BostonBruins.com - While the Bruins' 2020 Stanley Cup dreams have been put on hold, the magic of the postseason has lived on over the last few weeks through NESN's re-broadcasts of the Black & Gold's 2011 championship run.
Several members of that unforgettable squad - Adam McQuaid, Chris Kelly, Rich Peverley, Michael Ryder, Gregory Campbell, and David Krejci…so far - have joined us on social media to look back at a spring that captivated New England.
"It's even better when you know the final outcome," Patrice Bergeron said with a smile. "It's easier to watch. Not as stressful…a lot of the players from that year have been texting each other and talking about those games and reminiscing about that run."
So, with that in mind, we thought that there was no better time to remember all of the best moments from that two-month journey, which ended with Boston's first Stanley Cup in 39 years.
1. At Long Last | Stanley Cup Final Game 7 at Vancouver
Yeah, there isn't much debate or analysis needed here.
Tim Thomas secured the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP with a 37-save shutout, capping one of the most remarkable runs by a goaltender in league history.
Bergeron and Brad Marchand - sound familiar? - provided all the offense as they both connected for two goals, including Bergeron's shorthanded tally late in the second that proved to be the dagger.
As the time ticked off the clock at Rogers Arena, the Bruins flooded off the bench and Zdeno Chara eventually lifted the Cup, setting off a wild celebration that lasted for weeks - yes, weeks - as New England rejoiced in its first Stanley Cup in nearly 40 years.
2. A Legend is Born | Round 1, Game 7 vs. Montreal
Yes, he had already scored a crucial overtime goal in this series, but it was Nathan Horton's OT winner in Game 7 that solidified his place in Bruins history. Capping a series for the ages, Horton took a feed from Milan Lucic and launched a slapper from the high slot that cruised past Montreal goalie Carey Price and sent the Bruins to the second round with a scintillating 5-4 victory.
3. He Did it Again | Eastern Conference Final Game 7 vs. Tampa
After this one, it was clear that Horton's earlier heroics were no fluke. In one of the great hockey games ever played - no penalties were called - Horton scored the contest's only goal when he surged to the net front and tapped home David Krejci's feed with 7:33 remaining in the third period.
Thomas picked up the 24-save shutout as the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1990.
After the victory, NBC Sports picked up the moment before the handshake line where Thomas grabbed hold of Horton and said, "You did it again. Unbelievable."
4. Oh! And It Wouldn't Go | Eastern Conference Final Game 5 vs. Tampa
The greatest save in Boston Bruins history? Yeah, let us know of a better one.
With the Bruins clinging to a 2-1 lead midway through the third period of a pivotal Game 5 against the Lightning, Thomas worked his magic with a miraculous lunging stick save of Steve Downie at the right post.
Boston held the lead as Rich Peverley added an empty-netter to secure a 3-1 victory and a 3-2 series lead.
5. Do it for Horty | Stanley Cup Final Game 3 vs. Vancouver
The Bruins were on the brink of falling into an insurmountable 3-0 hole in the Cup Final, but things changed when Nathan Horton was taken out of the series by a vicious blindside hit from Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome just over five minutes into Game 3.
Horton left the ice on a stretcher and did not return for the rest of the series, but his teammates responded accordingly.
Andrew Ference started an onslaught with a tally just 11 seconds into the second period, as Boston went on to pot four goals each in the second and third en route to an 8-1 victory that pulled them back in the series. Marchand, just a rookie, also scored one of the great shorthanded tallies in Cup Final history to extend the Bruins' lead to 3-0 later in the middle frame.
6. Glove Save & A Beauty | Round 1, Game 5 vs. Montreal
If not for Thomas' all-time save in the Eastern Conference Final, this save might have gone down as the best and most memorable of the Cup run - and it didn't even come from a goalie.
During the B's pivotal Game 5 matchup against the Canadiens, Thomas found himself well out of the crease after a Montreal chance in the first period. Not to worry.
Michael Ryder came to the rescue, diving through the blue paint to make a stellar glove stop and keep the game scoreless.
7. Sweep Revenge | Round 2, Game 4 vs. Philadelphia
One year after surrendering a 3-0 series lead to the Flyers in the second round, the Bruins got some long-awaited revenge on Philly by completing a four-game sweep at TD Garden. Milan Lucic scored twice in the clincher, Boston's second consecutive 5-1 victory.
8. Grabbing Control | Round 2, Game 2 vs. Philadelphia
That sweep does not become reality without the all-time performance by Thomas in Game 2 of the series. Behind 52 saves from their netminder, the Bruins grabbed a 3-2 win and a 2-0 series lead on David Krejci's overtime snipe (following video review) at the 14-minute mark of the extra session. Krejci went on to lead the league in scoring during the playoffs with 23 points in 25 games.
9. Don't Poke the Bear | Stanley Cup Final Games 3 and 4 vs. Vancouver
There was nothing getting by Thomas during this magical run - and that meant both pucks and people. Thomas delivered two of the best smacks of the Cup Final when he shoved (quite forcefully) Henrik Sedin out of his crease in Game 3, before delivering a blocker blow to the face of Alex Burrows in Game 4.
10. Needing More | Round 1, Games 4 and 5 vs. Montreal
Horton's legend may have been solidified with his Game 7 winners against Montreal and Tampa Bay, but his double-overtime marker in Game 5 against the Habs was where his clutch gene was born. The 2-1 victory - which also included a remarkable post-to-post stop from Thomas on Montreal captain Brian Gionta in double OT - gave Boston its first lead in the series.
Just two nights before, it was Ryder - another top playoff performer - who pulled the Bruins even in the series with a crucial two-goal performance, including the OT winner at 1:59 of extra time.
11. Here Comes the Kid | Eastern Conference Final Game 2 vs. Tampa
With Bergeron sidelined by a concussion for the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final, the Bruins needed a spark from their No. 1 pick, rookie sensation. After potting a goal and an assist in a Game 1 loss to the Lightning, Tyler Seguin broke out with a monster two-goal, four-point display in Boston's 6-5 win that tied the series at 1.
Honorable Mention
Lake Placid Trip - After a Game 3 victory to get back into their opening-round series against Montreal, the Bruins traveled to Lake Placid, New York, with a two-day break ahead of Game 4 (another victory to tie the series). According to many members of the 2011 squad, the trip was a turning point.
Bite Me -After Vancouver forward Alex Burrows bit Patrice Bergeron's finger in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Bruins responded in Game 3 with Lucic and Mark Recchi dangling their fingers in the faces of Burrows and Maxim LaPierre during post-whistle scrums.
Waving the Flags - The Bruins had some inspiration ahead of Games 4 and 6 of the Cup Final. Legendary defenseman Bobby Orr waved a Horton flag as the fan banner captain before Game 4 to honor the winger after he was forced out of the series following the Rome hit.
And before Games 6, Horton was feeling well enough to get the crowd going himself as he waved a rally towel from the lower bowl ahead of the national anthem.
Pumping Those Tires - Roberto Luongo questioned Thomas' goaltending approach following Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final and said, "I've been pumping his tires ever since the series started and I haven't heard one nice thing he had to say about me, so that's the way it is."
Before Games 6, Thomas responded, saying, "I guess I didn't realize it was my job to pump his tires. I guess I have to apologize for that."
It's Our Ice Now - Horton made the trip to Vancouver for Game 7 and before puck drop, he headed to the Bruins bench and poured some melted TD Garden ice out of a water bottle and onto the Rogers Arena sheet. He returned to the dressing room and told his teammates, "It's our ice now."
