The Bruins have only taken part in three legitimate playoff matchups so far up in Toronto and … well, a whole lot has gone down since their first-round series against the Hurricanes began on Wednesday. Here’s a look at four lingering thoughts and observations from Boston’s play up in the Toronto bubble.
1. Boston can go deep with Jaroslav Halak in net
For a guy who found out he was starting a playoff game just a few hours ahead of puck, Jaroslav Halak didn’t exactly get much of a break from his teammates in terms of settling in early against the Hurricanes in Game 3.
On the contrary, after Brad Marchand was ushered to the sin bin off a curious tripping call, Carolina peppered Boston's net early and often — landing six shots on goal against Halak in the first four minutes of play. And even though Boston's PK didn't allow the Canes to generate Grade-A looks in the slot off of seam passes, Halak still found himself working early and often in his first official postseason game since 2015.
Through the first 20 minutes of regulation, Boston and Carolina might have been scoreless, but the Hurricanes held a 15-7 edge in shots on goal.
"I didn't think we were poor in the first 20, we just you know we weren't on top of our game, hands were a little behind, whether that's a 12:00 o'clock start or just Carolina coming out with a little more zip," Cassidy said. "We addressed it before the game that we needed to be solid away from the puck, so I think our guys were thinking defense to let Jaro get his feet under him. I
t didn't work out exactly that way, there was a lot of shots, luckily from the outside, but then we got going."
Tuukka Rask
Connor Hellebuyck
Darcy Kuemper
Carter Hart.
2. The Bruins should keep Jack Studnicka in the lineup
David Pastrnak
Patrice Bergeron
Brad Marchand
Jake DeBrusk
Ondrej Kase
David Krejci
Charlie Coyle.
Bruce Cassidy
Nick Ritchie
Sean Kuraly
Jack Studnicka
Karson Kuhlman
(One of Studnicka's strongest shifts on Saturday — culminating in his quality look from the slot on a rebound in front.)
Petr Mrazek
shot attempts - 18-8
shots on goal - 8-4
scoring chances - 11-3
high-danger scoring chances - 3-0
A look at Studnicka's event map from Saturday's win. Plenty of shot attempts all over Boston's attacking zone here, including one missed attempt that sailed wide from 18 feet out.)
Anders Bjork's
3. Zdeno Chara is still shaking off the rust
Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk
Connor Clifton
Zdeno Chara
Sean Kuraly's
4. Joakim Nordstrom has been an unsung hero for Boston so far this series
Joakim Nordstrom
Par Lindholm
Missing Home
Tuukka Rask
Bruins announce Colby Cave Memorial Award
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Don Sweeney
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