Boston Bruins 2020 PLAYOFFS - THE BEAR invades the Toronto bubble

[Terrier]

BSJ Live Q&A: Conor Ryan on Bruins/NHL - Thursday at 3 p.m. | Boston Sports Journal

 

[Trap Jesus]

I was looking at the most difficult opponents for 1st place teams and in the 2014-2019 Wild Card era, the Pens and Canadiens are really the only outliers that we could have faced (can't face the Canadiens any more):

Year	1st Place Team	First Playoff Opponent	Points Percentage of Opponent
2020	Bruins	Penguins	0.623
2019	Lightning	Blue Jackets	0.598
2015	Rangers	Penguins	0.598
2020	Bruins	Hurricanes	0.596
2020	Bruins	Islanders	0.588
2016	Capitals	Flyers	0.585
2020	Bruins	Blue Jackets	0.579
2020	Bruins	Maple Leafs	0.579
2018	Predators	Avalanche	0.579
2017	Capitals	Maple Leafs	0.579
2014	Bruins	Red Wings	0.567
2020	Bruins	Panthers	0.565
2020	Bruins	Rangers	0.564
2020	Bruins	Canadiens	0.500

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[BergyWho37]

Obviously not happy with the way we’re playing but honestly it doesn’t matter until the actual series starts, there is no home ice advantage this year so I’m not getting upset over nothing and if we finish forth you could argue it’s an easy road to the cup coz of the teams you face.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Do you think those stars (1st line + Krejci) are ready to play playoff hockey? Because I don't. I don't think they're close. I think they need every available game rep, especially Krejci with Kase.

It's tricky. I'd be very tempted to rest Bergy particularly but he hasn't looked any better than the other top guys. They desperately need game time but you don't want to see any pointless injuries either.

At minimum I agree Krejci and Kase definitely need to play together, so do Pasta and Marchand. If Bergeron were to sit perhaps you throw Studnicka in as 1C so the other lines aren't compromised. Bit out there I know, but it would be a great test for him and may force his wingers to up their defensive game, which has been pretty poor so far.

 

[Blowfish]

Easily confused - is there any chance the bruins play the leafs first round?

 

[DKH]

Love the strategy by Boston

Avoid Montreal in round 1

 

[Blowfish]

Anyone who hasn't played needs to be inserted last game of meaningless round. To protect key vets, prepare/rest for long playoff run, and to confirm if anyone surprises.

 

[DKH]

Bruins in good spot if healthy

I know If I was playing that Goodrow dirty hit would have me white hot focused and determined

 

[pgm16]

So we get Pittsburgh or Carolina ??

 

[pgm16]

Easily confused - is there any chance the bruins play the leafs first round?

I don't think so, I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong.....lol

 

[BruinsBtn]

The only team I wanted to avoid in round 1 was Pittsburgh. So if Montreal can beat them, that's great. Getting up to 3rd to face the Islanders would be perfect.

 

[The Laukomotive]

Easily confused - is there any chance the bruins play the leafs first round?

Yes, if Bruins finish 3rd in the qualifier and Toronto has the 2nd best remaining regular season point percentage.

Bruins can finish 3rd or 4th in the qualifier. Toronto can be the 2nd best team if both Florida and Montreal make the first round.

I don't think so, I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong.....lol

There you go

So we get Pittsburgh or Carolina ??

Assuming the Penguins win against Montreal, yes. If they lose, it's likely between Islanders and Carolina.

There's still the unlikely possibility of facing either Toronto or Columbus.

 

[Jaguar God]

Regroup Sunday and play like they did for most of yesterday's game where they were controlling play.

I also apologize for my overly negative posts- long story short, it's a weird coping mechanism for someone that suffers from severe anxiety. The Bruins losing puts me in a really bad funk and I try to normalize it in a ridiculous manner. No excuse. I will refrain from posting nonsense.

 

[Smitty93]

Easily confused - is there any chance the bruins play the leafs first round?

Bruins can't finish any higher than 3rd, so the only way they'd play Toronto is if both Montreal and Florida won their respective series.

