Boston Bruins: Last Skate Of The Day, April 19-20, 2014

Apr 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing

(34) congratulates Boston Bruins left wing

(57) on scoring a goal during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins came out of the box hot and did not let up today (save for most of the second period) in their second Eastern Quarterfinal match against the Detroit Red Wings.  AHL call up Justin Florek got the team in the game early in the first and the Bruins never surrendered the lead. They took game two 4-1, and tied up the series at one game a piece. Tuukka Rask and Johnny Boychuk earned first and second star honors respectfully in the game. (Boston Bruins)

If anyone isn’t keeping track, Tuukka Rask has a .966 save percentage for the first two games. Here’s the complete statistical break down from the game.

The Detroit Red Wings knew their mistakes were going to cost them, and it led to two power play goals scored on them and a very fluky goal that earned Justin Florek his first NHL postseason goal. They played their game in a way they weren’t used to and it led to the Bruins piling on the points and the penalties throughout the game. The series now heads out to Joe Louis arena where the Wings and B’s play games three and four. (Detroit Red Wings)

“I just think you’ve got to decide what you want to do. Do you want to play like them or play like us? We played slow, so that’s what it was like. I just looked at the sheet here; we had one, two, three, four roughing calls. We haven’t had four roughing calls this year. So you’ve got to do what you do, not what they do.”- Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock postgame

While Brad Marchand and Reilly Smith are linemates that compete hard on that second line for Boston, Reilly’s older brother Brendan has intimated that the Wings defenseman has no love in his heart for Marchand. C’mon, just because he can be such a pest that even Patrice Bergeron popped him one doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. (CSNNE)

Of all the teams competing in the playoffs, no other team has had a greater uphill climb than the Columbus Blue Jackets. They came down from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in double overtime. The Blue Jackets are playing like every game will eliminate them, and the Penguins are playing like it’s a bye round. I’m not the only one who has seen it. (Pro Hockey Talk)

I think it’s safe to say the biggest surprise of the quarterfinal round is how easily the Montreal Canadiens are pushing around the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canadiens have won the first three games, and it looks like the Lightning could be the first team exiting the postseason. (Montreal Canadiens)