First Round Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

NHL First Round Playoff Predictions

Western Conference

#1 Blackhawks vs. #8 Wild (Blackhawks in 5)

#2 Ducks vs. #7 Red Wings (Ducks in 6)

#3 Canucks vs. #6 Sharks (Sharks in 7)

#4 Blues vs. #5 Kings (Kings in 7)

Eastern Conference

#1 Penguins vs. #8 Islanders (Penguins in 6)

#2 Canadiens vs. #7 Senators (Senators in 7)

#3 Capitals vs. #6 Rangers (Rangers in 6)

#4 Bruins vs. #5 Maple Leafs (Bruins in 5)

           

Game 41: Bruins vs. Hurricanes Game Preview

Boston Bruins: 26-10-4 vs. Carolina Hurricanes: 16-22-2

The Boston Bruins will be in Raleigh, North Carolina Saturday night for a showdown with the Carolina Hurricanes. The matchup will mark the third and final meeting between these clubs this year. The B’s will be in search of the season series sweep. Boston can clinch a playoff spot with a victory and regain the Northeast Division lead with a Montreal loss.

Claude Julien’s team will look to pick up their sixth win in their last eight attempts. As for the Hurricanes, not much has changed since the 6-2 beating the Black-and-Gold laid on them this past Monday night. The Canes have lost nine of their last ten games, including two additional losses since departing from Boston.

The main focus for the B’s will be rediscovering their offensive mojo. A team that scored early and often in beating the Canes earlier this week, followed up what was a promising effort with a disheartening shortcoming against the Islanders. Playing without leading scorers Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, the B’s offense seemed to be out of sorts and marred by inconsistencies.

Facing a decimated Canes squad may once again prove to be exactly what the Bruins need in order to get things back on track. After falling 2-1 to Montreal on April 6, it was the Bruins bouncing back, hanging a six spot on Carolina. The B’s once again find themselves in a similar situation; only this time they will be looking to avenge a 2-1 loss to the Isles. Whether the B’s have the same success remains to be seen.

After a great deal of line shuffling and searching for the most advantageous way to fill the void left by Patrice Bergeron in the Bruins lineup, Claude Julien must now do the same in addressing Marchand’s absence. After a day off and a chance to reassess their assets, Boston will get another attempt at building chemistry. The Bruins have gotten a steady contribution from Gregory Campell and Rich Peverley recently. Both players have taken on significantly different roles and will provide immense assistance if they can keep up the success.

With the likes of Jaromir Jagr, David Krejci, Tyler Seguin, Milan Lucic, and Nathan Horton manning the Bruins front lines, emerging victorious Saturday should be of little issue. The Canes are one of the weaker defensive teams in the NHL and their lack of quality goaltending could help spring the top Bruin forwards in the right direction. Several of the B’s players admitted it has been difficult at times with out their top scorers, but no one around the NHL is feeling sorry. Boston needs to block out any extraneous deterrents and find what it takes from within.

The Hurricanes will be expected to trot out the same group from other night. The Staal brothers are always a threat, as is Jeff Skinner. Eric Staal, arguably Carolina’s best player, has not produced a single goal during their current 7 game losing skid. Look for the trio to receive a heavy dosage of Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg.

Tuukka Rask will likely be in goal for the B’s. Carolina has not been able to solve him, dropping both previous contests. Last time out, Tuukka turned aside 40 shots and improved to 3-2 in career head-to-head matchups. Things don’t look bright for the Hurricanes.

Look for the Bruins to continue on in riding their hot goalies. No matter who man’s the Boston crease, goals will be difficult to come by for the Hurricanes. Carolina has been brutally outscored 59-24 in their last 15 tilts (1-13-1).  At the end of the day, stats don’t lie. The B’s are fifth in the league in points (56) and have outscored the opposition by a combined 27 goals this season. They are still an elite NHL team and should face little resistance in knocking of the Canes.

Bruins fall short, lose to Montreal 2-1

Montreal celebrates a 2-1 win and season series
victory over Boston. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz)

The Montreal Canadiens win the season series and once again knock off the Boston Bruins, winning 2-1. In victory, the Habs retain control of the Northeast Division and extend their lead in the standings to 3 points on the B’s. With the division up for grabs in the biggest game of the season, Boston lacked in multiple areas. The Black-and-Gold lost a game that at first glance could have really gone either way. But in actuality, the inability to execute cost them two points.

The B’s and Habs were even in nearly every category. The glaring difference in this one was turnovers. In the first period, a string of Bruins miscues in their own end ultimately resulted in the opening goal of the game. Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk intercepted a Matt Bartkowski clearing attempt, forced play back in deep, and finally banked a shot off Tuukka Rask and in. The Habs, beneficiaries of a lucky bounce; Boston, haunted by a crucial mishap.

