Boston Bruins: Don Sweeney Speaks to Media Before 1st Round
By Dan Watkins
Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney held his media availability before the Playoffs start on Monday. The Bruins will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a best-of-seven game series beginning on Thursday.
After failing to capture the Atlantic Division crown and home ice throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Boston Bruins turn their attention to their Original Six rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney echoed that when speaking to reporters Monday afternoon:
"We won 50 games, the body for speaks that this team deserves to be where we are. We’re focused on Thursday night, I think every team would recognize areas that they want to clean up, we just want to try to be playing our best hockey on Thursday night."
Sweeney was questioned about the final six week stretch, where the Bruins played more games than any other team in March and April. They only managed to go 7-5-4 over the last month, but you play the hand you are dealt, and Don Sweeney stated that facing and overcoming adversity is nothing new to this group:
"The schedule’s probably presented some challenges, but for the most part the whole schedule throughout the season has presented challenges to our hockey club. To me, they’ve risen too each and every one of them for the most part, I think the body of work speaks for itself."
Full Strength?
Sweeney addressed the situations of Rick Nash (Concussion), Riley Nash (Ear) and Sean Kuraly (Upper Body). All three players could return to action for Game One on Thursday. Kuraly and Rick Nash have been skating for a week now, while Riley Nash returned to the ice Monday.
The trio’s return would put the Bruins at maximum strength, as the only other regular skater who is injured is Brandon Carlo (ankle) who is done for the season.
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Bruce Cassidy and the coaching staff will have an interesting dilemma on his hands as a few players who have regularly dressed may be watching Game One from the Ninth floor of the TD Garden