Game 7: Bruins 2, Maple Leafs 0

Some more video of the Kessel chant/Seguin's goal (c/o Days of Y'Orr and the YouTube uploaders):

The Good

• The crowd The above videos say it all, right? The TD Garden crowd was really into this game from the get go last night, mainly thanks to #81 in the white sweater. One could debate for hours whether or not Kessel deserves the flack he gets in Boston, but the fact is that he's getting it, and the B's fans are doing a great job of giving it to him. Mike Milbury said on NESN last night that the boos/chants are getting under Kessel's skin and getting him off of his game. While I'm not sure I agree, it's not hard to see where Mad Mike gets that idea from: Kessel had zero points at the Garden again last night.
• Tim Thomas Ho hum, another game, another shutout. I hope Tuukka Rask likes the hat they gave him to wear on the bench, because at this rate, he'll be wearing it for a while.
• Dennis Seidenberg I had to show some love for Big Money Seids, as he's been a scapegoat of mine for the first few games. Seidenberg played well last night, dishing out a couple of hits and blocking an astounding six shots, one of which probably saved a goal. He's no Big Money Wides, but Seids is making progress.
• Patrice Bergeron's off the schnide Bergeron has (in my opinion, anyways) played well this season. He was playing sound hockey, the points just weren't falling yet. Last night, Bergeron notched his first goal of the year (and the 100th of his career), a goal that turned out to be the game-winner. Good to see from a guy who is one of the heart-and-soul players on this team.
• Adam McQuaid steps right in A good first game of the year for the youngster. It can't be easy to sit in the press box game after game, wondering when the call will come. But McQuaid stepped right in and played well. I've always thought that if you don't notice a defenseman during the course of a game, he's playing well. The only time I noticed McQuaid last night was when he was called for a comically bad dive by a Leafs player. Good on the kid to not miss a beat. Oh and file this under "What a difference a year makes:" McQuaid said on 98.5 The Sports Hub between periods last night that he wasn't trying to fill Johnny Boychuk's skates or replace him. A year ago at this time, few casual B's fans even knew who Boychuk was. Will we be saying the same about McQuaid at this time next year?
  

The Bad

• Come on, Phil "Bad" might be a bit harsh for Phil, but he gets the big money to score goals, and he didn't do it last night. Kessel didn't really have a bad game (he had six shots), but it all comes down to putting up points. One can't help but think Kessel really wanted to pot one and shut the fans up last night, but it didn't happen. Kessel's a guy who uses hate as fuel, however, and it's likely only a matter of time before he burns the B's.
• Mark Recchi's wheels I know he's 42, and is providing invaluable lessons to youngsters like Tyler Seguin and Jordan Caron behind the scenes, but seeing Rex trying to churn up the ice is pretty funny. Recchi still has life to his game, don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to knock the guy, I'm glad he's on the team. But when he was trying to chase down a loose puck last night that would have led to a breakaway, all I could think of was an old car: you press on the gas, and hear the engine revving, but it takes a few seconds for the speed to kick in. Vrooooooooom.
• Brad Marchand is snakebit Marchand has yet to score a goal in the NHL, but had a few glorious chances last night. After missing on one chance late in the game, Marchand was looking skyward, wondering what help he could find in the rafters. Not a bad place to look, Brad; there are a few guys up there who could probably offer up some tips.
• Nathan Horton YOU WERE BROUGHT TO THIS TEAM TO SCORE GOALS, WHY DIDN'T YOU SCORE? WE DIDN'T GIVE UP A NUMBER-ONE DEFENSEMAN FOR YOU TO TAKE NIGHTS OFF FROM SCORING GOALS! (Yes, I'm kidding.)

Attaboy: Thomas again. Maybe I should rename this "AttaThomas" or something, he's on fire.

Providence shuttle: Don't worry Phil, I hear they've got a SWEET arcade and an even better candy store at the Providence Place mall.