The Bruins sure know how to throw a party. B's fans packed the streets of Boston to celebrate the team's Stanley Cup victory on Saturday, which Patrice Bergeron and his teammates thoroughly enjoyed.

Bergeron spoke with NESN's Naoko Funayama after Saturday's rolling rally and said there are no words to describe the celebration. He said he had heard that the party was going to be crazy, but he never expected it to be as big as it was.

Bergeron also said that the experience makes him want to do it again.

Check out the video above to hear what else Bergeron had to say following Saturday's parade.

Five days after giving up four goals in the final 3:23 to hand a victory to Boston, the Penguins recovered from blowing another two-goal lead to beat Boston 3-2 and win without Crosby for the second consecutive game.

"I definitely like the fact that we refocused" after falling behind 2-0, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "It was 15 (or) 20 seconds of hockey that got them back in the game. We had some scrambles in front, but held on to get the win. It was a big two points for us."

Jordan Staal scored with 16:35 left in the third period, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 44 shots for his 20th win of the season. Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis also scored for the Penguins, who lost their first three games after Crosby was injured but have now beaten two of those teams — Montreal and Boston — in rematches.

"They put that in the back of their minds before the game," Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk said. "I know I would."

Tuukka Rask made 33 saves for the Bruins, and Dennis Seidenberg and Michael Ryder scored 13 seconds apart in the second period to erase a 2-0 deficit.

But Staal backhanded a loose puck in front past Rask to make it 3-2.

"It's one of those games you want to step up and win the game for your team because they played so well," Rask said. "It's a tough loss to swallow, at least for me. I think nobody's happy here right now."

Crosby was sidelined after taking hits to the head in back-to-back games on Jan. 1 against Washington in the Winter Classic and Jan. 5 against Tampa Bay. Bylsma said Friday that Crosby was progressing, but isn't ready to resume practicing or playing; he won't be allowed to return to the ice until he is symptom-free.

Still, Crosby remains the NHL's leading scorer with 66 points. He also entered the day tied with Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos for the league lead with 32 goals.

The Bruins beat the Penguins in each of their previous games this season, both times in Pittsburgh and both times with late rallies. On Nov. 19, Boston scored five times in the third period to win 7-4; on Monday, with Crosby out, the Bruins scored four unanswered goals down the stretch to win 4-2.

This one started out the same way, with Pittsburgh opening a 2-0 lead and the Bruins tying it with a pair 13 seconds apart from Dennis Seidenberg and Michael Ryder. The Penguins called timeout, and this time they didn't just roll over.

Staal's goal gave the Penguins the lead, and Fleury stopped 20 shots in the third period, including about a half-dozen from close-range in the final minute after Boston pulled Rask for an extra skater.

"Guys, there's times when you lose a game," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "I'm convinced if we played the first half of the game the way we played the last, we wouldn't be sitting here."

Kunitz opened the scoring for the Penguins midway through the first and Dupuis added his goal 41 seconds into the middle period.

Seidenberg put a screened shot past Fleury 11:28 into the second period, and the Bruins tied it 13 seconds later when Ryder wristed one around a defender and past the goalie on stick side. It's the second-fastest the Bruins have scored a pair of goals this season.

Pittsburgh killed a four-minute high-sticking minor in the second period even though it appeared to be Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara's stick that hit teammate Steven Kampfer in the face. Kampfer departed, leaving a pool of blood on the ice, and did not return.

Julien said Kampfer had a broken nose. The Bruins did not get a shot off in the penalty until there were just 4 seconds left.

Notes
Mark Recchi played in his 1,615th NHL game, tying him with Larry Murphy for seventh on the NHL career list. … Bobby Orr was at the game. … Boston is 2-12 when falling behind by two goals this season, and both of them were against the Penguins. … Boston's Milan Lucic missed the game with an unspecified injury. … Boston's Marc Savard went down with 12:50 left in game after taking a two-arm shove to the head into the boards by Deryk Engelland. No penalty was called. … Fleury had his shutout streak in Boston snapped by Seidenberg's goal. It had lasted 106:56.

The Bruins’ defenseman played every game for the club in 2007-08 and 2008-09, but last year suffered through a string of injuries. He missed 26 games in the regular season and nine in the playoffs with a broken sternum, a broken left pinky finger and a serious infection in his hand.

He was completely healthy for the start of this season and hoped to play a full season again, but those hopes were dashed when it was revealed on Wednesday that he had a broken bone in the back of his right hand and a dislocated ring finger.

“The biggest thing going into this season after last season was trying to stay healthy,” Stuart said after Thursday’s morning skate at the Garden, as the rest of the Bruins prepared for a game against the New York Islanders. “So it’s very disappointing. I’ve just got to try to stay positive. I went through it last year, so I’m kind of a veteran with this now. I’m just going to work hard and try to get back as soon as I can.”

The injury actually occurred last Thursday when he blocked a shot against Tampa Bay, but Stuart played through the pain against Toronto on Saturday before further aggravating the injury in the first period of Tuesday’s game with Buffalo.

“I actually blocked a shot in Thursday’s game,” Stuart said. “I got it just solid on the back of the hand. It was sore and we took X-rays after Thursday’s game and they were negative. So we decided to see how it felt.

“It was sore, but we taped it up for Toronto,” added Stuart. “We actually planned on getting X-rays again after the game on Tuesday, but on like my third shift, all I did was make a pass, and the thing just caved in. It was just hanging on by a thread I think.”

Stuart will not require surgery, but had a cast put on the hand on Wednesday. He is expected to be out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks.

“I could manage, I could play with it,” said Stuart. “I wasn’t really shooting for those four days, but I could pass fine, and I played in Toronto. So I was just kind of hoping I could get through it, but it was just done on Tuesday.”

Stuart is trying to stay positive, and noted that this injury is a little better than the infection that he had to deal with last season. That required an IV tube pumping antibiotics into his arm, which in turn prevented him from working out or even skating as he couldn’t get sweat into the infection. He won’t have any such restrictions while staying in shape during his rehab this time around.
 
