Scenarios for Bruins first-round playoff matchup
As of now, the Boston Bruins sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division and hold the first place Wild Card spot. If the standings stay the way they are, they will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2022 NHL Postseason.
No matter what, Boston will not have home ice, but where they have to travel to for game one is still up in the air. With the Tampa Bay Lightning's 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Bruins' shutout over the Buffalo Sabres last night, the Bruins can still climb into third place in the Atlantic.
Scenarios for Boston to finish third in the Atlantic and face the Toronto Maple Leafs:
A Boston win and a Tampa Bay loss
A Boston win and a Tampa Bay overtime or shootout loss
A Boston overtime loss and a Tampa Bay regulation loss
(Bruins hold the regulation win tiebreaker over the Lightning)
Scenarios for the Bruins to stay as the first Wild Card team and face Carolina:
A Boston regulation loss
A Boston overtime loss and a Tampa Bay Win
A Boston overtime loss and a Tampa Bay Overtime loss
(So basically, if the Lightning win, there's no chance of third place)
Credit: Ty Anderson Twitter (@_TyAnderson). A writer who covers the Boston Bruins for 98.5 The Sports Hub and co-host of Sports Hub Underground Podcast.
The Bruins are 0-3-0 against Carolina this season. Losing: 3-0, 7-1 and 6-0, but haven't met since February 11th.
While they're 0-2-0 against the Maple Leafs. Losing: 5-2 and 6-4. The two teams meet tonight for both of their game 82 on the season.
Let us know who you would rather have the Bruins face in the first round!
| POLL | ||
Who would you rather see the Boston Bruins play in the first round? | ||
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 39 | 35.1 % |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 46 | 41.4 % |
| Doesn't matter. We'll beat anyone | 26 | 23.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
