The Bruins
The Bruins just recently took a 3-2 series lead, on Saturday, over the Blue Jackets, after a nail-biting 4-3 victory at home. The Bruins are only one more win away from stamping their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final to meet our Carolina Hurricanes and here’s what to expect if that happens.
1. Like the Caps, get ready for another High Scoring, Physical Battle.
I really cant remember the last time the ‘Canes and Bruins didn’t have a high scoring game, that almost ended in bench clearing brawls. Both teams always seem to up their physical game when playing each other, as both the ‘Canes and the B’s averaged 29 hits against each other, giving each game nearly 60 hits a game.
In all three games the ‘Canes and Bruins played this season, they all have ended with 5+ goals and I would expect more of the same during the playoffs. Boston definitely hasn’t been a stranger to high scoring games this playoff season either, as 10 out of their 12 games have all ended with 5+ goals.
I think both of these things will carry over into the ECF, as the playoffs are already more physical, and I don’t think there will be any changes as far as scoring as the Bruins have consistently had high scoring games this post-season and both the Canes and Bruins haven’t given us reason to think they wont give high scoring, fun, offensive series.
2. Special Teams Importance.
The Canes and Bruins are notorious for high penalty minute games, as both teams combined went on 23 powerplays, just in the three games they played this season. This means Carolina will need to find some consistency on their powerplay if they want to be successful. If not, the Canes could face the consequences against a veteran team with a good powerplay like Boston.
If the Canes remain nonexistent on the powerplay, they will need to step up on the penalty-kill or they will possibly suffer the consequences. I would look for the Canes to make some changes within their powerplay, to hopefully turn things around, and allow for the Canes to have a higher margin of error.
Special teams really could really decide this series and I think it could make or break either team if they don’t come prepared.
3. Another Veteran Club.
The Canes will have to go to battle with another veteran club as they did with the capitals. The Bruins have seen almost everything when it comes to the playoffs and they will be prepared for whatever the Canes throw at them.
The Canes will probably focus on trying to wear them down with their speed and will look to match their physicality in order to really establish their game. They might even need to reuse some of their strategies with shutting down the Caps, with establishing a great forecheck and keeping the puck on the boards to limit their chances.