Does sweeping the convention remaining assist or damage groups?

Information
The Boston Bruins have been the category of the Jap Convention this post-season, however historical past has proven that there actually is not a bonus to groups that sweep a convention remaining. Patrice Bergeron (proper) celebrates a objective|Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesCan anybody decelerate the Boston Bruins proper now?
With a bunch comprised of key veterans from the 2011 Stanley Cup championship squad and new blood that has risen by the ranks, the Bruins have seemed just like the Stanley Cup favorites because the demise of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins outclassed the Carolina Hurricanes at each place within the Jap Convention remaining, finishing the sweep with a masterful effort in Recreation Four. This marks Boston’s third Stanley Cup remaining look up to now decade, and with neither the San Jose Sharks or St. Louis Blues pulling forward by a substantial margin within the Western Convention remaining, the Bruins may have an prolonged break earlier than they hit the ice once more.
However is having break day after the convention remaining actually a boon to a staff’s Stanley Cup hopes? Whereas some will extoll the virtues relaxation and restoration time, traditionally talking, groups that swept the sequence previous to the ultimate haven’t sometimes had a leg up.
Sweeps, basically, are uncommon. Since 2010, solely 19 of the 149 playoff rounds have resulted in a sweep, or 12.eight p.c of all sequence, and over the previous 50 years, there are solely 19 situations of a sequence sweep occurring within the convention remaining (previously often called the league semifinal) with the sweeping staff possessing a 10-9 report within the Stanley Cup remaining.
From 1969-1979, groups that swept the penultimate spherical had a Three-Three report within the remaining, together with a 1972 assembly between Boston and the New York Rangers, who each swept their option to the final spherical. The Bruins received that sequence, and the Stanley Cup, by a Four-2 sequence rating. In the course of the 1980s, the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers swept their respective semifinal sequence 4 mixed instances, with the Islanders successful the Stanley Cup each instances following a sweep and the Oilers successful as soon as and shedding as soon as. And because the NHL went to a best-of-seven format for your complete playoffs in 1987, seven convention remaining sweeps have occurred, and people sequence victors went on to submit a Three-Four report within the remaining.
Of all groups to execute a semifinal sequence sweep up to now 50 years, the Bruins have achieved so probably the most. This season marks the sixth time they’ve received in four-straight within the second-to-last spherical. The ends in the ultimate following a sequence sweep have been a combined bag, although. In 1970, Boston swept the ultimate two rounds to win the Cup, adopted by the aforementioned 1972 victory. In 1977, the Bruins swept the Flyers earlier than being swept by the Montreal Canadiens. Boston once more swept their option to the ultimate in 1990, solely to fall quick in opposition to the Oilers, and the Bruins’ sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins within the 2013 Jap Convention remaining preceded a six-game Stanley Cup defeat by the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks. That offers Boston a 2-Three report after a semifinal sweep.
So, is there any actual profit to having the break day? It’s virtually even at this level. However historical past doesn’t resolve hockey video games, both.
Boston leads practically each main class amongst groups that made it to the ultimate 4. The Bruins have probably the most objectives (57, and their Three.35 objectives per recreation ranks first), the fewest objectives in opposition to (33, and their 1.94 objectives in opposition to per recreation leads the best way) and the very best energy play (34 p.c) and penalty kill (86.Three p.c). Scoring winger Brad Marchand and goaltender Tuukka Rask have been among the many greatest playoff performers, too, and Boston’s depth has been unbelievable. 13 members of the Bruins roster have at the very least 5 factors within the playoffs. Solely the Blues have extra with 14. Are you able to argue in opposition to the Bruins being the highest staff proper now?
That is to say take the historic numbers as you’ll, as a result of if previous outcomes have taught us something, it’s that neither sweeping the semifinal spherical or clawing to make it by supplies a clear-cut benefit in relation to successful the Stanley Cup.
Need extra in-depth options, evaluation and an All-Entry go to the most recent content material? Subscribe to The Hockey Information journal.
Tags: boston bruins, nhl, playoffsConnect: In regards to the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.