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With hot weather, ice conditions could be a factor in Game 6

New York Rangers v Boston Bruins - Game Five

BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Carl Soderberg #34 of the Boston Bruins skates prior to the start of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers on May 25, 2013 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

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The quality of the ice at TD Garden has already been a topic for discussion (and profanity) during this Stanley Cup Final.

So not surprisingly, with high temperatures and humidity in Boston today, Bruins coach Claude Julien was asked about the playing surface ahead of tonight’s Game 6.

“I thought the ice this morning was in pretty good shape, and they’ve done a good job,” said Julien. “Walking in here yesterday with 90-plus degrees it was nice and cool in the arena.

“But those doors are going to open I would imagine and some of the heat will come in. But those are conditions that you have to play with at this time of year. Everybody has been through it, and two teams are going through the same conditions.

“Both teams are going to tell you the same truth; keep the game simple and try and avoid those mistakes from over-handling pucks in those kind of ice conditions.”

The consensus opinion is that poor ice conditions would favor the Bruins, a team that’s at its best when it keeps things simple and moves as a five-man unit with short passes.

With a dangerous transition attack, Boston also feasts on turnovers, which can be a byproduct of choppy ice.