We now know the Bruins' first-round opponent and when their postseason will start.
By getting to overtime Monday night against the Islanders, the Bruins locked themselves into the No. 3 seed in the East Division and will face the second-seeded Capitals. Game 1 will be Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. in Washington.
As far as Monday's game went, Taylor Hall won it for Boston with a gorgeous overtime winner -- his second goal of the night -- to give the Bruins a 3-2 victory.
Here are three key takeaways:
1. Kase’s return short-lived
After missing nearly the entire season due to a concussion, Ondrej Kase returned to game action and didn’t appear out of place in the least. In his 6:49 of ice time, Kase played with speed and energy while firing two shots on goal and adding to Boston’s forward depth and speed.
Unfortunately, his return didn’t last very long as he was ruled out of the game after the second period with an upper-body injury.
It’s unclear where exactly the injury occurred, though he did receive a hard check from Nick Leddy in the second period following a shot attempt in the slot.
If the injury is related to his prior concussion, one has to feel for Kase after months of working his way back in time for the postseason. His skating and offensive skill set would be a welcomed addition to this Bruins lineup and it appears that may not happen anymore after this latest setback.
2. Hall does it again
Taylor Hall really seems to be relishing his time as a Boston Bruin. The former first overall selection has rediscovered his confidence after a forgettable tenure in Buffalo and is playing at the level he once did as an MVP in New Jersey.
Following his two-goal performance Monday against the Islanders — including the overtime winner — Hall now has eight goals and six assists for 14 points in 16 games in Boston.
Hall played with conviction and emotion all game long and scored his first tally of the game on a nice back-door one-timer after receiving a cross-crease pass from David Krejci during a 5-on-3 power play.
Krejci then recorded his third assist of the game in overtime, leaving a pass for Hall in the neutral zone. Hall then did the rest, blowing by Casey Cizikas before putting the puck between Nick Leddy’s legs and finishing a beautiful backhander against the grain for the 3-2 win.
3. Bring on the Capitals
Heading into their game against the Islanders, the Bruins needed just one point to secure third place in the East Division and set up a first-round matchup with the Washington Capitals.
That's exactly what the Bruins accomplished by earning not one, but two points in their overtime win over the Islanders. The Isles threatened that hope however by pulling their goalie late with the game tied — they did this because it was their last game of the season and needed to defeat Boston in regulation for at least a chance to clinch third in the division.
So, the Bruins and Capitals are set to square off in what is sure to be a highly entertaining series with no shortage of story lines. As if playing against Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson and company wasn’t enough — how about adding Zdeno Chara to the mix as well? There will be skill and extreme physicality and if the Bruins eliminate Washington, they won’t do so without their fair share of bumps and bruises. But that’s what makes the Stanley Cup the hardest trophy to win in all of sports and the journey begins Saturday night in Washington.