Bruins Top Maple Leafs In Dramatic Game Seven, Advance To Tampa Bay

jake-debrusk_f04aych4tji91pd8f1zztkg71 — Jake DeBrusk recorded two goals in Boston’s Game 7 win over Toronto on Wednesday evening at the TD Garden. (PHOTO CREDIT: Sporting News)

By NoontimeSports.com (@NoontimeSports)

Jake DeBrusk netted a pair of goals, including the go-ahead strike early in the third period as the Boston Bruins erased a one-goal deficit to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 7-4, in the final game of their opening round playoff series.

With the win, Boston advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals where they will face the Tampa Bay Lighting, which won its opening round series against the New Jersey Devils in five games.

Boston and Tampa Bay last met in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, which the Bruins won in seven games. Boston would then advance to the Stanley Cup and defeat the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.

Boston trailed Toronto, 4-3, after two periods, but evened the game 70 seconds into the final session with a goal from Torey Krug. Boston would push ahead minutes later with a goal from DeBrusk before David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand sealed the win by netting the Bruins’ sixth and seventh goals, respectively.

Pastrnak’s goal halfway through the final session helped the Bruins clinch the series and halt a two-game postseason losing streak. The Bruins led the best-of-seven game series, 3-1, but fell to Toronto in back-to-back games, including Game 5, which occurred last weekend at the T.D. Garden.

Both teams swapped goals throughout the opening frame before Patrice Bergeron provided the hosts with a 3-2 advantage heading into the first intermission. Toronto erased the deficit in the second period and pushed ahead with back-to-back goals from Travis Dermott and Kasperi Kapanen to secure a 4-3 lead after two periods.

Boston and Tampa Bay met four times this season with the Bruins winning three meetings, including two games last month.

The second round series between the two teams is scheduled to commence on Saturday, April 28th at 3 p.m. in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Boston Bruins Prepare For An Emotional Evening (LINKS)

The Boston Bruins expect Wednesday's contest against Buffalo to be emotional! (Photo Credit: New York Daily News) — The Boston Bruins expect Wednesday’s contest against Buffalo to be emotional! (Photo Credit: New York Daily News)

By NoontimeSports.com

It is expected to be an emotional evening at the TD Garden as the Boston Bruins play host to the Buffalo Sabres.

The game, which is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. face-off, will mark the first time the Black and Gold skate on their home ice since Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings. And while we’re still a few minutes away from the contest, we thought we’d provide a few links from around the web about this particular contest.

Bruins-Sabres Links:

* Bruins coach Claude Julien knows a win would be huge for the city

* FOX Sports has an article about how the Bruins will help with the healing process

* Black and Gold supporters should feel extra safe this evening as security will be “tight” at the Garden, according to the Associated Press

* Boston Globe’s Matt Peppin posted a few notes about this evening’s game on the Bruins Blog, along with a tidbit about Brad Marchand, who will be raffling off his suite for the team’s first home playoff game with all the proceeds benefiting Martin Richard‘s family.

* Boston Herald’s Steve Conroy blogged about the Bruins donations toward the families affected by the bombings

* Similar to the Bruins, the Sabres know this game will be emotional

* NESN will be updating their LIVE Blog throughout the evening and you can access it by CLICKING HERE

Daily Noontime – February 23, 2012

Celtics-Thunder — Kevin Durant proved to be too much for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday! (Photo Credit: SB Nation)

By NoontimeSports.com

Happy Thursday to everyone, and welcome into yet another stupendous edition of the Daily Noontime! Here are some headlines and news from the Boston/New England sports world, enjoy.

* Oklahoma City proved to be too much for the Boston Celtics, as the Thunder prevailed, 119-104. Boston managed to outscore Oklahoma City in the third frame, but struggled to contain Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who combined for 59 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, and five steals. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce paced the Celtics with 23 points each. Boston will enjoy a few days off until they return to the court next week, as they travel to Cleveland for 7:00pm tip on Feb. 28.

* The Boston Bruins regrouped on Wednesday, and earned an important 4-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues. Brad Marchand netted two of the teams goals, while Tim Thomas deflected 30 shots between the pipes. The Black and Gold will continue their six-game swing on Friday, Feb. 24, when they travel to Buffalo for a 7:30pm face-off.

* The Boston Red Sox will conduct their first positional players workout on Thursday, which according to some sources is anticlimactic, especially since a majority of them showed up earlier this week. However, reports have confirmed that Roy Oswalt is expected to make an announcement on Thursday about his plans for the upcoming season. It’s uncertain if he’ll elect to join the Sox for the upcoming year or what he’ll do, but again, this long awaited free agent saga should come to an end soon.

Daily Noontime – February 17, 2012

Despite losing to Chicago on Thursday, Kevin Garnett led Boston with 18 points and 10 rebounds! (Photo Credit: Boston Herald)

By NoontimeSports.com

Happy Friday, and welcome into yet another stupendous edition of the Daily Noontime! Here are some headlines and news to kick-start the final weekday!

* Chicago outscored Boston, 29-21 in the final frame, which helped the Bulls defeat the Celtics in the Windy City, 89-80. Chicago has now won 27 games, while Boston falls to 15-14 on the year, as well as 4-6 on the road. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng paced Chicago with 23 points apiece, while Kevin Garnett led Boston with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Boston will look to snap their two-game skid on Sunday, when they travel to Detroit to face the Pistons for a 6:00pm tip-off.

* The Boston Bruins will continue their six-game swing on Friday evening, as they travel to Winnipeg to face the Jets. The Black and Gold are expected to be without Rich Peverley, who sustained a knee injury on Wednesday against Montreal. Also, Nathan Horton continues to remain sidelined due to a concussion he sustained against Philadelphia in January.

* Sources confirmed on Thursday that Brad Marchand won’t be suspended for a hit on Montreal’s Alexei Emelin from this past Wednesday. NHL Senior VP of Player Safety Brandon Shanahan tweeted that there won’t be any disciple for the Bruins winger.

* Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield have yet to show up at the Boston Red Sox spring training facility in Florida. Both players want to return to the club, but according to sources, Boston said they’re not guaranteeing roster spots for either player, but instead have offered minor league contracts with an invitation to attend Spring Training.

Daily Noontime – February 6, 2012

Eli Manning once again led New York past New England in Super Bowl XLVI. (Photo Credit: SB Nation)

By NoontimeSports.com

It’s Monday in New England, and while many continue to dry their eyes from Sunday’s Super Bowl loss, let’s attempt to turn the page with some news and headlines.

* The New York Giants once again defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, 21-17. Eli Manning completed 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards and on touchdown, while Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Also, the Patriots recorded five penalties for 28 yards, too. Manning was named the MVP for the second time in four years, as the Giants earned their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history.

* The Boston Celtics won their fourth consecutive contest on Sunday at the TD Garden, as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 98-80. Kevin Garnett led the Green and White with 24 points and nine rebounds, while Rajon Rondo handed out 14 assists. Boston will return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.

* The Boston Bruins snapped their two-game losing streak on Sunday in Washington D.C., as the Black and Gold defeated the Capitals, 4-1. Tim Thomas turned away 35 shots, while Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley all scored goal for Boston. The Bruins will conclude their short road trip on Wednesday when they travel to Buffalo.

* Lastly, Monday marks the first day of the men’s Boston Beanpot, which enters its 60th year. Boston University will face-off against Harvard at 5pm, while Boston College will take on Northeastern at 8pm.