Bad News for the NHL: The Bruins Are

Getting Hot, and at the Perfect Time

Jack Richmond
4/23/21

The Bruins have won six in a row after beating the Sabres in Buffalo last night, 5-1. Five
different players scored for the B’s and all lines seem to be gelling together nicely after some
much-needed trade deadline additions. They are building a foundation of team chemistry for the
tower they will need in the postseason.
This team has a wide-open opportunity to gain some more ground in the east division in the
coming weeks approaching the playoffs. The Bruins play the not-so-good Sabres and New Jersey
Devils five out of their next seven games. They currently sit at the fourth and final playoff spot,
three points behind the Penguins and Islanders, and four points behind the first place Capitals,
and they have played two less games than all three of those teams.
The Islanders and Capitals play each other their next two games, and the Bruins get a two-game
series against the Penguins after they finish their series with Buffalo tonight at 7:00 PM ET.
I can’t stress enough how important this is. The hot stick Brad Marchand (25 goals, tied for 3rd
in NHL) and the Bruins can easily jump up to the first playoff seed in the East if they keep
forechecking and finding each other on the ice. They have the goaltending with the always-
reliable Tuukka Rask, and their new rookie showcase Jeremy Swayman who has earned trust
with coach Cassidy by having an excellent 1.65 goals against average, which is second in the
entire NHL behind only Carolina’s Peter Mrazek.
“All I want to do is help the team win. When my name is called, I want to give them my best. It’s
really fun to be apart of this upward momentum... our team had been playing so well.” Says
Swayman following the Bruins win over Buffalo last night (@NHLBruins twitter).
They Bruins feel good right now and must keep giving their best, so they can forget how to not.
With eleven regular season games left, there is minimal room for anything less than their
absolute best. What Boston needs to do, from the wise words of the late, great Herb Brooks…
“PLAY YOUR GAME!”