NHL Notebook: What are the biggest questions facing Boston’s lineup ahead of the playoffs?

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game 1: Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. AT BOSTON (TV: NESN, ESPN, Sportsnet | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
Game 2: Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. AT BOSTON (TV: NESN, ESPN, Sportsnet | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
Game 3: Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. AT FLORIDA (TV: NESN, TNT, Sportsnet | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
Game 4: Sunday, April 23 at 3:30 p.m. AT FLORIDA (TV: NESN, TNT, Sportsnet 1 | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
Game 5: Wednesday, April 26 TBD AT BOSTON (TV: TBD | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
Game 6: Friday, April 28 TBD AT FLORIDA (TV: TBD | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub)
Game 7: Sunday, April 30 TBD AT BOSTON (TV: TBD | RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub) 

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The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially here. The Bruins have a date with the Florida Panthers in the opening round. Game 1 is set for Monday at TD Garden. 

There are some important questions facing Boston ahead of Game 1. Let’s empty the notebook:

Is there cause for concern with Patrice Bergeron, Linus Ullmark or David Krejci?

The Bruins had a few scares with the health of three key players through the end of the regular season.

David Krejci has missed six games with a lower-body injury, last suiting up in a 4-3 win at Pittsburgh on April 1, when he had an assist. At 36-years old, Krejci had a pretty standard season for himself, reaching the 50-point mark for the ninth time in his career with 16 goals and 56 points in 70 games. It’s even more impressive when considering his age and that he spent all of last season out of the NHL, playing in the Czech Republic.

The center has skated infrequently since, and Boston shut him down for the final two games of the season. He returned to practice last week, but had some discomfort and left early. This week, he resumed skating on his own before practices. He’ll have practice on Saturday and as many as two more skates on Sunday and Monday to ramp up. The Bruins are confident he will be ready to go for the First Round.

“[Tuesday] was probably his best day,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said at Warrior Ice Arena on Tuesday. “So that has us optimistic about where he’s going to be for Game 1.”

He later confirmed it’s just a matter of not overdoing it so Krejci is full-go when he does return.

The B’s have managed fine without Krejci over the last two weeks of the regular season, but missing someone with a proven playoff track record wouldn’t be insignificant. Krejci has 42 goals and 124 points in 136 playoff games. He led the playoffs in scoring in the 2011 Stanley Cup run as well as the 2013 run to the Final. In 2019, Krejci was tied for fifth on the Bruins in scoring. Montgomery, who will get his first glimpse of “Playoff Krech,” doubled down on Wednesday.

“He’s a playoff-only guy. That’s what he told me,” Montgomery joked. “He’ll be ready.”

Now take Patrice Bergeron, who exited Thursday’s finale in Montreal with an upper-body injury. Boston said it was out of precaution.

“Oh yeah, 37 is fine,” Montgomery told reporters postgame. “He wanted to go back out, but I said no.” 

When asked if it happened during the game, or if Bergeron had been previously dealing with it, Montgomery said he didn’t know when it happened. That the Bruins came right out and used the word “precaution” in their announcement that Bergeron wouldn’t return to the game may or may not be significant, depending how you look at it. 

The captain has sat out games recently for rest and maintenance due to what Montgomery labeled “nagging injuries.” Most players are dealing with something this time of year, and Bergeron is no stranger to playing through pain. 

The second line has managed fine without Krejci, as Tyler Bertuzzi, Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak have clicked, but if the top-six were to also lose Bergeron, it could be tough sledding for Boston in the playoffs. 

Then there’s Linus Ullmark, who left Tuesday’s 5-2 win over Washington out of precaution. The Vezina Trophy frontrunner looked uncomfortable after an awkward push to the right post in the third period. He went to speak to the training staff during a stoppage and left the game. 

Montgomery said postgame that the netminder was fine. 

“It was just precautionary. He’s going to be fine,” Montgomery said. “Just some muscle-tightening. That’s all.”

Ullmark didn’t skate on Wednesday at Warrior and stayed behind in Boston on Thursday. There was no sense in having him go to Montreal, anyway. Montgomery reiterated Wednesday that the top netminder is fine. 

“Linus is fine, but we’re going to be precautionary with him,” he said. 

As far as insurance policies go, Jeremy Swayman is probably the best in the league. If Boston were to also lose him, then it gets murky. Brandon Bussi and Kyle Keyser have had phenomenal years in the AHL, but have virtually zero NHL experience. 

Ullmark’s importance to the B’s can’t be understated. He put up 40 wins in just 49 appearances, led the league in goals-against average (1.89), save percentage (.938) and goals-saved above expected (31.6). He was second among starters with a 1.05 high-danger GAA and third with a .871 high-danger save percentage.

