3 Reasons the Bruins Make the Playoffs

2. Trade Deadline Deals

As the trade deadline inched closer and closer, it was clear that the Bruins had needs. A top-six forward was needed, as was a left-shot defenseman. Less than an hour following an 8-1 drubbing at the hands of the Capitals, general manager Don Sweeney addressed both needs late into the night on April 11.

The first deal acquired Mike Reilly from the Ottawa Senators and the 6-foot-1 and 199-pound 27-year-old has been just what Boston needed. In four games, Reilly has two assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-2. A solid puck-moving blueliner, Reilly quickly was inserted on the first power play unit in his first game. Oh, and he has 13 shots on the net in four games. So far, the returns have been very good.

Sweeney’s second deal landed former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from the Sabres. Hall has already scored as many goals in four games with the Bruins, two, then he did in 37 games for Buffalo. Since Hall’s arrival, the Bruins have won all four games and David Krejci has found an extra step in his game. Playing with confidence, Krejci now has both wings with Hall and Craig Smith producing. If the Bruins continue to get production from their top two lines, they will be a very tough out the rest of the way.

When was the last time the Bruins were able to put their fourth-line over the boards with confidence? Since Lazar’s arrival, the fourth-line has been of the better lines for the Black and Gold.

Lazar, Chris Wagner, and Sean Kuraly started the last couple of games for the coach Bruce Cassidy and set the tone from the drop of the puck. They are relentless on the forecheck, creating scoring chances and disrupting their opponent’s top lines. What a luxury it is for the Bruins to have a fourth-line go out and do what they have in the last four games.