Sabers vs. Bruins – Game 1 | How to watch, lineup notes, and more

Much of the dialog relating to Boston has been targeted on its physicality – notably within the wake of feedback from Bruins coach Marco Sturm on Friday.

“We are bigger, stronger,” Sturm mentioned. “We are more physical. We just have to be smart, but we’re going to go after them.”

Multiple members of the Sabers – together with coach Lindy Ruff together with forwards Alex Tuch and Josh Doan – have been requested about these feedback on Saturday. Their solutions all struck the identical tone: We heard them, however we’re assured in our id.

“That’s his take on his team,” Ruff mentioned. (*1*)

Boston did rank fifth within the NHL in hits – but additionally ranked second in penalty minutes, which might be an space for Buffalo to make the most of. The Bruins have been shorthanded a league-excessive 278 occasions and had the NHL’s twenty fourth-ranked penalty kill (77.0 p.c).

Physicality apart, the Bruins will attempt to implement slower, low-occasion sport by way of the impartial zone. Their 59 targets allowed on the push have been the sixth fewest within the NHL throughout the common season, in accordance to Stathletes.

Jeremy Swayman, after all, has a hand in all of it. The goaltender had a .907 save proportion this season however has a .922 mark in 20 profession playoff video games.