Bedard's Weekend Briefing 04.12.19: Bruins stumble out of gate, Sox come back, UMass to title game

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I wonder if the Bruins thought the playoffs started on Saturday...

• Didn't look like the boys weren't really ready to go — except for the usual Bergeron line — for this one. After a good first 15, the Bruins were largely taken to the woodshed by a Leafs team that was much more physical and faster all over the ice.


• A ton of miscues along both blue lines for the Bruins.


• Probably an unpopular opinion: Zdeno Chara looked old and slow, and could be a problem in this series. Remember when he faded last year in this series? Last night it looked like it started earlier.


• Unpopular opinion 2: Tuukka Rask was fine. I'm not sure an all-time goalie stops any of those three goals. Don't talk about Tuukka.


• Another person who will need to step up in Game 2: Bruce Cassidy. He was also soundly beaten by his blue counterpart as Mike Babcock threw a few curveballs that nipped the strike zone.


• The Acciari line was not good.


• No, I'm not worried. All series start in Game 2. Even the Lightning lost. Meh. Bruins beat the bag out of Tampa in Game 1 last year and we know what that got them.


• The Red Sox might finally have a signature win ... will that jumpstart them to start winning some series.


• Where on earth would the Red Sox be without Mitch Moreland? Hint: 0-13 or 1-12.


• Congrats to UMass on advancing to the NCAA men's hockey championship. After a ridiculous first period (two game misconducts) and a 3-1 UMass lead, the Minutemen were a little tight down the stretch ... but they landed the plane.

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