Monday the Boston Bruins ended the Columbus Blue Jackets playoff run by winning 3-0 in Game 6 at Nationwide Arena. Forwards David Krejci, Marcus Johansson and David Backes scored in this series-clinching matchup. Goaltender Tuukka Rask had a 39 save shutout performance.
The Bruins advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time since 2011. It will be their first Eastern Conference Final since 2013, in that year they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games of the Stanley Cup Final. They will face the Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference Final. Here are the takeaways from the Bruins series-clinching Game 6.
Rask had another wonderful night between the pipes. His 39 save shutout in Game 6 was his first postseason shutout since May 8, 2014, against the Montreal Canadiens.
Another big time game, another big time performance.@tuukkarask | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/knhddXKEki
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 7, 2019
Throughout the game, Columbus had quality scoring chances, including three power-play opportunities. The hockey gods were on Rask side as Columbus hit the post four times in the game. With all of that traffic in front of the net, Rask could keep composure and seal the series for his teammates. In the second round of the series, he had 212 saves on 223 shots. He could out-duel Columbus’s goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner. So far, he is the MVP for the Bruins for this Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy had been outstanding throughout these playoffs. During the second period, McAvoy had a high hit on Columbus forward Josh Anderson that led to a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. Per rule 48.1, the call does not apply for a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
McAvoy only gets two minutes for this. Wow. pic.twitter.com/5c1XtSetR4
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 7, 2019
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Spectators of the game believed McAvoy should have game misconduct for this dangerous hit. According to multiple reports, McAvoy will have a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety about this hit. A suspension at the beginning of the Carolina series is a possibility.
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Charlie McAvoy will have a hearing with @NHLPlayerSafety for his hit on Josh Anderson last night.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 7, 2019
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