Game 4 Preview: Bruins Look To Sweep The Rangers

May 21, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk (55) skates off the ice with teammates after scoring against the New York Rangers during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Boston won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday night, the Boston Bruins will look to end the New York Ranger’s season.

The B’s played an impressive game on Tuesday night in Game 3, beating the Rangers 2-1. At one point in the game, it seemed that no matter how many shots Boston took, none of them were going to get by Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist played outstanding, but not outstanding enough as the Bruins squeaked two goals past the Vezina Trophy nominee to take a 3-0 series lead.

On Wednesday, the Bruins held an optional practice in which six defensemen and seven forwards took the ice. Jaromir Jagr and Tyler Seguin were among the forwards that practiced (both are scoreless during the playoffs). Dennis Seidenberg was among the defensemen and continues to work his way back to full health. Seidenberg is getting better every day and said that “there’s a chance” he could play tomorrow.

The Rangers are on the brink of elimination and are going to be giving it everything they have to keep their season going. If New York needs to work on any part of their game, it is their power play, which was horrendous in Game 3 and has been throughout the playoffs. They are 2-38 on the man advantage this postseason and can’t seem to find an answer. On the power play, the players aren’t supporting each other and are trying to do everything by themselves. That is not going to work, especially against Boston, whose penalty kill is exceptional.

Boston’s fourth line has been extraordinary and the Rangers simply don’t have an answer for them. Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton were on the ice for both goals in Game 3 and outplayed, outhustled and outworked the Rangers all game. The Bruins are hard to beat when the “Merlot Line” is playing like they are, and New York will have to slow them down if they want to stay alive in this series.

The brooms will be readily available at Madison Square Garden and the Bruins would love to bring them out by defeating the Rangers and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be televised on CNBC.