Fresh Links: Stunning Epic Win Edition

<p><b> The stunning victory over the Maple Leafs send the Boston Bruins on to the Eastern Conference semifinals facing the New York Rangers. TD Garden. Thursday. 7:30pm. </b></p>

<ul>

<li> Epic comeback was epic. Nathan Horton sniped from the slot, then Milan Lucic tapped in a rebound. Patrice Bergeron won the key, late faceoff (he was 16 for 22 in the game) the Bruins went for 6 skaters, pulling Tuukka Rask from net. Patrice Bergeron then tied the game, and went on to score the game winning goal in OT. [<a href="http://nhl.si.com/2013/05/14/nhl-playoffs-bruins-stun-leafs-in-ot-win-game-7-5-4-after-comeback/">Sports Illustrated</a>]</li>

<li> The comeback was reminiscent of some fairly recent Bruins history, but still. WOW. Just WOW. [<a href="http://causewaycrowd.com/2013/05/14/bruins-miraculous-comeback-proves-them-boston-strong/">CausewayCrowd</a>]</li>

<li> It was a wild, wild win. Patrice Bergeron led the way, and David Krejci pitied the fools that left after the first period. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/12209/video-mac-and-murph-on-bruins-wild-win">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> There may have been more at stake behind the scenes. Lucic allowed as the team was "a special group," seeking to make a case for keeping its core intact and protecting Claude Julien's job as well. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/dj-bean/2013/05/14/how-should-you-feel-about-bruins-team">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> Matt Bartkowski scored his first NHL (and first playoff) goal and played a great game along with Dougie Hamilton, as both were called upon to log big ice time as Dennis Seidenberg was injured, as had been scratches Wade Redden and Andrew Ference. Bergeron emerged from his scoring funk. Zdeno Chara played nearly 36 minutes, and the Bruins were 70% faceoff winners. [<a href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/whatsbruin/x914253545/Maple-Leafs-Bruins-Game-7-postgame-thoughts-Bartkowski-the-unsung-hero">MetroWestDailyNews</a>]</li>

<li> The Bruins' decimated defensive corps stepped into the breach, rookies Bartkowski and Hamilton following Chara's lead. [<a href="http://www.patriotledger.com/sports/x1747375764/BRUINS-NOTEBOOK-Blue-Liners-take-a-hit">PatriotLedger</a>]</li>

<li> Rask was candid postgame. Better to be the hero than the @$$#0!&. [<a href="http://www.boston.com/video/viral_page/?bctid=2379609560001&pconnect_name=697860">BostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> Bergeron, Lucic, Johnny Boychuk, and Marchand spoke after the game. [<a href="http://www.masslive.com/bruins/index.ssf/2013/05/boston_bruins_player_reaction_after_historic_game_7_comeback_vs_toronto_maple_leafs.html">MassLive</a>]</li>

<li> Adam McQuaid is a Masterton Trophy finalist. [<a href="https://twitter.com/NaokoFunayama/status/334323166224728066">@NaokoFunayama</a>]</li>

<li> A bit of mischief bought the Bruins some much needed late rest courtesy of Brad Marchand. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/12196/fans-who-stayed-got-quite-a-treat">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> The now golfing Habs fans gloat that the Leafs "choked in an incredible fashion" Still snarky fun, en français. Do watch the "sick" HNIC opening montage (video) and a GIF of feisty Tuukka Rask popping Joffrey Lupul (and Chara popping him another for good measure) for falling into him after a Boychuk check. [<a href="http://25stanley.com/les-maple-leafs-chokent-de-facon-incroyable.html">25Stanley</a>]</li>

<li> The Dallas Stars (and thus Marty Turco and Mark Recchi) are winning right along with the Bruins, thanks to the details of the Jaromir Jagr trade. [<a href="http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/05/boston-bruins-three-goal-comeback-good-news-for-dallas-stars.html/">DallasNews</a>]</li>

<li> Speaking of Recchi, he sent congratulations. [<a href="https://twitter.com/Markrecchi8/status/334127989799391232">@Markrecchi8</a>]</li>

<li> The New York Rangers shut out the Washington Capitals for the honor of facing the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. [<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/magnificent-rangers-rout-caps-5-0-game-7-victory-article-1.1343092">NYDailyNews</a>]</li>

<li> Four Original Six teams remain alive in the playoffs, and the last five Stanley Cup winning teams are still in. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/nhl_coverage/2013/05/4_of_nhls_original_6_among_8_still_in_playoffs">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> Is nothing SACRED? Jimmy Fallon's NHL Awards, even Josh Harding is not spared. Fallon is spot on about Raffi Torres. Tuukka Rask and Ryan Button represent the Bruins. [<a href="http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/late-night-superlatives-nhl-players/n36830/">NBC</a>]</li>

<li> Amateur video of the crowd reaction in Toronto to the final minutes of OT. [</a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&ved=0CEkQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fblogs%2Fnhl-puck-daddy%2Fwatch-maple-leaf-square-agonizing-reaction-bruins-tying-070925205.html&ei=zmCSUdHXBIPl4AOgzICoCw&usg=AFQjCNH5loC4dRgWp8s5oqNhgGksRQ0VVg&bvm=bv.46471029,d.dmg">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

</ul>