The struggling Boston Bruins have a small three-point lead over the Florida Panthers for the final playoff spot in the Easter Conference but still have the makeup of a team that could go deep into the post season should they make it. Defense and goaltending are the keys to playoff success and Boston still has strength in those areas, despite recent struggles.
The St. Louis Blues have developed into a top tier Stanley Cup contender that is deep and well balanced. The Blues simply lack the cache of having done it before, as they continue their quest to make it back to the Stanley Cup Final Final for the first time since 1970 when, ironically enough, they were swept by Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins.
The surging Blues will host the slumping Bruins Friday night at the Scottrade Center with faceoff time set for 8 p.m. ET. Despite Boston’s recent struggles, it is not inconceivable that these teams could meet if the Stanley Cup Final this June.
Trade in Works for B’s?
Bruins Nation is in a full blown panic as their B’s recent slump has the aura of a team that is in decline. Boston is in desperate need of scoring depth and is rumored to be looking to potentially move goaltending prospect Malcolm Subban for a sniper. Top Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask is locked into a contract through 2021 which makes Subban expandable. The 21-year old Subban has garnered plenty of inquiries to Boston General Manager Peter Chiarelli.
The Bruins rank 21st in the NHL for goal scoring and would figure to want to move Subban for some additional offense. Boston’s power play has been abysmal and ranks 24th in the NHL. The lack of a finishing scorer is what has prevented this current Boston core from winning a second Stanley Cup since defeating Vancouver in the 2011 Final. Boston has scored over three goals just once in their last 10 games. The lack of scoring has put additional pressure on Rask, who has responded with a .917 save percentage in his last five games.
Panic set off after Boston blew a 3-0 lead at Calgary on Monday night in a 4-3 overtime loss that could loom large down the stretch. Another concern has been the drop in play of aging 38-year-old defenseman Zdeno Chara, who is a minus-1 on the season and a minus-4 this month. Chiarelli will keep his phone charged through the March 2 trade deadline.
A High Note for Blues
Is this finally the year? The Blues rank fifth in the NHL for both goal scoring and goals against and have won eight out of their last ten games go close within six points of the Nashville Predators for the top spot in the Central Division, not to mention the NHL itself. Just as the Montreal Canadiens are in the heads of the Bruins, the Chicago Blackhawks are in the heads of the Blues. On February 8 the Blues lost a 4-2 decision to the Hawks on NBC, which has been the only real blemish in an otherwise highly successful month.
Right wing Vladimir Tarasenko has exploded into form with 29 goals, tied for fifth best in the NHL. Tarasenko is also an insane plus-27 in what has easily been a career year. Tarasenko has been the catalyst for the Blues ranking second in the NHL for power play efficiency. Goaltender Brian Elliott is now the firmly established number one netminder for the Blues, after their failed experiment in acquiring Ryan Miller from Buffalo last year. Miller was hailed as a franchise savior but failed to deliver in last year’s playoff loss to the Blackhawks. Elliott has since put together an All Star season in which he has saver percentage of .925 and the confidence of his team and the long suffering Blues fans.
This is likely a make or break year for the Blues and head coach Ken Hitchcock. Management has not been afraid to spend and go for the first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but the Stanley Cup window can only stay open for so long and if the Blues don’t do it this year when will they?
Top defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk remains out with a head injury. His return will be vital for the Blues long term playoff viability.
