Eastern Conference Quarterfinal
(A1) Boston Bruins vs. (WC2) Detroit Red Wings
Season series: Red Wings won 3-1-0.
They have a history: This will mark just the eighth playoff meeting between the two Original Six teams. Boston holds a 4-3 all-time series lead over Detroit (all matchups were between 1941-1957). The two last met in the 1957 Stanley Cup semifinals, where the Bruins won the series 4-1.
For the Bruins to win: Claude Julien needs to go back to the film. Detroit was one of the rare teams that had success against the Presidents’ Trophy winners this season — Boston’s only win against Detroit came in the second game of the year. Looking back at those games, Boston will need a far better effort from Vezina candidate Tuukka Rask. In four games against Detroit, Rask allowed 13 goals (his highest number against any team) and posted a save percentage of just .871 (third lowest total). The power play was another noticeable area where Boston dropped off against Detroit. In its three defeats, Boston went just for 1-for-12 with the man advantage. With two consistent scoring lines, they’ll need far better production in this series. Watch out for David Krejci, who has done his best work in the post-season. He led the league in playoff scoring in two of the last there years.
Best Bruins storyline: Jarome Iginla is one of the most revered players in the league. He has accomplished just about everything in hockey except a Stanley Cup. He hasn’t been to the Cup final since his pre-lockout days with the Flames, which was the primary reason he left Calgary. Boston, now presents Iginla with his best opportunity for a ring.
Leading scorer: David Krejci, 69 points (19 goals, 50 assists)
Game 1 starter: Tuukka Rask, 36-15-6, 2.04 goals-against average, .930 save percentage
For the Red Wings to win: Detroit was the only team in the NHL to beat Boston three times during the regular season. The biggest advantage Detroit has is its team speed. That’s an area where Boston struggled with last year in their opening series with Toronto. The biggest problem for Boston could be Gustav Nyquist, the Red Wings’ most explosive player and hottest scorer down the stretch. He registered three points in two games against Boston this year, which included a highlight-reel goal that saw him blow past Zdeno Chara. Daniel Alfredsson must step up, too. He adds playoff experience to a team isn’t expected to have veterans Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson in the lineup. Another critical factor will be the play of goaltender Jimmy Howard. The American must be in top form against a Bruins team that led the Eastern Conference in scoring. Howard posted a sparkling .924 save percentage in 14 playoff games last year.
Best Red Wings storyline: Detroit overcame a roster ravaged by injuries to make its 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. More importantly for Detroit, they managed to uncover another hidden draft gem with the breakout performance of Nyquist in the final two months of the season. Nyquist carried the team into the playoffs at a time when the Wings were without Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk for the majority of the post-Olympic break. It was the finest coaching work of Mike Babcock’s already-impressive career.
Leading scorer: Daniel Alfredsson, 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists)
Game 1 starter: Jimmy Howard, 21-19-11, 2.66 goals-against average, .910 save percentage
Matchup to watch: How will Detroit contain Boston’s top line? Krejci, Iginla, and Milan Lucic combined for 189 points during the regular season and were one of the most consistent lines in hockey. Iginla scored 30 goals and proved to be a perfect replacement for Nathan Horton. They’ll likely go up against Niklas Kronwall — who has been Detroit’s most physical defenceman all season, ranking amongst the top Red Wings in hits and blocked shots. Without Ericsson in the lineup, Kronwall will continue to skate alongside Brendan Smith on the top pair as they try to shut down Boston’s most effective trio.
Big question: Why was Detroit so successful against the Bruins this season? Heading into Friday, Boston’s primary goal will be to counteract Detroit’s offence with size and physical play. Julien must decide whether to match up Chara, his shutdown defenceman, with the surging Nyquist or against an experienced top line that includes Datsyuk and Johan Franzen?
Best bet: Bruins in six.
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