Questions ahead of the National Hockey League play-offs - Part 10
Can the Boston Bruins do what they were unable to do last time, avoid an early exit?
The Bruins were tremendous during the course of the last season to say the least, but the play-offs ended in a very disappointing way for them. They maintained a decent run throughout the play-offs, but the fact that their run concluded in a surprising semi-final
loss to the Philadelphia Flyers was a shocking sight. They became only the fourth team in the history of the NHL to lose the four final games of series.
The Bruins were on top of their game during the first three games which saw them winning and constructing a 3-0 lead in the series. The Flyers looked down and out, but they managed to crawl their way back into the series and won 4-3 in the end, to move into
the finals of the Eastern Conference. However, the Bruins’ hearts were broken after they were in an excellent position to make their way into the Conference Finals.
This time, the Bruins are back in the play-offs to avenge their early exit, though it was in the semi-finals. However, since they were projected to go all the way into the Stanley Cup Finals, it is still too early to tell. The Bruins have won their Division
and are considered to be a dark horse in the race for the Conference title this time. Their physical play coupled with strong offence may very well prove to be the differentiating factor. Their back-line is better this time out, as they have Tim Thomas guarding
their net which makes the defence very difficult to beat.
The Bruins maintained a decent run in the final stages of the regular season which is going to give them a lot of confidence, as the teams above them were unable to keep up the pace. The only exception is the Washington Capitals, who went to the very top
of the Conference to win it in the end.
The Bruins certainly are in good shape ahead of the play-offs, but this time they have a lot to prove. The team is quite capable of going all the way to win the Conference, if not the title. The Bruins will be looking to make sure that this year is not another
year of high expectations that ends in disappointment.
Which of the goal-keepers is going to be on top during the first round of the 2011 play-offs?
The goal-keeping department is one of the most important positions in a team, as this player can totally change the out-come of the game. There are several goal-keepers that are in hot form as the play-offs start. Goalies that can come up with some spectacular
performances can carry the teams forward almost single-handedly.
The goal-keeper to watch out for during the play-offs this time out is the Nashville Predators’ Pekka Rinne. He has been brilliant for the Predators during the regular season, which saw him ending the second position in terms of save percentages and third
in goals against percentage.
The Predators are not as strong offensively as they are defensively, due to the superb performances of Rinne during the season. Rinne will play a big part if the Predators want to win the first round series for the initial time during their history.
Continued in Part 11
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