X-FACTOR

The Bruins paid a steep price to acquire Rick Nash, and there’s almost no chance they’ll re-sign the pending UFA given their cap situation. He was brought in as a playoff mercenary, someone to give them some size, speed and scoring in crucial situations. That’s great, except for the tiny fact Nash has been a spectacular underachiever in the playoffs, with just 15 goals in 77 career games. He’s playing for a new contract, and he simply has to make more of an impact in this post-season than he has in his previous playoff efforts.