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Boston Bruins: Two Advantages to Closing Out Capitals Early

By Scott Roche

May 17, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (left) reacts after scoring the winning goal against the Washington Capitals during the first overtime 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 Brad Marchand (left) reacts after scoring the winning goal against the Washington Capitals during the first overtime 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 15, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates in on goal as Boston Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55) defends in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates in on goal as Boston Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55) defends in the third period in game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Time off allows more time for injured Bruins to heal.

Going into their series with the Capitals, it was no secret that it was going to be a physical series. In the five games, the Bruins suffered two injuries to their defense, which tested their blueline depth.

Jeremy Lauzon took a shot off of his hand in Game 1 and missed the remaining four games of the series. Connor Clifton filled in for Lauzon, but it would be nice if Boston could get one of their top penalty-killing defensemen back.

In Game 4, veteran Kevan Miller took a high hit from Washington defensemen Dmitry Orlov entering the Capitals zone. Miller’s head hit the ice, which forced him to be helped to the locker room and transported to a Boston hospital. Thankfully, all his tests came back positive and he was released.

The status of both players for the second round is still up in the air, but the time off the Bruins have earned this week has given them valuable time to rest their injuries.

Related Story. Keep Playing This Defensive Pair Together. light

Boston earned their time off this week to rest up and heal up any bumps and bruises they have following five games with the Capitals. Now it’s back to work ahead of the second round, which hopefully starts sometime this weekend.

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