Since joining the Boston Bruins, Taylor Hall has been a game-changer. In his first two months with Boston, he has sparked the offense and been a perfect fit. In the playoffs, his impressive run has continued. While the Bruins focus is now on the second round, Hall will be looking to continue his superb play.
Through the Bruins’ first five playoffs games, Hall has scored two goals and recorded one assist. The Calgary native has landed 12 shots on the net and is shooting the puck a career-high 16.7 % of the time. Boston’s secondary scoring showed up in the first round, and he was a crucial part of their success.
Additionally, Hall’s two goals have tied his career-high during a playoff run. His three points are the fourth most on the Bruins, and his impact has been felt everywhere on the ice. The veteran winger has made few big defensive plays and landed four hits. With the former first-round pick on the ice Boston’s second line has created high-scoring chances.
Simply outrageous.#NHLBruins | @hallsy09 pic.twitter.com/o58BKNJMEN
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 19, 2021
So far in the playoffs, Hall has also come through in the clutch. Both of his goals have sparked the offense, and his goal in Game 2 forced overtime. The chemistry on the second line has only gotten better as they have made highlight-reel plays. In Game 3, Hall got behind the defense, and Craig Smith knew it, sending a no-look pass to the spot he was skating to.
Hall retrieved the puck, turned his back to the goal, moved the puck from his forehand to his backhand, and lifted the puck top shelf over the shoulder of a helpless Ilya Samsonov. His scoring touch and creativity were on full display.
As the Bruins prepare for a matchup with the Islanders, they will need Hall at his best. Against Washington, Boston received scoring from all of their lines. The Bruins’ top trade deadline acquisition was a key part of their success as the trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak got off to a slow start.
In the first round of the playoffs, Hall had points in three of the series five games. The former Hart Trophy winner also had one of the Bruins’ four power-play goals. In the second round, however, things won’t get easier against the New York Islanders. During the regular season, the Islanders earned 11 of 16 possible points against the Bruins. The Bruins did, however, win the final three matchups of the season.
During the regular season, Hall had a lot of success against New York. The veteran winger had four goals in the season series, which was tied with Marchand for the most on the Bruins roster. While Hall is thriving in the postseason, he will be looking to build on that success.