“The bright side is this time I don’t have a hole in my hand,” said Stuart. “So I can get on the ice and start sweating.”

Stuart also hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Asked if this injury was to the same hand as last year, he replied, “No, it’s the other one. I’m trying to even things out.”

The P-Bruins dropped their home-opener last Friday, falling 5-1 to the Falcons after surrendering two power play goals, two short-handed tallies and a strike on a delayed penalty. With goalie Nolan Schaefer still overseas with the Boston Bruins, Matt Dalton was given the start, but the second-year pro stopped just 12-of-16 shots before being relieved by Michael Hutchinson. The rookie netminder faced only one shot in his first professional appearance, allowing a goal late in the third frame.

Saturday, however, may have provided Providence fans with a more realistic look at what the club is capable of this season, jumping out to a 5-1 lead on the road before eventually logging a 6-5 win at Springfield. A dozen different players registered points in front of Hutchinson, who earned the win with 31 saves in his first career start following last year’s 32-win season for the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights. It was the first-year players who led the charge as first star Max Sauve recorded his first career hat trick and defenseman Steve Kampfer matched the skilled forward with three points of his own, including a goal and two assists.

Providence had a rare Sunday off last weekend, while Springfield wrapped up its first three-in-three with a 4-1 home loss to the first-year Charlotte Checkers.

Both clubs saw player movement during the week as Providence welcomed Schaefer and defenseman Matt Bartkowski back from Europe. Schaefer, a Providence College graduate, makes his return to the AHL after spending the 2009-10 campaign with CSKA Moscow, where he went 6-10-1 with a 2.66 goals-against-average in 22 games. In 2008-09, the eighth-year pro produced a 26-17-5 record and 2.52 GAA for the Houston Aeros. Bartkowski, though, enters his first pro season after two successful years with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The blue-liner, acquired by Boston in the deal that brought Dennis Seidenberg from the Florida Panthers last March, scored 38 points in 80 games for OSU.

Springfield welcomed a goaltender into the fold during the week as well with the addition of David LeNeveu, sent down from the Columbus Blue Jackets after the team’s trip to Sweden. Also an eighth-year net-minder, LeNeveu spent last season in Austria with Salzburg following a 20-19-6 campaign with the now-defunct Iowa Chops. Providence fans will likely recognize the goalie from his time in Hartford in 2007-08.

Looking at the leaders, the P-Bruins are paced by both Sauve and Kampfer, each with three points. Sauve’s hat trick on Saturday gives him Providence’s goals lead with three, also tied for first in the league, while Kampfer and Lane MacDermid have each tallied two assists. In net, Hutchinson is 1-0-0 in his two games, showing a 4.50 GAA and .838 save percentage.

On the other side, Tom Sestito has a Falcons-high and AHL-best five points. Michael Blunden, with four points, has scored three goals for Springfield, while first-year defenseman David Savard has dished out four helpers. Between the pipes, Dan Taylor is 1-2-0 with a 2.83 GAA and .913 save percentage.

On special teams, Providence, at 0-for-6, is one of eight clubs that has yet to score a power play goal and also sits just 28th on the penalty kill at 66.7 percent (6-of-9). Springfield, meanwhile, is tied for 11th with the man-advantage at 20 percent (3-for-15) and holds a share of 13th-place when short-handed at 86.7 percent (13-of-15).

On Saturday, the P-Bruins travel to New Hampshire to face the Manchester Monarchs at 7 p.m. The weekend wraps up on Sunday as Providence hosts the Hartford Wolf Pack at 4:05 p.m.

End of game, Flyers win 4-3: The 2009-10 Boston Bruins just entered the history books for all the wrong reasons. The B's blew a 3-0 lead in Game 7 and in the series, becoming just the third team in NHL history to blow a 3-0 series lead. They also join the 2004 New York Yankees and become only the fourth team in pro sports history to accomplish the dubious feat.

Ironically, the Bruins were on the verge of playing the Habs in the conference finals for the first time since 1979. The Bruins lost that series thanks to a too many men on the ice call late in regulation. Tonight, the Flyers eliminated the Bruins on the same call when Simon Gagne scored with 7:08 left in regulation.

Thanks for reading our Live Bruins Blog here at NESN.com everyone and thanks for all your support! Have a great summer!

Third period, :53, Flyers 4-3: The Bruins have called a timeout and pulled Tuukka Rask. This is it. Season on the line. What Bruins team shows up?

Third period, 4:46, 4-3: The Flyers deserve this series and the Bruins don't right now. That could change but you have to give credit where it's due.

Third period, 7:08, 4-3: Kind of at a loss for words here folks. The Bruins are trailing for the first time in Game 7 on a Simon Gagne power-play goal. Mike Richards and Ville Leino had the helpers.

Third period, 8:50, 3-3: Too many men on the ice on the Bruins. For all you Bruins historians, enough said.

Third period, 11:08, 3-3: Something else that is due, is a Bruins power play. Will we see one soon?

Third period, 13:38, 3-3: Mark Recchi has no shots in 11:04 and Patrice Bergeron has one in 13:44. Are they due?

Third period, 14:39, 3-3: Amazing action to start the final stanza here as we went 5:21 without a stoppage in play.

End of second period, 3-3: This Bruins team is just plain out baffling. How else to explain what just happened? The Bruins did everything right for the first 17 minutes of the game and then just stopped playing. The Flyers found their game and we head to the second intermission tied at three.

Where is the hitting, the desire, the hunger and urgency that the B's showed in those first 17 minutes? Just as it disappeared earlier in the series, leading to this Game 7, it vanished after the Bruins went up 3-0. For that reason, it's impossible to figure out how the remaining 20 minutes will go.

Second period, 3:04, 3-3: This game has gone the way of the series for the Bruins and the B's need to dig deep now.

