Schedule doesn’t favor Bruins
Back-to-backs may tax Halak
The bubble life in Toronto and Edmonton is surely presenting its challenges mentally and emotionally for players, especially those with wives and children back home.
But the supposed upside of it all was that the NHL does not have the usual issues with building availability that always crop up during the playoffs. The league does not have to contend with Cher’s latest World Tour.
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
So you would think that it could easily come up with a reasonable, workable schedule for their playoff series in which teams could simply play every other night. Right? Wrong.
The Bruins-Lightning best-of-seven series has the potential for not one but two back-to-backs, Games 2 and 3 and, if necessary, Games 6 and 7.
Bruce Cassidy chose his words carefully, but you could tell he was not thrilled about the development, especially when you consider that he has only one goalie on his roster with any playoff experience. And Jaroslav Halak‘s backup, Daniel Vladar, has never played in an NHL game.
“A little surprised it came out that way, that we wouldn’t alternate night and play at 7 or 8 o‘clock. I’m not part of that decision-making but it sure would be easier for us, I’m sure Tampa would say the same,” said Cassidy. “But, at the end of the day, you play the games where they tell you to play and what time. For us, obviously the biggest challenge is the advantage we lost in March with two healthy goalies. Now, Tuukka (Rask) is not here so do we play Vladar as a backup? Or do we have to ride Halak?
“And that’s a lot to ask for Jaro. So that’s going to be a decision we make down the road. That’ll be the biggest challenge. I think for our players, we have eight defenseman we feel can play. So, the depth part of it, three in four nights with a back-toback, we can move different pieces in and we don’t feel that our game drops off significantly or at all when we move pieces around. We have the same luxury up front. But, if a guy gets a nagging injury and we start to get those back-to-backs, he doesn’t have a chance to recover. That can work against any team.“
Marchand not sleeping on Tampa
The Lightning have added size and grit to the roster that was bounced out of the playoffs in the first round last year, and even more so than when they beat the upand-coming B’s two years ago in five games.
“They have a bit of different makeup now. They compete a lot harder, they’re a lot more physical and obviously they have a ton of talent. They’re very fast. They have everything. They have all the makings of a great team, so it will be a big challenge,” said Brad Marchand. “We are looking forward to it. It’s going to be a tough one. We’ll have to be on top of our game to compete with them. And it is a measuring stick. We all know the top teams in the league and there’s different tiers. And the teams that last are in that top tier, so whatever team comes out of this, it’s the team that plays the best hockey. They’ve got the right balance, but it’s going to be fun. These are the series that people want to see and these are the series that guys want to be part of. This is what makes the Cup worth it, because you’ve got to play teams like Tampa.”
And where does he see his own team’s biggest area of growth over the the past two years?
“I think we’ve grown on the back end with how fast we’re playing now,” said Marchand. “Our D are a couple of years older and stronger and more used to that tempo. I think that’s a huge strength of our team with how strong our defensive group is right now. Every year that goes by, the experience that you gain and situations you go through just helps you grow. I think our D corps right now is on another level from where we were a couple of years ago.”
Bolts bolstered depth
The Lightning have plenty of high-end skill, but the third line centered by Yanni Gourde with Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow at wings brings an edge that the Bolts had not previously had before the wings were obtained at the deadline.
“I think they’ve created an identity for themselves,” said Cassidy of the trio. “They started a lot of games, after goals. Anytime they need a little energy. They’re relentless. They’re on the puck. The offense is coming a little bit. Gourde has scored in this league, Coleman a little bit, Goodrow not as much but they seem to gel. Good pickups at the deadline. I think it’s mostly the way they hem you in and put pressure on your team. It allows the next couple lines coming over the boards to get some — I don’t want to say easy possessions but an easier shift after that trio has worn you down.” …
Tampa coach Jon Cooper did not give an update on captain Steven Stamkos other than to say he’s unavailable to play. Stamkos missed the Columbus series with an undisclosed injury. Cooper didn’t rule him out for the series but also didn’t give any clues as to whether he was at all close to being available.