 

[DKH]

So we get Pittsburgh or Carolina ??

Penguins done

Canadiens have
Great goalie
Confidence
Underrated young forwards

I dislike Pittsburgh more than Montreal

 

[DKH]

Bruins can't finish any higher than 3rd, so the only way they'd play Toronto is if both Montreal and Florida won their respective series.

Losing muzzin big

 

[DKH]

I have to admit I’m actually into these playoffs other than the Bruins and seeding games as crazy as sounds (I know when starts I will be into it)

The bad blood in the West is phenomenal

Will the Leafs lay an egg tonight ? (I think they lose) and can Montreal do the unthinkable and knock out the high powered Pens and freak out a Province who know a chance at Lafreniere would be gone

Canadiens are a pain in the ass and some of there young centers like Suzuki and Danault are going to be very good

outstanding entertainment all over

 

[Babajingo]

It's crazy that Pitt or Edm could get the first draft pick.

Seems about right for the NHL.

 

[Mione134]

It's crazy that Pitt or Edm could get the first draft pick.

Seems about right for the NHL.

Nothing surprises me less.

 

[DKH]

It's crazy that Pitt or Edm could get the first draft pick.

Seems about right for the NHL.

That aside going to must watch the 10th if any of Pittsburgh Toronto Nashville Winnipeg or Edmonton are Sitting there - even Rangers

 

[aguineapig]

Regroup Sunday and play like they did for most of yesterday's game where they were controlling play.

I also apologize for my overly negative posts- long story short, it's a weird coping mechanism for someone that suffers from severe anxiety. The Bruins losing puts me in a really bad funk and I try to normalize it in a ridiculous manner. No excuse. I will refrain from posting nonsense.

No need to apologize my friend. I spent the 60's and 70's in a Montreal induced manic depression. Followed by 80's Islander's anxiety. Thought we finally had the Habs only to be short changed by Steve Penney. Drilled by the Oil and Petr Klima. Scott Walker, Joel Ward, Timmy Taylor's toe. They all put me in a really bad funk. And that's no nonsense.

 

[Trap Jesus]

FYI:

Ways Bruins can get the 3 seed:

- WSH loses to PHI in regulation, BOS beats WSH in any fashion
- WSH loses to PHI in OT/SO, BOS beats WSH in regulation
- PHI loses in regulation to WSH and TBL, BOS beats WSH in any fashion

Any other combo and Bruins get the 4 seed.

Playoff opponents if 4 seed:

- PIT if PIT beats MTL
- CAR if MTL beats PIT

Playoff opponents if 3 seed:

- CAR if PIT beats MTL
- NYI if: MTL beats PIT, NYI beats FLA
- TOR if: MTL beats PIT, FLA beats NYI, TOR beats CLB
- CLB if: MTL beats PIT, FLA beats NYI, CLB beats TOR

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

Definitely getting ahead of myself here, but the Hurricanes (while playing really well) may be quite a favorable match-up for the Bruins.

Including last year's sweep in the Eastern Conference Final (on the heels of Carolina sweeping their previous opponent and having to wait for the Bruins - sound familiar?) the Bruins are 10-1-0 in their last 11 games against the Hurricanes. The Bruins have also won 6 straight vs Carolina while scoring 3.83 goals per game and only allowing 1.33 goals against per game.

Just some food for thought.

 

[Smitty93]

Definitely getting ahead of myself here, but the Hurricanes (while playing really well) may be quite a favorable match-up for the Bruins.

Including last year's sweep in the Eastern Conference Final (on the heels of Carolina sweeping their previous opponent and having to wait for the Bruins - sound familiar?) the Bruins are 10-1-0 in their last 11 games against the Hurricanes. The Bruins have also won 6 straight vs Carolina while scoring 3.83 goals per game and only allowing 1.33 goals against per game.

Just some food for thought.

I think many series are decided by the goaltending matchup, and neither of Carolina's worry me.

 

[kthx]

I think many series are decided by the goaltending matchup, and neither of Carolina's worry me.

Mrazek played really well but is far away from Rask. Canes look good but I think we do aswell, in 1 week.