NO. 4 BOSTON BRUINS (28-14-6) VS NO. 5 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (26-17-5)
STRENGTHS
BRUINS: This marks the first time these teams have met in the playoffs since 1974, but it should turn into a very physical series, which is a strength for both clubs. The Bruins have giant Zdeno Chara on the blue line, who was plus-14 while averaging 24:56 of ice time. Dennis Seidenberg, who was plus-18, is underrated and Dougie Hamilton (plus-4) has proven to be one of the few 19-year-olds who doesn’t look out of place on an NHL blue line. Tim Thomas led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup two years ago, but he’s no longer in Boston. However, Tuukka Rask has helped Bruins fans forget about Thomas with his performance this season, posting a 19-10-5 record with a 2.00 GAA and .929 save percentage.
LEAFS: Captain Dion Phaneuf, who averaged 25:10 of ice time, will play a key role for the Leafs and will be counted on for offence from the back end as well as physical play and will be matched up against the Bruins’ top line. Nazem Kadri has finally showed why the Leafs selected him in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2009 draft, posting 18-26-44 totals and a plus-15. The Bruins have a lot of depth at the forward position with seven players topping doubledigits in goals, led by Brad Marchand with 18. Former Bruin Phil Kessel led the Leafs in scoring with 20-32-52 totals, but was minus-3.
WEAKNESSES
LEAFS: The The Leafs can be shaky on the blue line, which is why they acquired Ryan O’Byrne at the trade deadline. Toronto gave up an average of 2.67 goals per game this season, 17th in the NHL. Goalie James Reimer was pulled in his final regular-season game which isn’t a good way to head into the playoffs. The Leafs also lost four of their final six games.
BRUINS: Boston was 2-5-2 in its last nine regular-season games and Milan Lucic scored only seven goals and was a healthy scratch for a game at the end of the season. Jaromir Jagr, acquired at the deadline from Dallas, missed the last two regular-season games with the flu. The Bruins have struggled on the power play.
BREAKING IT DOWN
FOR THE BRUINS TO WIN: They will have to win the battles in the alleys and on the ice and hope that Lucic can become the big, bad Bruin again.
FOR THE LEAFS TO WIN: Reimer will have to show he can handle the playoff heat in Toronto and make Nonis look good for not getting Luongo.