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When this years Stanley Cup finals comes to an end, we may look back at the 5:07 mark of the first period of last nights game 3, as the turning point in the series. Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton was skating near the middle of the ice, when he fed a pass to Milan Lucic on the left side, but, with Horton’s head still turned that way, Aaron Rome of the Vancouver Canucks, launched into him at the blue line. Horton’s head hit hard on the ice as the two players spilled to the ground. Immediately after the dirty hit, the raucous TD Garden fans instantly turned into a silent, and anxious fan base. As Horton lay on his back, cameras caught his eyes rolling back; the capacity crowd took a collective breath. Horton, who is second on the Bruins in postseason points, was cared to on ice for an extremely long time before he was finally taken of the ice on a stretcher. Watching this unfold, you had to wonder if this hit was the nail in the coffin for the Bruins, who are searching for their first title since 1973. How would the Bruins respond to watching one of their leaders, lay on the ice motionless?

Well, the Bruins did not score on the ensuing five-minute power play, nor did they tally a goal in the first period. It looked like they were physically tired, and emotionally spent. But then in the locker room, in between periods, something happened. Reports came in from Massachusetts General Hospital that Horton was “moving all his extremities.” The Bruins were finally able to take their mind for a little bit, off their fallen teammate and onto the task at hand. Bruins Coach Claude Julien implored his team to respond in a way that would make Horton proud. This was one of the moments that you usually only see in movies. One of those rare moments that can draw a team together and propel them forward. The Bruins seized this moment and never looked back.

It was time for the Bruins to finally get some payback. They decided not to respond with fists, but with something that hurts much more…. Goals. They rallied around Horton, their battered teammate. They propped up their embattled coach, then cashed in on their chance at redemption behind their goaltender Tim Thomas, who was again, in the words of Daniel Sedin, “beyond unbelievable.” The Bruins were finally playing with a purpose, as they went on to blow the Canucks out 8-1. They played such a hard-nosed, physical game, something we hadn’t seen in this final yet from the B’s.

There was no better moment that exemplified the Bruins’ play last night than when Henrik Sedin, who leads the Canucks with 21 playoff points, attempted to bat down the puck right in front of the Bruins’ crease in an array of third-period activity. Tim Thomas sized up the young center, then sent him to the ice with a cross check that sent one message. Not in My House, and Certainly Not Tonight.

As the Bruins left the Arena last night, there were a lot of questions to be answered. They didn’t know how their teammate was doing, or how they are going to play without Horton for the rest of the series. The one thing they did know though, was that they represented Horton in a way that would make him proud.

Everybody needs to calm down. Yes the Red Sox are 0-5, but it is really not a big deal. Teams go through struggles, and this is just that. After three games, ESPN ran a panic meter for the Red Sox. How ridiculous is that? There are 157 games left. Red Sox Nation, this article is short, just like the struggles will be with the team. Don’t be ridiculous, and don’t panic.

Danny Ainge has rolled the dice numerous times as General Manager of the Boston Celtics coming up a winner every time, however his latest trade may crap out! The trade of center Kendrick Perkins shook the Celtics tightly wound cocoon and left all involved emotionally drained, except for Ainge. Its a general managers job to make the hard decisions and take the heat that comes with those decisions but this one may be hard to sell. Although Perkins has been injured for most of the season dating back to last years NBA finals and recently turned down a four year $30 million extension he is still one in a small class of centers in the league. It has been logged into the history of the NBA that you can’t win a title without a good center and the Celtics just traded one of them for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic.
Look at the last three NBA champions, in 2008 the Celtics won because the Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum was hurt and no one could guard Perkins. In 2009 the Lakers won because they were able to match Bynum against the Superior Dwight Howard and at least slow him down and in 2010 the Lakers won again! Why you ask? They won because Perkins got hurt in game six leaving them without a center for the two crucial games in Los Angeles and the Celtics had no one to replace him. Compile those previous three scenarios with the fact that one of the Celtics biggest threats is the Orlando Magic who have possibly the best center in the league in Howard. Howard is a monster and he abuses most teams with his size and strength, however his worst performances in his career have come against whom you ask? You guessed it…the Celtics!
Yet the biggest issue I have with this trade is that Ainge put all his money on Shaquille O’Neal being the Celtics center for the playoffs. The oft-injured Shaq isn’t able to dominate a game anymore, matter a-fact he isn’t much of a factor at all anymore. Take a look at the last two teams who put there playoff hopes in Shaq’s hands, the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers and check the results…it blew up in there faces. I fear that Ainge and the Celtics have sealed their own fate with this ill-advised trade of Perkins. Again, you need a big man to win titles and the Celtics lack that now. So I ask you this question Mr. Ainge. Why take something that wasn’t broke and try to fix it?

