Geekie has slid Zacha to the wing to help alleviate some of that stress down the middle.
With Frederic sliding to C on the 3rd line.
It paid off in Game 7 and Montgomery is going back to it for Game 1.
He has to get going.
Jim Montgomery challenged David Pastrnak in Game 6, and he delivered in Game 7 as the OT hero.
He seems to be progressing, and could be an option Wednesday night.
Like Zacha, Coyle failed to register a goal in the first round.
I sound like a broken record, I know.
I think JVR/Frederic/Brazeau can be a line that starts to build here in the second round.
Brazeau is getting his legs back after an upper body injury knocked him out late into the regular season.
These guys need to support the top 6 as best they can.
Bigger bodied line, and can get in behind the Panthers' D on the forecheck.
Patrick Brown was recalled on emergency basis from Providence.
He’ll center the 4th line in place of Jesper Boqvist, which I’m a little surprised about.
We’ll see where the 4th line goes from here.
Bottom line for Boston’s offense is that there cannot be any passengers in the 2nd round.
Hopefully the juice from winning in OT to close out the Leafs can carry them into Game 1 tonight.
Brandon Carlo was a MONSTER in the first round.
He did not skate this morning as his wife gave birth to a baby boy this morning!
Congratulations to the Carlos and hopefully he makes it to Florida for Game 1.
Extra Dad Strength loading.
Would love for McAvoy to take over one of these games against a really deep Florida team.
He’ll start tonight on McAvoy’s left.
He will need to continue his strong play against a really good forward core for Florida.
We’ll see what matchups Montgomery goes with as they start on the road.
They’ll need his physicality too.
With Lohrei playing this well though, we’ll see who the odd man out will be.
GOALIES:
It is Jeremy Swayman’s net until he falters.
There is no longer a rotation.
He is your guy.
Now how will rest factor into this?
Swayman is about to make his 6th straight start but he looks dialed right now.
If any fatigue for him kicks in, then go Ullmark.
Sam Bennett is close to returning but will be out for Game 1.
The Panthers had six!!!
Sam Reinhart scored 57 god damn goals this year.
Seems like Carter Verhaeghe always comes up clutch for Florida, especially against Boston.
Florida has weapons, and it’ll need to be a full team effort if Boston should advance.
Last series was Tyler Bertuzzi vs. Brad Marchand.
Matthew Tkachuk vs. Brad Marchand.
Can Coyle’s line shut down him down?
They’ll need to find an answer for him.
Montour seemed to be a Bruin killer last year, especially offensively.
You could’ve made an argument for Gustav Forsling to be on the ballot for the Norris.
He’s been that good this year.
I think he’s criminally underrated.
The Bruins will have their work cut out for them.
Boston will need to test him early and often.
Swayman has played elite, but Bob hasn’t been a slouch either.
While the goaltending favored the Bruins in Round 1, it gets a bit more even in Round 2.
Gotta break him.
The Panthers rare 1st in the league with a 61.11 GF% at 5v5 in the playoffs.
B’s finished round 1 at 35.3% power play rate.
ODDS:
Odds provided by Draft Kings Sportsbook.
I actually love that the Bruins are right back into action, bringing that adrenaline with them to Florida.
The Panthers have been off for a week.
They are a DEEP team, and they are goliath in this situation.
But the Bruins will be extra motivated after they ended their season last year.
I am choosing confidence and belief in net.
It’s a freeing feeling when all of the pressure is on the Panthers.
They have every single advantage here outside of goaltenidng.
So that being said, I’ve convinced myself that this series will go 7 games once again.
They ended our season last year, let’s end theirs.
B’s in 7.
SCHEDULE:
We’ve got Bruins and Celtics alternating dates.
It’s a great night to win a hockey game.
