Boston Bruins: 3 Candidates to be Series MVP vs. Islanders

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Six days after finishing off the Washington Capitals in five games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Boston Bruins will begin the second round tonight at the TD Garden against the New York Islanders in what should be close to a full house on Causeway St. just after 8 p.m.

The Islanders eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games on Wednesday night, which allows the Black and Gold to have home-ice advantage for this round.

During the regular season, the Islanders won five of the eight games the two teams played during the 56-game sprint of a 2021 season. New York won all four games on Long Island, and the first game played in Boston, but following the April 12 trade deadline that saw both teams make moves to improve their roster, the Bruins won the final three games.

There will be no secrets between the two teams when the puck is dropped in Game 1 tonight, but expect a low-scoring and very tight-checking series between the two teams who play similar styles.

As we close in on game time, let’s take a look a three possible candidates for the Bruins that could turn out to the series MVP if they are able to be the first team to four wins in the series.

May 10, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (40) in goal during the third period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 – Tuukka Rask

Ok, I know you’re probably saying, seriously? Well if we learned anything from the first round, it’s that goaltending can win you a series, but it can also lose you a series. Just ask the Capitals and Penguins.

Against Boston, a trio of Caps goalies combined to lose four of the five games, two in overtime, and giving up some shaky goals. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, felt Washington’s pain in Game 5 against the Isles when Tristan Jarry misplayed a puck early in overtime, which led to a game-winning goal and a 3-2 series deficit. The Pens lost Game 6 on the road with Jarry surrendering five more goals.

There's no denying it: Tuukka Rask is the best. light. Related Story

On the other hand against the Capitals, Tuukka Rask was on top of his game in the whole series, despite the Bruins losing Game 1, 3-2, in overtime. Rask stopped 159 of the 169 shots he faced, and finished with a 1.81 goals-against average (GAA) in the series with a .941 save percentage (SV%).

Rask has backbone two trips to the Stanley Cup Final for Boston and despite coming up short both times, the veteran should be ready to go against the Islanders. If he is able to come close to repeat his Round 1 effort, the Bruins will be very difficult to beat.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 15: Taylor Hall #71 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the first period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden on April 15, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Taylor Hall

When Bruins general manager Don Sweeney traded for Taylor Hall from the Buffalo Sabres late into the night on April 11, it looked good on paper, but there was still one question that remained, “Can he produce in the playoffs?”

Following the first round against the Capitals, the answer was yes. Can he continue it against the Islanders? If he does, there’s a good chance the Bruins can win the series and get out of the East Division playoffs.

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In five games against Washington, Hall was two goals and one assist, but it was the timing of the goals that allowed the Bruins to win Games 2 and 3. In Game 2, with the Bruins just under three minutes away from going down in a 2-0 hole, he tied the game by stuffing home a loose puck to force overtime, which Brad Marchand won just 39 ticks into the extra session to even the series.

In Game 3, he tied the game 56 seconds after Alex Ovechkin gave the Caps a 1-0 in the second period, en route to another Bruins overtime win and a series lead they would not give up.

In the regular season, Hall eight goals, six assists, and plus/minus of plus-15 in 16 games with Bruins following the trade, but he also revived David Krejci and Craig Smith. The trio has given Boston two goal-scoring lines and Hall is one player that can score goals in bunches, something the Bruins hope he can do over the next two weeks.

May 15, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) stands on the ice during warmups prior to the Bruins’ game against the Washington Capitals in game one of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 – Brad Marchand

Without a doubt, Marchand was the Bruins’ regular season MVP and he continued his play from the regular season over to the first round against the Capitals.

After a tough Game 1 vs. Washington for Marchand and his linemates, he scored three goals over the final four games, including the game-winning goal in Game 2. In Game 3, he tied the game with a power play goal midway through the third period, and in Game 4, he opened the scoring with their first of four Boston goals on their way to a 4-1 win.

In his career, Marchy has 40 postseason goals with 58 assists. He has become one of the top left wings in the NHL and this season has been producing at a high level. There is no reason that he should not stop now.

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As the Bruins head into the series with the Islanders with home-ice advantage, they should have the momentum of four straight wins over the Capitals to close out the series and six days of rest.

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