Bubble life not all fun and games
Coaches, players learning to adjust
When the plan to hold the Stanley Cup playoffs in a bubble atmosphere was set, everyone knew there would be challenges for those who were going to be sequestered, but it was all still an abstract concept.
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
Now, three weeks into the respective bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton, the realities have set in. The NHL has tried to make it as comfortable and accommodating as it could, but monotony and yearning for family and normalcy was bound to be an issue at some point.
“That’s the biggest thing that’s not getting talked about enough. I think it’s the thing that wasn’t talked about enough when the format came out,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “It sounded all great four months ago just to get back playing. But this to me would seem to be the biggest challenge. Everybody wants to play. We’d play on the street if we had to. Everyone’s dealing with the same thing. But it’s not just the players. You’ve got the media in here, everyone that’s here, they feel it. It’s a long time to be away. We’ve been away three weeks and we’ve played three playoff games. Guys are feeling it. It’s a long road, and the team that can hunker down the best and mentally channel all your energy to why we’re here, is going to be the team that hoists the cup when it’s all done.”
As a coach, Bruce Cassidy has different needs and priorities from players, and he feels for them.
“I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest with you. And you hear things, you didn’t know what the hotel setup would be … how do you get your mind off the game?” said Cassidy. “I read some comments about players that, there is hockey on all day long. For me as a coach and a hockey fan and guy that, like most coaches, you’re looking at prescouting a team, I’m fine with that. I can watch it all day long. I’ve probably watched the East much more than the West. The West, if I’m watching, sometimes you’re playing a game of cards or what-not, just paying attention to the big plays. So, I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve certainly tried to fill my days accordingly. Everybody’s different.
“I think for the players, it’s the most difficult. Like I said, as coaches, we tend to watch a lot of video this time of year anyways, so we’re kind of really invested in hockey whereas players, and rightfully so, try to get away from it after a game or practice to clear their mind. So, that’s my feeling on it. In this hotel here (Hotel X), I think there’s a little more room than the other one (Royal York), I haven’t been to the other one. There’s pickleball courts, there’s a golf simulator, you can walk around a little bit, BMO field, so there are some things you can do and you should do and try to make a plan that you do get out of your room and out of the hotel and get some fresh air, etc. But that’s how I’ve tried to deal with it. I think everyone is different and you’re right, it’s only been three actual playoff games over the three-week period. I just think no matter where you are, you’re going to miss your family and that’s the toughest part you have to get over, no matter what hotel you’re in.”
Sean Kuraly said that the start of playoffs and a regular game schedule has helped.
“I think the first part of it was probably a little harder than it is now just because we weren’t playing as much and it kind of like a new situation. It was playoffs, but it wasn’t regular best-of-seven,” said Kuraly. “So I think now we’re kind of in a bit more of a groove where we’re playing every other day and there’s at least a little bit more hockey to keep you busier. But it is a little tough to escape. There are things here that they’ve put in place to help us do that, different activities that we can take our mind off of it. But every other day is hockey, so you really only have one day to do that. Everyone has different thresholds and you’re just trying to balance it for yourself.”
The replacement
David Pastrnak was a scratch again for the B’s, the third straight game he missed. He has skated the last two days, so one would have to assume he’s getting close.
Cassidy was planning to start Anders Bjork again in Pastrnak’s spot on the Patrice Bergeron line. Bjork had a rough outing in Game 3, taking three penalties, including a third period infraction that led to a Carolina goal.
“Anders spent the most time there in training camp (in Pastrnak’s absence). Obviously we can make ingame adjustments. But at the end of the day, the message to him is just play your game,” said Cassidy. “You’re not going to replace Pasta. We’re not expecting you to go out and be what David is to us now. David is much farther along in his development, went through some of what Anders went through, albeit … at a younger age. We’re just asking him to play well, get on pucks, have a good stick.
The other day he was trying to create some turnovers and unfortunately didn’t get under people he got over the top and got called a few times. So you have to eliminate that. You can’t take your linemates out of the game and force them to kill penalties. Obviously, you’re going to take a penalty here or there. We discussed it. He gets it. He’s a young guy that we feel will help us. He certainly had some good looks the first few games. Didn’t finish them. … If we have to switch in-game, we will. But I have a feeling he’ll bounce back. He’s been a good player for us, good complementary guy and that’s what we’re asking him to do to that line, complement that line and we’ll see where it leads us.”
Cliffy hockey is back
Liking what he saw from Connor Clifton in Game 3, Cassidy went back with the New Jersey native for Game 4, believing he’s a better fit against Carolina than the bigger Jeremy Lauzon.
“Cliffy played well the other day, moved the puck, had juice in his game, was physical. Stuff he typically does well. We felt Cliffy could bring that,” said Cassidy. “It’s just he didn’t play a lot of hockey this year, so going into the pause, Jeremy did play and played well for us. So that was the thinking of why he’d get the first crack at it. It just seems like in this series, the ability to move the puck out of your zone, the foot speed in that regard — the decision making, making good plays — Cliffy might have a little bit of an edge on Jeremy right now, because of his experience in the playoffs and his make-up. So, that’s the reason for the switch. And like I said, no matter who goes in there, our guys are typically ready. We’ve got great depth and Cliffy did his job and did it well.”
Hurricane casualties
Along with young Carolina star Andrei Svechniko, who suffered a gruesome-looking leg injury in Game 3, Carolina defenseman Joel Edmundson missed his third straight game with an undisclosed injury.