Hockey

Earlier this month, many of Torey Krug’s friends graduated from Michigan State.The rookie defenseman would’ve been a college senior this year, but last spring he left East Lansing, Mich., to sign with the Bruins. He said it was strange to hear about his friend’s graduation, but he couldn’t be happier with his decision.While his classmates may have just left school to pursue their hopes and dreams, Krug already has been living his.

Bruins president Cam Neely was sitting alone in the Madison Square Garden stands late Thursday morning watching his team’s morning skate in advance of what would be a sloppy, gift-wrapped 4-3 overtime loss to the Rangers that night.The B’s have three more chances to win the first-round series and very much hope they’ll require only one: today’s Game 5 at the Garden.Neely was talking about the B’s season-long inconsistency, and about how the club, in defiance of NHL accepted wisdom, has been able in the postseason to “flip the switch” and start playing the right way.

Bruins president Cam Neely was sitting alone in the Madison Square Garden stands late Thursday morning watching his team’s morning skate in advance of what would be a sloppy, gift-wrapped 4-3 overtime loss to the Rangers that night.The B’s have three more chances to win the first-round series and very much hope they’ll require only one: today’s Game 5 at the Garden.Neely was talking about the B’s season-long inconsistency, and about how the club, in defiance of NHL accepted wisdom, has been able in the postseason to “flip the switch” and start playing the right way.

ShareThis Hear what the Senators had to say after their season-ending 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. ShareThis

The Ottawa Senators were supposed to head to Pittsburgh with their backs against the wall and bring their A-game against the Penguins, but they couldn't gain any leverage against the nonstop attack of the Eastern Conference's top regular season team. The Senators' season ended with a 6-2 loss to the Penguins on Friday night. Over the last two games, we've witnessed first-hand ample evidence that the Penguins were simply not to be matched by the Senators. The depth of the Penguins offered no rest for the Sens; as soon as one potent line would get off the ice, the next equally potent line would be on, and the team had no time to breathe. If Sidney Crosby was shut down, Evgeni Malkin stepped up. If they were both shut down, James Neal was there. Kris Letang was always waiting in the wings. The Senators were so busy defending against the relentless Penguins that they could barely generate any pressure on Tomas Vokoun and the Pens' defence, let alone the amount of sustained pressure that would have been necessary. This is a team we can all be proud of, though. It's hard to believe the 2013 season was just half a regular year, considering all the ups and downs that the Senators persevered through. Even on Friday night, with the team down 6-2, there was no quit; the team was still fighting. I can't help but feel that this year was a turning point for not only the team, but the city as well. The way this community rallied around the team and drew inspiration from them was outstanding. There was peskiness on the ice, but in the stands, too. Fans fed off the team, and the team was able to draw from the fans as well. It's no coincidence that this team was 15-6-3 at home in the regular season and 3-1 at Scotiabank Place in the playoffs. But on Friday night, and throughout most of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Penguins, there was little in the way of momentum for the Senators. They couldn't gain traction; their tires were spinning, but they weren't getting anywhere. Although Craig Anderson offered admirable resistance against their offence, he simply couldn't stop them all. His defence couldn't contain them. His forwards couldn't counter. The effort was there, but the Penguins were simply too good. The future, however, is bright. Baptism by fire for rookies like Jakob Silfverberg, Patrick Wiercioch, Mika Zibanejad, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Eric Gryba, very impressive development from Kyle Turris, the instant and perfect fit of Marc Methot, incredible commitment and resilience from Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson, and Jared Cowen, and a Hart Trophy-worthy season from Craig Anderson sets this team up for next year. There's still that one huge question mark remaining (you know the one I'm talking about), but this team is set up very nicely for the present and the future. Sens Hero: Marc MethotThe Penguins scored six goals on Friday night and Marc Methot was only on the ice for one of them, James Neal's first of the night on the powerplay. Last game, the Pens scored seven times and Methot was once again only on the ice for one, which was also a powerplay goal. Methot was the most reliable defender for the Senators throughout the post-season, and he's quickly become a very important leader on this team. Everyone is looking forward to seeing what he and Karlsson can do in a full season alongside one another at full health. Honourable Mention: Milan MichalekIt took the better part of the post-season, but Michalek finally showed up towards the end--coinciding with the return of Jason Spezza. He scored his second goal in as many nights on Friday, had more chances (at least among those I noticed) than any other forward, and was a presence. He may not be fully healthy right now, but hopefully an off-season of training and rehab he'll be a star for the Senators next year. This team needs him alongside Spezza to lead this team. Honourable Mention: Kyle TurrisThroughout this playoff series, Kyle Turris has been one of the team's three

New York Rangers coach John Tortorella wanted a new look for his fourth line for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Bruins Thursday night.So he risked public ridicule by scratching his second-highest paid player, Brad Richards, along with grinder Arron Asham and inserted Kris Newbury and Micheal Haley to join Derek Dorsett.

Tonight's Game The Rangers face-off against the Boston Bruins tonight at TD Garden (5:30 p.m.), in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. The Blueshirts trail in the series, 3-1, following a 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 on Thursday at...

The Bruins peppered Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist with 40 shots, cashed in on 2-of-4 power plays and were one sudden-death goal away from ending the Eastern Conference semifinal series in four games on Thursday.That they were so close before falling in overtime was of little consolation yesterday.“I don’t know. I think that loss sucked,” defenseman Matt Bartkowski said after a 30-minute practice at TD Garden.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The Rangers promised they wouldn’t go down without a fight in the Eastern Conference semifinals. They backed up their words in Game 4 on Thursday, overcoming a two-goal deficit to beat the Bruins, 4-3, in overtime.The victory gave the Rangers life, but they remain in critical condition. They enter today’s Game 5 at the Garden in a 3-1 hole and must play better to get the best-of-seven series back to New York.

We need a spot for off topic, or even random hockey banter. Saturday is a big day for hockey, as the Bruins and Red Wings (hells yes) try to finish off their foes. I hope the Sharks can push a Game 7 on Sunday. It appears that Nucks Misconduct member Nathaniel Perlow came across an attractive celebrity recently. The one pictured at the top of this post. Lucky dog. It got me thinking...how many celebrities have I met? Well, no Hollywood celebrities. I could have met Liam Neeson If I was frequenting the local bars when The Grey was shooting here. But no. I do regret that. The only celebrities I have met are hockey players. They would be: Dave Babych (twice), Bryan Trottier, Ken Morrow, and Pavol Demitra. It was ironic to meet Demo of all people because I always slagged him when he was a Canuck. However, the previous night he did this: Easy pass to KABOOM Salo, but it was a good time. Now that he has passed on, I am glad that I had that brief encounter with Demitra and his son. R.I.P. So let's hear it: What celebrities have you met? Any you want to meet? Of course there is! I hear Salma Hayek has a great personality! Enjoy your weekend, folks!