Biron On Toucher & Rich: Bruins Don't Need To Get Faster, Physicality Still Wins
BOSTON (CBS) - Former NHL goalie and NHL Network analyst Martin Biron joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich show Tuesday morning to talk about the Stanley Cup Finals, which led into a discussion about team-building and how it relates to the hometown team.
The Bruins had the best record in the regular season and were awarded the Presidents' Trophy for their efforts, but their quest for the hardware that really matters was stifled by Montreal in the second round.
Media members pointed to and criticized the first line, the fourth line, the inability of the general manager to acquire a veteran defenseman at the deadline, lack of speed and more for the early round exit.
Meanwhile, the Rangers advanced out of the Eastern Conference and are currently down 3-0 in the series to the Los Angeles Kings -- a team on the verge of winning their second Stanley Cup in three years.
One thing that's stood out to Rich has been the speed of LA, so he was curious to know Biron's opinion about whether speed has been Boston's biggest detriment in their recent playoff losses.
"Do the Bruins need to try to become a faster team to keep up?" asked Rich.
"No I don't think so. If you look at the way Montreal beat them, obviously Montreal was fast, but Montreal is really little -- especially down the middle with guys like [David] Desharnais, [Tomas] Plekanec and even [Daniel] Briere. The Canadiens were able to get under the skin of the Bruins. You saw some uncharacteristic penalties -- you saw [head coach] Claude Julien taking a penalty from the bench for yelling at a referee. Those were not regular Boston Bruins penalties. That's not the way they do it. That's not how they are. They're always really composed."
The Bruins were undisciplined. Yes. But "speed" and "getting under the skin of the opponent" is not what wins in today's NHL.
"I really think if they would have channeled that energy, played physical, punished those Canadiens forwards and really go after [Andrei] Markov and [P.K.] Subban [they would have won.] I think it's about being physical. The Los Angeles Kings are extremely physical. It's still about being physical in the NHL and that's how you win."
Listen below:
Biron: Bruins Don't Need To Mold Themselves After Kings
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