Bruins Win Game 7 vs. Maple Leafs & a Playoff Rematch vs. Panthers
Plus, a whole lot of Bruins goaltending content
Welcome to the THW Boston Bruins Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Bruins writers.
Bruins Should Return to Goalie Rotation
May 9, 2024 by Ryan Ventura
The Boston Bruins have lived by a goalie rotation system for the last two seasons, and it worked. The duo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman carried the team to the best regular season in NHL history in 2022-23. They followed that up with a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division in 2023-24 that exceeded preseason expectations. They need to revert back to that system now if they want to push for a Stanley Cup.
Panthers’ 5v5 Dominance & Bruins’ Lack of Discipline Led to 6-1 Shellacking
May 9, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
Much like the first game, the second game was a lopsided affair. However, this time it was not the Boston Bruins in the driver’s seat. The Florida Panthers took the Game 1 loss personally and came out with a vengeance. You saw the more dominant version of the Panthers, who defeated the Bruins 6-1.
It was an ugly game for the Bruins all around, as they did not have their best effort. The tone was set for Game 3, as it turned into a physical affair. Here are three key takeaways from the lopsided loss.
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Top 3 All-Time Bruins Goalies
May 8, 2024 by Brandon Share-Cohen
The Boston Bruins have a rich history in the world of hockey as an Original Six franchise, but their history of goaltenders has not always been so strong.
In the 100-year history of Bruins’ hockey, 111 goaltenders have donned a Bruins uniform and played to varying degrees in Boston. Some of these goalies have proven to be among the best in history while others have failed to stand out for better or for worse.
Jeremy Swayman’s Playoff Performance Mimicking Former Bruin Tim Thomas
May 7, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
There are certainly some good player storylines this postseason. When you look at the first-round series between the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights, a player you may have least expected dominated the series. Second-year player Wyatt Johnston was stellar, as he leads the team with four goals and seven points. With a team that has high-profile players, Johnston stood out the most. The same can be said for Boston Bruins’ goalie Jeremy Swayman.
There were questions as to who would start in Game 1 of round one. Linus Ullmark had a stronger finish to the season, whereas Swayman struggled after the trade deadline. However, Swayman got the nod and never looked back. In fact, he is a huge reason why the Bruins advanced to the second round and is doing something that a goalie hasn’t done since the days of Tim Thomas.
Bruins’ Convincing Game 1 Win Shows Depth on the Roster
May 7, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
The rematch from last year’s heartbreak is officially underway. With the Florida Panthers having a longer layoff, the Boston Bruins came in fresh off a Game 7 victory two days ago. The Bruins flew down to Florida and took complete advantage of a team that hadn’t played in over a week.
The Bruins’ depth was at the forefront and came through in a big way, as they defeated the Panthers 5-1. In fact, in both Game 1s, the Bruins have a goal differential of 10-2. It was a great collective effort with something to prove.
Bruins’ Swayman Had MVP Performance in First Round
May 7, 2024 by Hannah Garfield
For the first time since 2020, the Boston Bruins have made it out of the first round of the playoffs. It was certainly a close one, and hats off to the Toronto Maple Leafs on playing a tough series and coming back from being down 3-1 to force an anxiety-inducing Game 7 for both fan bases. The Bruins were able to come out on top thanks to a third-period goal from Hampus Lindholm to tie the game at 1-1 and then an overtime winner from the team’s top goal scorer from the regular season, David Pastrnak.
It is clear to anyone who watched the series that the Bruins’ MVP was not Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, or Charlie McAvoy, the names one has come to expect when talking about the top players on the roster. No, the MVP for this series and the only reason they are moving on to face the Florida Panthers in Round 2 is Jeremy Swayman. Head coach Jim Montgomery said it best, “He was our best player in the series; it’s not close.”
