Blue Jackets vs Bruins: Game 4 Preview

Series: Columbus leads 2-1

Location: Nationwide Arena

Time: 7:30 PM ET. NBCSN

RECAP: The Columbus Blue Jackets made history after they won their first ever playoff series in franchise history by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning. The same Lightning that won the Presidents Trophy and tied the record for most wins in a season. Since sweeping Tampa, Columbus has not slowed down. They currently have a 2-1 lead over the Bruins heading into game four at Nationwide Arena. Matt Duchene has been lights out for the Blue Jackets, having scored the game winners in the last two games.

Preview: Boston will need more from its top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

Image courtesy of Sportsnet.

Pastrnak has already been replaced on the top line by Danton Heinen. Bergeron has yet to score a point in this series, and his team is behind because of it. Heinen has also been almost non-existent despite his promotion, as he has just one point this series, an assist in game one.

Bergeron had this to say about the team’s struggles, “I think we’ve got to execute better, that’s the bottom line,”. “The plays that we want to make are there in a way, but I think we’re forcing a lot of them too. We’ve just got to go back to taking what’s there in front of you.”

Marchand has 0 points as well this series as he has been to bust getting himself in trouble. Luckily for Boston Marchand won’t be suspended after he punched Scott Harrington in the back of the head at the end of game three.

They will need Marchand to stay on the ice and out of trouble.

Boston has been stumped this series by Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has a .943 save percentage in the second round and a .937 save percentage overall in this year’s playoffs. In the past, Bobrovsky had been stellar in the regular season and pedestrian in the postseason. But fortunately for Columbus, he has found that next gear and has his team in the driver’s seat.

Duchene had this to say about the team’s recent success, “I’m not surprised. This is definitely what we’re capable of,”.

Prediction: Columbus wins 4-2.

Feature Image From Sporting News.

You can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Max.

“From Our Haus to Yours”