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Oilers

Bruins Vs Oilers Preview

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On Thursday night the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will meet at 7 PM at TD Garden. This is the first matchup between these two teams in the early going of the 2018-2019 season. The Oilers will be looking for their first win of the year while the Bruins are looking to extend their win streak to three. It will be an interesting matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions.

Bruins and Oilers 2017-2018 Season’s So Far

The Bruins will come into this game having won back to back games after being embarrassed on opening night. Their defense has improved over the last two games while their top line has been dominant. In their 6-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Monday, the Bruins top line contributed to every goal. The Oilers will have to contain that line which is no easy task. They are a young team and will be looking to rebound following a tough opener.

Oilers

Photo Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Jason Franson

The Oilers first game of the season like the Bruins opener was forgettable. They fell to the Devils 5-3 and struggled in many areas of the game. Conor McDavid was a bright spot as he had an assist on two of Edmonton’s three goals. Former Bruin Milan Lucic will return to the Garden following a strong opener for Edmonton in which he recorded a goal and an assist. The Oilers must limit the Bruins offense which has scored ten goals in their past two games.

Keys To The Game

The Bruins top line early on has proved that it is still one of the best lines in hockey, but they will need help. Of the Bruins 12 goals this season only two have not come from the Bruins first line. The Bruins other lines have looked better of late but they will need to put the puck in the net. The Oilers will be looking to limit Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak and challenge the Bruins other forwards. The Bruins will have to limit McDavid and Lucic who are coming off strong performances against New Jersey.

Oilers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

For Edmonton, the key will be to limit the Bruins top line and challenge the Bruins depth. The Oilers will have to play better defensively and can not allow five goals again. They have had four days to rest meaning they should be at the top of their game. They will be getting reinforcements in the form of one of their top forwards in Ryan Nugent- Hopkins. He was held out of practice Monday after getting banged up against New Jersey but is expected to play.

Goalie Matchup

Jaroslav Halak will get the nod in net making his second start this season. He is coming off an impressive game against Buffalo in which he stopped all 32 shots he faced. In two games this season he has a save percentage of .960 and goals against average of 1.29.

Cam Talbot will get the start for Edmonton looking to bounce back after allowing four goals on 26 shots against New Jersey. He has been successful against the Bruins in his career recording a 5-2 record. In those seven games, he has a save percentage of .922 and goals against average of 2.72.

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Boston Bruins Zdeno Chara

Boston Bruins vs Sabres: Redemption in Buffalo

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Boston Bruins forwards Brad Marchand (63) and David Pastrnak (88) celebrate a goal during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Photo Credits: AP

Last night the Boston Bruins beat the Sabres 4-0 after having a disastrous showing the night before against the Washington Capitals. The black and gold brought more physicality, won more puck battles and had a good amount of zone time down in Buffalo’s end. The season opener saw the Bruins play with a lack of effort, but thanks to the core group of veterans, they were able to bounce back the next night.

Captain Zdeno Chara put the Bruins up on the board in the first at 6:33, making it 1-0. Taking a pass from winger Brad Marchand, Chara was able to capitalize and finish the quick sequence. David Pastrnak drew a slash penalty that gave the Bruins the power play leading to a Ryan Donato goal, making it 2-0 in the first period.

WON PUCK BATTLES

With the start of the second period, the Bruins kept pushing forward as Buffalo tried to play catch up, putting up some minutes down Boston end. The second period also saw Sean Kuraly skating up the ice with a potential breakaway goal that was stopped in net. Charlie McAvoy blocked a hard shot forcing him off the ice for a few moments. David Pastrnak netted his first goal of the season late in the second, while Marchand and Krecji picked up the winning assists.

FINAL MINUTES

With about five minutes left in the third, the Sabres pulled goalie Carter Hutton, giving them an extra man advantage. Unfortunately for Buffalo, the Bruins would put the nail in the coffin as Patrice Bergeron scored an empty net goal making the final score 4-0. Bruins newly acquired back-up goalie Jaroslav Halak continued to play solid with a calm demeanor in net, making 32 saves in his first shutout of the season. Brad Marchand ended the night tallying up four assists.

