Following a 4-3 series win against the Toronto Maple Leaves, the Bruins have showed some ups, but also a few cons. Their power-plays and power-play kill was phenomenal against Toronto. Meanwhile, Toronto was dominating possession and shots and this was the reason for the three lost games. However, they reigned it in, and are in round 2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
However, they knew going in that facing the team that swept the Tampa Bay Lightning was going to be a challenge. The Bruin's power-play has not been as effective as before, and on the defensive end, CBJ is killing them on their own special teams. The Bruins top 3, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrňák have struggled on the scoring side. However, give them credit for tying the series at 2-2 in a dominating game to pull even. Even so, Game 5, today at home, will be tough, especially since the Jackets are one of the best away teams in the league.
Although the Bruin's entered as the favorites to win the series, fans all over have quickly realized that this is the tightest series in the tournament so far. If they want to win, the first thing they need to do is capitalize with their second line, which has far outdone that of Columbus. Columbus's secondary scoring was on point against Tampa, but players such as Cam Atkinson have been timid this series.
Another thing the Bruins must work on if they want to advance is blocking the goaltender. They had trouble getting in front of the goalie, Frederik Andersen, against Toronto and they don't seem to be doing it now. Bobrovsky has had clear views on the puck for each and every shot, and its allowed him to perform well, but that's not to say Bobrovsky isn't talented. He's made enough split-saves to say otherwise, and is most likely the best goalie left in the playoffs.
Finally, the Bruin's have got to match the Blue Jacket's intensity and aggressiveness. Columbus is winning each and every open puck, and are keeping the Bruin's on the boards with hit after hit. Players like Marchand, who are the Bruin's "heavy-hitters," if you will, have taken it down a notch, and need to step it up. The Bruin's need to keep up the possession, and keep ripping shots at Bobrovsky. If they can pull of the win, which they certainly have the means do in 6 games, they go on to face the Carolina Hurricanes who are on fire after defeating the Capital's, last years winners, in the first round, and have just finished sweeping the New York Islanders.
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