In interviews with Chris Ryan, the Bruins, forward, David Pastrnak reflects on the team’s ability to raise its level of play during the first round of the playoffs; Bruins Head Coach, Bruce “Butchie” Cassidy explains how he has matched his defensemen with his offensive lines; the President of the Bruins, Cam Neely breaks down why the team has been such a competitive franchise for the last ten years; Don Sweeney, the Bruins General Manager, discusses the thought processes which were involved in the key trades and acquisitions which were made just before the deadline; Don Sweeney also evaluates the job done by Butchie Cassidy; and defenseman, Jeremy Lauzon says that he expects to be available for Game 1 of the Islanders series. Also, Lauzon thinks that the similar styles of Caps and the Isles will benefit the Black and Gold.
David Pastrnak talks about how the team gained momentum in the first round against a very good Capitals team. He is hopeful that the Bruins level of play will continue to rise in the second round of the playoffs against another good team, the Islanders.
Bruins Head Coach Butchie Cassidy explains, in detail, the planning and analysis that goes into pairing his defensemen and then matching those two players with his forward lines. It is a process which involves lots of trial and error during the regular season and the coordinating of athletic ability, personality types, and tendencies during game situations.
Cam Neely, a Hall of Fame player for the Bruins, has made a smooth transition into management. The President and Alternate Governor of the Bruins describes how a consistent, winning culture is created. Cam Neely gives a great deal of credit to the leadership of team captain Patrice Bergeron.
“Just because of his nature, and how he is, and how he works, and the work ethic that he has, it’s hard for others not to follow that.”
The General Manager of the Bruins, Don Sweeney made some excellent trades and acquisitions just before the trading deadline which have really worked out well for the Bruins. Don Sweeny explains how these decisions are made with input from the coaching staff and the analytic group. He gives credit to the players and team for how well the newcomers have fit in and have produced.
Don Sweeney also gives credit to Coach Butchie Cassidy for his knowledge of all aspects of the game, his ability to delegate responsibility to his assistant coaches, his excellent communication skills, and his ability to set standards and to hold players accountable.
Bruins’ defenseman, Jeremy Lauzon, who is recovering from an injury during Game 1 of the Capitals series, is hopeful that he will be available for Game 1 of the Islanders series on Saturday night. Lauzon thinks that the Capitals series prepared the Bruins for the Islanders who play a similar physical style as Washington.