Coach Bruce Cassidy did not have the team skate Thursday morning, instead they underwent a film session to discuss what needs to be fixed prior to the game against Buffalo. He put a specific emphasis on the need to put more effort on ice.

“It was big. We talked about it and obviously that’s our job to lead this team. Another home opener and we knew that we had to be playing way harder than we did (on Wednesday night)-Zdeno Chara

Bruins forward Brad Marchand after the game:

“We had a pretty good game. We didn’t have a great third but Jaro did a great job shutting the door.But it’s great to get a good win after a night like (Wednesday) night, on a back-to-back with the travels. It was good, but we still have a lot to work on and improve upon. We’ll take the positives from this and keep working.”

The Bruins will play the Ottawa Senator in Boston for their season opener this Monday @ 1:00pm

 

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Bergeron

Bergeron Returns To The Ice

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Throughout his career, Patrice Bergeron has been a model of excellence. He is one of the games top centers and is coming off another solid campaign. Unfortunately, Bergeron missed 22 games last season due to injury. For the Bruins, he is vital to their success not only for his offensive contributions but also his work in the defensive zone. Bergeron has yet to appear in a preseason game this year due to his recovery from offseason groin surgery. He has also been dealing with back spasms due to the surgery. There have been encouraging signs of late and there is a chance he could appear in the Bruin’s next preseason game. The hope is that this injury will not affect him in the regular season.

Bergeron Continues Excellence in 2017-2018

Last year, Bergeron missed the first two weeks of the season. The Bruins struggled without their top center and upon his return looked like a different team. In 64 games last year he had 30 goals and 33 assists. It was the fourth time he has scored thirty or more goals in a season. He almost won a record-breaking fifth Selke trophy but finished in third partly due to the fact that he missed 22 games last season. When healthy, he centered one of the deadliest lines in hockey and averaged about a point per game. The fact that he is recovering from another injury is concerning, but last season he showed that he still has plenty left in the tank.

Bergeron

Photo Credit: NBC Sports

This season, the Bruins will again rely on their star center. Marchand and Pastrnak have the ability to carry this team but do not have the two-way impact of Bergeron. Keeping him healthy will be key for the Bruins and their young players. Like last season the Bruins will rely on their youth and are bound to go through growing pains. That is when they will need Bergeron’s leadership and his continued excellence.

Expectations For Bergeron In 2018-2019

Assuming Bergeron stays healthy he should be able to top last year’s numbers. The Bruins top line was hard to stop and the continued improvement of Pastrnak will only give the Bruins center more scoring opportunities. He will never score 100 points or score 50 goals in a season. That is not the player the Bruins need him to be. He has been the heart and soul of the Bruins and the team’s MVP for the past 15 years. In order for the Bruins to be successful they just need him to play the two-way game that has made him one of the best centers in the league. He has had a special run in Boston and this coming season it will only continue.

Boston Bruins: 2018 Season Preview

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Photo courtesy:
Matt Stone

The Boston Bruins season is about to begin, with the team and fans alike expecting a deep run to the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins ended last season with a second-round playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Even with the elimination, fans were happy and excited for the road ahead with the promise of the young crop of players who seemed to show promise.

Going into this season depending on Bergeron’s health, the Boston Bruins will still have one of the strongest lines with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak together. Bruce Cassidy has matched up Danton Heinen with David Krejci during the preseason to hopefully get two strong lines to begin the season. Donato and DeBrusk are still showing they belong; if they can keep up last season’s pace, there will be a good balance of scoring that could make this Bruins team tough to handle offensively.

Defensively, they are still able to depend on Zdeno Chara. Also with players like Grzelcyk, McAvoy, and Krug, they offensively can add some points from the back end. The depth will help them throughout the season when injuries occur with Moore and Miller most likely the other defensemen who will start the season.

