The 2020 NHL playoffs roll on to the conference semifinals starting Saturday, with the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Dallas Stars.
Tampa Bay won 3 of 4 regular-season matchups versus Boston, along with their contest in the round-robin part of the postseason. Will the Bruins reverse that pattern in this series?
Note: Advanced stats are from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey
More: Check out the complete NHL postseason schedule here.
Blake Colemans line has been playing wonderful hockey this postseason. Mark Blinch/NHLI through Getty ImagesWhat we learned in the very first round: If the Lightning were going to make a run this summertime, first they would need to exorcise some devils. Tampa Bay got to face John Tortorellas forecheck-focused Columbus Blue Jackets once again in the first round and this time retreated, getting momentum from a five-overtime Game 1 victory. Tampa Bay did it all without Steven Stamkos, who is sidelined because of injury. The Lightning flexed their total roster depth, though Stamkos lack looms.
The Bruins sleepwalked through the round robin, dropping all the method from the No. 1 to the No. 4 seed and leaving many wondering whether they could summon urgency this summer season. David Pastrnak missed out on many of the series, but seasoned vets such as Brad Marchand and David Krejci more than compensated.
Line: Pastrnak returned in Game 5 versus the Canes, which implies the Perfection Line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand is back undamaged. Pastrnak appears to be a full go, leading Boston forwards in ice time (20:28 per video game) and firing 5 shots on internet in his first video game back. Point (5 objectives, five assists in eight video games, consisting of 2 overtime winners) is having a terrific postseason.
1 RelatedForward depth: Bostons 2nd line of Jake DeBrusk, Krejci and Ondrej Kase is buzzing, driving belongings and producing Grade-An opportunities. The third line, anchored by Charlie Coyle (66% expected goals rate against Carolina) is strong, too, but theres a drop-off after that. Tampa Bays second line, centered by Anthony Cirelli, isnt producing at its best, however the 3rd line including Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and Yanni Gourde is playing fantastic hockey. Youll hear a lot about how GM Julien BriseBois strengthened his forward group with grit through the additions of Coleman and Goodrow at the trade due date and Patrick Maroon last summertime. Tampa Bays 4th line holds a considerable edge over Bostons. Advantage: Lightning
Defense: This postseason has been a bit of a revelation for Zach Bogosian, who has restored his career in Tampa Bay, thanks, in part, to a terrific task of playing together with Norris Trophy nominee Victor Hedman. In Boston, Charlie McAvoy asserts himself as a top defenseman in this league. Its hard to find too numerous faults in Bostons leading 6, and keep an eye on Matt Grzelcyk, who keeps selecting up more responsibilities.
The backup is 23-year-old Dan Vladar, who has actually never ever played an NHL video game. In Tampa Bay, you know what youre getting from Andrei Vasilevskiy, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner who is up for the award once again this season. Vasilevskiy has a. 923 save percentage at even strength this postseason.
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Coaching: Bruce Cassidy is a Jack Adams nominee for leading the Bruins to a Presidents Trophy (they were the only team to hit 100 points before the time out). In his second stint as an NHL coach, Cassidy has actually ended up being wiser and knows all the ideal buttons to push with this group. Jon Cooper has actually likewise achieved fantastic regular-season success with Tampa Bay in his tenure, but till this team can overcome the hump in the postseason, that will be a mark versus him. Benefit: Bruins
Tampa Bays 13.3% on the power play is disappointing considering that the Lightning (like Boston) were a top-five team with guy advantage throughout the routine season. Bostons 17.9% on the power play is a big advantage, though the Bruins are somewhat behind on the penalty kill (85.7% to Tampa Bays 87.1%).
Forecast: Bruins in 7. This is a clash of the Eastern Conferences two best groups this season, and hockey fans are in for a treat. Were anticipating tight, tough-contested battles, the Bruins appear to be clicking at just the ideal time to avenge their 2018 second-round loss.
Tampa Bays 2nd line, centered by Anthony Cirelli, isnt producing at its finest, however the 3rd line including Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and Yanni Gourde is playing fantastic hockey. Tampa Bays fourth line holds a significant edge over Bostons. Jon Cooper has actually also attained excellent regular-season success with Tampa Bay in his period, however up until this group can get over the bulge in the postseason, that will be a mark versus him. Tampa Bays 13.3% on the power play is disappointing considering that the Lightning (like Boston) were a top-five team with guy advantage during the regular season. Bostons 17.9% on the power play is a huge benefit, though the Bruins are somewhat behind on the penalty kill (85.7% to Tampa Bays 87.1%).
