Seventh Heaven: Evan From Stanley Cup Of Chowder

by Rafal Ladysz on Apr 14, 2010 10:02 PM EDT

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. What better way to learn about your opposition than speaking with a member standing on the other side of the battle field? Being that a series can extend to a maximum of seven games, that's how many questions we'll ask. Superstitious or not, it seems like the right number because we don't want to push our luck. And it was George Costanza's first choice as a name for his baby in an episode of Seinfeld. You cannot script this any better.

Our first guest and hopefully not our last, is Evan, the editor at SB Nation's Boston Bruins blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder. Offering his insight on this first round match-up, his honest opinion on each matter is appreciated as it helps dig deeper into understanding the Buffalo Sabres' foe.

Questions with responses after the jump.

1) Boston is coming into this series with a low-scoring offense, a few key injuries and a rookie netminder with no playoff experience. How do you feel about each of these cases and which has you the most concerned?

Rask's inexperience doesn't really bother me much. Their lack of goal scoring and the injuries to Marc Savard, Mark Stuart, and Dennis Seidenberg are much bigger concerns.

2) If Rask drops the ball in a game or two, is Tim Thomas' inclusion possible given his experience from last year or will Claude Julien likely stick with his youngster?

It depends on how badly he "drops the ball". Right now, it looks like Rask is the go-to guy throughout the playoffs. I think I speak for most B's fans when I say that I am much more comfortable with Rask in net.

3) With Marc Savard sidelined, which Bruins forward do you expect or hope will weigh in with more production than what he may be used to?

We have been waiting all season for Michael Ryder to show up. Now would be a great time for that to happen.

4) Does Boston's edge in the season series give you confidence?

Not really. I think that the Bruins match up with Buffalo a lot better than they do against Washington, New Jersey, or Pittsburgh, but I wouldn't read too much into the regular season series. Both of the Bruins regulation wins came against someone other than Ryan Miller.

5) Aside from Ryan Miller, which Sabres representative do you believe can be a series-changer?

Derek Roy is one of those pesky players that can burn you with his speed.

6) Tell us why the Boston Bruins can win this series and how.

They have nothing to lose. They already have the No.2 pick in this year's draft and nobody is expecting them to do anything in the playoffs. That can be a dangerous team to face.

7) Finally, what is your prediction for the outcome of this series?

Buffalo in seven.

A big thanks to Evan for his answers, particularly on that last question.

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Comments

I like his outcome… but in a shorter series I would take lol. Pretty fair points. I was wondering the same thing about if Rask stumbles, do B’s fans yell for Thomas. Thanks for asking that.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Apr 14, 2010 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

The team that this Bruins team most reminds me of...

…are the ‘08-’09 Blue Jackets but without the dominant scorer (Nash). Like this year’s Bruins, last year’s Jackets had a rookie goaltender that was playing over his head matched up with a generally offensively impotent team. The Jackets faced a team that was deep, playoff experienced and well prepared (the core of this year’s Sabres team are the same people who led them to two consecutive EC finals in ‘06 and ’07: Roy, Pominville, Vanek, Tallinder, Connolly, Gaustad, Lydman and Miller). Columbus’ inability to score led to their doom as they would only get two goals in their first three game. The Wings’ defense did a superb job of tying up Nash and with Nash neutralized, the Jackets simply had nothing.

I think this series has a bigger potential for a Sabres blowout than it does a close, long series. The way you cover for weakness is by exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses. The Bruins’ glaring weakness is running straight on into Buffalo’s strength. That is not a formula for playoff success.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Apr 14, 2010 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

calvert, you are dead-on

in my series preview, i mentioned that goaltending was an area a coach doesn’t want no experience in and that the blue jackets/mason found that out the hard way last year. I have a good feeling about Buffalo’s chances of taking it to Boston too, but we’ll have to wait and see.

by Rafal Ladysz on Apr 14, 2010 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

Question #6

Tell me how having the #2 pick in next year’s draft has ANYTHING to do with how the Bruins will play in this year’s playoffs?? Kinda reaching aren’t we with a seven game series? I think I’m being a homer saying we win in five but to think that this series goes past six is silly to me.

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Apr 14, 2010 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

ps

BOSTON CAN’T SCORE, MILLER IS SWEET, Who’s next? :)

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Apr 14, 2010 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for talking with me. I love the Seinfeld reference.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Apr 15, 2010 7:54 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for answering our questions!

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 15, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for participating Evan and I appreciate your liking of the Seinfeld reference.

by Rafal Ladysz on Apr 15, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I like all his answers there, except the last. Bruins in 7.

Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/

by bestbostonsports on Apr 15, 2010 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

I hope these articles continue (well obviously that means we keep winning) – but it’s always a good thing to get the other teams thoughts.

We got the tools, We got the talent

by J2 on Apr 15, 2010 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

I think too many fans are taking Boston too lightly considering the fact that they are physical team and the Sabres are not physical at all. I am a Sabres fan and I saw what happened to New Jersey and Pittsburgh last night. That makes me very nervous. I think we will have to win every home game to win this series – we will not win it in four, if we win it at all.

by Geolover on Apr 15, 2010 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

You could also add in the sharks losin..Naw who am I kidding.

And yeah their offense is depleted Savards out and Kessels a Leaf. That leaves them with Bergeron and Recchi. But like the old saying goes Defence wins post season games….Or something like that.

by Steven Hida on Apr 15, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Hah, you’re not a Sabres fan! You’re a fan of complaining about the Sabres and predicting they’ll lose. How’d that go for you last week against Ottawa?

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on Apr 15, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m really beginning to hate Geolovers posts. He cannot be this stupid.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault
WWJS (What Would Jeanneret Say)

by FloridaBuffalo on Apr 15, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately “The Big Bad Bruins” have been more “bad” than “big” this year. They have been starting to bring a more physical edge in the last few games, but for much of the season they didn’t play overly physical. A lot of that probably had to do with Lucic being hurt for good part of the season. I hope they bring some grit this series.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Apr 15, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions