Daily Bean: Bruins Lose, Playoffs Schedule, Draisaitl Likely to Return

BREAK APART: The Bruins had a 2-0 lead, but Buffalo rallied for four goals in 6:46. After the game, Marco Sturm said that the Bruins “were in the perfect spot,” and “were exactly where we wanted to play,” but “all of a sudden, the game is done.”

The atmosphere in Buffalo was second to none. Starting outside before the game, continuing in the pregame warmups, and carrying through to the final horn, it was apparent that this city was hungry for its first playoff game in nearly 15 years.

And would you believe me if I told you the night began with ESPN’s Mike Monaco and me nearly getting stuck in the KeyBank Center elevator? Fortunately, Jimmie got it squared away, and Mike was able to call the game with no delay.

TOUGHNESS IS TRADITION: The Bruins released their playoff video alongside their playoff campaign, “Toughness is Tradition,” yesterday. Building off their new brand platform “Built by Boston, Powered by Tradition.”

The video is narrated by Mr. Bill Richard, who is a pillar of the Dorchester neighborhood. The Martin Richard Foundation serves to support youth development and build the community, and Mr. Richard and his family have done tremendous work for the last 12 years.

WICKED BOSTON SHOW: I’m joining good friend Cam Stuart for a rundown of last night’s game. The show starts at 1:00 PM ET, but tune in around 1:30 PM in for the Bruins talk.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: Yesterday’s slate of games started with a Colorado win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Avalanche jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and the Kings got on the scoreboard late in the third period, but their comeback attempt fell short. Aarif Deen has 10 takeaways from the Avs win.

Montreal Hockey Now: Then the Canadiens and Lightning put on a show. The two teams went back and forth before going to overtime, then Juraj Slafkovsky completed his hat trick by scoring the overtime winner. Marc Dumont has the recap and highlights.

ESPN: The Golden Knights closed the night with a 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth led after both the first and second periods, but the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period and grabbed the series lead.

PLAYOFFS:

• A1 – Sabres (1) vs. WC1 – Bruins (0)

• A2 – Lightning (0) vs. A3 – Canadiens (1)

• M1 – Hurricanes (1) vs. WC2 – Senators (0)

• M2 – Penguins (0) vs. M3 – Flyers (1)

• C1 – Avalanche (1) vs. WC2 – Kings (0)

• C2 – Stars (0) vs. C3 – Wild (1)

• P1 – Golden Knights (1) vs. WC1 – Mammoth (0)

• P2 – Oilers (0) vs. P3 – Ducks (0)

Sportsnet: Leon Draisaitl is “highly likely” to return to the Oilers lineup for Game 1 against the Ducks. He said he felt good on Sunday, but the team still has not made it official. He sat out the last 14 games of the season with a knee injury.

NHL.com: Cole Koepke signed a two-year, $1.45M AAV contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. The former Bruin had 17 points (8-9–17) in 66 games with the Jets this season.

Today’s NHL Schedule

Flyers at Penguins, Game 2 – 7:00 PM (US: ESPN, CA: SN360, TVA 2)

Senators at Hurricanes, Game 2 – 7:30 PM (US: ESPN 2, CA: CBC, SN, TVA)

Wild at Stars, Game 2 – 9:30 PM (US: ESPN, CA: SN360, TVA 2)

Ducks at Oilers, Game 1 – 10:00 PM (US: ESPN 2, CBC, SN, TVA)

FOLLOW @JACKSTUDLEY13 ON 𝕏| FOLLOW @BOSHockeyNow ON 𝕏

The post Daily Bean: Bruins Lose, Playoffs Schedule, Draisaitl Likely to Return appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.