Given his injury history, especially when he was with Buffalo, the Bruins would be wise to keep Ullmark in bubble wrap until Monday. 

For all three, we’ll likely know more at Saturday’s practice

Where’s the best spot for Tyler Bertuzzi?

Bertuzzi has found quite a bit of chemistry alongside Zacha and Pastrnak.  In 73:54 of 5-on-5 ice time together, the trio has an 83-66 (55.7 percent) share of shot attempts, a 48-43 (52.75) share of shots, a 45-40 edge in scoring chances and a 7-4 edge in goals.  

The identity for Boston’s second unit, particularly as the Czech line, has been to trade chances. The returns with Zacha in the middle and Bertuzzi on the left have been promising.

In 445:22 of 5-on-5 time together, the Czech trio was at approximately 48 percent in shot attempts, shots and scoring chances, but it hasn’t cost the Bruins, as goals are 34-14 (70.83 percent) in their favor. 

In the six games with Krejci out of the lineup, the three have accounted for 11 goals and 13 assists. Bertuzzi factored in on Pastrnak’s game-winner in Montreal.

“It’s been working pretty well [with Pastrnak],” Bertuzzi said after Tuesday’s game. “Just trying to find each other. I know he’s good at getting open and finding the areas. You know, I just try to support him as much as possible. Obviously, [Zacha] has been really good down the middle for us.”

If Krejci isn’t good to go for Game 1, then the Bruins have an easy call to keep Bertuzzi on the second line. If he is, then Montgomery and co. have a decision to make. There isn’t a fit for Krejci on the third line, so does Zacha or Bertuzzi slide down?

Bertuzzi has shown to be a great fit on the third line with Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic. In 91:06 of 5-on-5 ice time, three have a 57.1 percent edge in shot attempts, a 59.6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 goal-scoring differential. Even better, that third-line combo has a ridiculous 58-30 (65.9 percent) advantage in scoring chances, to go along with a 20-14 edge (58.82) in high-danger chances.

There’s also the Taylor Hall factor. A third line of Hall-Coyle-Bertuzzi would be a nightmare for opposing teams. It would be a strong second line on a lot of NHL teams. The three of them have only played in the same game three times, and haven’t been on the same line yet. Montgomery said Tuesday that Krejci being out made it tough to get a look at a possible Hall-Coyle-Bertuzzi trio.

“It doesn’t matter, honestly [who I play with],” Bertuzzi said. “I feel comfortable with whoever I’m playing with.” 

Bertuzzi has proven his versatility both at even strength and on the power play (three goals, two assists and nine individual high-danger chances on Boston’s man advantages). A lot could hinge on Krejci’s health, but Bertuzzi has proven he can play with just about anyone. 

What kind of impact can Taylor Hall have?

Speaking of Hall, in three games since returning from a lower-body injury, he has averaged 14:41 of ice time. He had four shots against New Jersey and three against Washington. Against the Habs, he had two attempts, both blocked. 

The games have been a work in progress. Hall’s game-changing speed has started to reemerge, and he was especially effective against Washington, drawing a cross-checking penalty in the second, which Boston capitalized on. 

Now it’s down to having his legs consistently throughout games as he works back into shape.

“He’s creating a lot of chances,” Montgomery said on Wednesday. “I think just naturally getting back into rhythm. I don’t think his finishing touches, him shooting or the finishing passing plays are there, that we’re used to seeing from Taylor Hall. I think it’s just a matter of time before it comes.”

Hall went ice cold in the run-up to his injury, putting up three goals since Dec. 17 after notching 13 prior. Purely speculative, but perhaps he was dealing with something prior to Feb. 25, his last action before the 20-game absence.

The 31-year-old is motivated to make some headway in the postseason, appearing in just four playoffs in his previous 12 seasons in the NHL. In 32 career playoff games, he has nine goals and 21 points, including nine points (5g, 4a) in 18 postseason contests with the B’s. 

If Hall can completely get back to 100 percent and regain his scoring touch, it adds a completely different element to an already deep bottom-six. 

Does Nick Foligno go straight into the lineup?

Nick Foligno is nearing a return to the lineup, shedding the red, no-contact sweater in favor of a normal practice jersey this week. His pending return adds another consideration to the forward lines, on top of the multiple ways Boston could configure the middle-six. 

The 35-year-old’s bounce-back this season earned him a nomination for the Masterton Trophy. His 10 goals and 16 assists in a largely fourth-line role had him on track for his best season in six years, offensively. His reliability with Tomas Nosek made for an effective fourth-line unit, and the B’s likely want a look at what a fourth line with Foligno, Nosek and Garnet Hathaway looks like, given their defensive acumen. 

The way Montgomery spoke about Foligno on Wednesday, it could appear the Bruins are eager for the veteran’s services.

