Fresh Links: Awake

The Bruins will host the Maple Leafs tomorrow for Game #5, in what has now become a best of three series. Tune in at 7:00PM on NESN (or maybe even NBCSN, if you’re into that sort of thing.)

• David Pastrnak served it up fresh an hot last night, scoring two goals in the second period. Bonus- game highlights on Sportsnet feed with Jim Hughson call. CBS Boston
• He’s awake now. WEEI
• Bruce Cassidy said little, but then cannily tweaked lines. His decision hinged on whether or not Marcus Johansson was able to go. The fourth line bogged down in the Bruins end for troubling stretches, which will require some attention. NHL
• Three observations include the game being a bit of a nail biter in the third period. Bruins Daily
• Tuukka Rask saved 38 and was up to the task in a key game that featured the Bruins being outshot in the final two periods 30-17. WEEI
• History will be made: Tuukka Rask and Zdeno Chara hit milestones last night. Bonus- other notes from around the league. NHL
• Did a popular entertainer’s appearance cast a jinx on the Leafs? A side note- there was a lot of work behind the scenes by the Bruins’ first line on Zdeno Chara’s game winning goal. The Score (Apparently belief in that curse really is a thing in Toronto. Sporting News)
• Here’s hoping this will be the year for Patrice Bergeron to own the Selke Trophy for good. 985 The Sports Hub
• The Bruin nominated for the King Clancy is in good company, excepting the Captials’ curious pick. NHL (Sticktaps to PPP for calling this one early and correctly in their satire piece. Pension Plan Puppets)
• Speaking of Zdeno Chara, here’s a little GIF drama from last night’s Sportsnet feed. @CBeswick
• Guess who will be in the house for Game #5? @MSavvy91
• Three of four GIFs that illustrate a trend observed by Don Cherry showcase Maple Leafs slewfooting Bruins. @EMarinofsky Full video includes more from the Leafs v. Bruins matchup, other 1st round matchups, and the other series sweeps. (Video, 7:24) YouTube

From behind enemy lines:

• The Maple Leafs’ penalty kill is on life support. Here’s a plan to reverse that. The Hockey News

Elsewhere around the rink:

• About last night: The Avalanche now have their knives to the throats of the Flames while the Stars and Bruins both won to draw even. Sports Illustrated
• “No league is as unintentionally cruel to its top seed as the NHL.” On playoff format woes, and dissecting the Lightning ’s collapse. Washington Post
• Take an analytical look at the President’s Trophy Curse. Different teams bring different strengths to specific matchups, which may leave the most “balanced” teams at a disadvantage. Statistics et al.
• I am a sucker for handshake lines. Here’s the Lightning and Blue Jackets one (Video, 2:56) Streamable, via Reddit as well as the Islanders and Penguins one. Bonus- Mark Recchi sighting. (Video, 2:37) YouTube