players they are waiting for major contribution from. Plus, what to expect from this team as the playoffs approach. That, and much more!   Topics:  - Are we surprised the Bruins are this good again?  - What’s been the biggest positive surprise this season?  - Biggest disappointment?  - The Bruins have a bunch of unsung heroes  - Is it time to re-adjust playoff expectations?    This episode of Poke the Bear is brought to you by Fanduel Sportsbook. Fanduel Sportsbook is the exclusive wagering parter of the CLNS Media Network! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED when you place a FIVE DOLLAR BET. That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS in BONUS BETS – WIN OR LOSE! Go to https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON! The app is so easy to use and there are so many different ways to bet like:   ● Live Same Game Parlays  ● Find Bets in the NEW Explore Tab  ● Make a parlay in the Parlay Hub – the best way to find popular parlays  ● And more!   DISCLAIMER: Must be 21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG in Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 in Arizona, 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat in Connecticut, 1-800-9-WITH-IT in Indiana, 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com in Kansas, 1-877-770-STOP in Louisiana, visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland, visit 1800gambler.net in West Virginia, or call 1-800-522-4700 in Wyoming. Hope is here. Visit GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY in New York.   Factor Meals! Visit https://factormeals.com/POKE50 to get 50% off your first box! Factor is America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door.

Transcript

00:00 But to me, that's the bit that's been the big positive surprise this year in terms of what you've gotten from him

00:05 And I think he's consistently shown

00:07 Okay, this is not just you know, a really good goalie. We developed who could be the goalie of the future. He is

00:15 definitely the goalie of the future and

00:17 Potentially a top five starter in the NHL

00:21 *Music*

00:30 And welcome in to poke the bear episode

00:32 195 that's Connor Ryan. I'm Evan Marinovsky Connor. We're getting very close to 200

00:39 We got to do something

00:40 I think we said this before but now that we're getting close we got to put a plan together for the 200th episode

00:45 It's gonna be like a big a big thing. You should just upstage the Bruins and just rent out Kowloon one day

00:51 It's like sorry guys. You can't come here. We got you have these two idiots

00:55 Taking up entire banquet hall eating saugus wings. We'll think of something

00:59 We or we so if the Bruins refused to give us the Kowloon

01:03 We can go to Hockey Town and do it from there. And I think that would be a good

01:08 consolation prize to the Kowloon

01:11 I mean, I feel like it's lost some of its charm. I heard someone say that the

01:15 The the brick walls and they can't like bank pucks off of it anymore is I haven't been there in a while

01:21 But I have also not been to Hockey Town since I was in like high school

01:25 So I shame but it is if that is the case then I mean what's?

01:30 It's pointed out what's point of trucking up there?

01:32 What's what's point of going up to route one if you can't go to Hockey Town and get the true Hockey Town experience?

01:37 I agree. I always loved at that rank the

01:41 You could hear the rats running in the in the ceiling that was fun

01:45 And there was a gym that they used to take us to up at the like up on the second floor

01:50 And it was just like covered in dust gross, but it's like Hockey Town

01:54 I mean, you know when you go to Hockey Town, you're not expecting, you know, high-end stuff

01:58 It's it's it's it's a little more rough and tumble

02:01 So it's like it's like, you know in a miracle when like they're getting ready to go out there and like herbs getting the speech ready

02:07 And you can like the the fans stomping their feet and like they can hear it in the locker room

02:11 That's like what the rats are head. Yes. Yes, you riled up. They are. They're the fans. They're

02:16 Motivating us. They're eating 10 month old pizza crust. It's kind of a little bit different, but I mean rink rink pizza is

02:23 Maybe 10

02:26 III yeah, I got a lot of rinks and

02:30 There's some I've gotten good at like knowing the ones that have good food or like by good

02:35 I mean like edible food and then others that I'm just like I'm not going I'm not touching that, you know

02:40 No, thanks going to the 99 instead

02:42 Exactly. That's that's what I do. Even it's a little more expensive. I'll gladly do the 99

02:47 Anyways, I forgot to ask this Connor. What is up?