Second period, 5:14, 3-3: The play will stand as no goal.

Second period, 5:14, 3-3: The Bruins survived another Flyers power play and barely made it to the next whistle as the Flyers almost scored on a major scrum in front of Tuukka Rask. Rask continues to fight the puck and doesn't look comfortable. Update: The play is under review.

Second period, 7:26, 3-3: The Bruins will be shorthanded for a second time Johnny Boychuk is in the sin-bin for hooking.

Second period, 9:31, 3-3: The Bruins are on their third power play after a Daniel Carcillo high-sticking call.

Second period, 11:21, 3-3: Daniel Briere's goal counts and this game is tied. Scott Hartnell gets the lone assist. Tuukka Rask is off tonight. That goal wasn't all his fault, but he looks out of position on most shots.

Second period, 11:21, 3-3: This place is suddenly quiet except for the few Flyers fans as the Flyers may have tied the game on a Daniel Briere goal. The play is under review.

Second period, 13:59, Bruins 3-2: Marc Savard just took a bad hooking penalty and the Flyers are going onto their first power play. This is the biggest penalty kill of the season for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask needs to be sharper here.

Second period, 17:11, Bruins 3-2: This game is far from over as Scott Hartnell just made it 3-2 Bruins, roofing one over a out of positioned Tuukka Rask. Ville Leino and Daniel Briere had the helpers.

Second period, 19:28, Bruins 3-1: Underway in the second period and as we originally thought, Mike Richards didn't get the assist on the Flyers' goal. Claude Giroux assisted on James van Riemsdyk's goal.

End of first period, Bruins 3-1: That was the Bruins best period of the playoffs in this scribe's view. They did everything right and everything they needed to in order to set the tempo for a game 7.

They were physical from the get-go, they scored first and they scored two more. The latter is huge because eventually, as they did, it would be natural for that initial burst of energy to wear off. But despite the Flyers getting a late goal, the Bruins have a two-goal cushion as they head to the dressing room and one has to wonder where this hockey has been for the last few games. Right now though, the only thing that matters is that it has arrived just in time to give the Bruins a chance to not become the third team in NHL history to blow a 3-0 series lead.

First period, 2:48, Bruins 3-1: Former UNH star James van Riemsdyk just broke the shutout here beating Tuukka Rask on a goal he might want back. The Bruins got a little sloppy but Rask could've had this one and the Bruins' lead is trimmed to two goals.

Mike Richards had an assist should get another for his two-hand slash on Dennis Wideman that the referee somehow missed.

First period, 5:50, Bruins 3-0: Milan Lucic just scored his second goal of the game (video) and it is delirium here at TD Garden as the Beastie Boys "Fight For Your Right To Party" is kicking on the PA system. The Flyers just took a timeout to settle down.

First period, 10:58, Bruins 2-0: If the Bruins hold on to win this game they should buy beers for Scott Hartnell and Daniel Briere as their bad penalties have helped the Bruins jump out to a 2-0 lead. Milan Lucic just scored the second power-play goal (video) of the game for the Bruins and the TD Garden is the loudest it has been since Game 6 against Montreal in 2008. Johnny Boychuk and Dennis Wideman got the helpers.

First period, 12:19, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins are headed onto their second power play as Daniel Briere is headed to the sin-bin for high-sticking. The Flyers seem rattled early and are losing their composure right now.

First period, 14:33, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins get the first power play of the night and they just made it count. Michael Ryder just made it 1-0 (video) early and the Bruins achieve their goal of using the crowd and getting the first goal. Zdeno Chara and Matt Hunwick, who drew the penalty from Scott Hartnell, get the helpers.

First period, 15:39: Underway here in Game 7 and non-stop action to start the game as the Bruins and Flyers went 3:21 without a stoppage in play. This place is electric!

7:05 p.m.: The TD Garden is starting to get loud and we're moments away from faceoff. Want to say a big hello to everyone reading this blog because they can't watch the game on TV, especially Brian Davis in Denver, CO. Thanks to all of you for reading and be sure to keep reading if the Bruins win Game 7!

7 p.m.: Greetings from TD Garden and Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series between the Flyers and Bruins. The building is filling up and should be rocking any moment. Daniel Paille is in and Brad Marchand out for the Bruins. Here's the lineups for tonight:

Bruins
Forwards
Blake Wheeler–Patrice Bergeron–Mark Recchi
Milan Lucic–Marc Savard–Miroslav Satan
Daniel Paille–Vladimir Sobotka–Michael Ryder
Steve Begin–Trent Whitfield–Shawn Thornton

Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Johnny Boychuk
Matt Hunwick–Dennis Wideman
Andrew Ference–Mark Stuart

Goaltenders
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas

Flyers
Forwards
Simon Gagne–Mike Richards–Daniel Carcillo
Scott Hartnell–Danny Briere–Ville Leino
James van Riemsdyk–Claude Giroux–Arron Asham
Andreas Nodl–Blair Betts–Darroll Powe

Defensemen
Matt Carle–Chris Pronger
Kimmo Timonen–Braydon Coburn
Ryan Parent–Lukas Krajieck

Goaltenders
Michael Leighton
Johan Backlund

1:30 p.m.: All was quiet in the Bruins dressing room this morning as Claude Julien told his players to stay home and rest or do whatever they may do to ease the nerves for Game 7.

But Julien addressed the media and said right now it's about his team, stepping up up when it counts. It doesn't have to be just the leaders like Zdeno Chara, everyone must do their part tonight if the Bruins are to welcome the Habs to TD Garden on Sunday for the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the coach's words:

"I don't know if it is even about momentum. For me tonight, it's about winning a hockey game and not regaining momentum. It doesn't matter. If you win, you move on. That's all we think about here, is winning the hockey game. And not worry what has happened in the past. Big players have to play big in the big game. In those kind of games, you go in there and hope someone is going to make a difference. Your best players are your role players. I just care that someone comes up big and does something big and something good for us. That is what you have to try and challenge your whole team. If you put it up just on your key players, then you are telling everyone else to just go out and play. We want everyone to be difference makers."

