Bruins' Playoff Matchup to Be Determined on the Final Day of the Season
As the NHL regular season approaches its final two days, the Bruins are still unsure about their first-round opponent, with various scenarios left to be determined.
Decided in Game 82
Boston is set to face their long-standing rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, to wrap up an impressive season. They are aware that they will be up against one of two Wild Card teams in the initial round: the Florida Panthers or the New York Islanders.
Ty Anderson from 98.5 The Sports Hub detailed how these possibilities will be resolved on Thursday night:
This raises the question: Which team would be the best matchup for the Bruins, or does it not really matter?
Here's how Boston fared against both teams:
Panthers:
10/17/22 - W 5-3
11/23/22 - L 5-2
11/19/23 - W 7-3
1/28/23 - L 4-3 OT
Islanders:
12/13/22 - W 4-3 SO
1/18/23 - W 4-1
2/18/23 - W 6-2
It's worth noting that the Bruins did not face Ilya Sorokin, a potentially series-stealing goaltender, in any of their games against the Islanders this season. Conversely, Florida's offense is much stronger with players like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.
The 2022-23 Boston Bruins are already set to become the best regular season team in NHL history, and they will be the team to beat on the path to a Stanley Cup.
As read on Bruins Insider - Bruins' First Round Opponent Will Come Down to Game 82.
| POLL | ||
13 AVRIL | 112 ANSWERS Bruins' Playoff Matchup to Be Determined on the Final Day of the Season Who would you rather have the Bruins play in round one? | ||
| Panthers | 24 | 21.4 % |
| Islanders | 26 | 23.2 % |
| Doesn't matter. We'll beat anyone | 62 | 55.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
