Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Bruins: 10 hottest players heading into second round

By Connor Floyd

May 23, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Boston Bruins
Craig Smith #12 of the Boston Bruins (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

The Boston Bruins 6th, 7th, and 8th best players in the first round

Coming in at number 8 is David Krejci. The longtime Bruins second line center was effective at the faceoff circle, winning the puck drops at a 53.24% clip and being the offensive catalyst for

Taylor Hall and Craig Smith, both of which scored crucial goals in the series. However, Krejci was on an absolute tear heading into the playoffs. Going forward, the Bruins will need more than a two-assist series from the center

More from Chowder and Champions

Lucky number seven is Smith. Krejci’s new right winger arguably had the most pivotal goal of the series.

Sure, it was a lucky break with Ilya Samsonov misplaying the puck and struggling to get back in position, but Smith still made the play and ended a grueling double overtime game to put the Bruins up 2-1 in the series. Smith also had a nice feed to Hall earlier in Game 3 to tie the game at one apiece.

At number six is Hall. This seems like a good place to remind you that, though Smith and Hall are higher than Krejci in this power ranking, Krejci is still the most important player on the second line. That being said, Hall has had a nose for the net since donning the black and gold, and that didn’t change in the first round.

He had a highlight reel goal in Game 3, corralling a pass from Smith, spinning, and flicking the puck over Samsonov for the game-tying goal.

Hall is a special player and he’s been all-systems-go since the trade deadline.

Home/Boston Bruins