Playoff race update: Bruins likely to play Leafs or Lightning in Round 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Bruins are still in the mix for both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Atlantic Division title, but to finish first in one or both of these races, they’ll need to overcome a tough remaining schedule.
The B’s have the fifth-toughest schedule through the end of the regular season, based on the combined win percentage of their last seven opponents.
This stretch includes matchups versus the Predators, Hurricanes (twice), Panthers and Capitals. The only one of Boston’s last seven opponents without a chance to make the playoffs is the Ottawa Senators, who play at TD Garden in the regular season finale April 16.
While it’s important to be playing at a high level entering the playoffs, the Bruins’ top priorities over the next two weeks need to be 1) ensuring the roster is as healthy as possible, and 2) figuring out the optimal postseason lineup.
Seeding should be the last thing on the Bruins’ minds. It’s mostly irrelevant. The path to the Stanley Cup Final through the Eastern Conference is going to be brutal either way. Injuries to Patrice Bergeron, Hampus Lindholm and Linus Ullmark were a significant factor in the Bruins’ loss to the Panthers in the first round last season. Avoiding that scenario this year is of the utmost importance.
Players want to play every game, but the team needs to do what’s right and sit veterans who could use a break before the playoffs.
The Bruins’ shootout win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday gave them 101 points through 75 games. The B’s have now reached the 100-point mark in six straight seasons (minimum 70 games played). They’ll probably need around 110 points to win the division.
Here’s an updated look at the Presidents’ Trophy race, Atlantic division race, wild card race and Boston’s most likely first-round opponents entering Monday.
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