Up next in 10
In the latest 2024 NHL Playoff Preview show, host Matthew Zator welcomes in Hannah Garfield and Jacob Strozyk to set up the upcoming second round series of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins.
0:00 Intro
1:01 Bruins' Journey to the 2nd Round
2:48 Panthers' Journey to the 2nd Round
4:59 Storylines to Follow
9:16 Bruins Players to Watch
15:24 Panthers Players to Watch
13:45 Keys to Victory For the Bruins
17:17 Keys to Victory For the Panthers
19:46 X-Factors
23:22 Series MVP
25:45 Predictions For The Series
Check out Hannah and Jacob's writing:
Hannah Garfield - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/hgarfield/
Jacob Strozyk - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jstrozyk/
Subscribe to The Hockey Writers Substack - https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/subscribe
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0:00
Hello, everybody and welcome into our latest second round preview show here at the Hockey Writers
0:08
And today we're going to be looking at the Boston Bruins. It's the Florida Panthers, a rematch of last year's first round that had the Bruins get kicked in the first round by the Panthers after the Panthers came back in a 3-1 deficit
0:21
Almost had that happen again. The Maple Leafs did it, but this time they got through
0:25
I got Hannah and Jacob here. Jacob's going to step in for Joey on for the Panthers
0:31
but Hannah's back for round two. How's it going? Finally recovered from last night's game
0:41
I know. It's a quick turnaround doing a preview here because as, you know
0:44
as everyone's watching this, the game, the series will start tonight. So we're going to be pretty quick to get started
0:53
well it's because it went to game seven. So and the Panthers has been off for a bit
0:56
So let's just talk about the first round for just a little bit here
1:01
Hannah, what did you take away from that first round? I mean, it kind of got a little hairy at the end thinking, oh, no, it's going to happen again
1:08
But David Pastor and I've made sure that didn't happen by scoring the overtime winner
1:13
So it's basically a tale of two series, really. Seriously, it was, you know, the Bruins were one team for the first four games
1:21
and then they were a second team for the second three games. And so really going into this next round, it's which team is going to show up
1:29
Is it the team that played game one through four, even if they lost game two
1:34
I thought they played decently in it. Or is it going to be the team that played games five through seven, which five and six in particular, the Bruins were listless when they got on the ice
1:46
You know, they had no fire behind them, no immediacy. see, you know, they had three shots in total in the first, you know, first period on game
1:57
five and game six. So they were not shooting. They just didn't look like a playoff team
2:02
And if they show up like that for round two, I don't think they'll be seeing round three
2:07
So I think round one was definitely, like you said, the tale of two teams
2:11
And now the story is which team is going to show up against Florida
2:18
Yeah, I mean, I don't think the goaltending change. I mean, Hallmark did play a couple, but Jeremy Swayman was the main guy throughout
2:24
And he was great throughout the whole series. So if he's the same, I mean, I think the team in front of him has to play differently
2:30
But overall, I think they don't have to worry about goaltending. No, no, Jeremy Swaman is, I think Jim Montgomery said it best
2:38
He was the best player and there was no contest. Nobody else is touching his MVP from the round one
2:45
For sure. So we'll see if we can continue that. Over to you, Jacob. I mean, the Panthers had a bit of an easier time
2:51
They only lost once, went through the lightning in five games. It looked like the lightning may have had a little bit of a spark
2:58
to maybe stage a bit of a comeback, but I mean, Panthers ended up winning it pretty easily
3:04
Would you think about that first round there? I don't know if you could say that they had an easy time
3:11
I mean, the Tampa Lightning are a bit of a challenge when it comes to any sort of playoff hockey
3:17
They can score goaltending as. always a challenge. And Troy Vasselowski isn't exactly a walk in the park when it comes to trying to
3:24
score a goal. So it was definitely, you know, it was definitely a battle through and through when it
3:30
came to that five-game series. But I mean, yeah, it still ended in five games and they still
3:35
had to go through their trials and tribulations, but they still won it in a good, convincing
3:40
fashion. And they looked like the top team that they were all season long. And their top players
3:47
played like the top players that they are. They got goal scoring from the goals
3:51
scores that were supposed to do it. Their defensive players were playing supremely well
3:56
And Barowski looked stellar in the moments that he needed to. And then in some moments he looked like, you know
