After a shootout win to the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, the Boston Bruins are still holding a playoff position. However, the race is still tight and can go in many different ways. Currently in the final wild card spot, the Bruins are tied in points with both Pittsburgh and Detroit and three points ahead of Ottawa. However, all three teams have a game in hand – which will be played later on today – so where the B’s will end up may not be decided until the very end of the regular season.
#NHLBruins find a way to get two points in the SO vs. Leafs for five straight wins. Read: http://t.co/d2iQe4ujzh pic.twitter.com/oKBoPi7v8X
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 5, 2015
This week is going to be a nail biter, waiting to see who shows up and who fails to deliver. With three challenging matchups this week, the B’s will need to look sharp, play strong and work together so that they can keep grabbing points and head into the postseason.
Washington Capitals
On Wednesday April 8th at 8pm EST, the Bruins will look to achieve their longest winning streak of the season by making it six in a row. However, the Caps are one of those teams that are known to play spoiler so the B’s will need to bring their A game to take two. So far, both of the season matchups have gone to the Caps and the B’s have failed to figure out Holtby, tallying zero points on him this year. Wednesday would be the perfect time to turn this around and prove that they deserve a spot in the playoffs.
Florida Panthers & Tampa Bay Lightning
For the second time this season, the Bruins will face a “double-header” in sunny Florida. On Thursday April 9th at 7:30pm the Bruins will face the Florida Panthers. Less than a week ago these teams met in Boston and the B’s took the game 3-2. They are also ahead in the series 2-1, but the Panthers have a few players on their roster that can come out strong and leave the B’s fighting for the win. Currently sitting 8 points out of a playoff spot, the Panthers will be heading for the golf course soon after this matchup so they may be looking to play spoiler. A strong game is obviously needed.
"“Everyone is playing desperate hockey, good hockey, and it definitely keeps us on our toes and we have to do the job. You know, it’s in our hands. They’re not going to quit, and we knew that heading into the last stretch, but we’re seeing it right now, so we have to keep going.” Patrice Bergeron"
Saturday April 11th at 7:30pm, the Bruins will head to Tampa to take on the Lighting – a potential matchup for the playoff’s first round – for their last regular season game. The B’s have had good luck against this team in the past, but the last time they met, the Bruins looked like a bunch of amateurs losing 5-3. One thing that the B’s have going for them is the fact that Tampa has already secured a spot in the playoffs. They might just consider sitting their top players for this matchup.
With only three games and a potential six points left in the season, every game and point counts. Julien has made some changes to the lineup, putting Connolly in and sitting Campbell in the game against Detroit. With 50 SOG, this seemed to work for the B’s. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Campbell make an appearance again this season. No matter who is on the ice, they will need to step up their game and put it all out there to secure one of the three (or more) spots that are currently up for grabs.