Bruins vs. Panthers: The Playoff Rematch the NHL Needed
May 6, 2024 by Mike Fink
The Bruins and the Panthers meet again in a rematch that at first glance seems similar but is noticeably different. This time, the Panthers are the favorites as the team that finished the season with the best record in the Atlantic Division. This time, the Bruins have a similar core but different skaters taking on complementary roles. While it’s not a rerun of last season’s matchup, this series is sure to deliver like the one fans were treated to a season ago.
Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers Round 2 Preview
May 5, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
This is going to be a great series between these two teams, who also do not like one another. As Game 1 begins Monday night in Sunrise, Florida, let’s see how these two teams stack up against one another.
Maple Leafs and Bruins Played the Weirdest Game 7
May 5, 2024 by Karine Hains
Game 7 is the most exciting game in hockey. It’s the one where everything is on the line and the one that gets your blood pumping. It’s the game that we all dreamt of playing as we skated on the local rink or a frozen pond. Last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins had a Game 7 date that had the hockey world talking.
Everyone thought it would be a battle from puck drop until the final buzzer rang, but it wasn’t. NHL fans are used to seeing the most exciting and intense hockey when two teams are tied and an ultimate game is to be played.
3 Key Pieces That Got the Bruins to the 2nd Round
May 5, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
A tale as old as time. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs entered a new chapter of playing a decisive Game 7. And much like the previous three series, the Bruins took that decisive game and got the luxury of advancing to the second round. This game came with enormous amounts of pressure for both teams.
The Bruins avoided making history, and not in a good way. They could’ve been the first team to blow a 3-1 series lead across all the major sports. Instead, they avoided a total collapse like last season and sent the Bruins faithful home happy. Now that the series is wrapped up, here are three reasons why the Bruins ultimately emerged victorious.
Bruins Third Line Essential to Game 7, Playoff Success
May 5, 2024 by Brandon Share-Cohen
Game 7 between the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs lived up to its billing, delivering the nail-biting intensity fans had anticipated. While the scoreboard reflected a low-scoring three-goal affair, boxscore numbers alone couldn’t quantify the match’s excitement. The standout of this crucial game, outside of the obvious in goaltender Jeremy Swayman and a stellar performance from defender Hampus Lindholm, was undeniably the Bruins’ third line, comprised of Trent Frederic, James van Riemsdyk, and Justin Brazeau.
3 Bruins Players Who Need to Step up in Game 7
May 4, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
Much like in 2013 and 2018, the Boston Bruins have seen a 3-1 series lead evaporated by the Toronto Maple Leafs. In those series, the Bruins managed to secure the Game 7 victory, which was both on home ice. The Bruins have yet to lose a Game 7 against the Maple Leafs, but the last two games haven’t instilled much optimism.
Joseph Woll has been a brick wall against the Bruins, as he has allowed just two goals in two games against them. In addition, he has a 0.86 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. What looked like a series that was over for the Maple Leafs have seen it flip the other way. Slow starts have doomed the Bruins in the last two games, and the top guys have not performed well. If the Bruins are to avoid making history as the first team to blow a 3-1 series lead two years in a row, they’ll need players to step up to the plate and deliver. So here are three players that need to elevate their level of play entering Game 7.
Bruins Facing Heavy-Duty Pressure Heading Into Game 7
May 3, 2024 by Nick Abramo
The Boston Bruins simply did not show up to play in Games 5 and 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and now find themselves in a situation that is eerily similar to last season.
The Boston Bruins simply did not show up to play in Games 5 and 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and now find themselves in a situation that is eerily similar to last season.
Slow Start Dooms Bruins in Pivotal Game 6
May 3, 2024 by Tommy Bennett
Pinch me if you’ve heard this before, but the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are headed for a decisive Game 7. The Bruins have seen their 3-1 series lead evaporate like last season, as the Maple Leafs have stormed back and won Game 6 2-1. The Maple Leafs’ level of desperation wasn’t matched by the Bruins and ultimately it was enough for a victory. Here are three key takeaways from the Bruins’ loss, as they regroup for a do-or-die Game 7.