Photo courtesy:
Charles Krupa

Important games this season 

Oct. 3 at Washington

The Boston Bruins open the NHL season versus the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. It is also the night they raise their banner.

Oct. 8 vs. Ottawa

The Bruins will be on home ice for the first time in a matinee game on Columbus Day.

Oct. 27 vs. Montreal

This is the first matchup between the two rivals this upcoming season. This is the Red Sox versus Yankees version of the NHL.

Nov. 10 vs. Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired John Tavares and this is the first time the Boston fans see him as a division rival.

Nov. 29 vs. Islanders

Rick Middleton becomes the 12th Boston Bruins player to have his number raised to the rafters on this night.

Jan. 1 at Chicago (Winter Classic – Notre Dame Stadium)

Original Six franchises meet in this year’s 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, the Bruins face the Chicago Blackhawks. This will be the third time the Bruins take part in the outdoor game.

Apr. 6 vs. Tampa Bay 

The B’s last game of the season is versus the Lightning, Tampa knocked them out of the playoffs. This game could also have implications in the standings.

  • Longest road stretch: 5 games – Feb 15 to 23, against the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Golden Knights and Blues.
  • Longest Homestand: 6 games – Feb 26 to Mar 9, against Sharks, Lightning, Devils, Hurricanes, Panthers, and Senators.
  • The All-Star Break is Jan. 25-28, with the game being played on Jan. 27 at SAP Center in San Jose.
  • The Bruins play four matinee games at home this season.

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112 points

Can The Bruins Repeat The Scoring Output of Last Season?

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Last season, the Bruins surpassed all expectations by finishing with 112 points. They were led by their youth, which will again be a huge factor next season. Netting 112 points is no easy task and this team will have to come together again to repeat that success.

The 2018-2019 season will see the debut off more highly regarded Bruins prospects. They will have a solid group of veterans to learn from, including Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and Torey Krug. The Bruins will be battling with Tampa Bay, an improved Toronto team, and the Florida Panthers who could push for a wild card spot. Repeating last year’s success is not impossible, considering the strength of the Bruins core and how players such as Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen flourished last season.

Bruins Veterans

One reason for the Bruins success last season was their 2011 Stanley Cup core. They showed that they still have at least one more run left in them. Patrice Bergeron continued to be one of the best centers in the league. Zdeno Chara was still the Bruins best defenseman due to the fact the Bruins limited his minutes. The 2017-2018 team also saw the continued improvement of Torey Krug. He had a career high 59 points and improved tremendously on defensive. These veterans were complemented by rookies who have become fan favorites after one season. The Bruins new core was formed in shadows of the last championship core.

112 points

Photo Credit: by Stuart Cahill

Key Pieces Take the Next Step

Last season, DeBrusk and Charlie McAvoy showed why scouts held them in such high regard as prospects. Despite missing 19 regular season games, McAvoy established himself as the most important player on the Bruins’ defense. DeBrusk showed a flare for the dramatic and made the Bruins second line dangerous. Next year, they will only be better, which is bad news for the rest of the league. Heinen also played in his first full NHL season and showed that he could contribute on the second or third line. After years of anticipation, these players lived up to the hype with only more to come.

112 points

Photo Credit: Jimmy Golen, The Associated Press

Advantage Of Youth

Next season, Bruins prospects such as Jakob Forsbacka Karlsoon, Zach Senyshn, and Jakub Zaburil will be looking to make a similar impact. Last year, the Bruins rookies gave the team a jolt of energy that had been missing in recent years. They played with a edge and had a knack for making comebacks when it seemed unlikely. The Bruins will carry that mentality into this upcoming season. There will be growing pains along the way with these young players. But as DeBrusk and McAvoy showed, those growing pains often lead to better results. That is what made the Bruins so good last year.