4:02
that other side of Bobrovsky that some Panthers fans are like, oh, God, why
4:08
So, you know, it's that duality of the Panthers goaltending. That was a bit of a struggle
4:14
But all in all, it was a fun series to watch. even though it was five games, it easily could have gone to seven if a couple of things go the other way for the lightning
4:24
There was a lot of goalposts that got hit. There was a lot of big saves out of Boorovsky
4:29
There was a lot of big saves out of Vasselowski. So it was a closer series than five games really would have showed
4:35
So I'm personally happy that it only went to five because it could have gone a lot longer
4:42
For sure. So, I mean, going in, the rested team will be the Panthers
4:46
sometimes that's not a good thing i you know the brunes have gone through a bit of adversity
4:50
i mean throughout the season and then in this series too so they may be coming in a bit more battle
4:55
tested who knows but over to you i mean hannah what do you think about this series i mean storylines
5:01
i mean there's quite a few if you want to look at it is a rematch from last year i know the brunes
5:05
are probably going to want that not to happen again i have it a bit of a
5:09
if what happened obviously getting kicked out after having that three one series lead
5:14
what are you following throughout this series here? Yeah, like you were just saying
5:21
the Bruins, Pampers rivalry in the last couple of years has been really fun to watch
5:26
They've been, I think, you know, even though last year's playoffs didn't go the way the Bruins wanted
5:32
I think that was still a really fun series to watch. So I'm hoping that we'll get that again
5:37
All four regular season matchups between the two teams where I also enjoy like fun, exciting games
5:43
these are two teens that don't like each other so they should hopefully bring out some fire
5:49
bring out the best of each other, you know, and make some fun hockey to watch
5:54
I think one of the big storylines going back to goaltending is whether or not
5:58
they start Jeremy Swayman in game one or if they give him a break and go with Linus Olmark
6:03
for games one and maybe even game two. Again, I don't think Linus Olmark played particularly bad
6:10
in his one game in the last series. He did lose. game too, but I didn't think he was awful
6:15
It was just Jeremy Swayman was playing out of his mind the rest of the series
6:21
So, you know, again, they're coming off of, they played Saturday night, they played Thursday night
6:27
Do they give Jeremy Swamen a break on Monday night and start Olmark? And I think that would be an intriguing, you know, if they go back to the goaltending
6:35
rotation at all in round two will be a storyline to keep an eye on. Yeah, I mean, they've been doing it all season, right, going back and forth
6:43
it worked out but you know in the playoffs you ride the hot hand for the most part i think
6:47
and that's what they did so i guess it'll depend on if they want to see how he plays against
6:52
the panthers to start and then maybe go i don't know kind of it's interesting having two
6:58
really good goaltenders and see yeah it not a bad problem to have for sure yeah so i mean it always good to have someone you confident and it doesn matter who is in that right Jacob what about you for the Panthers going into this
7:12
So what are storylines are you following? Like, obviously there's that rivalry that seemed to be building now
7:18
What do you kind of watch in here? Yeah, rivalries in hockey are never a boring subject whatsoever
7:24
especially when it carries over into playoff. So it's always something to fun, something fun to watch
7:29
But as far as, you know, storylines for the Panthers, you know, there's that there's that forward group that's really just been entertaining to watch
7:39
There's that clutch playoff, Carter Verhege, that's really just been surging throughout this playoff so far
7:46
He's just been absolutely dynamite so far. He's got five goals and nine points
7:51
He's a plus seven and he's just been absolutely lighting up every single chance that he has
7:57
he's just been a superstar during these, during this playoffs. And he was kind of doing it last playoffs, too
8:04
So watching him, Barcov has been absolutely lighting it up. Matthew Kachuk has been a superstar so far
8:13
I'm loving just seeing all of these star players performing like the star players that they should be
8:19
It's nice to actually see all of that star power come to the forefront and seeing all of that
8:25
just actually on display because sometimes the playoffs isn't all about that
8:31
Sometimes the playoffs is, oh, let's grind it out. Let's get the fourth liners to do everything
8:36
How much is the depth really going to affect how we're going to win these games
8:41
And then your top scorers only end up with two, three points by the end of your first round or your second round
8:47
