Round 2 lineup talk

With the exception of Matt Hunwick, the Bruins are healthy entering the second round. So we've got some questions on what the Game 1 lineup might look like and which players might be healthy scratches.

We've also got a couple questions on P.J. Axelsson, the team's longest-tenured veteran and the only player who participated in the 1999 playoffs, the last time the Bruins faced off against the Hurricanes in the postseason.

Since the start of the playoffs, I wonder why Blake Wheeler is not playing with Savard and Kessel on the first line. I know that he's playing a first full NHL season, and that he may be a little tired. I know that P.J. Axelsson might represent a certain defensive caution to Savard and Kessel. But at the same time, I find it unfair to put a guy with 20 goals in his first year on a fourth line. Isn't it a waste of talent? What do you think?
Remi, Quebec City

A: Good question Remi. Several parts to this scenario. First, the Bruins like how Axelsson complements the offensive-minded approaches of Savard and Kessel. By having Axelsson serve as the high guy in the offensive zone, Savard and Kessel can spend that extra half-second trying to create chances instead of getting back on defense. Axelsson will never be known as a sniper. But he has great vision and hockey sense, which are two elements that are crucial in making linemates better on offense. As dangerous as Wheeler proved he was during the regular season, he doesn't bring that same two-way game. And yes, Wheeler is not a typical fourth-liner. In fact, if he didn't have such good penalty-killing chemistry with Krejci, Wheeler might be the odd man out, with Bitz getting back on the fourth line.

Please tell me that Shane Hnidy will get the nod over Steve Montador as the sixth defenseman with Andrew Ference back. Since Montador was acquired, I feel as though he has hurt the team (with multiple mistakes per game) more than he has helped. Hnidy is a solid defender who doesn't make too many mistakes and has been a solid team guy all year.
Eric, Cumberland, R.I.

A: Eric, I don't think you'll get your wish. My guess is that Ference will be back with Dennis Wideman, and Montador plays with Mark Stuart on the third pairing. I would have agreed with you before the start of the playoffs. Hnidy looked to be a safer player. There's also good chemistry between Hnidy and Stuart. I thought Montador had a little too much of Wideman's old game in him -- taking chances and not being dependable in his own zone. But Montador was very good against Montreal. Took the risk out of his game. Had nine blocked shots in Game 3. He's a better puck-mover than Hnidy and a better skater. Tough call. But I think Montador gets the nod this time. That said, there will be injuries. Hnidy will get playing time down the road.

Fluto: As we know, referees have a signal for everything -- pointing to the puck means a goal has been scored, a hand to the opposite arm means slashing, etc. Generally if a goal is called which is subsequently reviewed off ice, the referee, when he gets the results of the review, will either point to a faceoff circle near the net, or he will point to center ice indicating a faceoff there. My question is when a goal has been scored and reviewed in overtime, and it is reviewed off ice and determined to be a good goal, how does the referee indicate that the goal was deemed to have counted? It doesn't make sense for him to point to center ice since, because it's already overtime, there is no subsequent faceoff to be held. Does he just turn to the players and just tell them? Does he point to center ice anyway? I figure that there must be some sort of signal the referee must use, but I've never seen it. Do you know?
Barry, Wakefield

A: Barry, I've never seen this scenario take place. But according to the rule book, teams must stay on the bench until off-ice review is completed. I would suspect that after the review is finished, the referee would point to center ice and the game would end. Here's a snippet from the book: "Should the first stoppage of play following an apparent goal coincide with the end of a period, the on-ice officials must instruct both teams to remain at their respective players’ benches until the video review has been completed."

Do you think Bruins can go all the way?
Peter, Medfield

A: Yes. Though if they get out of the East, I think Detroit will be waiting for them. That will be a dogfight.

Where can a huge Bruins fan get a high-resolution Bruins team photo?
Bruce, St. John, New Brunswick

A: Bruce, probably the best bet is to e-mail fanrelations@bostonbruins.com.

Will P.J. Axelsson play for Bruins next season? I wish he will come back (with the Stanley Cup) to the VF-Indians team here in Gothenburg. The contract is running out. Will he be "Axed"? If he's being axed, do you think he will ever represent another team in the NHL?
Mats, Gothenburg, Sweden

A: Mats, I think Axelsson returns to Boston only if he agrees to a significant discount. The Bruins' top priorities are re-signing Krejci and Kessel, and having Axelsson's current salary coming off the books is part of that process. I wouldn't be surprised if he returns to Sweden and finishes out his career there if he doesn't re-sign with Boston.

