In fact, the Bruins absolutely need to improve in certain areas if they want to advance past the second round for the first time in nearly 20 years. There are the more general areas that need improvement — like the power play, for instance — but there are also some individuals who need to turn their play around to help propel the B’s to victory.
So which player needs to have the biggest bounce-back series against the Flyers in order for the Bruins to come away with the series’ win?
Boston fans know what Milan Lucic is capable of, and they haven’t seen much production out of the first-line winger in the postseason. Lucic posted just two points in the first-round series with Montreal, but he looked like he was improving by the time Game 7 rolled around. The B’s will need his strength and grit in front of the net against the physical Flyers, that’s for sure.
Lucic’s linemate, David Krejci, has also been experiencing a slow postseason, something we haven’t seen from the talented centerman in quite some time. Krejci has just one point so far in the 2011 playoffs, but his numbers in previous postseasons indicate he’ll have more to prove as time goes on. Let’s just hope it comes out sooner rather than later.
The Bruins brought in veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle for two main reasons, to quarterback the power play and to step up during the playoffs, and he’s struggled to deliver on both fronts since arriving in February. Kaberle has not proven he can stand up against physical play, but he’ll need to against this tough Flyers team.
We didn’t see much out of the Bruins’ trusty captain, Zdeno Chara, in the Montreal series, but the fact that he suffered dehydration and lost 12 pounds may have something to do with that. It looks like the big man is getting back on track and gaining the weight he needs to maintain that imposing stance on the Bruins’ blue line. He’ll be a key cog in this series against the Flyers’ talented attack.
Which Bruins player needs to have the biggest bounce-back series against the Flyers in order for the Bruins to win? Share your thoughts below.
Wednesday, April 27: Who will win Game 7 of Bruins-Canadiens series?
Which Bruins player needs to have the biggest bounce-back series against the Flyers for Bruins to win?survey software