And, you know, the stars don't really have a chance to shine. So it's nice to see all of those players really put on display for both sides even
8:55
So for Boston, you see their goaltending on display. And for Florida, you see their offense on display
9:01
So following those types of storylines, it's really fun to see how that's going to play out
9:05
and around like this. Can the goal tending or can the scoring continue and which side is really going to, you know
9:12
come to the forefront more? For sure. I know, going off of that, Hannah, with the star players, I mean, they mentioned that during
9:20
the Toronto series that Boston doesn't really have a lot of stars. I mean, David Pasternak, for sure
9:25
Brad Marchand, yeah, he would be in that category. Other than that, though, they don't really have anyone
9:32
Who are you watching in this series for players-wise? I mean, Jake DeBrasch, great series against the Maple Leafs
9:38
maybe kind of still down after the first few games, but who are you kind of watching to kind of come forward against the Panthers
9:47
Yeah, I think really am going to be looking at that top group of players
9:52
because I don't think they necessarily played as well. as they should have in the first round
9:58
You know, Pashtraac came in when it was necessary, when it was needed. He came up big in overtime
10:03
But before that, you know, he had Jim Montgomery saying that he's talking to Pashtonach
10:07
about how he didn't really show up in games five and six. Brad Marchand had great games in three and four and then also kind of disappeared in five
10:18
six, and seven. So, you know, looking to those guys to be the star elite players they are
10:24
because again, like you said, the Bruins don't have as much of the big firepower that you expect from a playoff team or a team of that, you know, finished with their record
10:37
Like a lot of their success as regular season was on guys like Charlie Coyle, Papa Zaka, who aren't the biggest names, but they stepped up during the regular season
10:45
The goaltending played a big role in their, you know, in their success
10:50
And a lot of besides the goaltending, a lot of that, those guys were
10:54
very streaky in the first round. So really, you know, looking to them to be the leaders that they were during the regular
11:00
season more consistently in round two. Yeah. I mean, there's a lot of the depths, like you said, a lot of those other guys stepped up
11:08
during the season. So they need to do that again because the Panthers do have a lot more of those star talent
11:14
You know, guys like Reinhardt, who scored like over 50 goals, almost approached that 60
11:19
goal mark there. I mean, Jacob, what? Are you looking at those guys
11:24
those star players, are you going to look at some of the Panthers depth
11:28
Because they have a lot of it, too. Yeah, I mean, the depth is absolutely something you can look at
11:34
because they made a lot of key moves to really make sure that their lineup
11:39
had all of that depth that you need. So you can go all the way down to their third line and still look at that and be like
11:45
well, that could be a makeshift first or second line, because they have plenty of players that can still step up
11:51
and be those top six type of players. So everybody from Cardiffor Hagey all the way down to, you know, Anton Lindel, Vladimir Teresanko, Sam Bennett, who hopefully will be back for this type of series
12:05
Evan Rodriguez, even though most people consider him probably a bottom six player, has shown the capacity to be a top six type of player
12:12
There's plenty of capacity to step up and be much more than what they have been up to this point
12:20
So there's a lot more to show. But when it comes to the star power that they already possess
12:25
your Sam Ryan Hart, your MacKichuk, your Alexander Barkoff, there's plenty of that to go around
12:33
So Boston now has to again shut down immense star power. They already had to do it with Nealander, Marner, Tavares, Matthews
12:44
So now they got a whole other set to deal with. So the question is, can they do it
12:49
I'm not sure if they happen in them again. it'll be a tough task. And I think it's a whole different type of monster
12:56
because it's a whole different type of system that Florida runs. And it's a whole different type of, you know, offense
13:04
that they are going to try and run through them. And I'm not sure if just switching goal tenders is going to be the solution for them
13:13
Yeah, I mean, you're looking at the Panthers there. And also, like Boston Bruins didn't have to deal with healthy Austin Matthews
13:20
or a completely healthy. Willie Mealander, even though he was really good
13:24
I don't think he was completely healthy. Same thing with, I mean, Mitch Marner was still kind of that high ankle sprain, I believe, too
13:30
So a lot of their stars weren't really there. So, I mean, now the Panthers, a lot of their guys are healthy and good to go
13:37
