BSJ Daily Briefing 04.30.18: After busy weekend, Bruins & Celtics double tonight; Patriots draft

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I still try to recover from this weekend. Saturday was awesome ...

• You'd think things would slow down around here after the NFL draft, Bruins starting their second round, and the Celtics finishing off the Bucks, but you'd be wrong;


• Bruins have Game 2 in Tampa at 7. The first game could not have gone any better (other than Tuukka's skate blade) but tonight will be a better indicator for how this series is going to go. The Lightning had a long layoff, the Bruins were still coming off a high from Toronto ... sometimes that happens.


• After Game 1 vs. Toronto, you got the sense the Bruins were too good for the Leafs, and they were. Didn't have the same feeling vs. TB. They just weren't sharp.


• Biggest thing to watch is how Tampa counters the Bruins' top line. We saw how their neutralization after the first two games in Toronto altered the series. The Lightning are sure to have a better plan in this one ... will it matter? I'm not sure.

Dressing and driving this afternoon. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/z9FQaV3Vw3

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 29, 2018

• Celtics vs. the 76ers in the postseason ... now we're talking. Just seeing those two jerseys on the court takes me back to my childhood ... Bird, Erving, DJ, Mo Cheeks, Malone, Chief, Bobby Jones ... and, yes, the Old Garden and The Spectrum.

• You'd like to think the Celtics have no shot, especially with Jaylen Brown doubtful (hamstring) for Game 1, but I'm a Brad Bot. Anything is possible.


• How many Super Bowl taunts do you think Boston fans will have to endure when the series shifts to Philly?


• Don't have much of a problem with the Patriots' draft, but if they get thin again due to injuries, their moves will certainly be second-guessed. Will be going through the film in the next couple days to get a sense of the new players.


• Nice to see the Red Sox stage a little comeback yesterday against the suddenly frisky Rays. Totally agree with Sean: More Kimbrel! More Cowbell!


• Nice win the Revs this weekend with a favorable replay review. Obviously, Teal Bunbury completed the process of the kick ... right stadium, wrong futbol.

@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