The Boston Bruins completely dominated the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, disposing of their eastern foes in five games. While they were busy eliminating New York, the Pittsburgh Penguins made quick work of the Ottawa Senators as well, knocking out the East's 7-seed 4 games to 1.
Meeting in the Eastern Conference Finals, most thought the Pittsburgh Penguins would be able to continue their strong run through the Eastern Conference since they were considered the favorite to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals from the start of the labor strike-shortened season. Through 2 games in the East Finals however, the Boston Bruins have been the better team, taking the series opener 3-0 and following that shutout with a dominant 6-1 victory with both wins coming on the home ice of the Penguins.
BREAKING MLB NEWS: Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun Among Players MLB Will Seek To Suspend Due To Connection With Biogenesis Clinic
When and Where to Watch Game 3
As the series now shifts to Boston, the Penguins will need to get something going on the offensive end along with receiving better production from Tomas Vokoun between the pipes.
Game 3 is set to begin on Wednesday, June 5th at 8:00pm, EDT. Television coverage will be provided by the NBC Sports Network with CBC television and the RDS Network also anchoring coverage.
Series Recap
A team that has shown the ability to explode offensively throughout the postseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins have simply not had an answer for the magnificent defense of the Boston Bruins. While the Pens are expected to stick with Vokoun in net, former starter Marc-Andre Fleury - who stopped 14 of 17 shots in relief of Vokoun last game - says his team has the experience to fight back in this series even though they've been outscored 9-1 through 2 games.
"It's not a feeling where we want to be, but we have a lot of experience in the room and I know a lot of the guys have been down and won a series before," Fleury said to NHL reporters. "So we'll just put those two behind us and make sure we get back to our game."
RELATED: Zinedine Zidane Could Replace Jose Mourinho As Real Madrid Manager; Is He Ready?
The Boston defense has completely dominated Hart Trophy candidate Sydney Crosby while limiting the production of the entire Pittsburgh offense. Hoping to avoid falling into an 0-3 hole as they head to Boston, Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma knows his team needs to find a way to get better and they need to do it quickly.
"As a group, we need to be a lot better," Bylsma said to reporters. "We need to get to our foundation of how we play and play as a group, and we didn't do that. That includes every one of them, all of us, not just Crosby, Malkin and Letang."
While Pittsburgh continues to search for answers, the Boston Bruins are rolling through opponents on a game-by-game basis. The steady play of Tuukka Rask in net along with strong offense from Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Nathan Horton has given the Boston Bruins tremendous balance on both ends of the ice, something winger Milan Lucic is extremely pleased with as the postseason continues on.
"I think our line's success has come with just keeping things simple and playing straight line hockey," Lucic told NHL reporters regarding steady play of the Bruins first line. "That's what we need to continue doing to be successful. I think that line, seeing them step up and play the way that they did was great to see. They made some good plays, some big plays, and obviously scored some big goals. We're going to need them to continue playing like that."
RELATED: Mexico El Tri Vs. Jamaica: Aldo De Nigris And Mexico Earn A Crucial 1-0 Victory Over Jamaica In World Cup Qualifying
Krejci leads the team in postseason points with 20 on the strength of 8 goals and 12 assists while Horton and Lucic have combined to total 29 points in the playoffs by notching 10 goals and dishing out 19 combined assists.
Game 3 Wrap-Up
Although they may be the most talented offensive team in the NHL despite recent struggles, the Pittsburgh Penguins can not afford to fall into a 3-game deficit because the Boston Bruins are simply too good a team to break down after building a strong series advantage.
Be sure to catch all the action in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals as the Boston Bruins host the Pittsburgh Penguins. The puck is set to drop at 8:00pm, EDT with television coverage available through the NBC Sports Network, CBC television and the RDS network.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS From Boston's Dominant Game 2 Victory:
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
