BSJ Daily Briefing 04.24.18: Still can't believe Bruins-Leafs series is going seven

Good morning!

Some random thoughts as I realize Boston's rare weekend of suck was actually a three-day holiday weekend...

• ... and it ends tonight with the Celtics and Sox. They'll get the juju going the other way (we hope).


• I can't believe Bruins-Leafs is going seven games. The Bruins blew them off the ice in the first two games, won Game 4 in Toronto without Patrice Bergeron and with Mike Babcock tweaking Auston Matthews (he didn't talk to the media, either) and William Nylander ... the series should have been over.


• And this isn't just about a hot goalie in Freddie Andersen. He's been good, but this has been more about the Bruins not capitalizing on their opportunities. The players, especially the top line, are gripping the sticks too tight. They're feeling the pressure, thinking too much and not letting it fly.


• That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bruins won this in a blowout. Andersen can't keep this up, and the Bruins have carried the play. It's only a matter of time until they start cashing in on their chances. The problem is they're out of time.


• If Brad Marchand is the Hart Trophy candidate some people want to believe he is, he'll find a way to put the team on his back. He's been MIA.


• Everybody should eat what Jake DeBrusk has been eating because that kid is becoming a star.


• Paging Charlie McAvoy.


• My biggest fear about a possible Maple Leafs victory going into this series was that if it went seven games, it would be about endurance and that would not be good for the older Bruins. And here we are facing a Game 7 and players like Zdeno Chara, David Krejci, David Backes and Rick Nash are going in the other direction. Not optimal.


• I would still be shocked if the Bruins lost. That would go totally against everything we've seen from this team and Bruce Cassidy the entire season. I have a hard time seeing what that looks like.

From @simmonssteve: In a city full of sorrow, Maple Leafs find way to move on to Game 7. https://t.co/HL9g0OEir6 #torontostrong #torontoattack pic.twitter.com/9qiLzWRaph

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) April 24, 2018

• So tired of the Tom Brady 2018 reports. He's under contract. He has said he's playing until 45. Robert Kraft is his owner. I don't need a weekly update, ESPN. Tom Brady is playing football until he announces otherwise. Thanks.

.@HanleyRamirez staying strong on that @TB12sports diet pic.twitter.com/36ZgbEt7GJ

— Andrew Frates (@AndrewFrates_) April 24, 2018

@GregABedard My Mom says the BSJ subscription I gave my Dad is the best gift I’ve ever given him. He’s totally obsessed & talks you guys up to all friend & fam. Thanks for making me look good.

— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018