While the B’s have faltered down the stretch, the Maple Leafs have given the city of Toronto slim hope. Toronto had been one of the hottest teams in the NHL. So hot, that the Leafs have played themselves out of a lottery pick and into the playoff race going into last nights game. Essentially, Toronto had to beat the Bruins in regulation in last night’s game and beat them again on Thursday in order to have a realistic chance.

That chance, was put to an end. Playing a desperate and motivated hockey club, the Bruins all but ended the Leafs playoff chances by beating them 6-2. That win put Boston six points ahead of Toronto with six to play. The Leafs would have to surpass the Bruins and four other teams in order to make the playoffs.

You have to appreciate the resiliency of this year’s Bruins club. Toronto was playing for their playoff lives and needed that win. Boston headed into last night’s game, losers of three straight and having the worst month this team has seen all year. Everything was going against the B’s, Washington had won to move ahead of Boston for that final playoff spot (number of wins being the tie-breaker), Marc Savard and Andrew Ference were out with injuries, Big Z was banged up, and the B’s have had a whale of a time trying to find the back of the net. To make matters worst, Boston’s sniper Chuck Kobasew was injured early in the first period and didn’t return.

"We’ve been without key players all year long," said Boston forward Kobasew after pre-game skate and ironically got hurt. "It’s something that is not new to us, and it gives everyone else that extra little opportunity to show what they can do to help the team win."

So what gave? Boston’s youth movement. The kids were in full effect last night. David Krejci, Milan Lucic, and Matt Lashoff each had two points, while Phil Kessel added a goal. The B’s young talent, which has played a ton this year, is a big reason why they are in the playoff mix. Claude Julienability to plug in the kids in almost any situation has help in the development. The implementation of the youth in these situation is olny going to help them gain the confidence they’re going to need in the playoffs. They will make young player mistakes but Julien has learned to live with that because they have to learn sometime.

I am most impressed of the play of David Krejci. Although it doesn’t show up in the score sheet some nights, the Bruin’s best player down the stretch has been Krejci. Krejci had a goal and an assist last night, as he took over Savard’s spot of the power play in his absence. He has displayed the skill set that had made him a top prospect in the Bruins system.

With the win the Bruins stay two points ahead of the Capitals for that eight and final playoff spot. Hate them or not, these Bruins have been a great story for the NHL. They are the Red Sox of the Jimmy Williams era. Picked to finish last by many hockey experts, they have over achieved all year long playing every game like its a battle.