You vote: Picking and choosing Bruins’ first-round opponent
You’ve been debating it all week in the comments section of this blog, so now it’s time to go on the record and exercise your right to vote.
Bruins head coach Claude Julien was his normal diplomatic self last night, as he dodged a question about a potential playoff opponent by saying he doesn’t like to pick and choose. That’s where you come in.
With the Bruins pretty much guaranteed right now to finish second or third in the Eastern Conference, there are only a few teams they could face in the first round of the playoffs. So I ask you, readers of TheBruinsBlog.net:
Who would you prefer the Bruins play in the first round?
- Tampa Bay (39%, 106 Votes)
- Montreal (34%, 92 Votes)
- Buffalo (16%, 44 Votes)
- NY Rangers (11%, 32 Votes)
Total Voters: 274
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As much as I think the Habs are primed for a 1st round exit, I think there would be too much energy and emotional expenditure for us to move on. Also, even though I feel they’re done, Price IS capable of playing like an ace at times. Henrik always is. I’ll take an over-worked Roloson, thank you. If not, I’ll take Buffalo, so long as Drew Stafford is rolled up in a rug and tossed off the Zakim before the series starts.
Just saying, When Pitsburgh first entered the playoffs with Crosby and Malkin, they were handled by the Ottawa Senators. The year after, they played the Senators again. Danny Bylsma a picture of the Ottawa Senators celebrating beating the Penguins outside the Penguins dressing room, so they were reminded of it every time they were at the rink. The Penguins went on to beat the Senators the next time they played, and then also last year, all in the first round. Just saying.
If we play Buffalo, you know that Lindey Ruff is going to do something of this nature to motivate his team. We need to avoid Buffalo just as much as we need to avoid Montreal. Not only do these teams want to go to the second round, but they would love to do it by beating the Boston Bruins.
We need a calm first round, then when everyone’s emotion is at a new level, the rivalries won’t be as impactful. Bring on the Bay, and if not them, then I say New York.
Interesting that Rask has played in 13 games vs. these four teams while Thomas has only played in 7. I know it’s unconventional, but I think it’ll be important for Rask to get 1-2 (but no more) starts in Round 1 if the Bruins are to have any chance of a long playoff run. Thomas is MUCH sharper when rested, and Rask can get cold w/o any work. It’s an advantage they have over the other teams. Why not use it and keep Timmy as fresh as possible?
Buffalo
Thomas: 0-1 / 6.89 GAA / .786 Sv %
Rask: 4-1 / 1.43 GAA / .954 SV %
MTL
Thomas: 0-1-1 / 3.44 GAA / .878 Sv %
Rask: 1-2-1 / 2.05 GAA / .929 SV %
NYR
Thomas: 0-2 / 2.49 GAA / .914 SV %
Rask: 1-1 / 2.01 GAA / .932 SV %
TB
Thomas: 1-1 / 1.51 GAA / .962 SV %
Rask: 1-1 / 4.58 GAA / .830 SV %
Mixed bag of stats, but I think that one game vs/ Buffalo was flukey for Thomas and I like the idea that Rask can come in Round 1, play a couple games with a solid history of success this year against them. Bring on the Sabres.
I think the Bruins can beat any of these teams and am just excited for the playoffs! My last choice would be the Rangers. The people above have said it very well. Excellent coaching, unreal goaltending, and a team that is balanced with both talent and grinders. They will be the toughest matchup and if they don’t play the Bruins I pick them for a first round upset. The Habs would be tough but Price has yet to prove himself in the playoffs and has been struggling. My biggest concern with them is the distraction. The Chara investigation is still open and you can bet that Montreal will use that to try and throw the Bruins off their game. I would rather see Tampa or Buffalo. Tampa would be my first choice because I think we can shut them down easier than we would be able to with ny or the Habs. I read Miller has an injury? Not sure of severity but if he is hurt then Buffalo would be a good matchup as well. Like I said I think they can beat any of these teams if they play their game I am just anxious to drop the puck for playoffs and start the quest for the cup!
no me gusta blueshirts.
Tampa. Our defense can mostly eat their offense alive-especially if we are playing well.
I think Tampa mathmatically is pretty much out though as a possible match-up so my second choice is actually the Habs-I think they have pretty much burned Carey Price up and if we play our game we will take them.
My last choice would be the Rangers. For some reason we can’t seem to figure Lundqvist out and in many ways playing the Rangers is a lot like playing ourselves and I think they are the most dangerous.
I don’t really want Buffalo-I think they are in play off mode and seem to be getting stronger.
I am concerned if the B’s play the Habs first. The hatred and animosity from the Habs fans COULD easily become a distraction. Boston would burn too hot too soon. They’d expend too much energy in this first round. Gotta pace themselves. I’d rather see the Bolts or the Sabres first
Tampa by far.
Torts is one of the best coaches in the league when it comes to targeting an opponent’s weakness and exploiting it, and he has the best grinders in the league and a superhuman goalie at his disposal. MTL’s “seventh man” effect at home is dangerous, and they’re small and quick… all it would take would be for the B’s to give up momentum for one game to really fuel MTL and give the B’s problems. Buffalo is what MTL wishes it was… world-class netminding, small and skilled up front, great transition game, big guys on the back end. BUF scares me the most I think, with NYR in a close second because Hank will tire at some point soon due to his workload.
Tampa has a pretty average PK, and their PP relies heavily on the shorthanded team leaving cross-ice lanes open (which the B’s close off well). Their top two lines are incredibly streaky, and the ranks thin out after that point. Rolly is old, and he plays at one extreme or the other… when he’s good, he’s really good, but when he’s bad, he craps the bed pretty magestically. All in all, a good matchup if the B’s bring their A-game.
I vote Tampa, their defense and goaltending is not terrible but it’s the worst of the 4 teams being 23rd in goals against per game. The other reason is Tampa relies heavily on their PP for offense, and even then they lead the league in SH goals against with 16. Since they rely on the PP so much we have seen their propensity for diving/flopping in front of the net, usually the refs let more go in the playoffs but who knows this year.
Well, if we happen to play Tampa Bay in the first round, that would mean that they slipped in the standings, meaning that they would have had to have a terrible last half dowzen games, meaning they would not be at the top of their game, and with the other three teams potentially being extremely hungry (plus the Miller, Price, Hank factor) Tampa Bay would just be the weakest and easiest opponent to deal with without our players being too tired.
No disrespect to Dwayne Roloson either, he is a dangerous playoff goalie, but if Tampa Bay manages to slip down to 6th or 7th, very hard to do in their current situation, clearly, they won’t be playing their best hockey.
Anyone but NYR in first round. King Hank can steal a series. Lets squash Montreal and leave them to another team.
Montreal or Buffalo. Cinderella has a restraining order out on the Habs. I don’t think Buffalo can score enough goals. Tampa lacks depth. Torts and Henrik give me some concern. I guess I’d rather have Buffalo without the Montreal sideshow.
I dont want the Rangers at all. King Henrick KILLS us. I think we would ROLL Tampa Bay.
I went with Tampa Bay. Obvious talent on their roster, but I like our chances. I feel as though a Montreal series will expend tons of energy, entertaining as it would be. In addition, whether I like it or not…Mtl tends to make things happen ex, beating pitt last year.
Either way, I’ll be watching with fervor as I do every season/post-season. Lets go B’s!
No matter … B’s can take any of them.
i picked montreal.. they are going to limp into the playoffs and wouldnt it be better to say that we had to go through montreal to win a stanley cup ?