I was boots on the ground in Charlotte Sunday night as Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard led the C’s to victory, clinching a playoff birth in what many thought was going to be a “retooling” year due to Tatum’s Achilles injury suffered last post season. It wasn’t. Jaylen Brown stepped up as the main super star for enough time for Tatum to get healthy, Pritchard continues to develop into a key talent, and the Celtics depth has been the talk of the league due to the incredible work of Brad Stevens and the front office to draft and develop players, while maintaining success.

Transitioning to the Bruins, as it appears they have learned a thing or two from their TD Garden roommates. The Bruins have won their last 4 games, all with massive implications for their playoff hopes, and none more exciting of course, than Sunday night’s come back win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
As things sit right now the Bruins hold a 6 point advantage over the Blue Jackets for the top Wild Card spot and have a 8 point cushion on the Senators, Red Wings and Flyers all of whom have a game in hand. The Bruins are chasing the Montreal Canadians by 2 points with Montreal also holding a game in hand. 7 games remain in the Bruins season and they will face both the Flyers and Blue Jackets another time, as well as the Lightning twice, and Panthers, Devils and Hurricanes (I will be boots on the ground for this too).

The Bruins have been on an impressive run of games highlighted by Pavel Zacha’s incredible performances as of late. Zacha’s 13 goals and 22 points in the month of March led the Bruins to a 10-3-3 record in the month and four straight wins to end it, creating separation in the standings. David Pastrnak contributed 23 points in what will likely become yet another 100 point season for the Czech phenom. Jeremy Swayman has been rock solid between the pipes elevating his form to the level we saw back in the 2023-24 playoffs. The penalty kill has drastically improved since the Olympic break and the powerplay has emerged from its slump back to being a true threat. And while I called for James Hagens to be immediately inserted into the NHL lineup, I think the Bruins made the right call given the timing in the season for Hagens to get some pro level experience and confidence before seeing NHL playoff caliber hockey.
As we all know the NHL playoffs are as tight as can be. The difference between the top team and the 2nd wildcard is essentially level playing field (hopefully not giving anyone 2022-23 season flashbacks). The Bruins are a real threat to whoever they are likely to play in the first round, especially when entering with confidence and consistency. They’re big and physical on the backend, with great puck movers and Charlie McAvoy playing at the highest level of his career to this point. They’re relentless and skilled offensively as the 4th line is tough to play against, and the top 6 continue to produce. No team would ever want to face Swayman in round 1 when he’s on his game. I really believe the Bruins are an undesirable matchup for any team with deep playoff hopes. I think they’re a team that can take someone 7 games and really beat em’ and bruise them to where even if the escape the Bruins in the 1st round, they’re not going to have a lot left for round 2.

Let’s hope their run continues into the playoffs as a team with momen