02:51 Evan I'm doing well. How you doing doing great doing great people always

02:56 Get aggravated when I don't ask that you don't say that you're doing great. So I got to make sure that that's set in stone

03:04 Anyway, so in this episode we want to kind of look back at the season so far big picture stuff

03:09 It's like we're the history channel right instead of Rutherford B Hayes

03:13 We're gonna look at the last three months of the Bruins season. So

03:18 Lucky us lucky us Connor

03:20 We'll start with this question as we record this on Tuesday, January 16th

03:26 The Bruins are 26 8 & 9. They are first in the Atlantic

03:30 I believe they're second in the NHL and points if I'm not mistaken. I believe so

03:36 Yeah, I think that a one-off maybe the Jets I want to say. Oh god

03:40 You can be first the Atlantic just please don't be first in the NHL. Um, are you surprised I

03:47 Think so, right

03:49 I mean we talked about this before the season started that you know

03:52 We I think had pretty high expectations this team that they were gonna be better than I think most of us

03:58 Thought that being said and yes

04:00 I think was boosted by how strong they started the year which a lot of that relied on their goaltending playing at a

04:05 absurd level

04:07 but I

04:08 think for all of the major concerns and like don't get me wrong this team had quite a few like we thought the goaltending and

04:14 The defense were gonna be set in stone

04:16 But when you look at you know

04:18 The amount of younger players in the lineup are they gonna be ready is Charlie Coyle and Pavlov's locker ready for top six minutes

04:25 Can Jake the brusque build off of last year? What was last year not liar for Frederick?

04:29 There were so many it wasn't there was you know that one line in question where you're like, all right

04:34 How's that line gonna mess you had four like lines completely in flux when you which is to be expected when you don't have Burgeon

04:40 and crazy to

04:42 Foundational guys there anymore, but I think you look at this season. Yeah, it's been through its fair share ups and downs

04:48 It's you know as strong as years been I don't think there's been like sustained stretch of like perfect 60-minute hockey

04:54 I mean, I guess you're asking for probably too much to expect that because it's a game of mistakes anyway

04:59 But that being said even though this season has not been to the unsustainable absurd level of last year

05:05 I think there's been a whole lot more pleasant surprises than you know

05:09 Negative setbacks whether you look at guys stepping into elevated roles and performing

05:14 Well guys like Pasternak still playing at an elite level younger players shipping in the amount of value ads you've had

05:21 Again, it hasn't been you know, the most seamless season

05:24 All in consider but a lot has gone right for this team then gone wrong through the first, you know

05:30 Three plus months of the season. I am surprised

05:33 I am I mean you hit it there with like the amount of question marks coming in and I think what's even been

05:39 Kind of crazy is that it's not like all of those questions were answered you mentioned to brusque

05:44 he has not produced near the level that we expected the defense has not been as consistent as we

05:51 Expected it to be and that it should be

05:54 You know again you look at you know

05:57 Some areas up front where the lines are still kind of in flux and they're still finding ways to win

06:02 Obviously what matters is the playoffs? I think we can all agree on that

06:06 But it is surprising given that birds are on a crate

06:09 You're not here Bertuzzi a hall and or loft and all these guys that were big for you last year

06:15 And obviously they aren't they all weren't gonna stay

06:17 But you know going back to birds on a crate. I think the biggest thing is the transition

06:21 from a post birds running crazy era

06:25 With coil and zaka and other guys, you know Patra and Frederick and other guys for geeky filling in down the middle

06:31 It has the transition hasn't been as bad as we thought and I think you know coil has been

06:36 Sensational and he has stepped in as sort of that, you know is really kind of a number one center

06:42 he played like it on Monday between Martian and Pasternak zaka's fit in like

06:47 To me it is a surprise. I didn't expect this

06:51 I didn't expect the center depth to not be an issue

06:54 Or it not a big not as big of an issue as other parts of the roster

06:58 and I think I'm surprised that they're like this because

07:02 Even when they were rolling at the beginning of the year

07:04 There were a lot of games or it was like they shouldn't have won that game

07:07 They did not play great and they still won. So they still have that identity of they find ways to win and that's great

07:14 So yeah, I'm surprised but again what matters to me to you to listeners to everybody is

07:21 How are you going to do in the playoffs which will get you later in the show? But I think you know, I'm surprised

07:26 I'm surprised. Yeah

07:27 No, absolutely and again even going off of like what's been the most I think shocking development out of all of it

07:33 it's again, I think you could pick any one of

07:35 20 different things

07:37 It's been a lot of positives that you know

07:38 A lot of guys have stepped up but I think you kind of hit the nail on the head there

