On the same night that Bruins fans celebrated their team's clenching the Presidents Trophy for the first time in over 20 years, their spirits were dampened by the fact that they also were told of their first round opponent in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Ever since the Bruins' stunning 14 game point streak back in March vaulted the Bruins to the top of the NHL's standings, Bruins fans have been able to legitimately consider a best case scenario as actually being a probable reality. As the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Bruins would play the worst team inside the playoff structure. That worst team would be whoever held the second wild card and for almost a month now, only two teams have been in the running for that. Those teams are the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Redwings.
Now the best case scenario referenced earlier is obvious one you take into consideration the relationship the Bruins have with these two teams. Even in one of their worst seasons in recent history, the Detroit Redwings are one of the few teams in the hockey world that can beat the Big Bad Bruins at their own game. Starting from the back, they rely on strong play in net on a nightly basis while defending the blue line and fighting hard in physical board battles. Guys like the terrifying Nicklas Kronwall, lead that physical assault in Detroit, banging bodies down with yard sale body checks that more often than not leave Kronwall himself down on the ice and the victim of his check making sure all of his bones are still intact before moving again.
Though they have had the fewest fights in the entire league this season, the Redwings will not stand for any physical transgressions against their team and will not hesitate to finish checks relentlessly once someone on their team has been harmed. Also, their entire team has been taught the wonders of selflessness as despite their scoreing more goals than almost half of the Eastern Conference, the Redwings do not have a 30 goal scorer. Instead their balanced attack has spawned 6, 15 goal scoeres and a list of 15 players who have found the net more than 5 times in the season.
They get under your skin, they draw penalties and they ruthlessly back check as all of their forwards play like Selkie Trophy Finalists. Sound like the Bruins? Yeah and in a way, they are even more Bruin than the actual Bruins.
In the 4 games they have played together, the Bruins have won just 1 game losing thrice to the Redwings all in regulation. What is even more terrifying is the fact that the Bruins have not beaten the Redwings in their own building since 2008.
But we have been here before. Now I will not go as far to say that a Presidents Trophy winning team will be an underdog in a series against the worst team in the playoffs but what I will say is that in series labeled as tough the Bruins have surprised us before most notably last year in the Eastern Conference Finals. Do not worry Bruins fans, we definitely a chance.
Now logistically, while the actual schedule for the series will not be released until later this week, it is suspected that the series will kick off with a 7:00PM Game One in Boston on Thursday night. As for Game Two that one will be largely influenced by the time constraints of NBC's schedule and will most likely be locked down as a Saturday afternoon manatee in Boston.
So now it is time to wait.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals will begin within the week and no matter the opponent, the Boston Bruins will go into the season with one of their best chances for a Stanley Cup in years.
Cheer loud and cheer proud Bruins fans because it is time for playoff hockey!
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