Game 1 observations

let me start by saying that you're assesment of the Bruins system is spot-on (I went back and read a post from a few days ago, and it was great.) Without having all the data at my fingertips I'll offer you my thoughts on how the Canes can get back in this series and make it competitive:

First, I don't agree that Mo is saying all the wrong things. Since his re-arrival, he has had a great pulse on this team. He has said many times exactly what the team needed to hear, with no glaring exception. I think he is issuing the "form letter" responses to questions about what was, when broken down to it's simplest form, a bad game by the Canes. There really is no reason for him, or any coach in the playoffs, to get into the x' and o's of the strategy, much like all the secretive jargon involving injuries.

When Mo came back as coach he brought the team back to a more defensive mindset. Not so much a defensive system, but just a higher level of defensive responsiblity and accountability. Under Laviolette the team had tried to rely soley on their speed and skill, the run-n-gun style that served them so well in 2006. Maurice didn't want to totally adandon that style, just combine it with some defensive accountability. It took a few games, but the team started buying into it and winning. The forwards were coming back and helping the d, which in turn help Cam Ward. As the team played better in their own zone, it reflected in Cam's confidence and so- on and so- on.

The last game we played against the Bruins was i think a 5-1 loss but the score was not indicative of the game. It was much closer than the score suggested. We played a better defensive game, we backchecked hard, made crisp, determined passes, etc...

We blazed down the stretch, earning our playoff spot. We got contributions from unlikely places (Chad LaRose, for one.) If you look at games 2, 4, 6, and 7 of the Devils series, that's the style we need to play against the Bruins. Sure there were some 2-1 games, and down-to-the wire games. but the system and the execution were the same in each of those games.

For the Canes to beat the Bruins:

(1) Eliminate turnovers. That mean making the better, safer pass outta the zone, coming out as a unit of 5. Not like you keep stating, having Eric Staal one-man and dipsy-doodle over the blue line only to get pokechecked by Chara. Not gonna work. Didn't work in the Devils series. Smart, determined passing coming outta the defensive zone has been a big part of the Canes success, so we need to get back to that.

(2) Motion and movement in the offensive zone. The Canes rely on the puck handling, passing and shooting skills of their backline to help create chances in the offensive zone. But it has to start there. The forwards have to keep their wheels turning and cycle around the offensive zone to create space and lanes. If they can do that, using their speed combined with the better passing mentioned above, then they will get their scoring chances.

(3) Crashing the net. Part of the movement and motion also includes getting bodies in front of Thomas. Tall task when Chara and Ward are on the ice. That's why guys like Ruutu, Cole, LaRose and Eaves need to step up thier aggitator dials and do what they get paid to do. The unorthodox style of Tim Thomas has the potential to result in some rebounds. The "crashers" on the Canes front line need to be there to capitalize. We were able to get under Marty's skin in round one. It needs to happen against Thomas for us to have any chance.

(4) Roll all 4 lines. Scott Walker, Ryan Bayda, and Jussi Jokinen need  more ice time. Bayda has scored a couple of big goals, and they're more than just a fourth line. They have talent, speed, and grit. I think sharing the wealth as far as ice time is concerned will help the Canes fight through the size disadvantage by keeping everyone a little more fresh and rested.

(5) Forward need to commit to helping the defense. It may have started sooner than this, but the win against Calgary (which was Eric Cole's first game back) was win to me it was evident that the forwards had bought into getting back and helping the D. It is an absolute MUST for the forwards to get back to that. Cam Ward is a great goalie, and has kept them in many games that they shouldn't have been in. But he is much more effective when he has the forwards backchecking and helping keep the puck outta the middle.

(6) Improvement on the powerplay. That comes back to movemnet, better passing, and crashing the net like mentioned earlier. More of the same-thison is a no-brainer. We HAVE to make the most of any advantage we get.

(7) And this may sound cheesey, but keep believing they can win. I saw it happen in the last series, and down the strecth in the regular season. This team never thought they were out of the game or the series. That is the result of past  playoff experience and veteran leaders leading the way. Belief is the one intangible that Boston cannot match with the Canes.

(8) Obviously, they also need to get more offensive production from Cole, Ruutu, and Brind'Amour. We have to have that balance. And if we roll all four lines it becomes even more imperative that people not named Staal put the puck in the net.

(9) Be disciplined. We were one of, if not the least penalized team this season. The Bruins power play is way too dangerous to give them many opportunities.

(10) Leave it ALL on thie ice. We need to play like it is game seven. Finish checks. Take hits to make plays. Stand up for your teammate when Lucic hits him after the whistle.

Those are the things that need to happen for the Canes to have a chance at winning this series. Those are some of the components to the Hurricane's system. The "between the ears" comment by Maurice simply means that the team knows it can play at a level competitive with the Bruins, and they know they didn't do it in game one, and they know they have to do it tonight. Not only do they have to do it, they have to do it to near perfection.

I am confident that the Canes can play with the Bruins. I've seen them beat the odds on many occassions this season. And if they can keep it close, I belive, much like the players on this team believe, that we can win the series. What kind of fan would I be if I came out and said "No way the Canes beat the Bruins"? Not a very good fan. I have seen the will in this team, and if they can keep it close they certainly have the will to win it.