07:42 I think the biggest surprise is the center depth has not been really an issue at all like and again

07:47 It's not just coil on pace for 30 goals and 60 plus points zaka

07:51 You know stepping in and being on pace for I think 50 ish points this year

07:56 And you know beyond those two guys you look at like Matt Potter

08:00 he's obviously injured right now, but still showing a lot of promise in his first year and even if he

08:04 Let's say he plateaus or he finishes around, you know 30 ish points pretty good for a guy

08:10 That's 19 when you again we talked about this before like you get past the growing pains of this year

08:15 I'll sudden next year

08:16 You've got a guy who's gone through a full season

08:18 Knows what to expect at the NHL level has a full offseason to train with that approach

08:22 Like you've got a guy who's already gone through those hurdles and has already contributing right now, which is encouraging

08:27 But you add an effect Frederick's done

08:29 Well, they're Morgan geeky stepped up and been really solid player a top six role and again

08:34 it helps when you've got elite talent on the wings like a pasta knock and a marsh and and those guys but

08:39 I think the biggest question marks up front for the forward core has usually been

08:44 You know

08:45 Key contributors on the wing with a guy like the brusque or it's been like maybe the fourth one of just how much it's shuffled

08:51 and you're trying to find that identity there, but

08:53 everyone talked about as soon as the this offseason started is what exactly you're gonna have down the middle because

08:59 You know, it's not we're not

09:01 uncovering any

09:03 Mystery here in terms of looking at roster construction. You need guys driving play down the middle

09:08 You can't you know as much as like the Vegas Golden Knights existed for quite a few years without any like proven centers

09:14 Then they had a lot of talent on the wings driving play

09:17 You need guys in the middle and so far whether it's coils akka any one of those guys

09:21 They've done a very very good job at it. Yes, I agree and this segues perfectly to what's been the biggest positive surprise this season

09:29 Yeah, I mean, yeah, I would say probably

09:32 coil

09:34 And those guys stepping up like I again, it's probably just an overarching thing for that that position

09:39 but I think that that talent down the middle and again look like we can

09:43 Go through any other one of the many guys that Don Sweeney assigned

09:46 I'm sure you'll you'll pick something else for that

09:48 But I think when you look at what the biggest question mark this team was was gonna be just who is going to be

09:53 Driving play at some critical areas of the lineup

09:56 Like I think coils and especially money the last couple months just the way he's playing

10:02 Pretty solid he has his off nights in the face off top and as a whole has been pretty good in that production

10:08 It's been huge

10:09 This is a guy that someone's kind of like Carlos contract where people start and they're complaining about it for a year or two

10:14 but I think you're starting to see what his value is because

10:17 At worst case you add in like another center down the road

10:21 He's still I think a very very elite third line center

10:24 But he looks like a pretty damn good top six right now as well

10:27 And I think you look at Carlo and how good that contract looks keeps on playing the way he's done this season

10:31 I think there's a lot to like about just what coil has

10:35 Brought as a stating presence in a full record that's been in a state of flux for most of this year

10:39 Coil is the answer

10:41 I think you just look at the point production

10:43 32 points and 43 games is that far off of a Persian would be at right now if he was here

10:48 No, I think it'd be pretty similar. If not more so I

10:51 To me coils the number one, but I like to say the number two answer you mentioned the Sweeney signings

10:57 Yeah, and I want to pick one

10:59 But I'd go with Swayman

11:02 Now you just drop a bunch of marbles

11:05 This

11:07 Marvels fall all over the desk. Yes, I

11:10 Would go with Swayman. I think Jeremy Swayman has been a big positive surprise in the sense that we knew

11:17 After those arbitration comments, we knew after the offseason he had staying in Boston after that playoff loss

11:24 He was gonna be good, but it's like okay. Well, how good is he gonna be? How good can he be?