112 points

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Why The Bruins Can Get 112 Points Again

Repeating last year’s numbers is a lot of pressure to place on any team. This offseason, the Bruins have not made any significant upgrades. Their biggest move was inking defenseman John Moore to a five-year deal. They still have the best line in hockey in Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak. The Bruins young core will only get better with experience. Tampa Bay and Toronto improved in the offseason and will battle the Bruins all season.

The Bruins are returning the majority of last years roster, which knew a thing or two about proving people wrong. Their postseason run came to an abrupt end last season and they will be looking for revenge. Next year, they will again be looking to surpass whatever expectations are placed on them.

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Bergeron

Making The Case: Bergeron Line The Best In Hockey

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Last season, the Bruins top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak was one of the best lines in hockey. As the season progressed the Bruins trio became more dominate. If they can all remain healthy next season then they will be the best line in hockey. What makes this line so special is how they are dominant offensively and in their own zone. In the playoffs, they did not slow down and proved to be a matchup nightmare.

Where The Bergeron Line Ranks

Last season Marchand missed 14 games and Bergeron missed 18. Pastrnak was the only one to play in all 82 games, but when this trio was full healthy they were special. The line appeared in 51 regular season games together scoring 27 goals. They were even more impressive defensively as the trio allowed only 16 goals. Even with Marchand and Bergeron missing 32 games combined, they still had the 14th most goals as a line. The trio didn’t allow an even strength goal until January. What makes that streak more impressive is that they played over 220 minutes together without allowing a goal.

Bergeron

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Playoff Dominance

In the playoffs this line did not slow down. In Boston’s five postseason wins, they scored 12 goals while combining for 41 points. For the Lighting to slow them down, the Bruins forced Tampa to play out of their comfort zone. That was not an easy task because of this line’s skills.

Pastrnak is a gifted goal scorer and becoming one of the most creative passers in the league. Marchand continues to improve his all around game and has a talent for getting in peoples’ heads. That leaves Bergeron, who may be arguably the best two way center in the league. They are so dangerous because they can each hurt opponents in different ways.

Bergeron

Photo Credit: Associated Press/ Winslow Townson

Their Competition

The Bruins top line will have competition next season. With the addition of Tavares, the already dangerous top line of Toronto becomes better. The Avalanche also have a impressive first line, with young star Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen, who had 84 points in his sophomore season. The Golden Knights top trio that included William Karlsson and Reilly Smith will be out to prove last year was no fluke. They were tied for the most goals at even strength. The Bruins top line gets the edge because of what they did in limited time.

Bergeron

Photo Credit: Joe McDonald

Final Thoughts

Next season, the expectations will be even higher. The Bruins will be carried by their top line which will begin the season healthy. Last year, they showed that their chemistry is something truely special. What makes them even scarier is that Pastrnak is only 22 years old and still getting better. If they can remain healthy, then the best line in hockey will undoubtedly reside in Boston.

 

Rookie Season

“A Rookie Season to Remember” By Jake DeBrusk

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In his rookie season Jake DeBrusk showed the skills that made him a first round pick. DeBrusk had a very good regular season but broke out in the playoffs. For the Bruins he was tied for the most playoff goals with six along with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. Going into next season the expectations will be higher for the former fourteenth overall pick. In the postseason he showed he could elevate his game at the highest level. His sophomore campaign has the chance to be even better.

The Impact Of Jake DeBrusk

Coming into the 2017-2018 season the Bruins expected a lot from DeBrusk. In the 2015 NHL draft he was one of the Bruins three first round picks. Of those three he is the first one to make it to the NHL. The Bruins put him on the second line to begin the season alongside David Krejci and David Pastrnak. The Bruins eventually elevated Pastrnak to the first line alongside Bergeron and Brad Marchand. DeBrusk proved to be a perfect for the second line and David Krejci. He is a playmaker with grit something the Bruins second line had been lacking. This showed in his statistics.