You said in your chat that you didn't expect P.J. to be re-signed by the Bruins. Do you expect him to retire or go elsewhere?
Mike, Newbury

A: Mike, as noted above, I think he might finish out in Sweden if he wants to keep on playing. I think he can play one or two more years of pro hockey over there. I get the feeling he's not quite ready to retire. Close, but not there yet.

This is the only way I could find to reach Patrice Bergeron. I am a Bruins fan from Québec. Could you please, if you can, relay this message? Bonjour Patrice, Je suis un fan des Bruins depuis que j'ai 15 ans, j'en ai maintenant 37. Je n'ai jamais vu mon équipe gagner la Coupe Stanley et ça fait quinze ans que je n'ai pas vu les Bruins battre le Canadien en séries. Le problème est que j'ai été diagnostiqué pour un cancer du poumon le 27 janvier 2008 et je me bats depuis un an en chimiothérapie. Tout va bien et mieux mais je ne sais pas combien de temps il me reste à vivre. J'ai deux petites filles de 7 et 9 ans, dont une -Rose-est une fan des Bruins aussi et elle est très fière. Rien ne serait aussi bon pour mon moral qu'une victoire des Bruins contre le Canadien, 4-0 serait encore mieux et pourquoi pas, une Coupe Stanley? Je suis convaincu que vous avez l'équipe pour le faire. Nous pensons à vous. Let's go Bruins!
Benoit, Quebec City

A: Benoit, best wishes for good health.

Fluto, what are the "media obligations" for Bruins players? Are they required to do a certain number of interviews? Do the requirements vary from team to team?
Dan, Milton, N.H.

A: Dan, they vary from each club. But here's standard operating procedure for the Bruins on a game day. They open the dressing room to the media following the morning skate. The room is open for about 20 minutes, then coach Claude Julien will speak. Every player is expected to be available during that time, although not all are. Usually if you request a specific player, he'll come out. After the game, the room is open for about 15 minutes before Julien has his post-game press conference. Again, players are expected to be available, but some of them receive treatment and are not present in the room. Some players are great about being available (Patrice Bergeron is a good example). Others are not. I've heard that Montreal is the toughest team to cover because very few players make themselves available.

Which individual and/or what part of the Bruins team game needs to improve in the playoffs?
Jim, Dracut

A: Jim, I don't think there are any individuals who can be targeted following the Montreal series. Really no holes to speak of. If you want to get picky, maybe Recchi (only one goal in first round) is a player you'd want to see contribute more against Carolina. In terms of team game, the Bruins will have to be very thorough in the neutral zone against the Hurricanes. They activate their defensemen and generate all their speed in the neutral zone. So that means no turning the puck over in center ice. It also means good gap control by the defensemen and good backchecking by the forwards.

This is not a question as much as a rendering of respect to the Bruins. The Bruins, all that is hockey in my little world, have a mix of colorful history with the likes of Eddie Shore, Milt Schmidt, Willie O’Ree, and Bobby Orr, and a grinding work ethic of the great No. 8 Cam Neely, Ray Bourque, and Phil Esposito. While they have their fair share of disappointments (2003-04 first-round loss to the Habs in seven, after having a 3-1 lead) as well as overwhelming victories, I’m longing to relive the Big. Bad Bruins of the ‘70s, and I believe that Peter Chiarelli has worked very hard and shown some great patience and feels that longing as well. This team has shown heart and resiliency like no other. Standing as a Bruin, not as an individual, for the team, to strive, to become more than the sum of its parts. This team, this family, will have its bar set high, for they have shown that there is no quit, only perseverance, fortitude befitting a ferocious Bruin, leadership, and a belief in one another that allows the players to do their job and not have to worry about someone else’s. What does it mean to be a Bruin? I think PC knows and has put the pieces together!
Darius, Fort Worth, Texas

A: Thanks for the observations, Darius.

Any more word on the Winter Classic 2010 and date tickets would be on sale?
Mike, Post Falls, Idaho

A: No ticket information available yet.