11:29 it's his third his third full season in the NHL and

11:33 I just think he's looked a lot better. I think he's definitely played a lot better. The numbers are outstanding

11:39 He's an all-star right now with with Omar Kurt. He hasn't missed a beat

11:43 and I'm curious to see how this kind of

11:46 Continues because I don't think you want to rush all mark back and because if this is something that could linger

11:51 I don't think there's any reason to rush him back. I want to see what Swayman can do

11:54 Continually over an extended stretch of time, but to me that's the bit that's been the big positive surprise this year

12:00 In terms of what you've gotten from him, and I think he's consistently shown

12:04 Okay, this is not just you know, a really good goalie. We developed who could be the goalie of the future. He is

12:12 definitely the goalie of the future and

12:15 Potentially a top five starter in the NHL like I think he's getting into that territory of being in the conversation

12:21 With those guys of like oh, here's this stud number one who can

12:27 Play 50 55 games in a season. So I think that's been a pretty big surprise

12:33 But again, I would go with coil is probably the number one, but I would go swayman right after that

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13:43 so

13:45 We talked positive surprise

13:47 Let's go with biggest disappointment this season which again their first place

13:52 There hasn't been many but what would you say is your biggest disappointment?

13:56 Yeah

13:57 I would say if we look collectively like at the Fords and I think that there's been a lot of

14:01 overachievers there because even I'll just throw it back real quick and say like

14:05 JVR Heinen all these guys they've signed have been money for what their value is

14:09 So again, it's been a lot we can talk for a while about the biggest surprises. I think for

14:14 Biggest disappointment it's got to be probably just the decor as a whole

14:18 Because again where this team would be without Swain and an all-mark playing at such a high level

14:22 Be a lot of I think five four games that I don't think you really want to be

14:27 Involved in when you look at just the DNA of this team how it's built. I

14:31 think the the

14:34 defense on the rush you look at the

14:36 the net front and kind of the struggles there with guys that again, you've got a

14:41 really really strong especially top four whether it's

14:44 Lindholm and Carlo who are money all of last year Grizzlik and McAvoy you can talk whatever you want to say about them in the

14:51 Postseason where Grizzlik fits but they've been as close to a cheat code at five and five play in the regular season

14:56 They haven't really, you know hit that same stride McAvoy's been producing

15:00 But he's still kind of it's a work in progress of finding the best partner and Grizzlik's been dealing with injuries

15:05 So I think probably just the defense as a whole has been probably the most surprising thing

15:10 it's not to say that this is what they are like the talent is there and the structure is there that

15:15 That would be surprised if they short things up and kind of get back to playing, you know

15:19 How they were last year, but I think you looked at

15:22 Them kind of getting punched in the mouth against Florida at the end of last season

15:27 And it's not like the same thing where it's just like a floor check is what's doing them in but there's been a lot more

15:32 Lapses this year with a lot of very good defensemen that I think is definitely been probably the most concerning thing

15:37 I would probably say team wide

15:39 Going into this

15:41 Midway point of the year. Well, yeah, I mean you even look at last year

15:44 I know Lindholm's had tougher minutes, but you look, you know, his point production was off the charts last year getting Norris love

15:50 I think he's taken a little bit of a step back

15:52 You know Carlo's been great, but you're right like McAvoy was we had a tough couple of months Grizzlik

15:58 Really hasn't seemed to have been himself this year

16:02 So I agree with you. I think defensively that's been a little bit of a disappointment

16:07 I'll go up front with Jake to brusque. I think you expected a lot more now. There's still time again. This is the halfway point

16:14 there's a lot of time left and

16:16 What's frustrating with the brusque as he's playing the right way?

16:19 I don't think the lack of production is because he's lazy or because he's you know

16:24 That away from the puck like I think he's been fine

16:27 I just think the production hasn't been there and maybe it's a lack of you know, two consistent line mates

16:34 maybe he is better with a legitimate number one center in between him and a wing but I

16:40 Just think you expected more

16:43 This makes it harder now to decide what that next contract is gonna be

16:47 Because if he continues to be this inconsistent is he worth that money?

16:51 So I think he's created a lot more questions this year while also

16:55 Lowering his trade value which again like last year was around a first-round pick

17:00 You could probably got a first for Jake to brusque in a good trade market now

17:03 I don't know if that's the case. I think you get less so I would put him as a disappointment just

17:09 And the other thing you have to consider is like this team needs goal scores

17:12 Like scoring is a need and the fact that you haven't been able to get that from him

17:16 makes the 26 8 9 start all that more impressive, but

17:20 It could be a lot better and I think it would be a lot better going forward if he was producing

17:25 Yeah, no, I mean, I mean that's been key. And again, he's I said he's playing the right way

17:30 I think he's producing a little bit more. So hopefully he's

17:33 Getting back on track. I don't think you're expecting a 30 goal season at this point

