BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 23: Sean Kuraly #52 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 23, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs 5-1. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Bruins vs. Blue Jackets: Round 2 Series Preview
As they always do, the Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in a Game 7 at the Garden, and this time it wasn’t even close. Now they’re blessed with what many people on hockey Twitter are calling “the easiest road to the Finals” that they’ve ever seen.
The truth is that there’s no such thing as an easy road to the Finals. Upsets happen all the time in the NHL playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets just dismantled one of the greatest regular season teams of all-time, and if that doesn’t cause you to take them seriously then I’m just happy you’re not a coach or player on the Bruins.
Granted, I think the B’s will win in 6 or 7. They’re clearly the more talented team. But you can’t understate how unbelievably hot Columbus is right now. They’ve won 11 of their last 12 and have outscored their opponents 52-16 over that span, averaging 4.7 goals per game.
Unfortunately for them, rust will likely be a factor. Not playing for nine days can often kill a hot streak like the one they’re on. The Bruins just played two days ago and get to be back right in front of their fired up home crowd for Game 1. If they can maintain the high energy that they brought to Game 7 against the Leafs then they’ll eventually be too much for Columbus to handle.
Ahead of Thursday night’s Game 1 at the Garden, Tom Brady commented on yet another Zdeno Chara Instagram post. This time Chara responded by implying that Brady needs to make his way over to Causeway Street at some point during this series:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsOa9tg8Rt/
Jaylen Brown has been chosen as the “fan banner captain”. Expect a lot of other Boston athletes in the building as usual. Puck drops at 7:10.
Follow Jack Bardsley on Twitter @BostonsBigFour