Bruins Keys to Winning 2022 NHL Playoff Series vs. Hurricanes

The Boston Bruins will meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons, and while the Black and Gold won each of the last two series, there's no guarantee they make it three straight in 2022. 

Carolina defeated Boston in all three regular-season meetings this year, outscoring the Bruins 16-1. That said, Bruce Cassidy's side has gone through a shakeup since the last time these two teams met in February. 

For one, the Bruins added veteran defenseman Hampus Lindholm, bolstering their blue line for a deep playoff run. Cassidy also shook up his top lines during the final stretch of the regular season, most notably breaking up the "Perfection Line" of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

Jake DeBrusk is now playing on Boston's top line alongside Marchand and Bergeron, while Pastrnak is playing on the second line with Taylor Hall and Erik Haula, who signed a two-year contract with the Bruins during the offseason. 

Breaking up the top line has been somewhat of a blessing for the Bruins, who have received much more depth scoring since making the switch. Depth scoring will be a key in Boston's first-round series against Carolina. So, let's take a look at that and some other keys to the Black and Gold winning the series. 

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Depth Scoring

Pastrnak led the Bruins in scoring this season, notching 40 goals in 72 games. Marchand tallied 32 goals in 70 games, and Bergeron finished with 25 in 73 games. That said, Boston also had six other players who reached double digits in scoring — DeBrusk, Hall, Haula, Charlie Coyle, Craig Smith and Charlie McAvoy. 

For comparison, the Bruins had just two players not named Marchand. Bergeron or Pastrnak to reach double digits in scoring during the 2020-21 season—Smith and Nick Ritchie. 

The increase in depth scoring has taken much of the scoring load off Boston's top line. However, the Bruins' depth scoring has been inconsistent in the past, and that's why it will be an important factor in their upcoming series against the Hurricanes. 

That said, it's important to note the Hurricanes will most likely be without starting goaltender Frederik Andersen for the first few games of the first round as he continues to recover from a leg injury, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. 

Andersen had been in the midst of his best season in the NHL before suffering the injury, posting a 2.17 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and four shutouts in 52 games. His loss will be a tough one for Carolina. 

Backup goaltender Antti Raanta is in line to get the start against Boston, with rookie Pyotr Kochetkov set to back him up. Raanta posted a 2.45 GAA, .912 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games. Those numbers aren't bad by any means, but he's beatable. 

If Andersen misses the first few games of the series, Boston's depth scoring will need to put pressure on Raanta to make big saves. If they throw pucks on net, the Bruins will be better off. 

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Goaltending

The biggest difference for Boston this season has been not having Tuukka Rask in the crease. The veteran netminder announced his retirement in February after attempting a comeback from hip surgery, and the Bruins have relied on rookie Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark in goal.

Swayman had an impressive rookie season, posting a 2.41 GAA, .914 save percentage and three shutouts in 41 games. Ullmark, meanwhile, recorded a 2.45 GAA, .917 save percentage and one shutout in 41 games. 

Considering both goaltenders played well and split games during the regular season, it's possible both play in the first round. Cassidy has yet to name a starter for the playoffs. However, he told reporters he isn't afraid to play the hot hand. 

"Will we run with one guy? Absolutely, if he’s on," Cassidy said. "If a guy is not on, we’re not afraid to go to the other guy, because we’ve seen him play well."

That said, neither goaltender has played in the postseason during their careers. So, it'll be interesting to see how they handle the challenge of stopping players like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen. 

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Health

The Bruins, like any team, are significantly better when fully healthy. That said, staying healthy will be a key to Boston moving on to the second round. 

Later in the regular season, the Black and Gold went a period without Pastrnak or Lindholm available due to injury. Pastrnak missed eight games between April 5 and April 22nd, and the B's went 3-5 in that span. Lindholm was also absent for seven of those matchups.

Considering Pastrnak and Lindholm are two of Boston's best players, it will be important they stay healthy if the Bruins want to defeat the Hurricanes. In addition, it'll be important players like Marchand, Bergeron and McAvoy avoid injury.

Boston's depth beyond what it has on the roster is questionable, which only makes it more important that the team stays healthy. You won't want the Black and Gold picking up players from their AHL affiliate in Providence because not many of them are ready for NHL competition.