NHL Playoff Advice – Bruins keep coming

It doesn’t matter if the Boston Bruins lose their top center, their best defenseman or maybe even their mascot – they just keep winning. Missing their all-world leader Patrice Bergeron and their rookie sensation Charlie McAvoy, the B’s continue to keep it rolling. Heck, they’ve even missed starting netminder Tukka Rask for a few games and have kept on rolling. That’s the mark of a good time, man.

2018 NHL Bruins Playoff Advice

This Bruins squad is expected to be at full strength come playoff time, and I believe their Stanley Cup Odds at 8 to 1 might even be a bargain. Boston opened at 18 to 1 to win the championship, but has gotten better as the season has gone along. Thrown in Brad Marchand making a late push for league MVP and I would not want to play this team in the NHL playoffs.

Taylor Hall keeps racking up the points

When I mentioned Taylor Hall in a recent column, I thought that it would be the last time I’d refer to him this regular season. But he hasn’t stopped racking up the points! Hall has had a point in 26 consecutive games. The power forward has more than 25 points more than the closest teammate in Devils scoring. It’s quite a contrast from last season, when Hall was good but never spectacular, disappointing some fans in New Jersey. But this year he has put the team on his back in his quest to FINALLY play in a playoff game. Can you believe it? The man has never experienced the postseason.

Kudos to the Panthers

Left for dead a while ago, including when they were 12 points out of a playoff spot at the all-star break, the Florida Panthers have roared back into contention, putting a lot of pressure on the Eastern Conference wildcard teams. Florida has been led by forwards Barkov, Bjugstad and Huberdeau. But they’ve also been led by veteran goaltender Roberto Luongo, who made headlines recently with his public thoughts on the Florida school shooting. Luongo knows that his time is running out to win a Cup and he’s surely playing like it right now. Don’t sleep on the Panthers, a team that has underachieved for a year-and-a-half, but that is clearly awake right now.

Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.

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Written by Matthew Ross

Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He's also a contributor to ESPN 101.3 Plattsburgh/Burlington. Follow him @MatthewWords.