STANLEY CUP FEVER & RED HOT SOX

For the first time in 21 years the Boston Bruins punched a ticket to the Stanley Cup finals with a late goal from Nathan Horton on a beautiful feed from David Krejci. The city of Boston was in an uproar. Fans coming together as one chanting "WE WANT THE CUP, WE WANT THE CUP" at North Station last night. The Bruins have finally rewarded its fans after a long wait, but do not sleep on this team. This team has fought all year and just because Vegas has the team as a 2-1 underdog to the lethal Vancouver Canucks, does not mean the B's can't hoist the trophy. Timmy Thomas is unbeaten versus the Canucks and defeated them 3-1 earlier in February. The Hub has Stanley Cup fever and it finally feels good to be watching hockey heading into June. The Boston Bruins are back. Another person who deserves all the credit in the world is Big Z. He has been a monster on the defensive end shutting down the elite scorers in the NHL. Big Z has been playing almost 25 minutes a game. The Bruins do not get where they are this year without the big guy.

The Red Sox are finally a top the standings. Carl Crawford is earning his pay check and everything is starting to click for the Nation. The Sox have scored 34 runs in their past three games while getting quality pitching from spot starters Tim Wakefield and Acedo Aceves. The Sox are 27-12 since their brutal 2-10 start. Red Sox Nation can finally breathe again because the team is on a roll. They are 12-2 in their last 14 games and have won four straight. The Yankees are getting older while the Red Sox are getting younger. The Yanks will be there until the end, but the Sox should hold the spot a top the AL East until the end of the season.

TYLER SEGUIN HAS COMING OUT PARTY

There was much discussion throughout these playoffs, when and if Tyler Seguin will get any ice time and spark this Bruins team. When Patrice Bergeron was concussed, the 19 year-old got his chance. Entering his first NHL playoff game versus the Lightning, Seguin was watching games from the press box not too long ago. Seguin made an immediate impact scoring the Bruins first goal to cut the lead to 3-1 and assisted on the other. Claude Julien must now realize that this kid needs to stay on the ice. His quickness, moves, and hockey IQ are that of a very special player. After all, there was a reason the Bruins drafted him number two overall.
In his second game versus Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Finals with the Bruins down 2-1, he sparked a second period surge that led the Bruins to five goals on nine shots. Seguin accounted for two goals and two assists. The Garden started the chant "Seguinnnnnnnn, Seguinnnnnnn, Seguinnnnn" but in a good way. The kid proved that he is an elite player and difference maker. Now, we hope Claude can see the same thing.
With Patrice Bergeron due back by Game three on Thursday, it is a good problem to have trying to see where Seguin and Bergeron will fit into the line making. The odd man out looks like Shawn Thornton, but who knows what Mr. Julien will do. He loves his fourth line and the toughness Thornton brings to the team, but Bergeron is the key to this team and now Seguin may be too if he stays on the ice. If you looked at the clock last night with 1:30 remaining, Tyler Seguin was on the ice. Like I said during the Philly series and Montreal Series, he was eating popcorn in the press box with the Bruins camp. This is a serious step in the right direction for once.

RED SOX BACK TO .500

On their fourth try on the year, the Boston Red Sox have finally reached the place they have wanted to be for quite some time. Not first place, .500. The Red Sox sit at 20-20 and they are 18-10 since their dismal 2-10 start, the worst in franchise history. The Nation has a seven game home stand where if they rattle off a 6-1 week or 5-2 week, the rest of the AL East better watch out.
Adrian Gonzalez has been "as advertised" crushing eight home runs thus far in May. He now has nine home runs and 34 RBIS (leading the American League). Carl Crawford is finally starting to come around, which we all knew he would. Kevin Youkilis had a big series versus the Yankees hitting two key home runs to get the Sox back in the game or put it away. Jacoby Ellsbury is finally becoming the true leadoff hitter Terry Francona wants him to be. He is second in the American League in steals as well.
When Francona juggled the pitching rotation for the Yankee series, it was a preview of what the Sox staff can really do, and that is deal. Clay Buchholz got his fourth win of the year holding the Yanks to only two runs through seven innings. Saturday night, Josh Beckett pitched six scoreless innings while striking out nine continuing his dominate streak. Lastly, on the big stage of Sunday Night Baseball, Jon Lester got off to a slow start, but ended up turning in a great outing allowing four runs over six innings while striking out seven Yankee hitters.
The Sox are finally gaining their confidence back and have finally reached the spot they have wanted to all year. It is a new season for them and with Adrian Gonzalez mashing like he is and the staff finally coming together (minus John Lackey), watch out.