17:36 I think those predictions are gonna fall a little bit flat this year

17:39 But we still in Z are around 20 25 goals gets hot the right time can give you 40 points

17:45 And again, he's playing he's not, you know impacting the team down the other end of the ace

17:50 I think he's really developing into a good two-way player

17:52 It's just got to produce right like that is the biggest thing the thing that the team desperately needs is just that extra guy that can

18:00 Impact scoring like look at how much of a lift a guy like Frederick

18:03 being on pace for 20 goals has given this team down that area the lineup and if the brush is in the top six and

18:08 it's not just

18:09 Pasta knock and Martian doing the heavy lifting or coil

18:12 Just how much more dangerous this team would be

18:15 So again, I think the brusque is evolved into a very good two-way player

18:19 But that value is not gonna be anywhere close to being realized if he's not producing and again, it's playing a lot better

18:25 I think over this last, you know month or so

18:27 you just hope he keeps on building it because again, I think if you're a Bruins fan, you'll forget a couple of slow months in

18:33 November and December if all sudden he's heating up when the game started really mattering in a few months. Yeah, that's a that's a big one

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19:53 And now let's get back to the show such good music in that one. It's like a

19:58 Fun, I mean, you know, I want to like set that music to like people dancing

20:03 It's like a funny like Twitter thing, but maybe it wouldn't be that funny

20:06 Anyway, I think it'd be funny Evan

20:10 You thank you. Thank you my Twitter my Twitter game. Sometimes it's not there

20:16 Hasn't my fastball on Twitter hasn't been there this year. That's okay. You know, it's fine

20:20 I had a guy tweeted me yesterday and said I had a horrible tweet and I thought it was a funny tweet

20:25 I don't even remember what it was

20:26 But I remember I tweeted back and I said that I'm not hitting a dinger every time at the plate Paul Murphy

20:32 That's his name Paul Murphy. Yeah, yeah Paul bringing Paul. All right, we can't hit home runs every time

20:37 Sometimes it's just you know singles up the middle, you know, just get on the L

20:40 Sure guys, I'm having to strike up. That's fine. Do the willy-nilly. I hit a dinger or strike out

20:44 It's all you do exactly exactly exactly

20:47 I

20:48 Agree, and the best thing about Twitter is like you'll tweet something and be like, oh this this is the one this gonna bang

20:54 And it doesn't do anything, but then it'll be like a random tweet that like does well. I'm like, oh wow

21:00 It was surprising. I guess it'll be like the the weekend walking through time. Like this is fucking stupid. This is

21:05 Everywhere what was what did that end up with likes and retweets wise? Do you remember?

21:13 Like a hundred and fifty thousand likes something like that. It was something like crazy

21:17 Stupid so fucking dumb. No, they got

21:20 And I got DMCA'd see like it only lasted for like a month

21:24 Yeah, and then it yeah, I got it got next I remember seeing that

21:28 Within like the minute that you first tweeted it and it had already like it had like a hundred retweets and likes

21:35 I was like, yeah, and I ever seen this and being like this is gonna freakin kill

21:39 This is gonna do numbers and that was a great snipe by you getting that

21:44 Anyways unsung hero for the Bruins

21:48 I'll go first on this

21:51 James Van Riem Stike, I think has been an unsung hero for the Bruins one year 1 million

21:56 We really didn't know what to expect from him going into this year. He's slower

22:00 There was you know a little dip in production, but there was still again you looked at pre

22:05 Philadelphia he's a veteran guy that always finds a way to produce. He's good around the net front of the power play

22:10 All right, that's a good base to have

22:12 But just what he's given you in terms of offense

22:16 both

22:19 Sustained zone time and off the rush

22:21 How consistent he's been?

22:24 for the money that he's making and just you know that veteran presence I think has been great and

22:32 You know, I think he fits anywhere whether that's the top six whether that's that third line

22:37 Like I just think he works and especially on that power play around the net

22:41 I mean, he really is freakin good. So I would put him as an unsung hero

22:45 But this team is not short on unsung heroes

22:48 Yeah

22:48 I mean you and yeah go down the list whether it's like a guy like again JVR for the money

22:52 He's making hein for the money. He's making. Yeah, Hein is a good one Parker

22:57 I mean like we gave a shout out I think on Bruins beats Park Willis phone

23:00 He's he had a really good game on Monday. He's been good as a 7th D stepping up

