After successful an NHL-record 65 video games and steamrolling opponents since October, the Boston Bruins seem like the clear favourite to return out of the East and win the Stanley Cup.
The actuality? “Everyone’s 0-0,” veteran ahead Charlie Coyle stated.
The climb to attempt to win the franchise’s first championship in additional than a decade begins with a sequence in opposition to the Florida Panthers. Injuries may make Boston susceptible within the second spherical in opposition to Toronto or Tampa Bay and within the convention last in opposition to both Carolina, New Jersey, the New York Rangers or Islanders.
But the Bruins’ expertise, consistency and depth make them seem like they will overcome all of it.
“The confidence level is high,” coach Jim Montgomery stated. “We believe that it’s going to be hard, and we don’t talk about winning the Stanley Cup now. We talk about Game 1, that’s going to be our focus. We think that not looking too far ahead that creates anxiety. We believe in staying present and our process allows us to have success.”
No group within the league’s wage cap period, which started in 2005, has had as a lot regular-season success because the Bruins. They misplaced simply 12 occasions this season – as soon as of their last 11 video games – and their 135 standings factors broke the document held by Montreal in 1976-77, although guidelines then stored the Canadiens from piling up extra.
PHOTOS: NHL playoffs: Can anybody within the East beat the Boston Bruins?
Still, Boston’s dominance added as much as the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice benefit all through the playoffs – when the hockey actually issues – beginning with Game 1 in opposition to the Panthers on Monday evening.
“We have a quick memory,” stated goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who break up time in web with Vezina Trophy favourite Linus Ullmark. “We understand that we’re gonna have our backs against the wall at times in playoffs, so we’re gonna have that joyful aggression when it comes and make sure we do everything we can to end out on top.”
WHO’S IN THE WAY?
First up, Florida: one among solely two groups to beat Boston twice this season.
The Panthers, who completed atop the league final yr earlier than shedding within the second spherical, shook off a gradual begin and made the playoffs within the last week. First-year coach Paul Maurice, within the playoffs for the tenth time in almost three a long time within the NHL, referred to as it a “monumental challenge” to face the Bruins however it’s precisely what he and his group need.
“We’re kind of going up against – I mean, let’s say it for what it is – the best team in regular season history here,” stated winger Matthew Tkachuk, who led Florida with 109 factors. “We have a chance to do something very, very special. But it’s going to take a lot of preparation, a lot of execution.”
The Lightning and Maple Leafs face off within the first spherical for a second yr in a row. Tampa Bay rallied to win the sequence in seven video games final yr on the way in which to a 3rd consecutive journey to the ultimate earlier than shedding to Colorado, which may once more emerge from the West.
But this can be Toronto’s yr to interrupt by way of for the franchise’s first playoff sequence since 2004.
“I just like how they they adjusted to get a little bit tougher,” retired forward-turned-TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette stated. “I think they’re going to win that first round, and that’s just going to propel their confidence moving forward throughout the playoffs.”
METRO MADNESS
While the Bruins had been the category of the Atlantic Division, the Metropolitan aspect of the East playoffs is anybody’s recreation. The Carolina Hurricanes received the division for a 3rd consecutive yr and open in opposition to the Islanders.
“We definitely think that we need our best players to be the best,” normal supervisor Don Waddell stated. “If we’re going to have success, our best players need to be good. But we do need to get goals from all four lines.”
The Rangers can get that – they usually’ll want it within the first spherical in opposition to the rival Devils. Landing elite offensive gamers Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko on the commerce deadline was essential, however their X-factor could also be Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko scoring whereas opponents are centered on shutting down the highest two ahead traces.
“Every line is a big part of our team, and so are they,” first-line middle Mika Zibanejad stated. “It’s fun to see them play, and it’s obviously very important.”
So is expertise, which New York acquired from a visit to the East last final yr. New Jersey doesn’t have that, however the Devils have 99-point producer Jack Hughes and fill a necessity for pace.
The Devils, again within the playoffs for the primary time since 2018, are arguably the quickest group within the league. Playoff hockey may take a look at that, however opposing gamers can’t hit what they will’t catch.
“Players that normally don’t hit start hitting,” coach Lindy Ruff stated. “You start talking about physicality and puck battles that you’ve got to win. We’ve had a lot of challenges through the year that we’ve answered the question with a yes. Our next question is to be able to prove that we can take this into the playoffs and be a successful team.”
GOALTENDING GAINS
Each group with home-ice benefit – the Bruins, Leafs, Hurricanes and Devils – are favored to get by way of the primary spherical on FanDuel Sportsbook. But goaltending has derailed quite a lot of hundred favored hockey groups within the historical past of the game, and this yr is not any totally different.
Boston could have to take care of both two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky. Toronto is dealing with 2019 Vezina winner and 2021 playoff MVP Andrei Vasilevskiy. Carolina will get seemingly Vezina finalist Ilya Sorokin. And New Jersey has to cope with reigning Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin.
Upsets start in web. Let the chaos start.
“There’s going to be some very good teams that are going home after the first round,” Waddell stated. “I know that. That’s the way the playoffs go.”
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