Who will be the hero for the Bruins in Game 7? Will it be a star like Marc Savard was in Game 1 or a role player like Shawn Thornton? After practice Thursday, Thornton was asked about how role players do seem to step up in Game 7 and become heroes like then rookie fourth liner Mike Rupp did for the Devils in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup finals, scoring the Cup-clinching goal.

"Oh yeah, Mike Rupp, scored the game-winner … I would never take my equipment off again or may just hang it up then if I was him and had the money!" Thornton joked. "But yeah, our line is trying and sooner or later they're going to go in."

One of the heroes on the Flyers side in this series has been Simon Gagne and despite not skating Thursday and Friday, Gagne said he is fine and will play in Game 7.

"I'm OK. I didn't practice yesterday because it's just a practice," Gagne told CSNPhilly.com. "It gave me time between games to heal and get better. I will play tonight, and that's what I'm here for. Since I'm back it's getting better and I'm getting better every day and that's the way it is. You're going to have to play through pain in the playoffs. And I'm not the only one, and that's part of it. But for me now, like I said, the longer we're going to go in the playoffs, the better I'm going to feel."

8 a.m.: It all comes down to this. One game. Winner takes all. A Game 7. That is where, despite once leading this series 3-0, the Bruins find themselves as they head into Game 7 against the Flyers in this Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Boston's archrivals, the Montreal Canadiens, await in the Eastern Conference finals after knocking off the reigning two-time Hart Trophy champion Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, then Sidney Crosby and the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. All of a sudden, the Bruins are in a shockingly dubious position to become only the third team in NHL history — and the fourth in pro sports history — to lose a best-of-seven series after leading 3-0. 

If the Bruins want to avoid that fate, they must dig deep and find what got them that 3-0 lead to begin with. They must remember how they overcame a season of ups and downs, adversity and heavy scrutiny from the media and fans. Now is the time to show that the last month-plus was not some fantasy but reality. Is this team for real? Can it stare down history and make its own, becoming the first Bruins team since 1992 to make the conference finals? Can it reward the Black and Gold faithful that have stood with the B's through thick and thin? 

In the last three games, the Bruins have been beaten at the game they claim to be their identity. When GM Peter Chiarelli took over this team, he said he wanted a team that was "hard to play against." During his tenure, there have been great runs and intervals where that motto has rung true — but in the last three games of this series, the Bruins have been everything but. They need to give the Broad Street Bullies a taste of their own medicine.

To find out if the Bruins "Seize the Moment" or create an infamous moment in history, stay with us here for our live blog — and, of course, you can catch Game 7 live on NESN.

"He knocks on my door [Monday] and says 'I'm ready,' he's playing," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Sunday.

And that's not wholly out of the question, according to the paper. Vanek's ankle — which was injured early in Game 2 of the series when he was taken down on a near-breakaway by Johnny Boychuk – has been improving every day.

Vanek even practiced on the power play on Sunday, but according to reports, he looked far from comfortable on the ice.

"Vanek skates in a straight line just fine," writes The Buffalo News' John Vogl, "but his cutting and shooting ability are still off. A few seconds ago, he bumped into the end boards rather than stop with his left foot [and injured ankle]. It would take major healing overnight to play in Game 6 on Monday in Boston."

Still, the 26-year-old Vanek, who has been the Sabres' leading goal-scorer in each of the last four seasons, feels that he could contribute, even if it's in a diminished role.

"That's the thing," Vanek said Sunday. "Is it worth it to play those seven to nine minutes? Like I said, I feel like I can go, but we've got to be smart and realistic about it.

"I've never said I can't play," he continued. "I wanted to play the last two [games], but obviously we talked and we have to be realistic about it. If [Ruff] doesn't feel like or we both don't feel like I can really help the team, then there's no point in going and taking a spot away from somebody else."

Ruff put the final decision back in Vanek's court, though.

"He's close now," Ruff said. "It's his decision whether he can play or not. I don't know how he feels. In conversations with him, I think he understood that he didn't think he was going to be able to make a difference. You want to play, but the way he felt he might have been putting himself in a bad spot.

"There's a health issue. He has to be ready to be effective. You've got to be able to skate. You've got to be able to battle. Not till [Saturday] and a little bit [Sunday] has he even been involved in any type of physical confrontation where you have to push off and use the lower part of his leg the way it needs to be used.

"When he feels he can be effective, he's going to play."

After twice trading down, the New England Patriots selected Devin McCourty, a cornerback from Rutgers, with their first pick in the 2010 NFL draft, No. 27 overall.

McCourty, a first-team All-Big East performer in 2009, not only has shutdown corner capabilities, but he’s also dynamite on special teams, excelling in both punt and kick coverage and as a kick returner, where he averaged 27.9 yards a return during his senior season.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder was rated by some teams to be on par with — or even slightly ahead of — Florida’s Joe Haden, who went seventh overall to the Cleveland Browns.

Originally owners of the 22nd overall pick entering the draft, the Patriots first traded that pick to the Denver Broncos to move down to the 24th spot.

For that 22nd pick, New England received Denver’s fourth-round pick (No. 113 overall) in addition to pick No. 24.

The Patriots then traded that No. 24 pick and a fourth-round pick (No. 119 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys for their first-round pick at No. 27 overall and a third-round pick (No. 90 overall).

With the 22nd pick, Josh McDaniels and the Broncos selected Demaryius Thomas of Georgia Tech, a big wide receiver. ESPN’s Ed Werder suggested that Thomas reminds McDaniels and the Broncos of now-departed wideout Brandon Marshall in terms of his skills, size and ability.

With the 24th pick, the Cowboys snagged Dez Bryant, the highly touted wide receiver out of Oklahoma State.

