The Bruins are almost certainly locked in as the first wild card in the Eastern Conference, meaning they would draw the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And despite the Canes’ improvements and success against the B’s this season, this may be the best time of the year to play them.
That’s because the Hurricanes currently have a bit of a situation in net. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen is currently out with a lower body injury, and head coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters Tuesday that he’s hoping for an update on Wednesday. According to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, Anderson “may miss the first few games” of the opening round of the playoffs. Sara Civian had a more promising report for Canes fans in The Athletic: “My sense after talking to multiple sources Monday is that both Andersen and [backup Antti] Raanta should be good to go for the playoffs. Nothing is official on Andersen yet, and it is subject to change, but things are looking optimistic.”
If Andersen has to miss the start of the playoffs, that would be significant for the Hurricanes regardless of their first-round opponent, but it would carry added importance for the Bruins. Andersen went 3-0 and pitched two shutouts against Boston this season, stopping 98 of 99 shots in all (.990). Overall, it’s been the most productive season of Andersen’s career; he has a career-best .922 save percentage and was on pace to set a new career-high in wins before his injury.
On top of Andersen, Raanta has also been dealing with an injury, but he was available to back up on Tuesday night, so he certainly looks ready for the playoffs. Raanta is 14-5-4 with a .913 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average this season.
The stat that stood out about the Bruins-Hurricanes matchup this season was goal differential. Carolina outscored Boston 16-1 in their three games. But the Hurricanes out-shot the Bruins in only one game, and overall, the B’s had the advantage in shot attempts (137-112), shots on goal (80-72), and high-danger scoring chances (28-26).
Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) makes a glove save against the New York Rangers during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Assuming Linus Ullmark is the Bruins’ goalie to start the series and continues his recent level of play (5-1 with a .941 save percentage in his last seven games), the Bruins could suddenly have an advantage in net. At the very least, the matchup becomes more even.
The Sports Hub’s own resident Bruins expert, Ty Anderson, has been on this train for a couple of weeks now. He commented on the prospects of facing the Hurricanes without Andersen – and why that may be preferable to playing the other possible opponent, the Toronto Maple Leafs – in the newest episode of the Sports Hub Underground podcast last week.
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It’s worth noting that Carolina hasn’t really skipped a beat without Andersen. They are 5-0 in his absence. Only one of those wins came against a playoff team, 4-3 over the Rangers on Tuesday, but they’ve allowed only 2.4 goals per game in that span.
The Hurricanes are ninth in the NHL with 273 goals, but are on track to win the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals against. They’ve allowed a league-low 199 on the season, entering Wednesday. Andersen’s career year has been arguably the key to their franchise-record 114 points, so getting him back in the playoffs is of paramount importance for them.
If they don’t get him back right away, the Bruins would be the beneficiary.
More Bruins notes…
Who Gets Game 1?
Feb 1, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) and goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) skates to the bench after a game against the Seattle Kraken at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Based on Bruce Cassidy’s comments to reporters after practice on Wednesday, the Bruins remain undecided on who to start in goal for Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Ullmark “has been ahead of [Jeremy] Swayman as of late,” per Conor Ryan.
Ullmark picked up where he left off since suffering a minor injury when he returned and stopped 30 of 31 shots in a win over the Rangers. Swayman, meanwhile, has been struggling. He’s 5-5 with an .884 save percentage in his last 10 games. Each goalie will get a start to close out the regular season, with Ullmark going on Thursday against the Sabres and Swayman on Friday against the Maple Leafs.
Swayman may yet be the Bruins’ long-term answer at goaltender. But if Cassidy had to decide right now on who starts in Game 1, Ullmark may have to be the guy. And we still aren’t ruling out a possible goaltending platoon. Swayman could present Cassidy with an interesting decision if he plays well against Toronto.
Haula’s Hot Streak
Apr 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Erik Haula (56) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins No. 2 center Erik Haula has two games left to get to 20 goals and 30 assists, but he’d have to get even hotter than he is right now to get there. Either way, Haula has produced his best offensive output since scoring 29 goals and 55 points for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18.
A 20-30 guy may not blow you away, but Haula’s hot streak should be put in perspective. In his first 25 games, all in 2021, he scored just one goal and five points. Since the calendar has turned to 2022, he’s scored 17 goals and 39 points in 52 games. That includes 10 goals and 19 points over his last 18, which is fourth-best among forwards averaging under 17 minutes of ice time over that span (Haula averaged 16:01).
He’s been something of a revelation centering Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak. If he can sustain something close to his recent level of production in the playoffs, the Bruins would have their best secondary scoring in a few years.
Varsity Team
Apr 26, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) is congratulated by left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring against the Florida Panthers during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The way Fluto Shinzawa put it after Tuesday’s game was, the Bruins are expected to play their “varsity lineup” in Thursday’s final tune-up before the playoffs. Friday against Toronto “should be a different story,” especially if the Bruins’ playoff seeding is officially locked in. They still have a chance to pass the Tampa Bay Lightning for third place in the Atlantic, but the odds favor them staying in the first wild card spot.