Reinhardt was really good in the first round, too. I mean, yeah, it's going to be an interesting battle for sure
13:44
Let's move on then to Keys to Victory. How each of these teams are going to win this series
13:49
Hannah, what about the Bruins? I mean, they had trouble with the Maple Leafs at the end there
13:54
Now they're going up against, like Jacob said, a whole new system, a whole new team that they did have problems with
14:01
And last year, and it's pretty much the same team, maybe a little bit better with some of their guys
14:06
How are they going to win this series? Yeah. So the Bruins have proven that they can beat the Panthers during the regular season I believe they won all four of their matchup So they have found the keys to winning against this team before
14:21
Again, this is a very healthy team. So it's going to be hard
14:26
It's not going to be the same. Obviously, the regular, you know, regular season and postseason are completely different beats
14:32
Last season showed that particularly. So I really think the keys to victory for the Bruins are one
14:40
It's, you know, attitude, you know, what, like I started saying the beginning, what team is going to show up in front of the goaltending
14:48
Because if the goaltending is going to be set, they can't just rely on goaltending
14:53
You know, Jeremy Swayman can't defend the net and score goals for the team. They need to be able to score
14:58
Yeah. And they showed that in the first half of the series against Toronto
15:03
They had goals from Jake DeBress. They had their first goal of the series came from Johnny Beecher, four-flying
15:10
Like if they can get goals from up and down the lineup and have excellent goal tending
15:16
this will be a more competitive series. I think people will be expecting. But it's really, it will come down to what team shows up for the Bruins
15:25
Are they, if they show up like they did in games five and six, if they come and they don't look ready to play, the Panthers, again, Toronto had injuries
15:36
They weren't at full capacity. so they were able to hang on in games where I don't think they'll be able to hang on if they play like that against the pamphers
15:45
I think this series could get away from them very quickly if they show up in games one and two like they did at the second half
15:52
if it continues from the second half of the first round. So again, it's really getting its attitude and it's getting scoring again
16:02
You know, they had the brluence of struggle with their power play a lot
16:06
in the last couple years, but it was really clicking in the first half of the series
16:10
They had six power play goals in the first four games, and then they didn't have any power play
16:15
goals in the final three games. So again, it's like it's getting back into that rhythm of
16:21
scoring and playing like they're showing up and being on the ice and playing with a ferocity
16:28
that they really, that they can play with and they are capable of showing up with
16:34
Yeah, I mean, they have to be the team that's started the series against the Maple Leafs basically, right
16:39
Yeah, that's what it comes down to. If they want to be competitive, they need to be that team
16:44
the team with that is getting scoring from all four lines, a team that has excellent goal tending, some good defense
16:51
Like, they can't, they have to be at their top capacity to compete with a really excellent Florida Panthers team
16:59
with a much, like we were talking about, which with higher star quality players
17:05
Yeah. And Trent Frederick was really good, too, against the Maple Leafs
17:08
There's another depth guy that team to play. So they have the guys that can do it
17:14
So we'll see if they can actually do it. Jacob, what about you for the Panthers too
17:20
I mean, obviously they're much different team that played against the Bruins last year
17:24
How are they going to do it again, basically? I think the key for them is to really try and suffocate the offense that the Bruins
17:35
can generate and really just get on top of them with the offense that the Panthers are able to
17:41
generate. So keeping with the transition game that they were able to really show off against
17:47
the Tampa Bay Lightning and stick to that type of game, I don't think that they need to change a
17:52
whole lot with the way that they were playing from that first round. I think if they stick to that
17:57
same type of game plan, it's the same type of situation. You have a top end goaltender that you need to
18:04
get too early and you have a defense that can try and shut you down really well
18:10
So if you get on top of them and you suffocate the offense while getting in on the
18:14
goaltender as fast as you possibly can, I think all of that combined is really where
18:20
they're going to succeed. So I think just sticking to the same game plan is their key to success here more than
18:27
anything else because the similarities between the two teams are surprisingly. similar for lack of a better word more than anything else and despite some people maybe thinking