"Nick Foligno is a huge part of our team, a huge part of our bench and leadership,” Montgomery said. “I do think while he was initially away, we missed him. I think others have stepped up, but you can't replicate someone who naturally is as unselfish as he is and has the ability to lift others up. He notices when a guy is down. He's got a lot of Bergeron in him in that way."

If Foligno, who said last Saturday that he is “shooting for” a playoff return, isn’t ready for Game 1, the easiest move is likely to slide Frederic to the left wing on the fourth line. Given the injury troubles Foligno had the last two seasons, avoiding re-injury will be key. Montgomery said Wednesday that Foligno is “ticking boxes” en route to a return.

If he isn’t completely, fully ready to go, Frederic stays in. It’s still a tough spot for Frederic, who set career highs in every major category with 31 points (17g, 14a). Neither player deserves to be out of the lineup, but there are worse problems to have.

Montgomery noted Boston’s depth does afford the “luxury” of keeping Foligno out until he is completely 100 percent.

Who sits if Derek Forbort plays?

Like Foligno, Forbort is beginning to ramp up this week. The hulking defenseman also ditched the no-contact jersey, donning a normal black sweater on Tuesday. Montgomery wasn’t expecting to see him be a full participant so soon.

“He’s got some boxes to check,” Montgomery said at Warrior. “I was actually wondering why he was in a black jersey today. I’m like ‘you’re supposed to be in a merlot still,’ from everything I’ve been told.”

Forbort remained in a normal jersey on Wednesday.

“He’s ticking boxes,” Montgomery reiterated before lumping Foligno into the same category.

If there were to be a reason to rush Forbort back, it would be for the penalty kill. When No. 28 was out earlier in the season, Boston’s penalty kill had a 76.5 percent success rate, as opposed to 88 percent with him. 

During this latest absence, the man-down unit has continued to flourish, going 56-for-70 (93.3 percent) without Forbort and remaining atop the league at 87.3 percent, overall. In nine games beginning March 25 and ending April 9, Boston didn’t allow a power play goal, even when facing some potent attacks in the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils. 

Nevertheless, Forbort's defensive and shot-blocking abilities can't be overlooked, either. He just absorbs shots in the defensive zone, blocking 88 in 54 games (28 shorthanded). It was on full display in last year's first round, too.

Given the depth on defense, the Bruins have the ability to be matchup-dependent in how the top-six shakes out. If Boston drew the New York Islanders and their rough-and-tumble style in the first round, it might have been preferable to have a snarlier, bigger blue-liner like Forbort.

But against the run-and-gun Florida Panthers, who somewhat live and die in transition and by rush offense, having the more mobile Matt Grzelcyk and Connor Clifton gives the B’s options. On top of his versatility on both the left and right, Dmitry Orlov has expanded the options with his ability to adapt to any style as a hard-nosed, shutdown defender or a mobile, offensive puck-mover in transition. 

Grzeclyk’s prowess alongside Charlie McAvoy has been evident for a few years. This season, the pair holds over a 50 percent majority of 5-on-5 shot attempts, shots, scoring chances and high-danger chances. Goals are 36-15, (70.6 percent) in Boston’s favor. 

Orlov has had the best returns alongside McAvoy since arriving from Washington, as the two hold over 60 percent of attempts, shots, goals-for and scoring chances, which checks in at 65.9 percent. High-danger chances are also at 58.75 percent for the Bruins with that pair on the ice as well. He’s also been strong on Clifton’s left. In 77:23 of 5-on-5 ice time, shot attempts are 81-63 (56.25 percent) for Boston, shots are 43-33 (56.58). They have a 3-0 goal differential, as well as a 48-26 (64.86 percent) share of scoring chances and a 16-8 (66.67) edge in high-danger looks. 

Like Foligno, if Forbort isn’t totally 100 percent, Boston is in good enough shape to opt for the more mobile defensive package with combinations like Grzelcyk-McAvoy and Orlov-Clifton. 

Earlier in the season, Forbort-Clifton made for a reliable defensive-minded third pairing, eating heavy defensive assignments. In a limited sample, a Forbort-Orlov pairing was on its heels quite a bit. The Bruins were out-attempted by 36.59 percent in 22:54 of that pair being together at 5-on-5. Boston had just 26.09 percent of shots, and scoring chances and high-danger chances were both below 35 percent for the B’s. With Forbort in the lineup, Orlov’s best fit is with McAvoy. 

Grzelcyk isn’t as malleable on his off-side as Orlov, and he and Clifton haven’t been stellar together. While Clifton plays above his weight, a third pair of he and Grzelcyk would lack size. 

The penalty kill has been just fine, but if Forbort is ready and Boston feels it needs his size and shutdown ability, it very well could be No. 48 drawing out.