According to the post, Savard will keep working on his fitness in hopes of getting game-ready and must still have a final meeting with his physician, Dr. Kelly McInnis at Massachusetts General Hospital, before he can be cleared to play in games. Savard has skated on his own each of the last two days.

It remains unclear if and when the 32-year-old Savard might return to the Bruins lineup.

“I have to be realistic here, and when I’m 100 percent condition-wise
and mentally positive I can do this, I’ll be ready to go,” Savard told ESPN.com.

The test to determine Savard’s ability to come back was done on a computer and “consisted of
choosing the right numbers and colors when asked,” he told the Web site.

The center, who posted 10 goals and 23 assists in just 41 regular-season games, suffered a Grade 2 concussion on March 7 against the Penguins when Matt
Cooke cracked him with a blindsided blow to the head. At the time, it was widely assumed that Savard would not be able to return this season.

Between the early start at Fenway Park between the Red Sox and Rays and the Bruins-Sabres playoff game later that night at the TD Garden, it was already a busy sports weekday. But with over 26,000 runners descending on the Hub to compete in the 114th running of the Boston Marathon, Monday was a special day in our fair city.

Follow along as we take you through 10 images spotlighting the incredible emotion and excitement of the 2010 Boston Marathon.

Runners set off at the start the 114th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, Mass. (Michael Dwyer, AP)

Wellesley College student Lauren Dow of Bethlehem, Pa., gets a kiss from a plucky runner as he passes the college during Monday’s Boston Marathon. (Mary Schwalm, AP)

Men’s wheelchair winner Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa crosses the finish line just ahead of second-place finisher Krige Schabort of the U.S. The victory is Van Dyk’s ninth win in Boston, a record for all divisions. (Elise Amendola, AP)

How about a drink? Discarded cups litter the street on the marathon route in Wellesley, Mass. (Mary Schwalm, AP)

Michael Arnstein of New York City looks both exhausted and elated after crossing the finish line in Boston. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye, AP)

It’s gotta be the shoes! A pack of runners crosses the start line in Hopkinton, Mass. (Michael Dwyer, AP)

Women’s wheelchair winner Wakako Tsuchida of Japan shows some emotion as she breaks the tape at the finish line in Boston. (Elise Amendola, AP)

Fans stand on barricades lining the course as they cheer on runners in Wellesley, Mass. (Mary Schwalm, AP)

Enza Sambataro is greeted by her husband, Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox, left, and son Michael as she crosses the finish line downtown. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye, AP)

Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot of Kenya raises his arms as he crosses the finish line to win the 114th running of the Boston Marathon. Cheruiyot won in a record time of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 52 seconds, crushing by 82 seconds the previous course record, a mark held by four-time winner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, who is not related to this year’s winner. (Charles Krupa, AP)

No, the Boston and Houston franchises are plenty different. While general manager Theo Epstein aims to have the Red Sox in the World Series conversation every season, a local writer suggested Wednesday that "the Astros aren't very good and may not be for a while."

Yet when the Houston job opened up late last fall with the firing of Cecil Cooper, the now 53-year-old Mills jumped at the chance to manage his own major league club, signing a two-year contract with a club option for a third. And according to that same writer, if Houston shows even a glimmer of success this season, Mills should be around longer.

"Given the [Astros'] dearth of talent at the major-league level despite a $98 million payroll, the team's … start and the lack of major league-ready players in Triple-A and Double-A, Mills might deserve an extension — and a raise — if he comes anywhere close to .500 in the Astros' next two seasons."

Well, the first returns on that hoped-for .500 mark aren't looking so good.

In losing their first eight games of 2010, the Astros were outscored 44-14. Houston's .214 batting average entering Thursday was tied with Cleveland for the worst in the bigs. Even after their five-run outburst, their total of 19 runs is still by far the major-league low. Through nine games, the team is also at the bottom of the league in home runs (two), RBIs (18), stolen bases (one), on-base percentage (.242) and slugging (.290).

But it's hard to blame Mills for that lack of production, especially with middle-of-the-order guys Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence hitting a combined .100 (6-for-60) so far and fellow starters Geoff Blum (.208), Kaz Matsui (.118) and J.R. Towles (.056) struggling mightily at the dish. Mills is only doing the best he can with the limited on-field resources the team has to offer.

That said, the rookie manager was positively giddy following his team's first win.

"On a scale of 1 to 10? It's pretty high," he told The Associated Press. "And that's just being truthful."

Similarly, when he was hired away from the Red Sox, Francona, Mills' former teammate and roommate at the University of Arizona, was just being truthful about his confidence that Mills would succeed as a manager.

"I think he's ready," Francona told MLB.com at the time. "He's been ready. That's subjective, but he's been working his whole life towards this. When he was second in charge, he did a great job. Now he's going to be making the decisions and he'll do a great job."

It's quite possible that Mills will do a great job, and everyone in Red Sox Nation is no doubt cheering him on. But it's evident that he could use some help from the Astros front office. If there's any lesson that Francona helped teach him in Boston, it's that he can't be expected to turn things around himself.

Though the 34-year-old Ortiz is hitting just .136 (3-for-22) with no home runs, two RBIs and 11 strikeouts through seven games, Francona said during an interview Tuesday on WEEI's Dale & Holley show that it is premature to discuss either dropping the slugger in the lineup or leaving him out of the lineup altogether.

"I don't know if anybody has the exact right answer," said Francona. "But until you do, as a manager, you better err on the side of caution. You can't just treat these guys like chess pieces. I don't think that works. There's a human element to this, and probably a lot more than people realize. If you're going to make a change, you'd better damn well be sure you're right. And that's what we've always tried to do."

Being sure he's right is a concept near and dear to Francona's heart. Ortiz went through an extended slump to start the 2009 season as well, hitting .185 with one homer and just 18 RBIs through April and May, but Francona stuck with him. Ortiz eventually paid him back by hitting a much more solid .264 with 27 homers and 81 RBIs the rest of the way.

