Boston Bruins Try To Get Back Into Series Against Blue Jackets

The Boston Bruins have played the Columbus Blue Jackets to a virtual standstill in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. Even so, the Jackets have managed to scrap their way to a 2-1 series lead heading into Thursday’s Game Four at Nationwide Arena. Game 1 saw the Bruins win 3-2 in overtime. Game 2 went to double overtime, only this time it was the Blue Jackets who took the 3-2 win. Game 3 saw the series shift to Columbus where the Blue Jackets won another one goal verdict behind a stellar performance from Sergei Bobrovsky.

This all means that Game 4 is the crucial matchup in the series for the Boston Bruins. If they can get a win, they head back to Boston for Game 5 tied 2-2. A loss, and they return home trying to scrap back into the series facing elimination. For all of their success over the years, the Bruins have a woeful record in a series when trailing 2-1. They’re .500 in Game 4 (17-17) but just 9-25 for the series. Interesting sidebar–the Bruins have lost 278 games in a best of seven playoff series–the most of any North American professional sports team.

Defense and goaltending have been the primary storylines throughout this series and both teams have been solid in these areas. Tuukka Rask has played about as well as a goaltender can play and still be down in a series. Bobrovsky–expected to explore free agency after this season–has simply been on another level and particularly in Game 3 when he stopped 36 of 37 Bruins’ shots and was named first star for the game. Boston’s only goal was a disputed ‘trickle over the line’ at the whistle type of score that required a ruling from the league office in Toronto to verify.

Both teams are getting shots but not many are going in. Boston in particular has struggled on the power play. This was a Bruins’ strength during the regulars season when they scored at a 25.9% clip good for third best in the NHL. During his series, they’re 1 for 10 on the man advantage. Columbus is the diametric opposite–they were near the bottom of the league in power play percentage during the regular season but in this series they’re 3 for 11 on the man advantage for 27.2%.

Boston hasn’t played badly during the first three games but it just looks like Columbus is competing with more intensity. The Bruins are showing frustration while Columbus is keeping their cool and not getting suckered into penalties. Columbus has been in great form dating back to the regular season winning 13 of their last 15 games. Bobrovsky has been excellent throughout the playoffs and even at a slight chalk price on their NHL betting odds we want to back the home team. They should find a way to scrap out another win.

BET COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS -119 OVER BOSTON BRUINS