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Fresh Links: Grateful

Individual Bruins and their team have reason to be glad going into the playoff first round.

By Giesse

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Vancouver Canucks v Boston Bruins - Game Six
C’mon, Bruins, pick up the phone and give Marc Savard a call!
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

And the Stanley Cup Playoff, First Round opens tonight! For the Bruins, however, tune in tomorrow night at 7:00PM on NESN. Be there!

  • There’s a good reason for Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson to celebrate their happy landings in Boston. Patriot Ledger
  • Another reason to be happy is that Jaroslav Halak is rested and ready, after playing a nearly 50-50 split with Tuukka Rask. WEEI
  • In fact, Bruce Cassidy is glad to have both goalies as good options. 985 The Sports Hub
  • No pressure or anything, the team’s success is all on YOU, Tuukka Rask. Sentinel and Enterprise
  • As always, Zdeno Chara’s presence looms large. Just ask veteran Ron Hainsey. Bonus- potpourri from the Maple Leafs’ side of the rink. Toronto Sun
  • With Brad Marchand toeing the line, which Bruin will step up to be the burr under the Maple Leafs’ saddles? Bonus- a look back at previous drafts, including Rask’s forgettable one. Boston Globe
  • Charlie McAvoy, your team needs you! Some of your fellow blueliners are injured or inexperienced. Boston Herald
  • The bad news? Kevan Miller is out. The good news? Brandon Carlo on the job! HockeyBuzz
  • Please, please, PLEASE may Marc Savard be the Bruins’ honorary banner captain- don’t make him ask! NESN
  • Meanwhile, in Providence, here’s a recap of the week that was. The regular season ends with three games this weekend- a PBruin playoff berth is on the line. Providence Bruins

Behind Enemy Lines:

  • Assess the Maple Leafs’ coaches and goalies (here’s hoping that “breaking down” actually occurs.) (Part 1 of series) HockeyBuzz
  • The Leafs’ special teams will be their saving grace. Leafs Nation
  • Banking on the difference John Tavares can make, Toronto also plans to give Brad Marchand free rein to act up after the whistle. Globe and Mail

Elsewhere around the rink:

  • In news of former Bruins: A bunch of NHLers quietly toiling in the background will make their marks this postseason, including a former Bruin (as well as Brandon Carlo.) Ottawa Sun Even as Jumbo Joe Thornton is still in search of his first Stanley Cup, Hal Gill and others still appreciate Thornton’s joie de vivre. As for Thornton’s first coach in Boston? maybe not so much... The Score
  • Just for fun- envision first round playoff team matchups as characters from Game of Thrones. CBC Sports
  • Just for fun, Part Deux- this prickly take on the first round only goes to show that the truth hurts. For example, “every time a series doesn’t produce a seventh game, a child’s pet gets sick.” DeadSpin
  • Don’t settle for mere playoff predictions when you can have these GUARANTEES! CBS Sports
  • Your superstitions are their rituals. CNN (On the topic, here’s one from the archives- don’t be like Dr. Mark Recchi, kids! ESPN)
  • This quick graphic shows how seventeen ESPN editors and analysts weigh in on the first and final round results of the Stanley Cup Playoff, including Conn Smythe winner. We’ll revisit these later. ESPN One anonymous Eastern NHL player made his own call, and for an interesting reason. NESN
  • In the “Lose for Hughes” draft lottery, the Devils came out on top. NBC Boston
  • Here are the NHL officials and series supervisors for the first round. Scouting the Refs