The Patriots are three days into their first voluntary workouts of 2013, and one of the biggest storylines has been quarterback Tom Brady‘s chemistry with his receivers. Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd were the team’s two most productive wideouts in 2012, and both have found roster spots on other teams.

The gaps have been filled, though, with the Pats signing Danny Amendola and drafting a number of other receivers. Amendola has already shown some initiative, spending some time in the offseason getting reps in with his new QB.

Rob Gronkowski underwent a successful surgery on his forearm on Monday and he could be ready for training camp in June, but the horizon may not be so sunny for veteran receiver Aaron Hernandez, who could miss playing time in 2013 recovering from shoulder surgery.

Based on the Patriots’ receiving corps, Brady will have a number of options when it comes to the passing game, but who will lead the pack in receptions?

Now, B’s coach Claude Julien has some decisions to make. There is a chance that all three of the usual defensemen may be healthy enough to suit up for Game 2 on Sunday, which may send Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug back to the land of the healthy scratches.

But even if the team is back to full strength, do the young guns deserve another chance to suit up? All three played well on Thursday, with Krug scoring his first NHL goal, Hamilton added an assist and Bartkowski clocked a career-high 26:42 of ice time.

Assuming everyone is healthy, which of the rookies has made the best case to start over a veteran in Game 2? Voice your opinion in the poll below.

Many question whether or not the Bruins have enough stamina to make their way to the Stanley Cup Final, but their next task will be taking on the New York Rangers on Thursday night in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The two teams are pretty evenly matched, and Rangers head coach John Tortorella even said, “Both teams play a pretty similar game as far as straight ahead and just grinding it out.”

The series figures to be a back-and-forth battle between two teams that both value the defensive style of the game and have solid, battle-tested coaches. But which team will emerge victorious?

Of course, everyone remembers the 2002 Snow Bowl. It was the Patriots against the Raiders in the AFC Divisional playoffs, and the phrase “Tuck Rule” became a household one. In 1986, Dave Henderson hit a two-out, two-strike, two-run home run in the ninth inning to give the Red Sox a 6-5 lead in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Angels.

The B’s managed to rally from a 4-1 deficit in the third period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in sudden-death overtime. But was that the greatest comeback win in Boston sports history?

But when Bailey does return from his biceps injury, which will hopefully be early next week, how should manager John Farrell organize his bullpen?

Bailey was very impressive in the period between taking over for Hanrahan and going on the DL, posting a 1.46 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP in 13 total appearances.

Tazawa has yet to be tested in the closer’s role, as the team has yet to find itself in a save situation since he took over, but he was one of the best arms in the Boston bullpen in his earlier stint as a setup man. He held opponents scoreless in 13 of his 17 appearances, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out 14 over 12 2/3 innings.

One thing is for sure: the closer will not be Hanrahan — not anytime soon, at least. The Red Sox transferred him to the 60-day DL on Thursday, putting him out of commission until at least early July.

Who do you think is Boston’s best option at closer going forward? Voice your opinion in the poll below.

After the C’s were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the futures of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Doc Rivers were immediately questioned. The Celtics’ offseason will be everything but routine, considering that the team has some serious decisions to make.

Danny Ainge could opt to have one more go at winning a championship with his current team, or he could decide to start the rebuilding process immediately. No one knows what’s in the cards for the Celtics as of now, but fans should be prepared for anything.

Career-Celtic Paul Pierce could be bought out of his $15 million contract for next year for $5 million this summer by the Celtics, and the only other remaining member of the “Big Three,” Kevin Garnett, could be less likely to return to a C’s team without Pierce. KG was given a rousing standing ovation when he exited the court in the final seconds of Friday’s loss. Despite Garnett having two more years on his contract, it’s possible that was the last time TD Garden fans would see him in a Celtics uniform.

Rumors have also swirled about whether or not the Celtics would trade Rajon Rondo after his season-ending injury.

Which player do you think is least likely to wear the green and gold next season?

The victory allowed the Celts to stave off elimination for a second consecutive game and brought the best-of-seven series back to TD Garden for Game 6. The Carmelo Anthony-led Knicks rode their star’s hot shooting to 3-0 series lead, but the combination of Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass largely stifled Anthony in Games 4 and 5.

