BOSTON — The math is simple.
If the Bruins get two points — in any way — against the out-of-contention Florida Panthers at TD Garden on Sunday night
Gary Zimmerman Jersey , Boston wins the Atlantic Division and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While the Bruins were beating the Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Saturday night, the Lightning were surrendering a point to the Hurricanes in Carolina in their 82nd
and final game.
So, even though Tampa took a one-point lead, the Bruins can take care of their own business in Sunday’s game, which is a makeup of a contest snowed out
in January.
Win Sunday and the Bruins face the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the playoffs. Lose or tie and it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs in an Original Six
matchup.
“Opportunity for us, hopefully we’re up to the task,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after Saturday night’s 5-2 victory over Ottawa. “I’m sure the guys
will be excited tomorrow.”
With the game meaningful, Cassidy said he will start Tuukka Rask in goal.
“We’re in a position to take it, and that’s a credit to the guys,” Cassidy said. “We’ve worked hard to get here. This wasn’t by accident. We didn’t back
in, I don’t think. Tampa, they beat us the other night in their building, and
they deserved to win that game, and we thought
Cam Robinson Jersey , well it might be a little tougher, but here we are.”
The Bruins gave up the first goal Saturday night but then cruised past the Senators. They have allowed the first goal of the game in 43 of their 81 games
and still are in position to win the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers, who defeated Buffalo 4-3 on Saturday for their fourth straight win, are 17-5-2 in their last 24 games and 24-8-2 in their last 34. They were
eliminated earlier Saturday when the Flyers defeated the New York Rangers in
Philadelphia.
This will be the third game meeting in nine days — and the Panthers won the other two — with Rask in goal for both. Now, they have a chance to play the role
of spoiler after flying in after their home game Saturday.
Saturday night’s win gave them a club-record 27th home victory.
“I think everybody in here is disappointed,” Vincent Trocheck said after game. “The whole goal this year was to make the playoffs. We made a good push
for it in the second half. It’s just the first part of the season caught up to
us.”
Added coach Bob Boughner: “I’m proud of these guys, of what they’ve done in the second half of the season and the resiliency they’ve shown. We set the
franchise record for home wins. There’s a lot of good things. It’s tough to
recognize that right now, but I want them to finish off hard.”
Despite the two recent losses, Rask is a whopping 21-4-1 with a 1.52 goals against average and .949 save percentage lifetime against the Panthers.
James Reimer was in goal for Florida Saturday night, which left the door open for Roberto Luongo to play in the finale. Luongo, who played in his 1,000th game
and defeated Boston on Thursday night, had a disastrous 2011 Stanley Cup final
against the Bruins and now could have a chance for a second tiny bit of revenge
Sunday.
The Panthers will again be without their best player, Aleksander Barkov
Frank Ragnow Jersey , out for the weekend games with an upper-body injury suffered when checked by Boston’s Colby Cave, who has since been returned to the
minors.
The Bruins are expected to have Rick Nash (upper body) back in the lineup Sunday.
While Josh Gordon's away, the Browns may launch Plan B with their wide receivers.
Dez Bryant is on their radar.
As they await clarity on Gordon's cloudy situation, Cleveland general manager John Dorsey said Wednesday the team has discussed signing Bryant, the former
Dallas star released by the Cowboys in April.
Gordon is missing the start of training camp as part of his treatment to battle drug and alcohol addictions, and the team does not known when ??or if
??the 27-year-old will be back.
Dorsey said he "absolutely" expects Gordon to return in 2018.
"I'm going to respect Josh's privacy and I will continue to say that and let him do what he has to do moving forward," Dorsey said. "Then, when he comes
back, we'll embrace him, that's how we're going to do it."
In the meantime, the Browns have interest in Bryant, a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the game's top playmakers since 2010.
"He's a very talented player," Dorsey said. "Have we had discussions about Dez Bryant? Yeah, that's natural. You're going to have discussions like that.
Now
Chad Thomas Jersey , we'll see what comes to fruition in the next couple days, but we've talked about it. You have to talk about these things."
Especially given Gordon's track record.
Despite his numerous missteps, the Browns are standing by the talented receiver. They believe Gordon has turned his life around and are counting on the
former Pro Bowler, who has played just 10 games since 2013 due to numerous NFL
drug violations, to help this season.
Dorsey doesn't know when Gordon will return, and the club changed his roster designation from the non-football illness list to "did not report" so it would
have roster flexibility.
"Josh is 100 percent committed to the Cleveland Browns," Dorsey said. "The Cleveland Browns are 100 percent committed to him. He's had a great offseason.
He's had great training. So you know what, let's just see what happens here.
Let's see what happens. All I care about is let's respect his privacy. Let's see
him move forward."
An NFL spokesman said earlier this week that Gordon has not been suspended again, and that there is no timetable on his return.
However, both Dorsey and coach Hue Jackson refused to answer whether they've received assurances from the league that Gordon is not facing further
discipline.
On the eve of his third training camp, Jackson, who has not spoken with Gordon, wanted the focus on his available players.
"Obviously we'd like to have all of our players here. But at the same time we know things do come up," he said. "And I think as a staff we prepared for
anything and everything. I think in my going on three years here I've seen it
all. So I'm not surprised by anything that can happen. I think if we make it
more than what it is.
"You're talking about a young man that's doing everything he can to put himself in the best position to be better in his life. And I think that's great
for Josh. At the same time we have a football team to get ready
Marvin Harrison Jersey , and that's what we're going to do. All we can really worry about are the guys that are here and coach the guys that are here
and get them better ????nd when Josh is ready to return he'll return."
With Gordon's status unclear, Dorsey said the team is considering Bryant, who is looking for a fresh start.
The 29-year-old developed into one of the league's most physical receivers during eight seasons with Dallas. He had three seasons of more than 1,200 yards
receiving and led the NFL with 16 touchdowns in 2014.
However, he came up short of living up to the five-year, $70 million contract he signed four years ago. Bryant battled an assortment of injuries before the
Cowboys let him go to gain salary-cap space.
Bryant has had some off-field issues, though nothing to Gordon's level, and his fiery temperament led to some well-publicized sideline rants. But with
Cleveland's receiving corps reduced by Gordon's absence and a season-ending neck
injury to Ricardo Louis, the Browns may be willing to overlook any baggage.
"I look at Dez as a very competitive, passionate person," said Dorsey, who has known Bryant for years. "That's how I look at a Dez Bryant."
NOTES: Rookie CB Denzel Ward signed his contract and reported in time for Thursday's first practice. Ward was the last unsigned player in Cleveland's
rookie class. Top pick Baker Mayfield signed his $32 million deal Tuesday night.
... Dorsey and Jackson reiterated they will not rush Mayfield and that Tyrod
Taylor is the club's starting quarterback.
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