2025-2026 NHL Offseason

ledvedderman said:

Not sure what changed for the Blues after the first period. They were exiting their zone easily and getting pucks deep. After that, they tried way too many stretch passes that lead to turnovers. We couldn’t get the puck into the offensive zone for any pressure or shots. Stupid, horrible penalties. I have faith that Berube will light a fire in them. That won’t be the Blues for the majority of this series. Well, I freaking hope not. 

Bad penalties.  bad, bad, bad.  Bruins seem to do that to people.  

Meltdown99 said:

The one on Backes was not a penalty...Backes crumpled like a soccer player, and I believe there was another questionable...the NHL continues with shitty refereeing.  Backes is a clown anyways...

Was that the stick in the face when they crossed the blue line?  Yeah, seemed soft, but a stick in the face... 

Bad miss when Chara broke that stick on the kill.  Should have been 5 on 3.  

Merkin Baller said:

Refs aren't why the Blues lost that game.

They missed calls on both sides... I would prefer they let them play than over officiate, but I suppose that's easy to say when your team wins.

Yes, but that slash was key.  The Blues had control in the zone so as soon as the stick broke, they had to clear the zone because it was 4 on 4.  

Meltdown99 said:

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

The one on Backes was not a penalty...Backes crumpled like a soccer player, and I believe there was another questionable...the NHL continues with shitty refereeing.  Backes is a clown anyways...

Was that the stick in the face when they crossed the blue line?  Yeah, seemed soft, but a stick in the face... 

Bad miss when Chara broke that stick on the kill.  Should have been 5 on 3.  

The CBC replay showed the stick never touched Backes...but that is Backes...he fits in well with Boston.

Just poor officiating all around these playoffs.  I think the NFL and NHL draw from the same class when hiring officials.

Well Edmundson earned the 2 minutes by hitting Backes with the butt of his stick while he was still down after the call was made (with an official right there, he's lucky he didn't get an extra 2)

Merkin Baller said:

Binnington got away with a hook on Marchand, Perron could have been called for roughing Krug... it is what it is.

and they shouldn't have stopped the play when Binnington lost his glove.  I thought the refs were fine. the most egregious missed call was the broken stick slash on the Blues power play.   Don't think the Blues can complain too much though as they got totally dominated in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

I also think coaches are pulling the goalies too early these days in 1 goal games. I get it doing it with over 2 minutes when down 2 but down 1 i think you have to do it closer to 1:00 minute to 1:20  and for sure when you have full control of the puck.  Doing it with over 2 minutes before you have full control of the puck/on a face-off is too early and gives the other team more chances at an open net. the game was effectively over with just under 2 minutes because of the open net goal. Blues shortened the game by pulling goalie in that situation. i've never liked pulling the goalie on a face-off unless it's the last 50 seconds or so.  just my opinion

Vitalogensia said:

I tend to think people that blame refs for the results of a game are the same who blame their controller for when they die in video games.

When my controller dies, I absolutely blame it. 

I'd rather the refs put away the whistle in finals unless the infraction is so obvious...and most players would be fine with that.  Of course, the refs didn't cost the blues the game, I did state the blues quit playing.  On to game 2.

I definitely don’t blame the refs. The Chara slash was unfortunate, buuuut Binnington got away with a hook. Same as Perron. It certainly didn’t favor one side over another. The Blues will come back tomorrow. I’m nearly certain of it. Really wish Dunn was available, but I’m thinking his mouth is wired shut with a broken jaw. 
Has there been any news on. Chara’s wrist? That bastard (the cut, not him) started gushing really quickly. It was odd. 

This series is telling me, 11 years too late, that I am in no way, shape, or form mature enough to be a father.