By Hunter Skoczylas of DraftKings
Well, well, well. Here we go again. Despite allowing the Auston Matthews-less Toronto Maple Leafs to take Games 5 and 6 to force Game 7, the Boston Bruins still finished the job — winning 2-1 in overtime thanks to none other than David Pastrnak, who netted the game-winning goal just two minutes into the extra period. Jeremy Swayman was stellar between the pipes across six starts, allowing just 1.49 goals per game but the Bruins’ offensive struggles could hinder any potential of making a run and/or topping the Florida Panthers in the second round.
With that being said, it’s time to turn the page to the Panthers — a red-hot and high-powered squad that came back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Bruins last postseason. Boston nearly blew a 3-1 series lead to Toronto in the first round but has revenge on its mind when it comes to Florida and will look to build off the momentum from four regular-season wins this season.
Top Goal Scorer: Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk, Trent Frederic — 4 goals (Morgan Geekie is second with 2)
Top Point Getter: Brad Marchand — 8 points (David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk are tied for second with 5 points)
Top Goaltender: Jeremy Swayman — 4-2-0 record, 1.49 goals against on average (GAA), .950 save percentage
Bruins expected schedule for Round 2:
- GAME 1: Monday, May 6 at Florida
- GAME 2: Wednesday, May 8 at Florida
- GAME 3: Friday, May 10 vs. Florida
- GAME 4: Sunday, May 12 vs. Florida
- GAME 5: Tuesday, May 14 at Florida (if necessary)
- GAME 6: Friday, May 17 vs. Florida (if necessary)
- GAME 7: Sunday, May 19 at Florida (if necessary)
Bruins DraftKings Fantasy Preview for Round 2
- Entering the postseason, Florida had won four of the last five games of the regular season and then proceeded to bounce a very experienced and talented Tampa Bay Lightning squad, 4-1, in the first round. As a team, it ranks third in both goals per game (4.00) and shots per game (32.0), something Boston will need to adjust to after facing Toronto, who averaged just 1.71 goals per game. The Panthers also rank first in goal percentage (61.11%) and despite playing two fewer games than the Bruins, have scored two more goals (20 to 18).
- Considering Florida has been lighting the lamp regularly, there’s no surprise that it fields such talented goalscorers on nearly every line. From Carter Verhaeghe to Sam Reinhart to Vladimir Tarasenko, the offensive firepower is never-ending and this will be a huge chance of pace for the Bruins. Verhaeghe has netted five goals in five games and leads the team in points (9) while seven other Panthers’ players have recorded at least three points. Boston’s defensemen, primarily Charlie McAvoy, will likely be tasked with flustering Matthew Tkachuk and the second line enough to keep the scoring at a minimum.
- Boston has a rather big decision to make when it comes to goaltending. Swayman has been on fire but started six of seven games against Toronto and could be fatigued while Linus Ullmark started Game 2 and stopped 31-of-34 shots. Boston stuck with Swayman because of his strong play and success against Toronto’s offensive attack but Ullmark sports an all-time 12-3-1 record against Florida and secured wins in three regular season matchups. It’d be questionable to move off of someone who sports a .950 save percentage this postseason but Boston doesn't want a repeat of last year and will do whatever it can to get the upper hand, which makes me lean toward Ullmark here, at least for the series opener.
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