Kendrick Perkins recently rejected a four-year deal from the Celtics that was worth roughly $30 million. But there is no way that the Celtics should budge with Perkins. The Celtics have a very old team, and their window to win only spans a couple more seasons. After that, it will be Rajon Rondo, and essentially, nothing. But who is to say that Perkins should be part of that? He has always had the benefit of playing with four all-stars in the lineup. On top of that, he is coming off of an ACL tear, and has not exactly shined (although understandable) since being back.

The CBA is expiring soon in the NBA, just like in the NFL. Contracts could drastically change, as the way contracts are structured are virtually unknown. Who is to say that Perkins will be able to get that type of contract in the off-season? Especially since he was just injured, I would bet that he would not get that kind of offer. If he does not want to take a generous offer, from a top team, in a good city to live in, then Boston should let him walk.

While they were the favorite to go to, and perhaps win the Super Bowl, the Patriots lost their only playoff game this year. This was shocking to many, especially since they were lead by Tom Brady, who was the unanimous choice for the MVP award. But what separated this year’s Patriots from those 16-0 Patriots was that unstoppable, dynamic offense. Brady is likely the best quarterback in the league. However, he does not exactly have prime players around him. Never has he had a standout running back behind him.

More importantly, Brady is lacking that passing threat. New England opted to trade Randy Moss, which was likely a good move. However, it is time to replace him. Even bringing him back should not be out of the realm of possibility. Chad Johnson (who will be using that name again) and Terrell Owens will both be free agents, and neither is likely to return to Cincinnati. Both come with baggage, but if there is one organization that can keep them under control, as shown with Moss, it is the Patriots.

Both O’Neal’s have had lingering injury problems throughout the twilight of their careers and it has once again become a problem with the Celtics. Shaquille O’Neal said that his bruised right knee is in good enough shape to get back on the court for Thursday night’s round two showdown with the Heat after missing the last five games. Jermaine O’Neal, who sat out the second half of Monday’s loss to the Mavericks, said the soreness in his left knee has not subsided so he will sit out, possibly for the remainder of the Celtics four-game road trip.

It is possible that Doc Rivers leans on rookie Semih Erden to start at center if both O’Neals can’t go. Erden is having his own injury pangs with his left shoulder which will apparently require surgery eventually.

Kendrick Perkins could not be more needed right now for the Celtics. Rivers said it himself, this team is merely trying to survive until he gets back. There still is no timetable for his return.

As far as tonight goes, I think the Heat have the upper hand at home. They should learn from their poor offensive performance in their loss on opening night. Dwyane Wade probably won’t have another dud like he did in that game. The Celtics interior defense will be weaker due to the deteriorating health of their frontline. That fact is just one of the things that will be in the Heat’s favor in tonight’s contest.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

When the Red Sox miss the playoffs, they only have themselves to blame. Do not get me wrong, they have established a good team. Adrian Beltre has been a nice surprise, and other pieces are falling together. However, the team was completely aware of the stacked Yankees roster, as well as the threatening Tampa Bay Rays roster. It seems that since Boston lost out on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, they have been laying low. For a franchise that has been so successful the last decade, it seems like the dedication in spending is not there. Money does not automatically win championships, but it helps teams get there. Instead, Boston may have a good record, but could be watching the playoffs on television. If only they spent a little extra cash…

It is all but certain that the Celtics have signed Shaquille O’Neal. Their starting lineup will now consist of O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo. Jermaine O’Neal will likely come off the bench, and Rasheed Wallace will if he comes out of retirement. On paper, this team is extremely stacked. However, all of these players are still riding by their name. They are all past their prime. But for this year, they will be able to compete.

The Boston Celtics re-signed Paul Pierce to a four-year contract, and look to be the front-runners to re-sign Ray Allen as well. These are questionable moves for a team who might have just mortgaged its future for a couple more playoff exits. Whatever team LeBron James plays for could probably beat Boston. And with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat probably could too. And now Boston will not have flexibility to sign great players in the upcoming off-seasons. I understand that they were loyal to Pierce, but will it cost them?

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network