Bruins Choke in the Playoffs (again...).
Pre-Ramble
Before I get berated by Boston sports fans, let me begin by saying this: I am live in New England, even though I do not support the Bruins actively (I am a Devils fan), I wanted them to go all the way this year. Looking at the western conference second round match ups, any Stanley Cup finals series will be entertaining. I would have made the hour long trip to the Garden, borrowed a Bruins jersey and supported them. But how could I jump the gun on a team like this. After all of this hype this year's Bruins received, I am SO happy they got bounced as early as they did. If the Bruins had played half as good as Bruin's fans had hyped them up to be, they would win the next 6 cups. I began doing my research (watching more teams other than my own) for the playoffs with about two weeks left. I will be honest I didn't know too much about each teams play style other than the Devils and from what I had heard from the Bruins. I was honestly impressed by the way they play. Veteran leadership with young talent in between, it brought a very interesting brand of hockey. When I think of the Bruins I just think of players who LOVE to be a thorn in the side of their opponent. Every player on that team can throw the weight around and isn't afraid of taking a hit either. It's a really impressive style of hockey. I was shocked to see the offensive production that they bring to the table. Marchand has been amazing offensively, I would say he's playing the best offense of his career at the moment. Bergeron is still a top 5 center in the NHL. Pastrnak, the young Czech who fits perfectly on this line, his speed, IQ and hands make him such a threat he must be respected. I believed in the young talent as well, like Debrusk. Who had a HUGE two goals in Game 7 against the Leafs, New England was already planning the parade. Oh my goodness did they get ran over in the second round. I personally don't like the NHL playoff format, I don't think a one and two seed should have to play en route to the conference finals. Oh well, forget it. The Lightning throttled the Bruins. Completely outplayed them. If you say anything otherwise, if you win only one game before they won four, you got dominated. The Lightning were clearly the better team. I watched Game 1 and that made me consider the possibility of a Bruins cup run. They came into Tampa home ice and dominated, then all of a sudden the series flipped. Tampa righted the ship in game 2, getting an almost must win game in their favor, you can't go into Boston down two to zero. Then they took game 3 convincingly. Game 4 is the first time since game 1 I thought Tampa wasn't a head above the Bruins, even in the game 2 win which was a score of 4-2 I knew the Lightning were better. It was strange for me, until the OT loss, I never thought that the Bruins would get bounced this early. Prior to this series, everyone was going off about Jake Debrusk. I was even in on the hype train. After game 1, he did absolutely nothing. In fact, everyone other than the 1st line did nothing. Every single goal scored in the series by the Bruins after game 1 featured a member of the first line. Whether that be the goal or the assist. Frankly I was shocked to see that. I trusted the young depth this team had, turns out I was wrong.
Game 5 Thoughts
Okay, that Penalty kill at the end of the game was amazing for the Lightning. Players selling out to block shots, Callahan controlling the puck in the Bruins zone. I had money on the Bruins today but I was so impressed with that PK after it was done. I even knew the game was over. The saves Vas was making, even a huge save on a 2 on 1 into partial breakaway for Bergeron. After that play, I knew the Lightning had it, seeing the look of defeat on the Bruins after the whistle gave the possibility of a tie away.
Aftermath
I have a lot of stuff to write about that I have learned and realized after this series is over. First off, I was shocked to see how physical and defensive the Lightning play. I knew they could do that to my Devils I mean other than Hall there isn't too much there. The fact that they did it to the Bruins makes them my pick for the east team in the finals. Even Bruce Cassidy said after the game that the Lightning physically beat them. Took the words right out of my mouth Bruce. He also made a good point of how the Lightning didn't allow the Bruins to get to the inside and play their game. Which in my opinion the Leafs did a poor job at. I also hear many people talk about that first line is the "best in the NHL", which I don't believe is the case. Though a dangerous line and always a threat. I'd say they fall between the 6th or the 3rd best line in the NHL. Regardless of that, that line needed help that series. As mentioned earlier, there was no support in the depth. A good example is how much the support of the depth benefiting for the team is Vegas. They run four lines all the way through. This support from the depth allows for the skill guys on the first two lines to succeed and not have to take any shifts off.
What's Next?
Honestly, I see the Bruins being in a similar spot next year. No doubt in my mind they will make the playoffs. With the Bruins core getting older, the time for them to succeed is now. I personally think many of the young Bruins are very overrated, because that is how New England sports fans will portray them. Many of my friends have told me they would take Debrusk over an established NHL talent like Ryan Johansen or even gone as far to take him over Phil Kessel. I think if you thoroughly believe that you are so blinded by your favoritism it harms you. The only Devils player I would take over most NHL players is Taylor Hall. Which is reasonable because Hall is a top 10 winger in the NHL right now. Next season will be more of the same Bruins hockey. Signing a post-prime former star (like they did with Backes and the Nash trade). They will have a good regular season and generate more hype than the previous year. Then they will disappoint by not even making the cup. I will put money on that sequence happening.
