Bruins Plan To Rely On The 'Big Guys' To Set Tone Against Sabres
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The Boston Bruins know they can set the tone early against the Buffalo Sabres with their physical players.
Boston will take on the Sabres in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in an intriguing matchup. Buffalo snapped its 14-year playoff drought and will have home ice in the series, so the Bruins are expecting a rowdy crowd.
Yet, Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said he plans to utilize his grinding players early to set the tone.
“All of our big guys, starting with (Zadorov) on the backend, and then having Jeannot, Kasty and just guys being very physical and nasty. Without taking any penalties, that is going to be huge,” Sturm said after practice on Friday. “I think that could be a game-changer, that could be a series-changer, that could be a lot of things. We just have to be smart about it. Because I know a lot of teams, they’re afraid of us.”
Zadorov will play a key role for the Bruins on the backend and will also be tasked with playing a physical role early and often.
Ahead of Game 1, Zadorov is eager to return to playoff hockey and send an early message to his old team.
“I think that place is going to be nuts,” Zadorov said. “I think if you don’t enjoy it, you’re in the wrong sport or wrong place. That is playoff hockey, that’s pressure, that’s atmosphere, that’s intensity, physicality, blood, sweat, you name it. Everything is enjoyable.”
Game 1 between the Bruins and Sabres will take place on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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