Hall Pots Two to Pace Bruins to OT Victory

BOSTON - When Taylor Hall arrived in Boston, he admitted during his introductory press conference that he was not the most confident hockey player. The former No. 1 overall pick and Hart Trophy winner had scored just two goals in 37 games with the Buffalo Sabres and was in dire need of a fresh start.
He got that on April 12 when Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acquired him just ahead of the NHL trade deadline, but there was no guarantee that his fortunes would turn around just because of a change in scenery.
Now, a month into his Bruins tenure, it's clear that Hall's confidence has skyrocketed - potentially to new heights.

"It's been 16 games, it's probably been some of the most enjoyable hockey I've ever played in my career," said Hall. "I really hope there's more to come…I know the Bruins history and the aura around the team has been a lot of fun to play for. I've loved my time here. This city is amazing. Just walking around and the energy in this area for this team in general has been really fun to be a part of."
Hall has certainly helped add to that buzz with a stellar start to his Bruins tenure, which now includes his brilliant performance on Monday night. The 29-year-old scored twice, including a gorgeous overtime winner, to lift Boston to a 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders at TD Garden.
"It's obviously been a good transition for me," said Hall, who collected a David Krejci drop pass at the red line, dangled through Isles defenseman Nick Leddy, and finished off a silky backhander with 2:07 left in the extra session.
"There's really good leadership in our dressing room. There's a way that the Bruins play, and I always felt like - even when I wasn't on this team - that was the style of play that I could come and play well in and perform well.
"I feel like I've had a positive impact. It's important for me, personally on an individual level, to try and maintain that impact in the playoffs because, ultimately, that is our goal here."

The B's victory over the Isles solidified the third seed in the East Division and secured them a first-round matchup against the Washington Capitals, which will begin on Saturday night in D.C.
"Obviously the playoffs and winning in the playoffs is something that you can't really replicate in the regular season…that's what we've been building for," said Hall, who has helped Boston to a 12-3-1 record since his arrival.
"Whatever you've done in the regular season, it kind of goes out the window and it's time to perform and play well and ultimately help your team win in the playoffs."
In 16 games with the Black & Gold, Hall - who arrived with just two goals on the season - has scored eight times and added six assists for 14 points, fitting in beautifully with David Krejci and Craig Smith on Boston's second line. He also credits Brad Marchand (goal and an assist on Monday night) with helping to inspire and motivate him each and every night with his MVP-caliber performance.
"I mean, confidence is such a special thing in sports," said Hall. "When you have it, you don't even really know you have it. When you don't have confidence, it's certainly apparent. I can't really say what the turning point was or anything, but when I watch a guy like Marchand play and the things he does out there, I think that was a really great thing for me, to watch him play.
"To see how hard he is on pucks, to see how many times he gives a second effort to get a puck back or make a play on D or on offense. He's been a guy our whole roster feeds off of. For me personally, to see how he plays, I know I can play a similar style. It's almost like you watch someone do it, and then you're like, 'OK, I can do that.' That was a little thing.
"Obviously playing with Krech and Smitty, I think right off the bat we had a lot of chemistry. It helped that some goals went in to start my time here, and sometimes that's all you need."

Hall's arrival has also appeared to provide a boost to Krejci. The veteran pivot was having a solid season prior to the acquisition of Hall on April 12, but since then he has piled up 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) - including three helpers on Monday night - tied with Marchand for the team lead in that span.
"When I got traded here, I honestly didn't know who I'd play with," said Hall. "There was no conversation about that. But coming here, just kind of the first time we stepped on the ice together, you could see the playmaking ability that he has. And he's done it for so long.
"Just speaking to the people that know hockey, they always told me if Krejci has some linemates he really likes playing with - like he had [Milan] Lucic and [Nathan] Horton back in the day, some other guys have been through - and he's comfortable and he's playing with some players that can play with speed and pace, he's very effective.
"Obviously, he's been much more than that for me. I've never played with right-handed centermen at all really in my career, maybe a little bit with Sam [Gagner] in Edmonton, but to have a guy that doesn't have to go to his backhand to pass me the puck when I'm coming up the wall, I think it adds another dimension to our attack off the rush.
"Smitty as well. I think Smitty and I play pretty similar styles. We like to create offense in any way, doesn't have to be off the rush, can be off the forecheck or in the zone, creating turnovers. Being hard to play against is something we take pride in and I feel like we've done that."
That havoc was on full display on Monday night as Hall engaged physically with the Islanders on multiple occasions - he took a cross-checking penalty on Leddy in the second period - and also drew two penalties. On the second penalty, Hall took advantage with a sharp-angle, power-play blast from the left corner off a cross-crease feed from Krejci to give Boston a 1-0 lead with just 39 seconds left in the first period.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy also made sure to point out Hall's defensive game as part of the winger's standout all-around effort.
"I thought he was really good tonight," said Cassidy. "If you think back to the end of the first period, we had a real good first period and we were on a power play and Charlie [McAvoy] got himself in a tough spot on the boards on his offside. Those are tough pucks. And they were able to make a play on it and he backchecked from goal line to goal line. Tried to keep it out of our net.
"He's a real invested player for us at both ends. He drew a penalty. He's finishing plays now. I think he's opened up a little more…just personality wise. So that tells me right away he's more comfortable in the room and it shows on the ice, obviously.
"He's been good since he got here - from Day 1. Really showed tonight. He finished some nice plays, and we need it. That's the Taylor Hall we were hoping to get, and so far, so good. Now playoffs are a different animal. Hopefully he's excited to get back in the playoffs and get going. We'll see where it leads."

Wait, There's More

The Bruins will take on the Washington Capitals in the postseason for the first time since 2012. Boston will finish off the season series against the Caps on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena with what is likely to be skeleton crew.
"Now we're locked in. Manage our lineup [on Tuesday]," said Cassidy. "The opponent, a solid team. Great top six. Big bodies. They're coach has been there many times. They're going to be ready to go. Obviously, playing [Zdeno Chara], I'm sure that will become a storyline. But again, a team we've played well against this year.
"Looking forward to the matchup. It's ironic we're playing them [on Tuesday], ahead of the playoffs. But I guess that has happened in the past. We'll do what we have to do [on Tuesday] and spend the rest of the week getting ready for Game 1 and go from there."
Ondrej Kase suffered an upper-body injury in his first game since Jan. 16. The winger, returning from a concussion that caused him to miss the vast majority of the regular season, played just 6:49 with two shots on goal before leaving after the second period.
"He left, he couldn't finish the game, so that's never a good sign," said Cassidy. "Obviously, we'll have a better feel in the morning. We're kind of packing up, off to Washington tonight…but we won't know much tomorrow.
"I don't believe he'll play tomorrow or travel with us if he couldn't finish the game. But again, I haven't been in the medical room since the end of the second period. I'll get an update. If not, then I'll know more tomorrow."