Boston Bruins Back in NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Race
The Boston Bruins have a few good streaks going for them for a change. Boston is 8-1-3 since starting January. During that span, the Bruins went from out of the playoffs to holding the Eastern Conference’s top wildcard spot.
Boston has taken points in 15 of its past 16 games overall and defeated strong teams that are playoff caliber such as the Islanders, Lightning, Rangers and Penguins.
However, Claude Julien the head coach warned his players following their shoot around on Saturday prior to their win over the Los Angeles Kings, against getting too comfortable.
He said the team could not get comfortable. He believes the team still must improve in a number of areas and that has to be done prior to the postseason. Just because a team is winning does not make them the best, added Julien.
The club has played much better, Julien concluded, but a lot of work remains. Videos must be watched, adjustments made before and during the games and other improvements to make the team better.
The top eight Eastern Conference teams have separated from the rest of the conference.
Florida trails Boston by seven points, but reached last week’s All-Star break looking the pretender not contender.
However, Boston wants to be much more than just a No. 7 seed during the postseason and must maintain the level of play they have shown in the current 13 games stretch in which they are playing nine teams that will make the playoffs.
Therefore, Julien believes it would not be a good time for his players to sit back and admire their good work during January.
Tuukka Rask helped the Bruins complete a strong January with a 3-1 victory against the Kings on Saturday night.
The win was Rask’s seventh in January, while Brad Marchand scored two goals for the Bruins.
Rask has played well of late for Boston allowing just three goals twice over his past 11 starts in January.
He is one of the big reasons the Bruins surged during January and returned to the top wildcard spots putting their earlier season struggles behind them.
Loui Eriksson a winger for Boston left late in the final period after receiving a hard hit from Robyn Regehr into the boards.
Coach Julien did not have any update on the condition of Erikkson following the game other than saying he had a sore neck.
Boston will not play until Wednesday February 4 at the New York Rangers, followed by three straight home games against the Islanders, Canadians and Stars before embarking on a five-game road trip that includes games at Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, St. Louis and Chicago.