But might it make sense for Francona to consider limiting Ortiz's at-bats, at least until it's clear he's back on the right track? No, says the manager, a lefty-righty platoon with Mike Lowell wouldn't be in the team's best interest at this point.

"I think it's too early to [discuss a platoon]," Francona told the show. "David's been such a mainstay for us both versus lefties and righties. And I think if you talk to any hitter, for them to succeed against one type, they almost need to face the other side also.

"Now, I understand at some point there needs to be production," the manager went on.

Well, yes, in theory — if you hope to have a successful team.

And the sooner Big Papi is able to bust out of this early slump — we're only seven games in, remember — the sooner last season's struggles will be forgotten and the sooner the team is likely to reclaim its rightful place near the top of the division.

But Ortiz's on-field performance is causing problems off it as well. Last week, his profanity-laced comments to reporters about how quickly they've condemned his start to 2010 caught the attention of many, including Francona.

"I think he's frustrated," Francona told WEEI on Tuesday. "Until he really starts swinging like he can, he's probably going to have to deal with [the media scrutiny], and I'm going to have to deal with it, and we're all going to deal with it. Because we went through this last year, and because of where we play, it's there. And there's no getting around it.

"It's tough sometimes," he continued. "You'd like to always say you have the right answers, and we certainly try to, [but] sometimes we're searching a little bit, whether it's the division between loyalty and how far to go and who to play and the loyalty to a player and to your team, these are things we think about a lot, and it weighs on all of us."

Hmmm, so loyalty to players actually affects Francona's decisions as manager? Not so, he went on to say.

"These are things that I probably fight with myself all year long [about]," he told Dale and Holley. "I think the loyalty has to be to the team. And through that, I'm hoping that players — whether they agree with the decisions we make or not — they understand why."

It's only fair. Francona has shown loyalty to Ortiz in the past and it has paid off. How much longer can Tito stand to show Papi that trust? We'll find out.

But despite their struggles to score goals, their problems on the power play and a general lack of consistency up and down the roster, the black and gold are still headed for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Game 1 of their first-round series with the Sabres is Thursday in Buffalo.

Follow along as we take you through 13 images spotlighting the highs and lows of the Bruins' regular season.

The Bruins stretch after a team practice at the TD Garden in Boston on Sept. 28, 2009, as they prepare for their season opener against the Washington Capitals. (Elise Amendola, AP)

Members of the Bruins line up and are announced prior to their season opener against the Capitals. (Winslow Townson, AP)

Bruins forward Milan Lucic, left, and Jay Harrison of the Carolina Hurricanes exchange punches during a fight on Oct. 3 at the TD Garden in Boston.
(Mary Schwalm, AP)

Players on the Bruins and Flyers benches bang their sticks against the boards showing their appreciation after a fight broke out during their March 11 tilt in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum, AP)

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask goes all out, diving back toward the goal to try to make a save on a shot by Toronto's Matt Stajan. (Charles Krupa, AP)

Everyone's keeping their eyes on the puck as Bruins Dennis Wideman (6), Tuukka Rask (in goal), Daniel Paille (20) and Zdeno Chara do their best to defend the Boston net. Unfortunately for the B's, Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson (11) shoots and scores his third goal of the game as Ottawa coasts to a 5-1 victory. (Michael Dwyer, AP)

Bruins center David Krejci and Penguins winger Chris Bourque slide into the net during their teams' game in Boston on Nov. 10, 2009.
(Winslow Townson, AP)

Bruins winger Marco Sturm celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Flyers in the Winter Classic on New Year's Day at Fenway Park. (Elise Amendola, AP)

Boston defenseman Mark Stuart appears ready to pound Toronto's Jamal Mayers during the second period of their game back on Dec. 10.
(Charles Krupa, AP)

Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask gets way down to block a shot by Michael Frolik of the Panthers. (Alan Diaz, AP)

Members of the Bruins stand over fallen teammate Marc Savard after a blindsided hit from Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 7. Savard was taken from the ice on a stretcher and hasn't played since. (Keith Srakocic, AP)

Bruins blue-liner Mark Stuart, left, goes in for a huge collision with Colorado's Matt Hendricks. (Steven Senne, AP)

Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman celebrates with goalie Tim Thomas after a 4-3 shootout triumph over the Ottawa Senators. (Michael Dwyer, AP)

It's not as crazy as it might sound.

After the 2009 campaign, the Tigers let it be known that they were shopping the speedy Granderson, who has averaged .273 with 24 homers and 70 RBIs during his four full big-league seasons. The Red Sox, like any other sane team with some money to spend, expressed some interest.

According to the Boston Herald, the Tigers were interested in either a center fielder or a starting pitcher in return. Detroit reportedly brought up Jacoby Ellsbury as their main interest in one potential deal, and another involved Clay Buchholz as the main piece heading out of Boston, but the Red Sox balked.

Throughout the process, the now-29-year-old Granderson had no idea where he'd land.

"I literally thought I was going to be going to the Cubs," Granderson told the Herald. "That's the way all the papers read back in my hometown [of Blue Island, Ill., a suburb of Chicago]. The Tribune and the Sun-Times had me yanked in to move over there. All my friends and family who are Cubs fans were ready to start buying the jerseys, but sure enough, you can't read too much into it until it happens. The Yankees were actually one of the least on the list, and that's where I ended up."

Granderson had no idea that the Red Sox had been in the mix to trade for him until a reporter told him on Wednesday, but he didn't seem altogether put off by the idea, an oddity for a player wearing pinstripes.

"There's a great tradition here [in Boston]," he said. "You know there's going to be a sellout every night, and every game I've played here since 2005 has been enjoyable."

One current member of the Red Sox who would have been giddy to see Granderson in his own locker room is closer Jonathan Papelbon, who surrendered the Yankee's 10th-inning bomb on Wednesday.