18:41
that Boston is you know maybe on a bit of a downtrend I don't think that they are uh maybe I'm in
18:49
the minority in that opinion but they might not have the star power but just as a team and as a
18:54
whole they still have a great system going on so you still have to compete with that type of a system
19:01
so the Panthers have the capacity to do it. They show that they can do it against Tampa Bay
19:06
Now they have to do the same thing with Boston. So regardless of Swamen or if it's all mark and net
19:11
getting on top of the goaltender, getting goals in early, and then just suffocating the offense
19:17
and getting every chance out fast. That's the key. Yeah, like I think the Bruins are very underrated team in that sense too
19:26
I mean, they don't have a lot of stars, but they do, they play a really tight system
19:30
And they show that in the, the first few games against the Maple Leafs. It's just maybe fell away from it a bit in the last few games
19:37
But, you know, they definitely can play that system and be an effective team
19:45
All right, quickly, let's talk about some X factors in this series. I'll stay with you, Jacob
19:50
What's an X factor for you, player or a situation here? I want to say it's special teams
19:57
The Panthers Power Play has been, it, it, looks like it can be lethal, but then at times it's just completely flat
20:05
And their penalty kill has a lot of potential on both ways that they can just shut down
20:12
anything you can possibly throw at them. And then they can transition to actually score off of their penalty kill because they have
20:20
a lot of weapons that they put out there at the same time. So using their transition abilities on their penalty kill as well as actually capitalizing
20:31
on their power play is going to be huge in this type of a series where chances, I think, are going
20:37
to be fairly limited with how good the goaltending is probably going to be
20:41
I'm not sure how good Bobrovsky is going to be in a series like this. It is really going to be dependent on the defense to help him out
20:47
But overall, I think the power play and the penalty kill are going to be huge factors for the
20:54
Panthers in the series. Yeah, special teams always the next factor. I think a good team for sure
20:59
I, Hannah, I mean, I believe Jake DeBrusk was your X factor in the last year
21:04
I can't remember. I know he meant he was mentioned. And he was
21:09
He was a pretty big factor. So what do you got for this series
21:13
I know. I did. I guess I said something right last time So that was definitely a fun thing for games one and two to see and do so well I also think special teams would be a big thing for the Bruins
21:27
They've had an excellent penalty kill all year. The power play is streaky at best
21:34
So if they can continue to be excellent penalty killers, that will really be a good boost and take some pressure off of their goaltending
21:43
but I think another X factor is that Bruin's third line, Trent Frederick, James Van Riemstike, Justin Brazzell
21:53
they were three of the best players, I think, on the ice in game seven
21:57
Trent Frederick, I think, I think he's probably an argument for the best, you know
22:04
Jeremy Swamond is definitely the MVP of the whole team, but if you're looking at just, you know, skaters
22:09
Trent Frederick would have to be a candidate for that. So I'd love to see him continue to be that player in round two
22:18
He's also, you know, a guy that he hasn't always had a lot of success in the playoffs
22:23
This was the first, this past series was the first time he'd ever scored a playoff goal and he ended up with three
22:31
So, but he is the type of guy that feels like he should be belt for the playoffs because he is never one to shy away from some fight and aggression, but can also
22:41
turn around and then score goals now, which was a part of his game that's really developed in
22:46
the last two seasons. So he is a guy that should be built for the playoffs
22:51
And it showed in round one and it would be great to see that continue in round two
22:57
Yeah, he's definitely a playoff type guy when you look at his play style for sure
23:01
So we'll see if he can continue that with the third line there because they were a very good line
23:07
I mean, Riemstack had a couple goals, I believe. I know he had at least one
23:10
Yeah. He had a lot of opportunities. I think he had a couple. He had had more than a few hit posts
23:16
So those were going eventually. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. All right. Let's move on to series MVP
23:24
Jacob, who do you got? That's going to be their best player throughout this series
23:31
I feel like the easiest answer is Matt Kachuk. This is the type of series that he's just built for
23:37
He's a big player. He's a big time. player. This is going to be a scoring series. It's going to be a physical series. And it's something
23:45
