It's time for the NHL Playoffs. The #6 Boston Bruins (39-30-13, 91 pts) take on the #3 Buffalo Sabres (45-27-10, 100 pts) in the first round. The Bruins took the regular season series by a 4-2 margin.
The B's have persevered through tremendous adversity this season, battling injuries their entire campaign. The emergence of goaltender Tuukka Rask has really made this season's resurgence possible. Against first round opponent Buffalo, Rask compiled a 4-1 record this season with a 1.43 GAA and a .954 save percentage. On the opposite side, Olympic goalie Ryan Miller has been just as good against the Bruins, putting up a 2-0-2 record in four starts with a 1.71 GAA and a .947 save percentage. It could very well be a matchup of the goalies when the series is on the line.
Heading into the first round on a note of positive note after beating the first place Capitals in the regular season finale, the team will look to come out firing in Game 1 @ Buffalo. The Bruins can't afford to allow the Sabres to establish the tempo of the game early and completely fall out of the contest. They must keep their noses to the grindstone and play the tough, grind-it-out type of hockey that has elevated them into this position.
Unfortunately, the injury bug continues to plague the Bruins as it has all season long. Marc Savard (concussion) and Dennis Seidenberg (forearm) are both out for the entire series, while Mark Stuart (finger surgery) will be out for at least the first two games. It was also reported today that Andrew Ferrence's availability will also be questionable as he comes off of a hernia, but the team is hopeful that he'll be ready to go.
The Bruins are not a goal scoring team--in fact, they might be the very opposite finishing last in the league. This is a team that has relied on defense and goaltending (second fewest goals allowed) all season long to propel them through the season and the philosophy will remain the same in the playoffs. The team will look to ride Rask's hot hand and hope that their staunch play will be enough to ward opposing teams off. Ryan Miller is arguably the best goalie in the league, and it's going to take a solid offensive effort by the Bruins in order to put some in the back of the net against the Olympic standout.
Key To The Series: The Bruins must capitalize on the power play. If the team can capitalize on the man advantage, they will have a much easier time in attempting to score against Miller & the Sabres.
On the PP: Sabres 17.6%, Bruins 16.6%
On the PK: Sabres 86.6%, Bruins 86.4%
As the stats support, these two teams are built very similarly to rely on the goaltending for success. Let's hope Rask can keep it rolling.
Series Prediction: Bruins win, 4-2.
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