Causeway Crowd’s Three Stars of the Game

May 1, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; The Boston Bruins mascot Blades waves a flag for center David Krejci (not pictured) after he scored a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

We were all nervous Bruins Nation. Would the Boston Bruins be able to shake off the funk that had them slip from the second to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference? Were the B’s ready? The last thing we wanted to see was a ‘one and done’ repeat of last season. Could the Bruins return to their old school play of hard core hockey?

Those questions were answered with a resounding affirmation as the Boston Bruins gave a healthy thumping to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game One of the Eastern Confrence Quarterfinals. The Black and Gold emerged with a 4-1 victory.

Over the season, we’ve run a lot of our own Three Stars of the Game, and it’s only fitting that we continue the tradition in the post season.

May 1st, 2013

Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs (Boston @ TD Garden)

Final Score: Boston Bruins 4 – Toronto Maple Leafs 1

Three Stars of the Game:

Third Star: Tuukka Rask

Second Star: Wade Redden

First Star: David Krejci

Causeway Crowd’s Three Stars of the Game:

Third Star (TIE): Nathan Horton and Tuukka Rask. (From Matt) ” Tuukka Rask – Not that he was tested all that much, but Tuukka had a very solid game between the pipes.  The Bruin’s offense finally started clicking last night, which gave Tuukka some rest during the game as the puck was in the Toronto zone for the majority of the game. But when Toronto did get their shots, Rask was big time saving 19 of 20 shots.”

Nathan Horton once again got the ‘game winning goal’ for Boston. He deftly knocked the Redden shot on goal into the net, much to the dismay of Reimer. Even though the Leafs protested that goal, multiple angles of the replay confirmed it was a legal play by Horton.  That power play goal by the first line winger was his ninth postseason goal of his career. In his post period interview with NESN’s Naoko Funayama, Horton was wearing the biggest smile on his face since the 2011 Cup Championship. He finished with three shots on goal, one point and a +2.

Second Star: Wade Redden. (From Billy)”Goal and an assist for a d-man? I like it.” So did Redden. Redden was another one of those picks from Chiarelli that had us scratching our heads at first, but once again we have to acknowledge a great pick up by the Bruins’ general manage. ” It was fun to be back out there … that’s for sure,” Redden said after the game. “I said before, I’m going to get the most out of it. I’ve been away for a while, so it was good to get back out there.”

(From Matt)” What an unbelievable pick up this is turning out to be. Over the past two games Wade Redden has been playing unbelievably.  Wade opened up the scoring today firing a slap shot that just got through Toronto’s goalie James Reimer.  He then played a big part in the second goal when his shot deflected off Nathan Horton’s stick.  Many people are questioning why Dougie Hamilton continues to be a healthy scratch, but if Wade Redden keeps playing like this, I have no problem with it. ”  A goal, an assist, three shots on net, and a +1 is usually a good night for any player. Those stats bump up to outstanding in a playoff run.

The last time Redden put in a mutli point performance in a playoff game was May 2006 when he played for the Ottawa Senators.

First Star: David Krejci. Everyone on the staff thought Krejci was just outstanding last night. He absolutely earned the latest in Andrew Ference‘s ‘star of the game’ apparel. (From Matt)”What a game Krejci had, scoring one goal and giving out two assists. This is the David Krejci that the Bruins need to show up in the playoffs if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs.  The David Krejci we know and love is back.”(From Billy)”[Krejci]does what he does in the playoffs, puts up points.”

Krejci and Jaromir Jagr share out notable trait. They can make people around them play better. Krejci had to hold up a struggling first line this season, and he did his best to remain near the top of the standings in points for the team. His continued excellence can only bring more headaches to a bruised Toronto team, and continue the Bruins success in the playoffs.

We here at Causeway Crowd would like to get your opinions on the Game (We’ll also except scathing criticisms or remarks on our eyesight and/or sanity.) We can always be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CausewayCrowd Or stop in on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Causeway_Crowd