ARE THE CELTICS DONE?

After coming off an emotional Game 3 in Boston, the Celtics may have used all their energy Saturday night. Rajon Rondo laid in obvious pain on the ground after Dwayne Wade yanked him down. The Celtics crowd silenced as Rondo went to the locker room grabbing his elbow. Twenty-two minutes later, Rondo appears walking down the run way back on to the court willing the Celtics to a victory with one arm. Monday night, what a different story. Rondo did all that he could. Paul Pierce took the team on his back, but it just wasn't enough as the Heat's big three were just too much for the Celtics. KG had an attrocious game after having one of his best playoff games in recent memory. Ray was held in check for the most part and Shaquille O'Neal barely saw the court. Sixth man of the year contender Glen Davis has been non-existent in this series. The Celtics have dug themselves a huge hole going back to Miami down 3-1. This was a game they let slip away and the Heat capitalized. Pierce missed a buzzer-beater in regulation where KG could not set the high pick and roll for Ray which resulted in an off-balance heave by Pierce. Rondo missed a bunny under two minutes and TURNOVERS down the stretch killed the green. There was a point in the game where the Celts could have expanded their lead multiple times, but ended up turning the ball over time after time. That cannot happen because players such as LeBron James and Dwayne Wade will make you pay.
The Celtics will look to bounce back in Miami on Wednesday night. They have been trailing in a series before and this core group knows what it takes, so we will see Wednesday night, but it is hard to bet on the Celtics after watching them in the late fourth quarter and overtime where they usually execute so well.

BIG BLOW TO THE Bs LOSING BERGY

When Patrice Bergeron got checked and was laying on the ice for a few seconds, Bruins fans held their breath. Bergy is the heart and sole of the Bs offense and losing him for any amount of time is crushing. The Bruins were on a roll. They took care of the Flyers and seeked revenge on the travesty that happened only one year ago. It was all good vibes at the TD Garden as "Dirty Water" played on the PA system, but Bruins fans soon forgot that Bergy did not return to the game and a concussion was likely in order. Bergy was having a great 2011 playoff in all aspects. He was scoring goals, setting up goals, penalty killing, and back checking. This is the guy you do not want to lose at all. Tyler Seguin will get his chance. His first action ever in an NHL playoff game. The kid cannot even drink alcohol legally and the Boston Bruins are giving him a shot to step in and use his athleticism to his advantage. Seguin did not get much playing time down the stretch, but the Bruins camp feels Seguin can answer the bell for a few key minutes here and there. David Krejic will need to continue his dominate play as well as Milan Lucic, who scored two goals in the Game 4 versus the Flyers. There is no doubt Timmy Thomas will bring his Vezina-self to the Eastern Conference Finals, but he has his hands full with a loaded Tampa Bay Lightning offense. Bergy needs to take care of himself and get back as soon as he can because Bergy is the difference maker and it is certainly a huge blow to the black and gold.

CRAWFORD BUSTING OUT?

Every time Carl Crawford gets a hit, there is a sigh from Red Sox Nation. But, when he strikes out, the boo birds come back out at Fenway, which will not help the cause. Crawford is an elite major league baseball player who is having the worst month of his career. This is the guy that use to drive the Red Sox and their fans crazy for nine years. Now, the Sox dish out 142 million dollars and he is batting under .200 with seven RBIs and only one home run.
His walk-off single versus the Mariners on Sunday may be what Crawford needed to bust out and go on a rampage. The weight is off his shoulders. He did what he wanted to do...help the Red Sox win. After, Jed Lowrie got a gift from Ichiro Suzuki who lost a fly ball in the sun resulting in a triple for Lowrie, Crawford ripped a single up the middle for a Red Sox win. His teammates then proceeded to mob him infront of the Fenway faithful. It was the second time Crawford smiled all year. The first being after his only home run. His teammates are sticking with him and know the amount of talent this guy has. He will be fine and he will play an important role down the stretch to get these Red Sox back into their winning ways.
 A new month for Crawford may be just what the doctor ordered. He does not want to hear the word April under next year. It is May now and hopefully he has turned the page as well as Red Sox Nation. Look for Crawford to get hot real soon, as long as he stops dipping his shoulder and he stays back on the baseball.