In a series defined by the Bruins’ defensive dominance and power-play mastery against Detroit, it comes as no surprise that two gifted blueliners emerged as the shining stars.
Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton have plenty in common as fellow second-year pros who are coming into their own in the professional ranks. But while the former is no stranger to playoff heroics, the latter enjoyed a spectacular coming-out party in the first round of the 2014 playoffs.
The two combined for three points on Saturday afternoon, leading the Bruins to a 4-2 victory in Game 5 at TD Garden that sent the Red Wings packing and the Black and Gold on to the second round.
Hamilton got things started by setting up Boston first goal of the game in the opening minutes – a power-play strike by Loui Eriksson.
“He’s done a great job,” Patrice Bergeron said of Hamilton, who finished the five-game series with a goal and three assists. “He’s playing some great hockey right now. He’s such a terrific talent and his hockey IQ is so high. It’s hard to believe he’s only 20. Sometimes we tend to forget about that, but I guess it’s a compliment because he plays way beyond his years and he’s huge for us right now.”
Hamilton remained humble when asked about his key contributions throughout the series, which came despite the fact he averaged just 17:12 of ice time over the five games.
“I don’t think that I am playing much differently,” the former ninth overall pick said. “I guess just a couple bounces offensively and than for me just focusing on being physical and good defensively. I am just going to have to keep stepping up as the playoffs go on.”
During last year’s playoffs, things didn’t go as smoothly for the then-rookie. Hamilton appeared in just seven of Boston’s playoff games, last seeing action in Game 4 of the second round against the Rangers.
“I think just being more comfortable,” Hamilton said when asked for the reason his play’s improved. “I think this whole year I have gotten better, last summer as well. So I think (just being) a better player and just more comfortable. I don’t really know otherwise. I’m just having fun right now and trying to do my best.”
Krug, meanwhile, is relishing playing a starring role for the second straight postseason.
During Boston’s 2013 Cup run, the Bruins found themselves extremely depleted by injuries on the back end. That prompted a promotion to the big club for Krug, who had just three games of NHL experience under his belt at the time.
One never would’ve guessed that, however, as the Michigan State product stole the spotlight with four goals in five games against the Blueshirts in the second round, nearly single-handedly vanquishing New York from the postseason.
The 23-year-old rearguard is at it again in 2014, as he finished the series tied with Bergeron for the team lead with five points.
“When you play with great players that like to step up in big situations, it’s easy to play with confidence,” said Krug, who dished out two assists Saturday. “It was a lot of fun and a great series. It was fast-paced. I enjoy that type of hockey.”
While Krug is familiar with shining on the big stage, his game, much like Hamilton’s, has evolved over the past calendar year.
“Personally, if you look at times that I have jumped up in the play from the beginning of the season until now, I think that the coaches will be a lot happier with my decisions (and) my teammates as well” he said. “It’s a whole team effort. When you are making decisions to jump up into the play, it’s because you have confidence in your guys to support you and back you up. When our forwards are playing good team defense you can make those decisions.”
Coach Claude Julien is certainly proud of how quickly the young rearguards have developed.
“Well that’s what they learn throughout the season,” Boston’s bench boss said when asked about Hamilton and Krug jumping into the play. “There are times when they did get caught and I’ve got a lot of clips of that if you want. But that’s how they learn; you have to teach along the way. Because they were allowed to do that, sometimes you learn from your mistakes and get better. So every day these guys spend time looking at their shifts and we spend time teaching them the right time to go and not to stay in there too long and when to come back out. So they’re young players who are getting better all the time. They have learned, so that is to their credit.”
You can also count Boston’s captain among those impressed by the young D-men.
“I mean, he came in last year during the playoffs so it’s been, for him, a full calendar year with us,” Zdeno Chara said of Krug. “So, he’s making really big strides and he’s feeling more and more comfortable and confident. So is Dougie [Hamilton] and obviously Millsy [Kevan Miller] and Barts [Matt Bartkowski]. So, they do their job and work hard.”
The B’s will have their hands full in the second round against archrival Montreal, but this is the time of year players savor the opportunity to come up big.
“It’s playoff hockey,” said Krug. “Everything happens so fast. Right now I am kind of just taking it all in again. It’s a great experience.”