Rookie Season

Photo Credit: Matt Stone

DeBrusk’s Rookie season By The Numbers

DeBrusk appeared in seventy games for the Black and Gold. He scored sixteen goals along with twenty seven assists. DeBrusk proved to be a weapon on the powerplay as he had nine points on the second power play unit. The former first round pick  is not afraid to attack especially when the Bruins are down which is rare for a rookie. In the playoffs he took his game to a new level.

A Playoff Run To Remeber

Throughout the playoffs Debrusk did not seemed fazed by the playoff stage. As fellow rookies Danton Heinen and Charlie McAvoy struggled at times DeBrusk did not. In game seven against the Toronto Maple Leafs he scored two goals including the game winner. DeBrusk’s game winner was impressive considering that he was leveled as soon as he released the puck. In the playoffs great players rise to the occasion which is what DeBrusk did. The playoffs showed how far the rookie had come and the impactful player he will be.

Rookie Season

Photo Credit: Tara Sullivan, Boston Globe

What To Expect Next Year

Going into the 2018-2019 season Debrusk will be key for the Bruins. If DeBrusk can continue to improve then the Bruins will have a dominant top two lines. In DeBrusk’s rookie season he showed that he can be a very special player. Reaching the twenty goal plateau next season should not be a hard challenge as his chemistry with Krejci improves. His encore could be one to remember as he has the skills to become something truly special.

Danton Heinen

Danton Heinen’s Breakout Season

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The 2017-2018 season ended in disappointing fashion for the Boston Bruins. They surprised many finishing second in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind Tampa Bay. The talented young nucleus of the Bruins including players such as Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, and Danton Heinen carried the team. Next season the Bruins will expect more from these young players who are expected to form the next Bruins core.

Danton Heinen’s First Full season

When the 2017-2018 season campaign began Heinen was not on many people’s radars but that will not be the case going into next season.

The Bruins drafted Danton Heinen in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft. He made his debut in the 2016-2017 season, appearing in eight games. This past season he earned a more prominent role and spent the majority of the season on the Bruins third line. Due to injuries throughout the season, Heinen sometimes found himself on the Bruins first and second line. In seventy games Heinen scored 16 goals along with 31 assists, very effective on the power play recording twelve power play points. Heinen made the Bruins third line dangerous as he played alongside David Backes and Riley Nash, who had a career year. The rookie finished fourth on the Bruins in points, four ahead of fellow rookie Jake DeBrusk. The former fourth-round pick had a very productive regular season but the playoffs were a different story.

Danton Heinen

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Danton Heinen Struggles in the playoffs

Despite a solid rookie season Heinen was a non factor in the playoffs. In nine games he scored one goal and did not record an assist. In the second round Heinen was a healthy scratch for game four as the Bruins tried to find a spark for their dormant offense. It was a playoff run to forget and one that will motivate Heinen next season. Despite his playoff struggles Heinen still had a impressive rookie season that not many did not see coming.

Danton Heinen

Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

What To Expect Next Season

Heinen is not a player who will score thirty goals like Marchand or Pastrnak . The Bruins do not need him to be that type of player.  Heinen showed last year that he can contribute in different ways. He is not selfish with the puck as his thirty one assists were the fourth highest on the team. Heinen gives the Bruins a dangerous third-line center who is also very productive on the power play. Like many of the other Bruins players, Heinen will be motivated after a disappointing ending to the 2017- 2018 season. If he can build on his rookie season than the Bruins third line will again be a threat.

Selke

Bergeron’s Case for the Selke

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Last Wednesday the finalists for the NHL Selke Trophy were announced and with little surprise, Patrice Bergeron was one of the three finalists. Bergeron has won the award four times and received votes for the award every year since the 2009-2010 season. Winning the award this year could cement Bergeron as the best two-way forward in NHL history, as he is now tied with Canadiens great Bob Gainey for four Selke Trophies. The Selke Trophy is given to the forward who excels in the defensive aspects of the game. Winning it this year will not be easy as the other finalists, Anze Kopitar and Sean Courturier, are having career years. All three have a strong case, but Bergeron’s is unique.

