For the Bruins, yesterday's game was a statement.
- In a nutshell, here are bullet-point, period by period observations of yesterday's game. [SouthCoastToday]
- The Bruins played to their identity, made the sacrifices to get to the net, and success followed. [WorcesterTelegram&Gazette]
- Justin Florek 's goal against his childhood hometown team sparked the Bruins in the first period. [BostonHerald]
- Kevan Miller 's hit on Drew Miller in his first shift of the game also set the tone. Loui Eriksson battled in front, which allowed Reilly Smith to net a dirty goal. Zdeno Chara likewise scored on the power play, digging in front of Howard. Milan Lucic and Jarome Iginla stuck the dagger into Detroit's hopes. [TheBostonGlobe]
- Torey Krug's outlet pass to Lucic initiated the successful give and go with Iginla that resulted in the third Bruins goal. A self-inflicted skate cut didn't keep Lucic from the scoreboard. [BostonHerald]
- The physicality of the game seemed to frustrate the Red Wings, who began to rack up penalties. [MLive]
- The Bruins' penalty kill has been outstanding in the series so far. [WEEI]
- When on the man advantage, the Wings never asserted themselves. The Bruins KIL line did. Both Reilly Smith and Justin Florek scored their first NHL playoff goals. [TheSportingNews]
- Florek's family was on hand to enjoy this milestone, he had been out fishing on MOnday when he received the call-up to join the Bruins. [ProvidenceJournal]
- Forgive the snark, but what would have happened if Chara had not smiled and held off Reilly Smith's brother? [TheHockeyNews]
- Having begun the first round, here are three keys to the Bruins' playoff run. [NewEnglandHockeyJournal]
- Matt Bartkowski , Daniel Paille , and Chris Kelly will all travel to Detroit with the team. [WEEI]
- Here're postgame snippets of interviews with players and coaches. Shawn Thornton acknowledges that "physical, physical, physical" begins to sound like a broken record. (Video, 5:32) [YouTube]
Elsewhere around the rink:
- Andrew Ference is in town, helping with the Marathon. No one is surprised. [TheBostonGlobe]
- It was Easter, and 'Jesus' was at TD Garden. He was escorted out by security. [TheBlaze]
- Barry Trotz bade a dignified and gracious goodbye to Nashville after sixteen years as the Predators' coach. [TheHockeyNews]
- Counterpoint: Joel Quenneville apologized for his rude gesture after disagreeing with a referee's call. [ProHockeyTalk]
- The Canadiens ' playoffs pre-game intro was an eye-popping spectacle. [SBNation]
- Hooray for the plucky Blue Jackets, their OT win over the Penguins marked their first ever playoff victory. [PuckDaddy]
- Send in the clowns. After all the hoopla surrounding the contract between the Cumberland County Civic Center and the Portland Pirates, the latter played their season finale at their practice rink. [PuckDaddy]
- Here's how all of the goalies looked in last night's action [TSN]
- After the weekend, here's where things stand going into tonight. [ProHockeyTalk]