Bruins Advance to the Finals

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          With a convincing sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes, the Boston Bruins are heading back to the Stanley Cups Finals. This will be the third finals in the past 9 years. The Bruins earned the #3 position in the Playoffs and after first round losses from Tampa Bay and Washington, the Bruins had home ice advantage throughout the remainder of the Playoffs. The Bruins finished the regular season 49-24-9. They had an incredible run starting on January 29th,where the team didn't have a regular time loss spanning 19 games ending on March 10th. In the month of February, the Bruins were 11-0-2. They had numerous winning streaks starting with 4 wins after losing the opener. They had two, 4 games streaks, one, 5 game streak and two, 6 game streaks. They have now entered the finals on a 7 game winning streak.

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      It's clear who the backbone of the success for the team is. Even though Rask played his fewest regular season game since being named as a started, he's the clear reason the Bruins have a chance at yet another Stanley Cup. He did have some struggles during the season, but that all has been forgotten with his absolute stellar play in these playoffs. Rask is 12-5 with a 1.96 GAA and a SV% of .939 during his 17 playoff starts. Toronto was by far their toughest challenge forcing Rask and the Bruins to a game 7. During the series, Tuukka faced 223 shots and he saved 207 of them. The second round, the Bruins faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets with that series going to a game 6. Columbus, had just come off a sweep of the 2019 NHL Presidents' Trophy winners, Tampa Bay Lightning. Against Columbus, Rask faced 212 shots and turned away 201 of them. In the conference finals verse Carolina, a team that beat out the #2 seed Washington, and then swept the New York Islanders. Rask has his best series having 114 shots come his way and saved 109 of them. To this point in the playoffs, he's faced a total of 549 shots against, saving 517 of them. The most amazing stat is, in the 3 series clinching games, Rask had 1 goal scored against him with two shutouts. Tuukka Rask has been "standing on his head" during the playoffs so far and he's the main reason the Boston Bruins are in position to win another cup. He's playing at the top of his game and seems very cool, calm and collected in the net.  

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          The credit doesn't fall solely on Tukka Rask for the success of this team. The team has had just about everyone step up their play in these playoffs. The first line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak were absolutely dominant. So far in these first 3 rounds of playoffs, these 3 players have combined for 22 goals and 24 assist. These are the type of stats that you need from a top line to go this deep in the playoffs. In the deciding game four against Carolina, the three of them accounted for all 4 goals. These three, along with David Krejci, have lead this teams power play to some wonderful numbers as well. Especially in this past series verse Carolina. 

          The contribution doesn't stop there with the top line. David Krejci, who would be a top center if it weren't for Bergeron, has had a wonderful playoffs as well. With Krejci heading up the second line, he's amassed 4 goals but has been quite the helper with 10 assist. David hasn't been the only player on the lower lines that has come through big. Charlie Coyle, who the Bruins traded Ryan Donato to Minnesota for has turned out to be a major acquisition. The former BU Terrier and Weymouth, Massachusetts native, has come up big with some timely goals. To this point, he has 5 goals and 7 assist. Another addition, Marcus Johansson, who was a trade deadline addition came over from New Jersey and has been productive as well. Johansson has accumulated 3 goals and 6 assist in these playoffs. This is the perfect kind of contribution you'd want from two guys you gave up valuable assets for. Many other players have shown their value through these playoffs, in particular the fourth line that has been gritty and have come up with goals in some big situations. 

Photo Courtesy of  www.nesn.com

Photo courtey of www.nesn.com

     
          Defensively, this team is set up perfectly for the style of hockey Bruce Cassidy wants to play. Other than the ageless wonder, Zedeno Chara, the defense is youthful and skilled. The skating and the ability of these young defensemen to carry the puck into the zone has been the difference between these Bruins and the three opponents they've faced. They have had to overcome some injuries but that next player is always ready to step up. Not only are they physical, they are able to put points on the board. In these playoffs, the 7 total defensemen have scored a total of 8 goals and have assisted on 26 goals. Chara wears the captains "C" on his chest and it's rightfully so, but Torey Krug, Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelyck have been the major threats as offensive defensemen. Out of the 26 assist, these three players accounted for 20 of them. Incredible offensive production from the guys that are paid to stop opposing teams from scoring. 

        This team is a perfect example of slow and steady wins the race. It has been an incredible season for a team that lacks what the league would look at as a "superstar". But hockey is the ultimate team sport and they continue to prove that 1 player doesn't make or break the team. Although some would argue that without Tuukka Rask, they wouldn't be in this position but it's still a collective effort to advance this far in any playoffs. Back up goalie, Jaroslav Halak came up big in situations this season when Rask wasn't playing his best or was injured. All is good right now with the Bruins, and even though I would say they aren't as talented as the 2011 and the 2013 teams, this team is extremely deep, has superb power play and a goalie playing like the best goalie in the league. This team has a great chance to raise Lord Stanley's Cup come June. So now we wait in anticipation to see in the Bruins will face St. Louis or San Jose in the Finals. Both of those teams need to proceed with caution because this Bruins team is on fire and they need to "Fear the Bear".