Pride and points at stake in Toronto

As the Bruins get ready to square off in the eighth and final meeting of the regular season tonight, both teams are well aware of the playoff implications of this game. Toronto, with 66 points, is deadlocked with Montreal and the Isles for that last spot in the East. Boston is just six points back with 60 points and has three games in hand on the Habs, two on the Isles, but just one on Toronto. A win tonight would be huge for Boston against a Leafs team that is 12-5-2 since Jan. 1, 9-2-2 since Jan. 16 and most importantly to the Bruins, 2-0 with 5-1 and 10-2 victories, the latter coming in Boston's own building. That's a 15-3 Leafs advantage over the last two games. That's not what I call a rivalry.

The Black and Gold have had their fair share of bad losses this season but none were as dismal as that thumping at home. Now with perhaps their last change to exact revenge on those Leafs and former keeper Andrew Raycroft, a Bergeron/Murray-less team must man up and take something, anything, if not points away from Toronto in this game. Without the assistant captains in the mix, the young guys like Kessel and Tenkrat who have thrived as of late will have to shoulder more of the load than they have been used to.

If this often-questioned rivalry formatted schedule means anything or has developed any sort of animosity between these two teams over the first seven matchups this season, it would certainly be evident tonight. The Bruins have an axe to grind. The character and enthusiasm they display tonight will show a lot about this team.

Last night's win in Philly wasn't easy but it was necessary. But even more is at stake tonight. There are many subplots. There's more to analyze. More to ponder. Last night was just a game we needed to have. Tonight is more. Before we even think win in Boston, I think we are all looking for a response. A message needs to be sent and it has to be now. One of these teams will elevate its game tonight and that team that refuses to lie down will likely be the same one we see in the race to the end.