After winning five in a row with a lineup that’s now as close to healthy as it’s been all season, the Bruins were in a groove before hitting a snag with a loss to the Capitals on Thursday night.
They're still in a stretch that represents a great test with games against a longtime tormentor in the Capitals, a divisional rival and possible first-round playoff opponent in Toronto Saturday and their ancient rival, the Montreal Canadiens, in a Monday night showdown.
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Put them together and it’s a nice little three-game test for the Black and Gold with even a bit more added pressure on the next two after they couldn’t pull things off against Washington.
“I think our guys relish it. It’s becoming a very good rivalry [with Toronto]. I think it already was, but it’s growing,” said Bruce Cassidy of his B’s, who are trailing the Maple Leafs by four points and could really use a regulation win on Saturday night in Toronto. “Obviously [for standings position] it’s important to stay up with them, so it’s more important than your average two-point game. They are generally good, hard games.
“Players get up more for certain games. Rivalry-driven...I’m sure for a team like San Jose when they face LA or Vegas, there’s a little more juice to it. So for us, Toronto and Montreal do that for us. Those come at a good time for us.”
The Bruins will be getting some good fortune with Charlie McAvoy returning after being out since before Christmas and Maple Leafs No. 1 goalie Freddie Andersen out with the flu making way for backup Michael Hutchinson. It remains to be seen what will await Boston against Montreal on Monday night, but it will be interesting to see if the Bruins can keep the emotional engagement up after statement-type games against the Caps and Leafs.
Boston Bruins
“Any time you play against the defending Stanley Cup champions it’s a test of a lot of different things. I thought we did a pretty good job [against the Capitals],” said Jake DeBrusk. “Obviously we had some plays around the net and in front of the net, but they found a way to win. Now, it’s on to facing a team in Toronto that we might just see again [in the playoffs]. It’s a matter of taking what we learned in the playoffs, and since [Mike] Babcock has been there, and just finding a way to win.
“With our division and how the playoffs are set up, you understand that you’re probably going to have to go through one of those two teams [in Tampa and Toronto], if not both of them to get through. It’s not something you think about every day, but it’s definitely in the back of your mind. That’s why you know this isn’t just another four-point game. You kind of want to set the tone on different fronts.”
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It certainly could be a tone-setting game given it will be the last chance for Toronto and Boston to send a message to each other, but it will also be a real test for a Bruins team that’s probably as confident as its been all season.