Now that’s what I call, Playoff Hockey. Despite the 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at the HSBC Arena in game one of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals last night, the Boston Bruins can turn this thing around as there were more positives to praise than negatives to accost.

Let’s get physical:

• There’s no surprise Milan Lucic was in the middle of the near-melee that nearly transpired late in the first period. No. 17 seems to elevate his overall game — especially his physicality – in each years’ playoffs series, and last night was no different. I’m sure he’ll be having more than one ‘meeting’ with Steve Montador before this series is over and done with.
• During the regular season, Boston out-hit Buffalo in four of their six contests for a total of 135-129. Last night, the Bruins were out-hit by a 41-25 landslide. Fourth-liners Shawn Thornton (7:06), Daniel Paille (13:08), and Steve Begin (10:37) are going to log similar minutes to last night’s. But what they did during those short minutes needs to continue — combining for nine of the Bruins’ 25 total hits. Their physical play in every shift is going to be paramount in this series.

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