The Boston Bruins are leading the series 3-2. Even though they are in the driver’s seat they should look to close out the series on Monday.
The Boston Bruins have been the better team for this entire series. Yet here we are at game 6. The series stands at 3-2 after the Bruins were unable to finish off the Maple Leafs in game 5.
The Bruins got some great play out of their 4th line, but there is definitely some room for improvement. Game 6 will be a turning point in the series no matter the outcome. If the Bruins win they will be moving on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. If they lose the Bruins will be looking at a game 7. The most unpredictable game in sports. Truly anything can happen.
So without further ado let’s look at the 3 keys to the game for the Bruins as they head into game 6.
1. Tuukka needs to bounce back
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that game 5 was rough for Tuukka Rask. It is never a good thing when you are pulled in the 2nd period. The Bruins need Rask to have a great game on Monday. He needs to make the great saves that he had been earlier on in the series. The Rask that was in the net on Saturday needs to not show up again.
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Now I don’t doubt Rask. I expect him to have a much better game. There is nothing more embarrassing than getting taken out of a playoff game. We have seen how Rask has responded to situations like these. After getting benched for a few games early on in the season Rask came back with a vengeance.
If Rask is able to stand on his head the Bruins chances at victory are higher than the Prudential Building. No matter if you like it or not the Boston Bruins need Tuukka Rask.
2. The defense can’t be lacking
The Bruins defense has had its issues against the Maple Leafs. They have been picked apart due to their lack of speed. The Maple Leafs have been able to enter the Bruins zone with ease. There have been times when the Maple Leafs have been able to slip between defenders and get some breakaway opportunities. On some occasions, Rask has been able to make some insane saves, but after his performance in game 5, the Bruins will have to do a much better job in their own zone.
Also, a problem has been the Bruins defense pinching in the attacking zone. The Bruins have responded to the Leafs forwards booking it down the ice as soon as they get the puck in their own zone by not pinching but have still allowed people to slip by.
If the Bruins defense can keep the Leafs in front of them and not allow Mitch Marner or Auston Matthews to go off they should be in good shape.
3. The Bruins need to score early
The Bruins need to come out like they were blasted out of a cannon in the first period on Monday night. They need to give the Maple Leafs no room to breathe and kill their hope at extending the series.
The Bruins have gotten production from all over this season as well as in the series. The Bruins first line has been great so hopefully, David Pastrnak or Brad Marchand can spark the team early on.
This is as close to a must-win game for the Bruins as you can possibly get. I have full faith that they will be advancing to the next round but game 7’s are scary. Especially since the Bruins have such a young team
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I can assure you that game 6 will be a great game to watch. These teams will be giving it all they got. Hopefully, at the end of the night, the Bruins will be going through the handshake line and looking forward to playing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.