"It seems like I've made a few mistakes to Granderson, man," Papelbon said. "He's the type of hitter, you make mistakes, he's going to make you pay."

Sure, it's just a season-opening, three-game series against the Yankees, but so far in 2010, that expected monster has been relatively toothless as Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey have a combined zero wins, 5.17 ERA, 1.00 K/BB ratio and 16 hits allowed in 15 2/3 innings pitched.

This from the group that's supposed to lead the top rotation in all the game and make the Red Sox serious World Series contenders.

Beckett, Boston's de facto ace according to 47 percent of participating Red Sox fans, started on opening night against CC Sabathia and the Yankees. The hard-throwing righty gave up back-to-back homers in the second inning, however, and never really settled down, going 4 2/3 innings and allowing five runs (all earned) on eight hits and three walks, striking out just one.

"I felt good," Beckett told reporters after the Red Sox rallied against Sabathia and the New York bullpen to win 9-7. "I had no physical issues at all. The atmosphere was great. I felt good. It just came down to making pitches when you need to, and time and time again, I couldn't do that."

Lester voiced a similar sentiment after allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in five innings on Tuesday night.

"I just didn't put guys away," the lefty told MLB.com. "When I needed that pitch, I either yanked it or left it up or threw it in the dirt or whatever. I just wasn't able to get that knockout pitch, I guess."

The newest member of the rotation, Lackey was by far the most impressive of the trio, tossing six shutout innings against the Bronx Bombers on Wednesday. But the Red Sox offense scored just one run, and the bullpen blew the 1-0 lead and eventually the game as the Yanks scored twice in the 10th to steal the victory and the series.

"As a starter, your job is to give your team a chance to win," Lackey said afterward. "I felt like I did that. After that, you just want a team win. Getting a win is nice, but it's not a huge goal of mine. I want the team's success more than anything."

Unfortunately, the team couldn't get it done.

For a team purportedly built around run prevention — in other words, pitching and defense — the Red Sox haven't gotten enough of either over the first three games. The team ERA through three games is 4.82, 23rd in the majors, and the team WHIP is 1.54, also 23rd.

And the defense? Well, it's been solid, but newly acquired shortstop Marco Scutaro's error in the eighth on Tuesday kept a Yankees rally going that eventually produced the go-ahead run.

To be fair, losing two of three games at home to the Yankees in April does not a season ruin. But it does raise some issues about the infallibility of the Red Sox' pitching staff.

Beckett, Lester and Lackey will all get their fair share of W's in 2010, but this group of Red Sox is going to have to find other ways to win games as well. Whether it's getting some timely hitting, more reliable relief pitching or knocking the ball out of the park with a little more regularity, some other players must step up in order for the Hub to be hopping come playoff time.

Sure, there was plenty of the normal back and forth between the comedy legend and his guest, but Letterman, a native of Indianapolis, the home of Butler, had a rooting interest in talking to Stevens.

After the 33-year-old coach said that his team is still “licking its wounds” following its 61-59 loss to Duke on Monday night, Letterman came to the coach’s defense.

“I’ve been talking to my basketball people all day and you have nothing to apologize about and nothing to be ashamed about. You took it to those goons and, my God, what a tremendous game.”

Letterman also asked why Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said — after his team’s Final Four loss to Butler — that Duke should handle Stevens and the Bulldogs pretty easily in the NCAA final. “Why would he do something stupid like that?” Letterman asked, obviously doing his best to rile up the young coach.

But Stevens remained positive, saying that Izzo “knows a lot more than I do.”

“You’re just not going to take my bait, are you?” Letterman responded jokingly.

“I’m too young to take your bait,” quipped a smiling Stevens.

Letterman laughed, suggesting that Izzo “is a great coach and maybe he knows more than you do, but he also took the early bus home, so there.”

Shortly thereafter, Letterman made Stevens a lucrative offer to lure him to his alma mater.

“I’ll give you a year of my pay if you take the coaching position at Ball State,” said Letterman, who earns a reported $31 million a year from CBS.

“You know what,” Stevens quickly replied, “they have an outstanding coach and a terrific person up there in Billy Taylor. He’s going to get it done up there.”

The 62-year-old Letterman also poked fun at Stevens’ youthful appearance.

“When I first saw you,” the host joked, “I said to myself they’ve got a guy who signed up to play basketball at Butler, and the guy said, ‘Yeah, I’ll play for Butler if my younger brother can coach.’”

“I’ve gotten a little bit of that recently,” Stevens said with a smile.

For more of the interview, check out the video below.

Mark Buehrle, the All-Star and Gold Glove pitcher for the White Sox who baffled the Rays with a perfect game last July, used the leather on Monday in twirling seven innings of three-hit, shutout ball in the season opener against the Indians.

In the fifth inning, young Cleveland catcher Lou Marson hit a hard ground ball back up the middle against Buehrle. In an attempt to knock it down, the left-hander kicked his left leg in the ball’s direction, deflecting it with his shin way off to his left, toward the first-base line.

But instead of conceding an infield hit, Buehrle gave chase and took off after the ball with every ounce of energy the 31-year-old could muster. He crossed just in front of the charging Marson as he rumbled down the line and reached the ball several feet into foul territory.

Next, as the Chicago Sun-Times’ Rick Morrissey describes, “When he arrived at the intersection of Forget It and Dude, You Have No Chance, Buehrle scooped up the ball with his glove and, without looking, flipped it in one motion between his legs to first baseman Paul Konerko, who caught it barehanded.”

Marson was out by half a step.

How did Buehrle pull off the remarkably acrobatic maneuver to get the out?

No idea, he admitted. “Everything went blank” when he got halfway to the ball, he told the Sun-Times.

“It’s one where you see the play happening, you run over there and say, ‘Do I slide and spin, do I just grab the ball and throw it?’” Buehrle said. “Every thought went through my head but that one. You could have asked me if I had thrown it between my legs when it happened, and I wouldn’t even have known it.”

