NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Boston Bruins Preview
The Stats
| Detroit Red Wings | Boston Bruins | |||
| Record | 39-28-15 | 16th | 54-19-9 | 1st |
| GF/Game | 2.65 | 16th | 3.15 | 3rd |
| GA/Game | 2.70 | 16th | 2.08 | 2nd |
| 5-on-5 Close SF/60 | 28.9 | 19th | 31.1 | 7th |
| 5-on-5 Close SA/60 | 29.1 | 16th | 27.7 | 9th |
| Fenwick Close | 51.20 | 11th | 54.10 | 4th |
| 5-on-5 Close Save % | .929 | 9th | .942 | 1st |
| 5-on-4 GF/60 | 5.9 | 17th | 8.4 | 2nd |
| # of PP's/Gm | 3.44 | 7th | 2.80 | 30th |
| 4-on-5 GA/60 | 5.6 | 9th | 5.8 | 11th |
| # of PK's/Gm | 3.60 | 27th | 3.21 | 11th |
Background
The Detroit Red Wings fought through a number of injuries to key players such as Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and made the playoffs for a jaw-dropping 23rd season in a row. When you look at the list of longest playoff streaks in NHL history, this is perhaps the most remarkable, given the number of teams in the league these days. For example, in the early 80's, which covers all four of the longest entries on that list, 16 of 21 teams made the playoffs, making the achievement less than impressive.
Around these parts, of course, we'll keep an eye on David Legwand, the longtime Nashville Predator who returned to his hometown team at the Trade Deadline. Can Playoff Legwand take the stage again, like we saw on occasion here in Nashville?
While the Red Wings were happy just to make the playoffs, the Boston Bruins have their eyes set on winning a Stanley Cup, after falling in the Final to Chicago last spring. Zdeno Chara remains the anchor of the roughest, toughest team in the Eastern Conference, which is led up front by proven performers like David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Milan Lucis, Brad Marchand and Jarome Iginla.
While these teams have met seven times in the playoffs this is their first post-season matchup since 1957, when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in a five-game Final. Will the ghost of Fleming MacKell inspire them to victory once again?
OTF Staff Picks
Dirk: I would dearly love to see Playoff Legwand carry the Red Wings on a deep playoff run, but it ain't gonna happen. Boston in 5.
Jon: Boston in 5. Detroit always seems to have a way of hanging around longer than they should, but there's no way they make it to the second round against the Bruins.
Jason: Boston in 5. Bye bye, Detroit. Can you fire your coach please? Losing in the first round is an unacceptable disappointment...
George: Boston in 4. Injuries have plagued the Red Wings all season long, and while they're a well-coached squad, the Bruins are built, clicking, and simply nastier, grittier players than the finesse that graces the Detroit lineup.
Jeremy: Two original six franchises will meet and Boston will get the upper hand in 5 games. Detroit's injuries rear their ugly head and Boston will march forth in short work on the back of outstanding goaltending.
Red Wings vs Bruins Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Eastern Conference First Round | National TV |
| 1 | Fri, Apr 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Detroit at Boston | NBCSN, TSN |
| 2 | Sun, Apr 20 | 3 p.m. | Detroit at Boston | NBC, TSN |
| 3 | Tue, Apr 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston at Detroit | NBCSN, TSN |
| 4 | Thu, Apr 24 | 8 p.m. | Boston at Detroit | NBCSN, TSN |
| 5* | Sat, Apr 26 | 3 p.m. | Detroit at Boston | NBC, TSN |
| 6* | Mon, Apr 28 | TBD | Boston at Detroit | TSN |
| 7* | Wed, Apr 30 | TBD | Detroit at Boston | TSN |
Who wins this series?
| Boston Bruins | 94 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 138 |