Bruins Look To Keep Momentum On Their Side
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Bruins are ready for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night, looking to take a 3-1 series lead before the action shifts back to Chicago for Saturday's Game 5.
But after Blackhawks all but sleepwalked through Monday night's Game 3, the Bruins are prepared for a much better Chicago team looking to steal home-ice back from Boston.
"We are excited, but we have to be cautious and ready. It's either going to be 3-1 or 2-2, so that's a big difference. We have to be ready for a big push in the first," said defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. "They're obviously going to throw everything at us. They're going to want to score the first goal, so we have to keep it tight or score the first goal ourselves."
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"We have to stay in the moment and take it game by game," said David Krejci. "The momentum can switch so fast in the playoffs, and it's a lot different going back to Chicago with a 3-1 lead or tied 2-2. It's the most important game of the season, so we have to do everything we can to get a win."
"These rounds can change in the blink of an eye. You really have to bear down and can't let any shift get away from you," added foward Tyler Seguin.
Nothing changed for Boston in their Wednesday morning skate, with Claude Julien rolling out the same four lines that dominated Game 3. The Bruins have benefited greatly from Julien's third-line shuffle, with the trio of Chris Kelly, Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin coming through with two goals in the last two games, and better overall play in general.
But to take that 3-1 lead tonight, Boston knows the contributions will have to come from all everywhere.
"It's about everyone stepping up, not just one of the lines," said assistant captain Patrice Bergeron. "We know they have a lot of depth on their side, so it's something we've been thriving on; having a deep team. We have to make sure all lines are going."
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"We know it's a huge game. We know they're going to come out hard; they have a lot of character but so do we," said Bergeron. "At this time, at this stage, its two great teams and we know this game is going to be even tougher. We have to be ready for a great game."
As for Chicago, it looks as though head coach Joel Quenneville may put stars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane together again, as he did in the Western Conference Finals against the LA Kings. Both have been held without a goal against Boston so far, and the Blackhawks have not scored a goal since the first period of Game 2.
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Chicago forward Marian Hossa was absent from the Hawks morning skate on Wednesday, but is expected to play in Game 4. Hossa, who has seven goals and eight assists for the Blackhawks this postseason, was a late scratch on Monday with an upper body injury.
"He's expected to play tonight," Quennenville said when asked about Hossa.
98.5 The Sports Hub's play-by-play announcer Dave Goucher joined Gresh & Zo to discuss Game 4
Dave Goucher joined Gresh & Zo
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