Nikita Zadorov (Image Via Twitter) Nikita Zadorov, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, TD Garden, Atlantic Division standings, playoff race, and rivalry pressure are converging in one place and at one time, right before Tuesday night’s matchup. The tension surrounding this game cannot be ignored at all, even more so with Boston’s recently acquired home losses as a backdrop. The heaviness of an Original Six confrontation has become even greater than that of an ordinary regular-season meeting, mostly because of Boston’s recent home losses, which have also intensified the spotlight.The Bruins are coming to the game on a three-game losing streak at TD Garden, and all these losses were against Canadian teams. The defeats to the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators have kept Boston’s progress at a standstill, while Montreal has moved up in the Atlantic Division. Now that the Canadiens are in third place with a game in hand, Tuesday’s match has real implications concerning the playoff positions of the teams.
Why Nikita Zadorov’s message reflects Boston Bruins’ growing urgency
Nikita Zadorov was very frank after the game against Ottawa. In an interview with WEEI’s Bridgette Proulx, the Bruins defenseman said that the team’s situation is very demanding and needs to be dealt with immediately. He pointed out that Boston is currently out of the playoff picture and that it is no longer possible to overlook the standings, especially now that the season is starting to get tight around them.Zadorov further informed his listeners that although the battle for the playoff spots is still close, the Bruins are aware that they are not playing up to their standards. His message was like that of David Pastrnak, who also spoke of urgency permeating the ranks of the team leaders. The scenario is like that in which the Canadiens have the upper hand in the standings, while other rivals such as Florida and Toronto are also battling for the same place. Therefore, the Tuesday matchup becomes not only a rivalry game but a key opportunity for Boston to remain in the playoff race.Zadorov’s statements reflect the present moment precisely. The Bruins have a chance to react against their fiercest enemy, or they risk losing even more ground.Also Read: Inside Connor McDavid’s luxury car collection: supercars, favorites, and what makes it unique