Asked about the play after the 6-0 win, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called it “one of the best I ever seen.”

I’m not sure I’d rank it ahead of Ozzie Smith‘s stab and throw (seven seconds in), Kevin Mitchell‘s barehanded snag of a fly ball in left or even DeWayne Wise‘s catch last summer to maintain Buehrle’s perfecto. But it’s pretty amazing for Opening Day.

Following several weeks of resting, relaxing and preparing for the grind of the regular season in Florida or Arizona, once-coddled pitchers are thrust into the fire of live-game situations, while hitters are expected to produce right off the bat.

But there's plenty of pomp and circumstance to go along with the start of the season, as well. Follow along as we take you through 10 amazing images from baseball's Opening Day.

Fireworks soar over the Fenway Park press box before Sunday's opening game of the Major League Baseball season between the Red Sox and Yankees. (Elise Amendola, AP)

Anthony Pesca of the Bronx leads his two sons Dominic, 7, and Mario, 6, toward the entrance at Citi Field in New York for the Mets' season opener against the Florida Marlins. (Kathy Willens, AP)

A member of the grounds crew scrubs home plate before Monday's game between the Rockies and Brewers in Milwaukee. (Jeffrey Phelps, AP)

President Barack Obama shakes hands with children in the stands after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of the Washington Nationals' opening game against the Philadelphia Phillies. (Alex Brandon, AP)

Former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, left, greets Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky at Fenway Park in Boston after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Sunday night's opening game against the Yankees. (Elise Amendola, AP)

St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols blasts the first of two Opening Day home runs against the Cincinnati Reds. Pujols went 4-for-5 with four runs and three RBIs in the Cardinals' 11-6 victory. (David Kohl, AP)

It seems a touch early, even for the Royals, but outfielder David DeJesus officially gives up on the 2010 season in just the fifth inning of the team's opening game. Really, though, DeJesus steals second base, but the Royals still lose 8-4 at home to the Detroit Tigers. (Orlin Wagner, AP)

Braves outfielder Nate McClouth dives safely into first base during his team's 16-5 triumph Monday over the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field in Atlanta. (Rich Addicks, AP)

Pirates closer Octavio Dotel rears back to throw in the ninth inning of his side's 11-5 Opening Day win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
(Gene J. Puskar, AP)

New Angel Hideki Matsui pops out in the first inning of L.A.'s opener Monday night against the Minnesota Twins. (Jae C. Hong, AP)

Singer/songwriter Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance during the Red Sox’ season opener against the Yankees on Sunday night, belting out his hit “Sweet Caroline” as the Fenway faithful sang along.

Wearing a dark sports jacket with the message “Keep the Dodgers in Brooklyn” written on the back, the 69-year-old Brooklyn native connected with the fans who regularly use his song as a late-inning rallying cry.

How’d Diamond’s performance go?

In short: “So good. So good. So good.”

Martinez pitched for the Red Sox from 1998-2004, compiling a 117-37 record and 2.52 ERA along the way. He won the American League Cy Young Award in both 1999 and 2000.

The 38-year-old Martinez pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009 — going 5-1 in nine regular-season starts — and is currently an unsigned free agent.

There’s no substitute for watching an amazing moment live as it happens. It’s the best way to capture the excitement of March Madness.

But now that we’re 61 games into this year’s event, taking a glance at some of the tourney’s top images comes in a close second. Follow along as we take you through 15 of this year’s shining moments.

Ohio State players run through drills during a practice session on March 25 in St. Louis. (Jeff Roberson, AP)

Richmond’s Kevin Smith, right, plays some seriously tight defense against Saint Mary’s Matthew Dellavedova during their first-round game March 18 in Providence. (Winslow Townson, AP)

BYU’s Brandon Davies skies over Florida’s Alex Tyus during the second overtime of the Cougars’ first-round victory on March 18 in Oklahoma City.
(Sue Ogrocki, AP)

Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl appears a touch upset at a referee’s call during the Vols’ loss in the regional final on March 28. (Jeff Roberson, AP)

Murray State forward Danero Thomas, right, hits the game-winning shot as the Racers shock No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the first round.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP)

Baylor’s Tweety Carter gets amped up during the first half of the Bears’ South regional championship game against Duke. (David J. Phillip, AP)

One of the true surprises of the tournament, Cornell and coach Steve Donahue reached the Sweet 16 thanks to upsets of Temple and Wisconsin.
(Steve Helber, AP)

Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen can’t hide his emotions during the Wildcats’ loss to Butler in the West regional final. (Paul Sakuma, AP)

Meanwhile, the No. 5 seed Butler Bulldogs, including Matt Howard, center left, and Andrew Smith, center right, go crazy after the final buzzer of their 63-56 win over Kansas State. (Paul Sakuma, AP)

Washington’s Quincy Pondexter puts up the game-winning hoop over Marquette’s Jimmy Butler in the final seconds of their first-round tilt in San Jose, Calif. (Paul Sakuma, AP)

Ohio’s DeVaughn Washington celebrates a huge dunk against Georgetown during the Bobcats’ first-round upset of the No. 3 Hoyas in Providence.
(Elise Amendola, AP)

Tennessee’s Brian Williams goes to the deck with a smile after getting fouled by Michigan State during the second half of their Midwest regional final in St. Louis. (Paul Sancya, AP)

Northern Iowa’s Kwadzo Ahelegbe bowls over Kansas’ Tyrel Reed during the Panthers’ stunning second-round upset of the top-seeded Jayhawks in Oklahoma City. (Sue Ogrocki, AP)

Baylor’s Tweety Carter soars to the hoop during the Bears’ regional final loss to Duke. (Eric Gay, AP)

Injured guard Kalin Lucas is lifted by his teammates to cut down the net after Michigan State’s 70-69 win over Tennessee in the Midwest regional final. (Paul Sancya, AP)