The Celtics certainly are not going to score 100-plus points each night, but if their defense can continue to hold the Knicks to point totals in the 80′s, they will have a chance to pull off a feat that has never been accomplished in NBA history — coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. Add in the fact that these two teams seem to genuinely not like each other, and we’re in store for a potentially historic weekend of basketball.

What do you think? Can the Celtics make history, or will New York shut the door on Boston’s comeback bid? Voice your opinion in the poll below.

Injuries have plagued the Celtics all season, and players like Jeff Green, Avery Bradley and Jason Terry have risen to the occasion. But are the Celtics maybe out of gas as they barrel into the playoffs?

Carmelo Anthony and his New York Knicks have controlled the series so far, keeping Kevin Garnett in foul trouble and playing strong defense. They have limited Boston to 39.2 percent shooting in New York, and even when the C’s had a lead down the stretch in the second game, the Knicks locked them up, holding them to just seven field goals in the second half.

The series comes to Boston on Thursday, and the Celtics are hoping they can make a run. Do you think they have what it takes?

With needs at cornerback, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive end, the Pats could make any number of selections to benefit the team. Players like Brandon Spikes and Rob Ninkovich have contracts coming to an end after the season, and it’s possible the Patriots could address those needs as early as the first round.

Injuries have also plagued the Patriots this offseason, with Rob Gronkowski requiring another surgery on his forearm and Aaron Hernandez missing spring workouts because of a shoulder surgery.

The Pats made strong moves during free agency to fill some of the gaps, but there are still a few positional needs for next season. What position should they address in the upcoming draft?

Photo via Facebook/NFL Draft

This year’s slate of course features home and away matchups with the Bills, Jets and Dolphins, and the rotating AFC-NFC schedule gives the Patriots four dates with NFC South squads, including a trip to Atlanta to take on Matt Ryan and the division champion Falcons.

But the marquee matchups of 2013 may come against conference foes outside of the AFC East. The Pats welcome Wes Welker back to Foxboro when the team host the Broncos on Nov. 24, followed by a meeting with J.J. Watt and the Texans at Reliant Stadium the following week.

For those itching for a rematch with the Super Bowl champion Ravens, you’ll have to wait a bit. The Patriots won’t see Baltimore until a Sunday night game in Week 16.

The Patriots have averaged 12 wins per season over the past five years. How will they compare to that trend in 2013? Voice your opinion below.

Iglesias was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

It appeared to be the Red Sox’ plan all along to keep Drew, but Iglesias made a strong case to stay with the big league club through the Sox’ first week of games.

Iggy contributed nine hits on 20 at-bats while also showcasing tremendous defensive capability.

Did the Red Sox make the right call?

Jose Iglesias couldn’t have offered much more to the Red Sox over their season’s first week, contributing nine hits on 20 at-bats while also showcasing tremendous defensive capability, which played a big role in the Sox’ 5-2 start.

Dennis Eckersley gave Iglesias high praise when he said, “[Iglesias] might be the best defensive shortstop since Ozzie Smith.”

But shortstop Stephen Drew finished his four-game minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Monday by going 1-for-3 with a walk and a home run. Sox fans were excited about the potential offensive power Drew would bring to the lineup once he returned, but that was before they got a taste of Iglesias.

Drew, whom the Sox signed to a one-year, $9.5 million deal this winter,  is slated for activation from the seven-day disabled list on Wednesday, at which point Iglesias could be sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Who do you think deserves the starting nod?

Buchholz threw for seven shutout innings in the win, the second time in a row he has done so this season. He gave up just three hits while keeping Baltimore off the scoreboard.

Not to be outdone, Nava made a name for himself in the win, blasting a game-winning three-run home run in the seventh to put Boston ahead for good.

As a team, the Sox seem to be clicking in the best kind of way, but who made a bigger impact in Monday’s game?

The organization also traded a conditional seventh-round pick for defenseman Wade Redden.

The B’s had lost five of their last eight games leading up to the deadline, and were under pressure to reinforce their roster heading into the postseason. With weaknesses on both sides of the ice, the Bruins attempted to strengthen their defensive reserves while also acquiring a player with scoring power.

