Fresh Links: Rematch

The Bruins fell to the Lighning in yesterday’s matinee to close the regular season. Nevermind, now the Bruins play for the Stanley Cup.

• Perhaps yesterday was not the Bruins’ finest hour(s), but there is likely no need for angst over the outcome. Congratulations to the Lightning, though, for hitting an NHL milestone. Providence Journal
• Well, how did we get here? The early part of this season did not look as cheery as the final outcome for Boston. Bonus- capsules on other matchups around the league. Boston.com
• If this matchup seems familiar, this marks the third time it has been so since 2013, including sequential years. Review how the regular season games played out this year. Contemplate the final burning question. (With video) CBS Boston
• This overview of the same topic delves deeper into individual player matchups and into the historical playoff results. Sporting News
• But wait, there’s more- three observations include which starter may be on a short leash. And hooray for long-suffering Brandon Carlo! Bruins Daily
• Bruce Cassidy is holding his projected lineup cards close to his chest. HockeyBuzz
• Quick notes- several players were returned to the AHL Bruins. Sean Kuraly and John Moore remain out, but Kevan Miller and hizzoner Chris Wagner are looking likely to go on Thursday. Providence Journal Well, maybe not Killer after all. @NHLBruins
• One key to this first round matchup may be Cassidy’s willingness to re-deploy David Pastrnak- here’s why. Causeway Crowd
• The results were in for end of season awards, and the Bruins took the opportunity to make a presentation to Tuukka Rask in honor of his Bruins milestone this season. Boston.com
• The Bruins were able to put Rask in a position to succeed this year instead of riding him hard into the final games of the season. Here’s hoping it pays off. WEEI
• Opposing players hate him... but only on ice, for reasons. NHL
• In addition, Brad Marchand played a career year without becoming a sideshow distraction. 985 The Sports Hub
• There was also plenty of fun along the way- this Bruins team certainly has enjoyed their time together. Boston Globe
• What factors have kept the Bruins from the abyss of failure in the years following the 2010-11 Stanley Cup season? MSN
• Don’t get cocky- Boston is not guaranteed success this year. Gloucester Times
• Even so, recent events give the Maple Leafs’ chest beating a hollow ring. Globe and Mail
• Meanwhile, recap the weekend that was in Providence. Rinkside Rhode Island The PBruins pounded Bridgeport on Friday, Providence Bruins fell to the Sound Tigers on Saturday, Providence Bruins and then beat the Comets yesterday Providence Bruins

Do your homework:

• Browse Dafoomie’s YouTube for historical content, he offers playlists of highlights.

Elsewhere around the rink:

• In their daily links post, the predictions for the series are flying fast and funny for our chums at Pension Plan Puppets. Bookmark the site for creeping behind enemy lines.
• Had the playoffs been seeded under the old rules, here are what the matchups would have been. BarDown
• Do try to keep up- three NHL head coaches have gotten the hook, while Joel Quenneville is celebrating a happy landing. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Were you even ALIVE when the Stanley Cup was last raised by a Canadian team? Washington Post
• As we shift into playoff mode, here is the player from each contending team quietly deserving your attention. Sports Illustrated
• One year later, remembrances continue and sticks were left out around the league on the anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos crash. (With video) NHL ESPN:60 has aired “Forever Broncos” narrated by Wayne Gretzky. (video, 51:21 ESPN)