Boston Bruins: So Far, So Good With These Moves

May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins center Curtis Lazar (20) passes the puck away from Washington Capitals right wing Daniel Sprong (10) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins center Curtis Lazar (20) passes the puck away from Washington Capitals right wing Daniel Sprong (10) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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May 19, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylo Hall (71) scores on Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the second period in game three of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylo Hall (71) scores on Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) during the second period in game three of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins’ get timely goals from Hall

Sweeney’s second deal at the deadline was the biggest move he made. He sent Anders Bjork and a draft pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forwards Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar.

Hall had himself quite the series. He only scored two goals, but it was the timing of those goals and in one case, how he scored it. In Game 2 with the Bruins trailing 3-2 with just under three minutes left in regulation and looking at a 2-0 series deficit, Hall scored his first of two goals to force overtime. With a ton of bodies in front of Caps goalie Craig Anderson, Hall was able to stuff the puck into the net off a wild scramble to tie the game, which led to Brad Marchand’s game-winning goal 39 seconds into overtime to even the series 1-1.

In Game 3, Hall once again found the back of the net, but this time, with an incredible move on Capitals rookie goalie Ilya Samsonov. Fifty-six seconds after Alex Ovechkin gave the Caps a 1-0 lead, Hall took a pass from Craig Smith, made a move on Samsonov, and roofed his shot under the crossbar.

For the series, Hall also had an assist with his two goals and finished with 12 shots on the net. He averaged just over 18 minutes a game, but more importantly, turned the series in Boston’s favor with his two timely goals.