2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Bruins vs. Red Wings Game 2 Preview
Apr 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) looks on during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins, Red Wings Go at It in Game 2
The Eastern Conference quarterfinals hasn’t gone well for the Boston Bruins so far, as Claude Julien‘s squad fell to the Detroit Red Wings, 1-0, at the TD Garden on Friday night. Game 2 will take place tomorrow at the TD Garden.
The Bruins were influenced by injuries to several skaters, namely Chris Kelly, Daniel Paille, Kevan Miller, and Matt Bartkowski. Replacements for these players were Andrej Meszaros, Corey Potter, Justin Florek and Jordan Caron.
According to the Metro West Daily News, Bartkowski and Miller were believed to be wrangling with the flu. While Paille and Kelly are likely out for the Game 2, the status of Miller and Bartkowski for the match is still up in the air.
“I don’t know yet,” Julien told the Boston Herald. “This is Bartkowski’s first day practicing this week and Miller, it’s his second. It’ll depend on how they feel (today). We’ve got contingency plans here, whether they play or not. So confirmation, I can’t give that to you.”
Pavel Datsyuk was the difference between victory and defeat in Game 1. The ‘Wings assistant captain put on a one-man show to weave around defenders and beat Tuukka Rask with a deep wrist shot.
Boston relies heavily on depth, as nine players during the regular season scored 40 or more points with five of them netting 20 goals or over. So, absences on third and fourth-liners will set them back from reaching their full potential.
But in the end, Detroit doesn’t have the most distinguished group of players on the offensive side, besides Daniel Alfredsson, Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg (who won’t appear in this round) and Datsyuk. Most of their lines consist of rag-tag men, who muscled their way up from the AHL. Gustav Nyquist is a great example of one of those guys, and he’s actually brought great success to the Red Wings, breaking out in March to lead his team in overall points with 48.
The Bruins should be able to muster scoring against the ‘Wings, a squad that is mediocre by regular season statistics. Mike Babcock’s crew has done a fantastic job moving the puck forward quickly in transition and limiting the Bruins’ chances in the offensive end. Credit to them.
By the Numbers
The B’s are 18-28 all-time in Game Two’s when they are trailing a best-of-seven series 0-1. They have an all-time series mark of 13-33 when they have trailed a best-of-seven series 0-1.
The Red Wings are better, maintaining a 36-16 record all-time in Game Two’s when they are leading a best-of-seven series 1-0. They have an all-time series mark of 38-14 when they have led a best-of-seven series 1-0.
Game 2 of the Bruins-Red Wings series will air tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. on NBC and TSN.