The Boston Bruins finished tied for the second-highest point total during the regular season and much of the success was due to the offensive exploits of their potent top line. The unit had been held in check during the Bruins' Eastern Conference semifinal before breaking out Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets to send the series back to Boston tied at 2-2 entering Saturday's Game 5.

The San Jose Sharks have yet to trail in their Western Conference semifinal but they own a sizable home-ice advantage in what essentially has turned into a best-of-three against the eighth-seeded Colorado Avalanche. The Sharks have won 17 of the past 19 meetings at home entering Saturday's Game 5 against the Avalanche, although Colorado squeezed out a 4-3 victory in Game 2.