By Jim Ingram Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Boston Bruins have had a fantastic season thus far. With 9 games remaining in the regular season, they are not just playing to hold on for the #1 seed in the East and home ice advantage. Yes, that is hugely important, but what matters more is not having to face the New Jersey Devils or the Washington Capitols until the conference finals.
The Bruins currently have a 5 point lead over both teams which is not a comfortable lead with only 9 games left. The Bruins and Devils have played the same amount of games, but the Capitols have played 2 more games than both teams. Washington is finishing the season very strong as they've won 14 points going 6-2-2 over the past 10 games. Washington also has the easiest remaining schedule of the three teams.
While Washington may be the Bruins biggest threat to overtake them in the standings, the New Jersey Devils are the team I would fear the most in the playoffs. The Devils have Marty Brodeur back healthy for the playoffs, an amazing defense, and finally have some bonafide scorers in Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrik Elias.
Despite that, I fully expect the Boston Bruins to enter the playoffs as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They had an inspired win last Sunday against the Devils, nearly a week of of rest since that game, and are relatively healthy at this point. I wouldn't be too worried about Phil Kessel missing a few games this weekend. If the playoffs started today, they would face off against the hated Montreal Canadians. Many people may look back to the last time they've faced off in the first round of the playoffs, and be a little worried. This team is too gritty and too hard working to fall in the first round.
If the Bruins can secure the #1 seed, then anything short of making the Conference Finals is a disappointment in my opinion.
Please check back for much more hockey coverage as the season wraps up, we all start to grow our playoff beards and get ready to hoist the Stanley Cup!
What gives me worry recently with the B's is their turn it on and off defense. One game they'll be back checking hard and the defensemen will be hitting and breaking up plays at the blue line. The next game they will seem very lackadaisical and lethargic. The defense almost looks like they are wilting to the attacking offense. The defenseman will collapse to the net instead up standing up the man at the blue line. The one constant this season has been the team's MVP and soon to be Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas, but he has never stepped it up during the playoffs. He will have to this year if the bruins want to win a playoff series, As everyone knows, you can only go as far in the playoffs as your goalie takes you.
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