Boston Bruins Playoff Predictions. Up First, the Buffalo Sabres

After what many have called a disappointing season for the Boston Bruins, they find themselves in a familiar position, in the 2010 post season. Finishing in the 6th spot this year, the B's are preparing for their third straight playoff appearance..

This season, expectations for the B's were high. After finishing the 2009 season atop the Eastern Conference, with 116 points, hopes were high for the B's in the 2010 season. The B's lost in game 7 of the Conference Semi-Finals last year to Carolina, in a hard fought series, losing game seven by a 3-2 score. They vowed to make it a step further this season, meaning the Conference Finals.

At the beginning of the 2010 season, the B's had the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Tim Thomas in net. As Tim showed signs of being a little off this season, the B's inserted Rookie Tuukka Rask in the net. All Tuukka has done is to lead the NHL in both Goals Against Average, with a 1.97% average, and in save percentage with a .931% save average, also posting 5 shut outs along the way. While Rask is clearly the starting Goaltender for the B's, having Thomas on the bench is a plus.

The B's face the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres happen to have the reigning Olympic MVP, Goalie Ryan Miller, who finished second behind Rask in both categories, but was clearly the backbone of the Sabres. In fact, some have mentioned Miller as a candidate for the NHL MVP award. Needless to say, goals will be at a premium for both teams this series.

Adding to the fact that these two teams have two of the best Goaltenders in the league, both teams have many other things in common this season. Both are excellent at penalty killing, with Buffalo finishing rated second in the league in the penalty kill, and the B's right behind them with a 86.4% penalty kill rating. Only the New Jersey Devils gave up fewer goals than the B's this year. So defensively, both teams are very sound.

Offensively, the Sabres had five 20 goal scorers this season, but were ranked, as were the B's with only one 20 goal scorer, very low in the league on the power play. The Sabres finishing with a 17.6% average, the B's with a 16.6 % power play average. 20% is considered good.. So, both teams struggle offensively.

Goal tending, special teams, and hard hitting are all synonymous with successful playoff teams in hockey. The B's will have to step it up offensively to fulfill their prediction of going further in the playoffs this year. Leading the way for the B's will be perennial All Star defense man Zdeno Chara, playing with a broken nose suffered last week He has proved to be very capable of shutting down the leagues top scorers, but will need help from his offense to get this team to the next level..

Left Wing Marco Sturm, 22 goals, Centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci will have to get the power play going. The B's have a tendency to fire away at the net, but fail to set up in front to get any quality shots, should Miller give up a rare rebound.

The B's will also be counting on the talents of Forwards Milan Lucic, Michael Ryder, Miroslav Satan, Shawn Thorton, and Blake Wheeler to put some points on the board. None of these players have lived up to their expectation this season, although this is a tough bunch. Suffice to say, the B's will not be pushed around anyone's building.

This team has heart. It has played the last 3 years without a prolific goal scorer, and has advanced each year to a new level. Coach Claude Julien is capable of squeezing out whatever he can to get the job done. I think if the B's can put a few more pucks in the net, they are very capable of keeping up with the best of the East.

This season, they have beaten the Sabres in 4 of the six games the teams have played. They will beat the Sabres in this series, by an identical 4-2 mark. As for what the rest of the playoffs hold in their future, be sure to stay tuned.