Bruins Pickup Big Win, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
The Boston Bruins defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Thursday and are close to clinching a playoff berth in the NHL. The Bruins controlled the play of the game from the start and did not let up the entire 60 minutes.
Boston wanted to come out strong against Detroit and they succeeded with two goals in the first 2:44 of the first period. David Pastrnak scored first followed by Brad Marchand netting his 37th goal of the season.
Marchand has three goals with one assist over his last five games.
Boston led 2-0 at the start of the second then extended that to 3-0, before Detroit scored late in the period to go to the third down 3-1.
Boston extended the lead to 5-1 and Detroit scored a meaningless goal late for the final 5-2 score.
This means there is nothing but more confusion about the NHL postseason. Boston needs to beat Ottawa Saturday to have a chance of reaching the postseason.
The Detroit loss means it must wait to clinch its 25th straight appearance in the playoffs with a win over the New York Rangers Saturday.
Detroit needs to win in regulation or in overtime Saturday to clinch. On Thursday, Philadelphia lost in overtime 4-3 to Toronto but if they win each of their two remaining games, they will reach the playoffs as well.
So if both the Wings and Flyers win their games the Bruins get eliminated.
The regular season is 82 games long and the parity in the Eastern Conference shows that the final two or three games make or break a season for teams.
Three teams fighting for the final two playoff spots, give NHL hockey fans excitement through the end of the regular season and into the start of the long playoff season.
Boston hosts the Senators on Saturday afternoon to end their regular season, while Detroit plays its 82nd and final regular season game on Saturday afternoon as well.
Once the regular season concludes, the teams reaching the playoffs will have off until Wednesday April 13 at which time the Stanley Cup Playoff will begin.
The Stanley Cup Finals will start on June 1, meaning the playoff up to the finals will be a month and a half long and teams could possibly play 28 additional games if all their four series including the Stanley Cup finals went to a seventh and final game.
