Fresh Links: MAYDAY Edition

<p><b> We didn't know until January if it would happen at all. Fasten your seatbelts, the Boston Bruins face the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at home in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! </b></p>

<ul>

<li> This Boston team is neither the same as the Stanley Cup winning team, nor is it the same as the team that exited in the first round last season, but this playoff run will likely be the core group's final stand. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/04/30/bruins-cup-team-seeking-another-run/nCnQ5m59n6KDiOz8a6MVTL/story.html">BostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> Power forwards may be the key on BOTH sides this year. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/dj-bean/2013/04/30/pressure-bruins-power-forwards-vs-skilled-maple-leafs">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> One scouting report on the series predicts the Bruins win in 7 games. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/11892/bruins-leafs-scouting-report">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> And another glancing at the crystal ball agrees, Bruins in 7. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2013/04/bruins_maple_leafs_playoff_matchups">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> One dissenter sees the Bruins in 5. [<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/do-the-leafs-have-a-chance-against-the-bruins/article11649671/">GlobeandMail</a>]</li>

<li> No use hiding, Phil Kessel, the spotlight will find you! [<a href="http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/for-torontos-kessel-just-another-game-awaits-in-boston/">SlapShot</a>]</li>

<li> Tyler Seguin now has two postseasons under his belt, and the team needs him to step up. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2013/04/tyler_seguin_matures_into_pressure_packed_role">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> Tuukka Rask will need to be at the top of his already very good game. [<a href="http://www.bruinsdaily.com/2013/05/01/bruins-need-tuukka-rask-to-carry-team-in-playoffs/">BruinsDaily</a>]</li>

<li> Rask has had success at every level, and considers "impatience" his biggest fault. [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/sports/hockey/bruins-hopes-rest-on-forgetful-goalie.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0">NewYorkTimes</a>]</li>

<li> The Bruins we see tonight may not be the classic big, bad bullies we're used to. [<a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/04/30/these-bruins-arent-the-big-bad-bullies-they-used-to-be/">NationalPost</a>]</li>

<li> Shawn Thornton gives a tip 'o the cap to his former coach in Anaheim, Randy Carlyle, who led Thornton's team to the Stanley Cup and who is now coach of the new, improved Leafs. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/11886/thornton-lauds-leafs-coach-carlyle">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> Even the zebras are energized for the playoffs! [<a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=422077">TSN</a>]</li>

<li> Oh, you! Why Boston And The Bruins Are Stupid. This post hits the mark for snark! [<a href="http://50missioncap.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/know-your-enemy-the-boston-bruins-are-awful-and-so-are-you/">ToTheLineButNotOut</a>]</li>

<li> Sports Illustrated has released a compilation of Bobby Orr stories entitled Number Four Bobby Orr . [<a href="http://www.hockeybookreviews.com/2013/04/sports-illustrateds-number-four-bobby.html">HockeyBookReviews</a>]</li>

</ul>