that he has the personality for it. He has just the game for it. And he's that pesty type guy
23:56
And with the rivalry mentality, that's just going to be going on throughout the whole thing
24:00
He's going to be running his mouth. He's going to be running his body. He's going to be doing
24:04
every, you know, dirty, nifty little move that he can possibly think of
24:10
to get under the skin of every single person. He's going to be scoring goals
24:14
He's going to be putting up assists. He's going to be doing those wacky celebrations if he scores an overtime goal
24:20
where he just runs off the ice and tells everybody to follow him off. So it's going to be those types of things where it's going to be the Mac Cachuck show
24:28
And I think that's really going to drive him and his teammates are going to follow him
24:33
And I think that's really going to pull him into that series MVP type, you know, mentality
24:38
And I think he's going to lead the way. Yeah, I don't think he was at as fast against the lightning either
24:43
So you look out, he probably will come to play in this one for sure. Hannah, who would be your series MVP in this one
24:52
I feel like it's obvious. I'm going to go Jeremy Swainman. Even I just, I think he has the hot hand right now
25:00
He was incredible in the first round. I can't be said enough
25:05
If they are making it out of round two, it's going to be on the back of
25:09
it's going to be on his back again. So even if, you know, Allmark gets a couple games and Swayman is the hot hand right now
25:16
He is, I think, the best goaltender currently in the postseason. He will be the Bruins MVP if they make it out of this round
25:25
And even if they don't, he's probably still going to keep them, he's going to keep them competitive
25:31
Yeah, I agree with that for sure. I think he's probably the starter in Boston next year
25:37
I don't know where Allmark if he's going to go anywhere. but I think he's on his way to being that for sure
25:43
All right, let's finish this off with some predictions. And Han, I'll start with you
25:47
who is going to win this series and in how many games? I think it's going to be Florida and six
25:55
The Bruins fan of me hates that, but the realist is saying Florida and six
26:01
I would love to be proven wrong. We'll see. I don't know what you predicted in the last series
26:06
I think you may have went with Toronto and seven. I'm not sure. I said Boston in seven
26:10
Boston and seven, right? You said if Toronto would win it, they were going to win the cup
26:14
Yes, yeah. The year Toronto beats Boston in the playoffs is the year Toronto's winning it all
26:19
That's what it was, right. So you were right on Bruins going in seven
26:24
Jacob, what about you or who you got in this series? Just on that note, let's just hope Toronto doesn't win it in general
26:31
We'll just keep it that way. We'll be happy in general. No, I'm going to stick with the
26:38
Florida, I like the Florida and six idea because I had that idea myself. I think that's a fair
26:43
assessment. I think there's going to be a little bit of back and forth at the start of it
26:47
I think they're going to split the first four, just go two and two. And then I think Florida
26:51
is just going to take the next two after that. And I think it's going to be a fun kind of series
26:59
I think it's going to be close in every single game. I don't think there's going to be any blowouts
27:03
either way. I think it's going to be one goal games for the majority of them
27:08
And I'll bet you out of the sixth game, even three of them go to overtime
27:13
I was going to say, I think there's going to be some overtime in this series
27:17
Some long games. It's going to be a good time. I can't wait to watch these
27:22
What I want, haven't been that yet. What has been the longest overtime
27:27
Double? I think we've had a double so far this playoffs. Yeah
27:31
And I think it was done early on in the double overtime. I don't think they made it past the 15 minute mark. Yeah
27:36
So, I mean, we haven't seen a crazy. long one yet and we get one in this one
27:43
I don't mind anymore because I'm on the West Coast so it's not going to pass midnight
27:47
for me anymore. Yeah, those late games don't go, don't go crazy, right
27:52
We'll be in Buffalo. They get to stay up nice and late, so it should be fun for me
27:57
We'll see how this series plays out. It should be a fun one. But thanks to Hannah
28:01
Thanks, Jacob, for stepping in for Joey there. But we'll see who's going to move on to our
28:08
the Eastern Conference final and see if the Bruins can do it or the Panthers can return there
28:12
from last year. So, but until next time, we'll see you on another one, but make sure checking out everything
28:18
at the Hockeywriters.com. We got great previews. We got recaps right after the game and lots of fun stuff going on there
28:25
So make sure checking all that out and we'll see you on the next video
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