Jagr led Dallas with 14 goals and 26 points this season. Redden is reunited with former Ottawa Senators teammate and Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. The pair played together in Ottawa from 2001-06. Did the Bruins do enough to strengthen their team heading into the stretch?

Jackie Bradley Jr. made his big-league debut with a solid performance, walking three times and scoring two runs. Bradley Jr. was hyped up throughout spring with speculation about whether or not he would make the Sox’ Opening Day roster, and he delivered a promising start.

Jon Lester carried his strong spring performance over into Opening Day, giving up just two runs in his five innings, striking out seven and walking two. Though he only lasted five, the lefty paved a solid path for the Red Sox to get the win. The Sox’ bullpen proved to be a force to be reckoned with, as many anticipated it would be, showcasing a team that seems to be ready to play as a cohesive unit with something to prove.

Even with 161 more games ahead of them, the Sox seem to have already nailed down the formula they need to win games. What can Monday’s win tell us about the potential for the rest of the season?

While trade talk has dominated the landscape heading into Wednesday’s deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins have suddenly owned all of that talk, completing three deals to fortify themselves for the stretch run. On Wednesday night came the news — which was most shocking to Bruins fans — that the Pens had acquired longtime Calgary captain Jarome Iginla, probably the NHL’s most sought-after playing this trade deadline season. However, before even adding Iginla Pittsburgh had brought on Doug Murray from San Jose and Brenden Morrow from Dallas.

Now, quite frankly, the Pens are loaded with veteran talent and poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. But are they the favorite to hoist Lord Stanley’s cup?

Just around the corner, on Red Sox Opening Day, the Sox will take on the Yankees with Jon Lester as their starting pitcher. It seems that the Sox haven’t really forgiven the Bronx Bombers for their role in a certain player trade nearly 100 years ago, as that rivalry rages on.

Boston’s sports teams are not short on heated in-conference rivalries. The Celtics hate the Heat, and the Patriots despise the Ravens, but which rivalry is currently at its boiling point?

After finishing with a disappointing 1-3 record on their most recent road trip, the B’s found a bit of spark at the end of their home-and-home series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with a come-from-behind 3-2 win at TD Garden on Monday.

Inconsistency has plagued the Bruins’ season, but with 17 games left until the playoffs, they still have the chance to move up in the standings.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching on April 3, there is a lot of talk about who the Bruins should target to round out their squad, but would they have a shot at making a playoff run with their current team?

UMass-Lowell, Boston College, Boston University and Providence College will descend upon Causeway St. on Friday night to begin the conference’s 29th annual tournament.

The UML Riverhawks come in as this year’s No. 1 seed. Lowell was the regular season champion going 16-9-2 in conference play and swept Maine out of the playoffs last weekend at the Tsongas Center. Lowell has been led this year by junior forward Joseph Pendenza who has paced the team with 35 points and a plus-13 rating. UML will take on No. 5 seed Providence in the late-afternoon game Friday night.

The Friars come in after a hard-fought series victory over New Hampshire. PC got two late second-period goals to take a 3-2 lead over UNH on Sunday afternoon and then held off a third-period rally to advance. Providence finished the regular season in fourth place with a 13-8-6 record. Goaltender Jon Gilles has been vital to the Friars’ success, posting a 2.08 GAA, and PC has not won a game in his absence.

Defending national champion Boston College comes in as the No. 2 seed, but is probably the favorite heading into this weekend. The Eagles have fought through myriad injuries to finish with 33 regular-season points. BC swept Vermont in two easy games at Kelley Rink last weekend to advance to the Garden. With BU on the NCAA bubble, the Eagles would love to end Jack Parker‘s career Friday night. Hobey Baker hopeful Johnny Gaudreau has been phenomenal for BC, with 49 points (20 goals) this season to lead the Eagles with one of the best offenses in the nation.

The BU Terriers will be playing with a little extra incentive this weekend since Jack Parker announced his retirement after 40 years behind the bench for the Terriers. BU is certainly on the bubble and a loss Friday night would all but end their season — and subsequently Parker’s career. Freshman Danny O’Reagan and junior Matt Nieto will do their best to extend Parker’s career. The forwards have combined for 71 points this season and have led the Terriers to a strong finish after a tough start.

Regardless of which team takes it home, one thing is certain: there will be a lot of pride and intense hockey at the TD Garden this weekend.