If any team needed two days off, even at this early point in the season, it was the Red Sox. After a disappointing 2-9 start, the Sox were able to regroup and hopefully get themselves on track to live up to their great preseason expectations.
The team is expected to announce today that they have reached a contract agreement with Adrian Gonzalez, who they acquired over the winter from the Padres. Gonzalez has been one of the few standouts for the Red Sox in the first few weeks and hopefully the knowledge that he will be in Boston for the next seven years will give the team an additional boost to get them on a winning streak...
Yes, the Bruins opening game of the playoffs did end in a disappointing 2-0 loss to the Canadiens but one loss does not mean the series is over. I fully expect the B's to bounce back on Saturday in Game 2.
One major problem last night was a lack of scoring chances. The Bruins did fire 31 shots at Carey Price but many of them were directed right at him. Price was excellent all night long but the Bruins never really made him work too hard. To increase their scoring chances on Saturday, I would like to see Claude Julien make Michael Ryder the healthy scratch and insert rookie Tyler Seguin in his place. Seguin only registered 22 points (11 goals and 11 assists) in 74 games this season but he has the ability to create real scoring chances, which the B's desperately need to win this series...
All things considered, I am happy that the Celtics drew the Knicks in the First Round playoff series instead of the 76ers. The Knicks do have a trio of stars that can make life very difficult for opposing defenses but the Celtics will be able to prepare for Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Chauncey Billups and devise a plan to slow them down. The Sixers are a different animal - their youth and athleticism would have caused the Celtics fits over a seven game series, similar to what the Atlanta Hawks did to Boston in the 2008 playoffs.
I think the Celtics will handle the Knicks in five or six games while the Heat will struggle to close out the 76ers...
Enjoy the festivities Michelle and Joe...
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