The Boston Bruins played their last game of the regular season and are now focused on the playoffs and bringing a Stanley Cup back to Boston.
This has been a pretty great season for Boston Bruins fans. The team has had to go through a lot but they have locked up the No.2 seed in the Eastern Conference and seem poised for a long run in the playoffs.
When you think about all the obstacles the team had to face this season has already been a success. The number of injuries the team had to deal with is insane. These weren’t just 4th liners either. Guys like Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron missed some serious time.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
A lot of players stepped up to the plate and performed well when the Bruins needed them. Jaroslav Halak may have been the best free agent pickup of the offseason and that’s saying something because John Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Still the Eastern Conference is packed with good teams, most notably the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa has been an absolute wagon. They seem unstoppable. If the Bruins get to the 2nd round that is who they will face.
This matchup should be the Eastern Conference Finals but the NHL sucks and has a terrible playoff format. Everyone hates it yet they are keeping it for next season.
If the Bruins want to get to the Stanley Cup they need to do these 3 things.
1. It needs to be Tuukka Time
If the Bruins want to be successful they need Tuukka Rask to play well.
Having a good goaltender is crucial in the playoffs. If he is off his game you might as well start packing. Bad goaltending can destroy even the best of teams.
More from Boston Bruins
- Boston Bruins fans better be ready for a bridge year
- Boston Bruins Rumors: Why letting Tyler Bertuzzi walk is a big mistake
- Boston Bruins Rumors: Milan Lucic back returns to the Black & Gold express
- Boston Bruins Draft class 2023: Grades & thoughts on draft selections
- Boston Bruins win 3 big awards at NHL Awards Gala: Thoughts & reactions
As of late Rask has been playing well. He has ended the season strong and looks to be the top tier goaltender that the Bruins were looking for when they signed him to that massive deal.
I really want to see Rask bring home the Cup. Tuukka haters will attack him until he does. It’s just like David Price and Red Sox fans. When you win a championship it immediately becomes really hard not to like you.
If the Bruins want to have a chance of beating the Tampa Bay Lightning and possibly winning the Stanley Cup they will need Tuukka Rask to stand on his head.
2. Be physical
I don’t know what it is about the Boston Bruins, but they just play better when they are being physical.
When the Bruins are being physical they are usually in control of the game. They are able to dump pucks deep into the opponents zone and limit time of possession in their own zone.
Especially against a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, who the Bruins will be facing in the first round, being physical plays an important role. Toronto is an extremely fast team. Being physical breaks up there style of play.
Also there physical style of play can open up opportunities in the offensive zone. They can lead to on man rushes and quality scoring opportunities.
Especially against fast teams the Bruins need to win the time of possession. It’s hard to score goals when you are on the defensive. I expect Boston to be patient and move the puck around a lot.
If the Bruins are physical I like their chances to go deep in the playoffs.
3. Supplemental scoring
The Boston Bruins 1st line has been amazing this season, but the team can’t rely on them to do all the scoring. Boston needs scoring from all 4 lines.
A line that needs to perform well is the Bruins 2nd line. I’m expecting great performances from David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. Both of these guys had great regular seasons and will hopefully continue to score in the playoffs.
The playoffs will also prove if the Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson trades were good moves. These trades were made to add depth and if they are able to score a few times they will have paid off.
Playoff hockey is absolutely amazing. It is the best thing in sports and on Thursday it will finally be back. Hopefully we will be seeing the Boston Bruins lift the Stanley Cup and parading through the streets of Boston when all is said and done