Bruins
“We’re excited to close them.”
Tyler Bertuzzi plays for the Maple Leafs in March 2024. AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Tyler Bertuzzi’s take on the Bruins: When the Bruins acquired left wing Tyler Bertuzzi in March 2023, it was with the anticipation of a deep playoff run. And although the 29-year-old Canadian enjoyed his time in Boston, it ended in disappointment after the Bruins lost in a first round loss to the Panthers.
During the offseason, Bertuzzi – despite having interest in remaining with the Bruins – signed a one-year contract with the rival Maple Leafs (Boston’s lack of cap space being the deciding factor).
Now, a year after the playoff disappointment, Bertuzzi and the Bruins are back in the playoffs, with only one major difference. This time, Bertuzzi will face Boston.
Asked about the prospect of facing the Bruins in the first round, the Toronto winger knows there won’t be too many surprises.
“We know what it is,” he said earlier this week. “We’ve played them several times this year. We’re excited to get started.
“They play well as a team. Good goalkeeper. They have top players who can score goals,” Bertuzzi said, providing insight. “We’re excited to shut them down.”
Even with the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, Bertuzzi believes the Bruins remain a threat.
“They still have some leaders that were on the team last year that led the way, as well as a lot of good players and a lot of depth.”
The series will begin on the road for the Maple Leafs. The first two games will be played at TD Garden before traveling to Toronto.
Bertuzzi, having benefited from the support of local fans, hopes the Maple Leafs get off to a good start.
“They have great fans. very passionate about their sport,” he said. “We need to keep them a little quiet.”
Anecdote: Tyler Bertuzzi was drafted in 2013. That year, the Bruins did not have a first-round pick due to a trade made in April shortly before the deadline. Which player did Boston acquire with this pick?
(Answer at bottom).
Hint: He only played in 11 regular season games with the Bruins before leaving as a free agent at the end of the season. In total, he played 1,733 NHL regular season games during his legendary career. His last appearance in the NHL was in 2018, at the age of 45.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to the Guardians 5-4 on Thursday. Boston begins a three-game series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh tonight at 6:40 p.m.
PWHL Boston picked up a win Thursday, returning from a multi-week hiatus by beating Toronto 2-1 at the Tsongas Center.
Tomorrow, the Bruins begin the playoffs against the Maple Leafs at TD Garden at 8 p.m.
Saturday afternoon, the Free Jacks host the Seattle Seawolves in the Major League Rugby regular season. The game will be played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy at 2 p.m.
And on Saturday night, the Revolution will be on the road to face Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
A post-match brawl: Tempers briefly boiled at the end of PWHL Boston’s win over Toronto on Thursday.
That day: In 1965, the Celtics beat the Lakers 129-123 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Bill Russell led Boston with a triple-double (23 points, 25 rebounds, 10 assists), as the Celtics won in five games. It was the Celtics’ seventh consecutive championship and eighth in nine years.
“What, only 25 rebounds for Russell? asked a frustrated Jerry West after the game, according to Boston Globe journalist Clif Keane. “He must have had 50 rebounds in the game. There is something wrong with these numbers. The man had the ball all night.
Highlight of the day: Although the Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league affiliate of the Yankees, there is no denying that this was absolutely a high-level game.
Trivial answer: Jaromír Jágr
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