23:05 I'll go a Trent Frederick though again

23:07 This guy that I think he's been a difference maker further down the lineup like earlier on this year

23:12 He's reducing pretty well with coil and we're like keep those guys together

23:15 Don't break it up, but he's kind of producing wherever in the lineup right now

23:18 and again, you'll get the physicality he brings but just the overall production the fact that he's on pace for

23:24 Close to 20 goals 40 points and how key that is further down the lineup

23:30 It's been huge for the Bruins and I think it's same thing with like Nebraska of how much it makes this overall team better when you

23:35 Have a guy like that that you can rely on for 20 20 or so goals a year

23:39 It's been massive and I think Ty Anderson tweeted this out that over the last four years

23:45 Bruins are 31 2 & 2 when Fredericks goes a goal

23:50 But sums it up not bad

23:51 I like him contributing usually is a good sign that you got another key part of your lineup kind of rolling because

23:58 Most of the time you can you know what you're expecting when you've got a top six with guys like Posten rock and and Martian leading

24:04 The way when you have guys down the other the lineup that are still landing punches in the offensive zone like that

24:08 Both figuratively and on the score sheet. I

24:11 Think it's just a complete game changer for this team. So I'll give the give this stick tap to Frederick this one

24:18 Frederick deserves it as well as JVR. I think Frederick just in terms of

24:23 Combining the two things we love about his game the physicality and the edge and then also the offensive side

24:28 and I think I mentioned this the other day like

24:30 He's played with everybody. It's not like he has like two really good line mates. He's been playing with the entire year

24:37 It's been you know, he's shuffled in the middle. He's gone on the left side of different players and he's produced

24:44 So I think again

24:46 What he's brought you and what he's on pace for

24:49 Has been really strong and he's strengthened in his his case for a bigger contract in a couple of years

24:54 So I'd go with him Heinen's a great one in terms of the value in terms of just the stable play

25:00 He gives you like I love the idea when this team's fully healthy of him potentially on the fourth line

25:04 Just because it's a stable guy that Montgomery trusts that you know what you're gonna get

25:10 So I wouldn't hate that either geeky is another one

25:14 I know geeky was hurt for quite a bit of time, but when he's been in the lineup

25:17 I think he's produced in the top six and the bottom six

25:20 So geeky would be another in terms of unsung heroes for the Bruins

25:24 So now we get to the final question and it's a big one

25:29 We I think we avoided this a couple weeks ago. We had a similar conversation and we avoided this question. So

25:34 With the way that the Bruins have played are you changing any of your early season?

25:39 Predictions regarding what their performance will be like come the postseason. I

25:44 Don't think so. You look at it. I believe I had them down for finishing second in the Atlantic

25:49 I'm still I think holding on to that. I feel like I would not be surprised if Florida passes them

25:54 Because I think Florida is playing on just a really good game

25:58 The team looks like what they were last year in the postseason like that team is scary

26:01 Could Chuck even wasn't really scoring that much and now he's starting to heat up which

26:04 That team is gonna be a pain in the ass

26:06 so maybe it's best to avoid them for a round or two if you're the Bruins but

26:11 I think when this team is playing to its identity and like I think you saw like that that game on Monday

26:17 It's like if they're playing like that

26:18 I mean no shit

26:19 They have a shutout win

26:20 But when you your goaltending is locked in as it is your defense is playing smart simplified hockey in their own zone

26:25 And you're getting contributions across the line of you getting a power play goal from Pasternak

26:29 You're not giving up any chances on the PK guy like Frederick scores a goal like

26:34 If the production you're getting up front is then complemented by your defense supporting your your two really strong goalies

26:42 You got guys like Frederick and DeBras playing at a high level. You're gonna be a tough out like are they a favorite?