Just seconds into the second frame, Montreal struck again. This time it was via the power play. A Milan Lucic crosschecking penalty led to a Michael Ryder goal. Ryder was able to redirect a P.K. Subban wrist shot by Rask, making it 2-0. An always-reliable Bruins penalty kill fell victim to yet another bad break. Rask was unable to knock down a fluttering deflection that landed just out of his reach.

Boston then followed, registering its lone marker of the hockey game. Daniel Paille won a face-off back to Johnny Boychuk, who then had his shot ricochet back off Paille and by Carey price.  It was all the B’s offense could muster up. It was an offensive display that proved to be a step to slow and a second to late all evening long. The Bruins had their chances though. On a couple of occasions, Boston failed to score easy goals, missing the net completely on shots from close range areas.

The Bruins closed out a discouraging effort, failing to register a power play shot during a 6 on 4 advantage in the game’s final minute. The little emotion Boston exhibited, coupled with a diminished sense of urgency is nothing but disappointing. Granted this contest could have very well of been 0-0 and heading for overtime, the B’s did very little to help their cause. Call it unlucky, but Boston was outplayed and deservingly beaten.

In a game with few bright spots, Tuukka Rask played strong. Rask stopped 27 of 29 Canadien shots. Rask fell to 2-8-2 in his career against Montreal in defeat. He was active early and often, denying several Montreal scoring bids. Carey Price matched him. The habs goaltender turned away 26 of 27, proving invaluable.

Claude Julien and his men are more than aware that improvements and changes need to made and implemented quickly. Julien juggled his line combinations in each period, hoping to spark some energy. That spark never came. The Bruins are hopeful Chris Kelly will make a return to the team next week. The B’s are struggling to find a way to incorporate Jaromir Jagr. A Kelly return would bring added versatility to the front lines and possibly render a solution to the recent offensive imbalance.

*Bruins fall to 24-9-5. 2nd in the Northeast, 4th in the Eastern Conference

*Next game: Monday vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Game 37: Bruins-Canadiens Preview

Boston: 24-8-4 Montreal: 24-8-5

Saturday night will mark the fourth and final meeting between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens this season. The Habs have gotten the better of the B’s, defeating them once in regulation and once in a shootout. The B’s lone victory came back on February 6.  Only a single point separates the Bruins from the Habs, first place in the Northeast Division, and the second overall spot in the Conference.

The B’s have ripped off 3 consecutive victories and would like nothing more than to extend their streak in a tilt that is hands down the most important of the year. Montreal has endured similar success to that of Boston, winning 4 of 5 contests and 3 straight at Bell Centre.

Since losing 5 of 7 games, Boston has turned things around, and now finally have another chance at regaining control of the division with only a few weeks remaining in the season. Bruins newcomer Jaromir Jagr will get his first taste of what is arguably the bitterest rivalry in sports. Jagr provided an instantaneous jolt in his B’s debut and has high hopes of making a positive impact as he settles in with his new teammates.

The Habs and B’s have been neck and neck, nipping at one another’s heels all season. For weeks now, first place has been up for grabs on a nightly basis. These clubs are two of the best the NHL has to offer and know each all to well. This much anticipated face-off has finally arrived. 

For the Bruins, keys to victory are simple. Bring the hurt, drive the net, and keep cool. Last time these two sides hooked up, Boston allowed Montreal to play their style and the game resembled a track meet. The Habs are a smaller, speedy, highly skilled bunch. The B’s must use their size, strength, and toughness to wear down Montreal. By imposing their will, Boston can get to the dirty areas and finish at the net, while banging up Montreal and slowing them down.

Montreal’s flare for the dramatic is well documented. Many times over the Bruins have experienced it and have taken action. With Boston’s best penalty killer out of the line up, it is especially important to avoid the ill-advised penalties that the Canadiens tend to induce. The Habs have one of the most lethal power plays around. Steering clear of any sort of special teams showdown is the route Boston should aim for.

Boston will look to continue riding their hot goaltending. Tuukka Rask is fresh off a 40 save blanking of the Devils and will likely be in goal again. Rask is 2-7-2 in his career versus Montreal. Despite the poor record, Rask will be highly motivated with first place on the line. The B’s defense must tighten up. Jay Pandolfo and Kaspars Daugavins will be vitally important in accomplishing that.

Projected lineup:

Lucic-Krejci-Horton

Marchand-Seguin-Jagr

Pandolfo-Peverley-Daugavins

Paille-Campell-Thornton

Chara-Hamilton

Ference-Seidenberg

Bartkowski-Boychuk

Rask