Fresh Links: No Cannon

The Bruins shut out the Blue Jackets to advance, and now face a bunch of jerks Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.

• Assess the Bruins’ next opponent, Carolina. You may remember one Cane in a Bruins uniform, and one as a UNH standout. Bonus- video of the storm surges. Boston.com
• Their last matchup in 2009 didn’t end well for Boston. (With video) News Observer
• “...the only thing dented in Game 6 were the pipes behind Rask, and ultimately, the Blue Jackets playoff hopes.” Bonus- shot heatmap. HockeyBuzz
• Tuukka Rask stopped 39 shots, and hit an NHL playoff series-clinching shutout milestone. NESN
• It isn’t too late to swallow your jeers and get on the Rask bandwagon. You might just enjoy the ride. WEEI
• A few takeaways from the game include noting it has been a long time since Boston has closed out a playoff series on enemy turf in a Game #6. 985 The Sports Hub
• Three more observations from the game include kudos for grizzled David Backes, who dug deep to contribute. Bruins Daily
• How about some love for Connor Clifton, whose cheerful patience this season left him in a postition to step up when injuries struck his team. WEEI
• Charlie McAvoy will get his chance to speak with the Department of Player Safety, who just want to get it right after the Sharks/Golden Knights incident. Hit recipient Josh Anderson was gracious in the handshake line. (With video) CBC
• The hit caused head explosions on social media, because of course. Sporting News
• I’m just here so I won’t get fined... Brad Marchand gave terse, almost monosyllabic answers to the press following the game. You just know there’s a backstory... WEEI Have a look for yourself. (With video) Sportsnet
• Indulge me- here’s another handshake line, one dear to my heart. (Video, 3:06) YouTube

Elsewhere around the rink:

• In Stanley Cup Playoff news- The NHL’s concise daily playoff bulletin remains the gold standard for recaps. The Bruins and Avalanche were the big news last night. Bonus- more news links. NHL The stakes were high last night, assess the winners and losers. The Score
• What’s next for the Blue Jackets? ESPN
• Buckeye staters proudly embraced their team’s run. Sporting News
• Meet the new Seattle expansion team’s ownership group, several of whom have interesting connections. The Daily World
• Not only Michel Therrien but now also Mike Yeo have joined Alain Vigneault’s staff in Philadelphia. Broad Street Hockey
• Peek behind the curtain in this photo gallery of the Sharks with the Players Tribune.
• Scores of seriously ill children are flooding charities with their fondest wish- a chance to meet and murder The Little Ball of Hate. NO, REALLY! the Beaverton