New York. They are such a heavy favourite, that anything short of outright domination in the Stanley Cup playoffs threatens to look like a fiasco.
But that didn’t seem to bother the Boston Bruins ahead of their expected opener against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden tonight.
Nepotism is just what the media talks about. We know all play-off series are tough and will give everything at every change, Swedish star full-back Hambus Lindholm tells Sportbladet.
It can be said that there has never been a bigger favorite in the ultimate field hockey battle than this year’s edition of the Boston Bruins.
They won 65 of their 82 regular season games, lost just 12 during regular game time and had 135 points. These are record numbers. No other team in the nearly 100-year history of the NHL has been as successful.
But as the Death Prophets—and even themselves—were quick to point out, these kinds of historic regular season records mean nothing if they weren’t followed by similar success in the playoffs.
“just enjoy”
What happens now is what defines the season and fans are demanding that they at least make it to the final. Before that, Sorti would be a resounding failure.
Thus, the Black and Yellow Bears must feel a lot of pressure as they now tie the Grills for the first round against the Florida Panthers – a team they have 43 points in the series (in a system where victories are awarded by just two points…)
but not.
Not at all, it turns out when we contact Hampus Lindholm – the 29-year-old Höganäs running back from Skåne who was traded from Anaheim to Boston last year and is now a pivotal figure on the Bears blue line.
It’s been a pleasure to be a part of such a great season and if something gives us confidence. He says, “We bring the best parts into playoffs.”
—but the fact that we’d be huge favorites isn’t something we think about. Nepotism is only the media talks about. Florida is a very good team and every series of games is tough. We know we’ll have to give everything in every game and every substitution.
“It’s the least of our worries.”
However, anyone trying to find weaknesses in the series’ victories, or factors that speak against them in the least, will be forced to search in vain. Hampus almost dismissed speculation that goaltenders Linus Ollmark – who has a chance to become the first Swedish goalie to lift the Stanley Cup – and that Jeremy Swayman might have very little hockey experience.
– That’s the least of our worries, for we’ve long known the caliber of both Linus and Swaeman. We completely trust them.
Another person who has the team’s full confidence is Hampus himself. He’s played the best hockey of his career this winter and actually has the best plus/minus stats in the entire league, at 49+ (ahead of teammates Matt Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlow at 46 and 44 respectively…).
– Yes, of course it was interesting, but I don’t focus on my own numbers. My goal is to contribute a positive ‘impact’ to the team in every game. If you do, the stats usually take care of themselves, he points out.
That’s what the plan looks like now too, go all out to help the team win the biggest game of the year – and favorite Skåne guy (sorry…) can barely save himself.
– It would be great fun, to play a part in this, he assures.