DETROIT — The narrative for the Bruins-Red Wings series was plausible and logical. Boston, the winner of the Presidents’ Trophy for the N.H.L.’s best record, would be the aggressor, using its burliness and noted agitators like Brad Marchand to set the tone. Detroit, which survived an injury-marred regular season to squeak into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed, would use its youthful speed to counterattack.

The result is following the seeding: The Bruins lead the first-round series, two games to one, with Game 4 set for Thursday at Joe Louis Arena.

The Bruins have concertedly disrupted the Red Wings, outscoring them, 7-1, in consecutive wins. The Red Wings have been shut out in four straight periods and have failed to score on nine power plays in the series. The Bruins have pushed Detroit’s forwards to the outside, away from goaltender Tuukka Rask.

“You know nothing comes easy in the playoffs; it’s about continuing to do the hard work and being smart,” Bruins left wing Milan Lucic said. “We’re playing smart right now, and we know what we have to do against a team as talented as Detroit. We’re taking nothing for granted; we’re only up, 2-1.”