The Bruins are relying on young players like Reilly Smith to get the job done this postseason. Credit: Getty Images
The Bruins have played seven postseason games this spring and the master playoff stat sheet reveals some interesting things about this Boston team.
The old B’s guard is represented, with Milan Lucic leading the team in goals so far with four and Patrice Bergeron leading the team in points with eight. But joining the two veterans at the top of those lists are multiple youngins, a good sign for Bruins fans in that any particular game can be won by any particular player. This type of deal, with a different hero popping up in nearly every game, paid dividends for the B’s in their run to the Stanley Cup Final last year and is a proven formula for success on Causeway Street.
Twenty-three-year-old defenseman Torey Krug has been the most notable Bruin to use the 2013 postseason playbook in 2014 as he has registered a point in five of the B’s seven playoff games so far. He’s second on the team in points behind only Bergeron this spring.
Hot on Krug’s points trail is fellow defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who has six points in the past 18 days. The 20-year-old’s goal started the Bruins’ thrilling Game 2 comeback on Saturday afternoon as his wrister at 10:56 of the third period cut Montreal’s lead to 3-2.
Twenty-three-year-old right winger Reilly Smith has also given the Bruins a lift this spring and has netted third period goals in each of the Bruins first two games against the Canadiens. His wrist shot at the 16:28 mark of Game 2 proved to be the game-winner.
“He plays like a veteran and he’s very calm in those kind of situations,” Bruins head coach Claude Julien said about Smith’s performance in Game 2. “You don’t see him make too many big mistakes because he’s a smart hockey player, and some guys have it. It’s a knack he’s had from the start, and with his experience playing with guys like Bergeron and [Brad] Marchand, he’s just gotten better.”
Follow Metro Boston sports editor Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS
