Bruins and Their Playoff Hopes

After beating the Buffalo Sabres a few days ago, the Boston Bruins clinched the Presidents Trophy, an award given to the team who had the best regular season record. This is the first time in 25 years they have had the best record and their Stanley Cup hopes are higher than ever. Their first round match-up is no push over in the Detroit Red Wings, but the Bruins are the best overall team in the NHL by what I think is a pretty wide margin. I think the Bruins will handle the Red Wings in five games and their next opponent would either be the Tampa Bay Lightning or their biggest rival the Montreal Canadiens. Again, the Bruins are better than both of these teams so I think they would beat either team in no more than six games. In the Eastern Conference Championship, I think the Bruins will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of last year's series. Although they will not sweep the Penguins, the Bruins will beat them in five or six games. In the Stanley Cup Final, I think the Bruins will face the Chicago Blackhawks, in another rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Final. On this point I agree with Barry Melrose, the hockey guru, but disagree with who he has winning. He is taking the Blackhawks in seven games, but I have the Bruins winning in five. I hope and believe that the Bruins will have their revenge for last year's defeat.