B's to ride Rask to series win over the Sabres

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

If you're a fan of this website, you're aware of my feelings towards the NHL Playoffs. If not, then I need to remind you the NHL Playoffs are, by far, the best set of playoffs in any professional sport. I love the intensity, I love the story lines, and I certainly love the beards! This year is no different, and if you're a Bruins fans, then you enter the playoffs with a glimmer of hope you didn't have the majority of the 2009-10 season.

What is the most important aspect of playoff hockey? Well, that would be goal tending, or a hot goalie to be more specific. I am well aware of the Sabres all world goaltender, Ryan Miller. I know he's the best goalie in hockey and is having one of his best years. I also know that Tuuka Rask has been flat out better when they go head to head. Rask is 4-1 this season against the Buffalo Sabres with a 1.42 GAA and .954 save percentage. Even without those head to head stats, Rask may be on the verge of being a better all around goalie than Miller. In case you didn't realize it, Rask finished the season with the leagues best goals against average and save percentage.

Now don't get me wrong, this isn't going to be an open round repeat of the Montreal series last year. Both teams aren't prolific goal scorers, and the Bruins defense could be classified as being in shambles. I predict the Bruins will win this series in 6 games. This is going to be a very close series that will see two games go to overtime. Not to put a damper on things, but if the Bruins do win this series, don't expect much else out of them. Ultimately, they don't have the offensive firepower to win 7 games series against the likes of the Capitals and Penguins.

# 2 pick is perfect for the Bruins

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Okay, picture this. It's Tuesday night, 8 pm, and the twins just went down to sleep. I park my but on the couch and tune into the Versus Network to watch the NHL Draft Lottery be unveiled. As I'm sitting there, I had this lump in my gut that the Bruins were destined to be stuck with the 3rd overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft. To my surprise, and great relief, the Bruins were awarded with the 2nd pick, and I was ecstatic. Yes, the Phil Kessel trade has finally started to pay off.

Contrary to most people, I am happy the Bruins got the 2nd pick and not the first overall. I know it's typically better to have the first pick and be able to make your choice between Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. I guess I'm more of a pessimist and realist. Given some of the choices, and signings, Peter Chiarelli has made the past year and a half, I am more than happy to have the choice between these two franchise players removed from the situation. All the Bruins Organization has to do now is wait and see who falls to them.

Personally, I'd love to see the Bruins get Taylor Hall because he's a forward, and not a center like Seguin. Realistically, either player is going to make a huge impact next season and be the next face of the organization. I guess we'll just have to wait until June. Unlike the other teams in the top 5 of the draft, Bruins fans still have playoff hockey to enjoy.