BOSTON — Heading into Monday’s recreation towards the Philadelphia Flyers, the Boston Bruins have wholesome leads atop the Atlantic Division, Jap Convention, and NHL standings.
Following a win over Toronto on Saturday, Boston’s lead over the second-place Maple Leafs prolonged to 11 factors, and the Bruins have 2 video games in hand besides.
That 4-3 victory was as emotional and entertaining as another recreation this season, and it was an vital win for a Bruins crew that had been shutout by the Seattle Kraken two nights earlier than.
"I believe the sport meant extra to us than I imagined earlier than the sport," mentioned Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery. "We're pleased with not having misplaced two in a row, and there was a goal to what we have been doing, not solely as a result of it was the second-place crew in Toronto that we have been taking part in, however we do not need to lose two in a row, as a result of when you get right into a playoff, you lose two in a row, you are in a bit of little bit of a gap."
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The Bruins boast a file of 33-5-4 previous to Monday’s matinee tilt, and are an ideal 9-0 following a loss this season.
They’re tied for second in targets per recreation (3.76), they’re permitting the fewest targets per recreation (2.17), and have the league’s greatest penalty kill (85.6%) to associate with a fourth-ranked energy play (27.6%).
Boston’s additionally benefitting from an all-star season from Linus Ullmark, who ranks first in wins, save proportion, and targets towards common. That goes together with a profession 12 months so far from David Pastrnak, continued two-way excellence from Patrice Bergeron, and defensive clinics from Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy.
The 2 greatest common seasons within the shootout period have been recorded by the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks (.802-point proportion in a lockout shortened season) and the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning (.780). The Bruins at the moment stand at a .833 level proportion over half approach by the season.
Because it occurred, these Blackhawks gained the Stanley Cup over the Bruins in 6 video games, whereas that model of the Lightning was upset by the Columbus Blue Jackets within the first spherical, opening the door for the Bruins to advance to the Closing that 12 months, the place they misplaced Recreation 7 to the St. Louis Blues on dwelling ice.
That proves actually something can occur within the playoffs, however so far as the common season goes, we’re witnessing among the best crew performances in latest reminiscence, if not all-time.
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