Game 6 tonight. Bruins try to rake the Leafs in Toronto.
May 10, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins are up in Toronto facing the Maple Leafs again in the Air Canada Centre. It’s game six and the stakes are high for both teams. Tonight the Bruins try to finish off the Leafs in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Maple Leafs try to bring it to a seventh game, and try to win their fist postseason game at home against the Bruins since 1959.
The Bruins will be without Andrew Ference who wasn’t on the plane with the rest of the team. “Obviously, didn’t make the trip for good reasons,” said Julien. “We’re heading back home tonight one way or another – he’s a day-to-day.” It’s likely we won’t be seeing Ference until the start of the second round. Since Ference is out, Aaron Johnson will likely fill that slot on defense tonight. Aaron Johnson hasn’t played since March 30th and this will be his first NHL postseason appearance this year.
“That’s probably the biggest obstacle, it’s been tough for Aaron,” said Julien, of his limited game-time. “We would have loved to give him the opportunity to play in Providence, but the CBA doesn’t allow it and it’s kind of played against him. Right now, he hasn’t played in a long time. It’s tough for him. As far as Redden’s status, a lot of game-time decisions to be made tonight regarding our back end.”
Dougie Hamilton will also very likely be in the lineup tonight. Hamilton will be in for Wade Redden. Redden did practice with the team this morning. Coach Claude Julien is considering him a ‘game time decision’ but more than likely will give our popular rookie another taste of the playoffs.
While I’m happy to see Hamilton getting a shot, I’d rather see Seguin and Marchand light up the lamps tonight. Neither of them have scored a goal in the first five games, although it is not by a lack of effort. As of now, the duo have fired thirty seven shots on Toronto goalie James Reimer. None of them have gotten through yet. Seguin talked about that and how he’s going to go the extra effort to put them in.
“Being able to stay calm and be confident in those areas,” said Seguin, on how to get his pucks past Reimer. “When you have an empty net, being able to make that extra move and make sure the puck goes in. I think it’s also not visualizing scoring goals, but being able to stay calm and relax and make sure you get it in. I think we’ve been passionate, we’ve been working hard. It’s just about being a bit smarter, being a bit more confident and calm with the puck, support each other a little bit more all over the ice.”