Why He Shouldn’t Win

This year Bergeron may have his weakest case to win. Due to a fractured foot, Bergeron missed a month of the season. That is a significant number of games missed as the LA Kings Anze Kopitar only missed three games, and the Flyers Sean Courturier suited up for all 82. Bergeron finished fifth in faceoff percentage, an area in which he usually ranks higher. He saw an increase in offensive zone usage and along with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, formed one of the top lines in the NHL. That offensive dominance is reflected in his stats since he recorded 63 points in merely 64 games. Despite all this, there are still many reasons why Bergeron would be deserving.

Why He Should Win the Selke

Despite the injury, Bergeron still managed to finished in the top five in some essential categories. He had a +21 rating, which was his highest since the 2013-2014 season when he played in 80 games. Even though his face off ranking was low, compared to years past it was still impressive. He ranked higher than both his competitors and was first in shorthanded face-offs. His impact on the ice was obvious as the Bruins struggled during the month of his injury. Bergeron’s line was exceptional defensively as they didn’t give up an even strength goal until January. Despite missing 18 games, Bergeron still had a very good season and has a real shot at winning the award for the fifth time. But his competitors also have a good case.

Selke

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

His Competition

The main reason that Bergeron may not win his fifth Selke is his health. His numbers as usual were above average, but he was limited in time compared to the other finalists. Bergeron averages 80 games a season and, had he played that many, his statistics would have been different. This makes his case more compelling as what he did in shortened time was impressive. Courturier had a remarkable season offensively and posted a plus rating of 34, thirteen points higher than Bergeron. Kopitar lead all NHL forwards in overall time on ice and was part of the league’s best penalty kill unit. All of these finalists have their own case on why they should take home the award. The debates will continue as the winner won’t be announced till June, and it could end up being very close.

Game One

Bruins Take Game One

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Bruins Heading Into Game One

Last night the Bruins began their playoff series with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Black and Gold did not finish the regular season strong. However, they did not let that affect them, as they won Game One 5-1. The Bruins got goals from five different players and capitalized on their power play opportunities. The Bruins played with grit and toughness in their playoff opener. This lead to an impressive win in front of their home crowd.

Capitalizing on the Power Play

Of the five goals the Bruins scored, three of them came on the power play. The Bruins have one of the most dangerous power play units the NHL. Marchand, Pastrnak, and Bergeron showed why last night. In the first period Torey Krug found Marchand cutting to the net. Krug hit Marchand in stride and he lifted a backhander over the Maple Leafs goalie as if they had done it one hundred times before. The Bruins second power play unit was also impressive as they recorded two goals. Scoring on the power play will be key for this team as it has hard to stop, especially with Rick Nash returning to the lineup.

Game One

Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/ Getty Images

Tuukka Rask

Last night the Bruins number one goaltender had a very good game. Of the 27 shots he faced he saved 26. That comes out to a save percentage of .963 %. This is a big postseason for Rask, and he couldn’t have done much better last night. He made key saves and tough ones in front of the net with multiple Maple Leafs picking at the puck. That is the goalie Rask will need to be for this team to make a deep run. Last night he eased any concerns that he could still be that goalie in the playoffs.

Game One

AP Photo/Mary Schwalm

Style of Play

Last night the Bruins saw the return of Sean Kuraly to the fourth line. He showed what the Bruins had been missing during his injury. In the third period he scored an incredible goal, which personified the grit and effort that made the Bruins fourth line loved during the regular season. During the third period, while in mid-air Kuraly swatted in a rebound of a shot by Pastrnak. Kuraly did not give up on the play and scored an incredibly difficult goal. This is the type of play the Bruins pride themselves on and how they will need to play to advance.

Game One

AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Final Thoughts

This series is far from over. Game One was as good of a start as this team could have asked for. Game Two is tomorrow night at 8 PM. Don’t expect this team to let up; their playoff run is just getting started.