26:47 No, but I think when you look at the fact that one this I think field is wide open this year

26:52 there's not like a

26:53 Team like the you know, the avalanche a few years ago or what have you where it's like they're the top dog

26:59 In the league. I think if you're a Bruins fan, you'll take maybe being the second

27:03 you know second in the Atlantic what have you and carving your way out to the playoffs and see where kind of the

27:08 The pieces fall there as opposed to being the unquestioned top contender and you see how that happens

27:14 So I think if your Bruins fan finished second, you'll take it get a nice matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round again

27:19 Oh your fun series

27:21 So, I think I'm sticking with that as how it's been but even if it's you know

27:26 Has as we predicted at least for what I said

27:28 I think this whole year has been a very pleasant surprise for you that I think people were expecting to be

27:33 Bit of a grind a bit of a bridge here hopes for maybe more returns down the road

27:37 This team is at the very least man

27:39 So it's a team that's fun to watch and it's been a fun hockey season so far which of your Bruins. Yeah should be happy

27:44 I completely agree on the second part like it's been a pleasant surprise

27:48 I think you and I were both we thought they would be good not this good

27:53 And I think there were a lot of people who thought they would suck and it's like no, they're not gonna suck

27:57 I back in September said they were gonna finish third in the Atlantic and that they'd be out in the first round

28:03 They'd have a admirable first round, but to be out

28:05 I would like to change that. I think the way they've played

28:09 What they've shown I'd like to change it. So I think I agree with you. I think they're gonna

28:14 ah

28:16 You know what Connor I'm gonna say they stick in first in the Atlantic

28:20 I think they stick they just they're playing too well and they find ways to win in the regular season

28:24 I think they stick in first. They do not finish as the president's trophy winners

28:28 Which again if you're first in your division you should not be out in the first round

28:33 So I'd also like to change that they will not be out in the first round

28:36 I think they win a round and then after that I think it's I don't know

28:40 I don't have the highest confidence that they win a second round. But again, like

28:44 Let's go through that scenario, right? Like let's say the Bruins

28:47 Earn first, okay, and they play the wildcard team. So whoever that is whether it's Tampa Philly

28:54 Maybe Pittsburgh. Okay, they win that series, right? Tampa's hard

28:58 That was gonna be hard series

28:59 But let's say they win though that has gone with my prediction and then in the second round they play either, Florida or Toronto, right?

29:06 Now if it's Toronto you're fired up because it's Toronto and if it's Florida you want revenge after last season

29:10 So maybe you win that series, right?

29:13 And it's the same in your prediction, right?

29:15 If they beat they beat Toronto in the first round won't be an easy matchup because Toronto always has to get past the first round

29:21 But they let they do they should and then they face, Florida who they want to get revenge on right?

29:27 And then you get to the conference final anything can happen. So like this is like the Charlie Kelly with the white boys

29:32 but I do think that

29:35 They're no longer a team

29:36 That's like Oh

29:37 Get in the playoffs and get experience for the younger kids like they are getting that point where it's like no they are

29:42 They in you know, at least

29:45 Standings wise they are a contender to go very deep and I think we should expect that

29:50 So I think they definitely went around

29:52 And they should get win another round, but I'll give them I'll give them a pass

29:58 But they should win the first round 100%

30:00 Yeah, so yeah, I'm changing my prediction. They finished first in the Atlantic and they win at least around that's what I say

30:05 So yeah, I'm changing I'm changing that's fine

30:08 That's what we're here for right our opinions can change. So mine mine has shifted

30:13 change people can change exactly

30:17 Sloppy stakes and slick-backed hair. I see the thing is though like

30:21 Going into the year and I feel this every year last couple at least you don't want to go and be like they're gonna finish

30:27 in first and they're gonna go deep and they're gonna win the Stanley Cup like you don't want to do that every year and

30:33 I know like I think you and I both had them in the cup last year preseason

30:37 Yes, so it's like I don't want to do that again. We can't run that back like especially after losing birds run crazy

30:42 I can't I can't do that. So I gotta be you know

30:46 Third out in the first round, which I genuinely thought they would be but things have changed

30:50 So I'm gonna stick with my prediction there. I'm gonna change my prediction to that. Yes, that's totally fine. That's all that matters

30:57 Anyways, Connor, what can the people look forward to from you over at the globe and Boston comm?

31:01 Yeah, we're gonna be covered every step of the way this season whether it's game recaps features columns video breakdowns

31:08 I think we have midseason or just past the midseason report cards coming out as well

31:12 So you can find all that stuff over at Boston comm and the globe gonna follow me on Twitter X

31:17 Whatever it is, whatever that dipshit calls it now

31:20 You can do that. You can follow me at Connor Ryan underscore 93 go do all that. That's Connor Ryan

31:27 I'm Evan Maranovsky you poke the bear listeners. Have a great rest of your week

31:32 You

31:34 You

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Biggest Surprises and Disappointments this Season w/ Evan Marinofsky | Poke the Bear

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