We're big microcosm fans here at the Bostonist Sports Department. So we're even more excited by the Bruins than we'd ordinarily be. The story arc for their whole season has been overachievement, resilience, and good old-fashioned grit. They weren't supposed to be in the playoffs. They weren't supposed to hang with the mighty Canadiens. And they sure aren't supposed to be heading back to Montreal for Game Seven.

But they are. In a game that mirrored the entire season, the B's kept falling behind and looking like they were on the verge of collapsing. And they kept clawing their way back. Montreal scored in the first; Phil Kessel answered early in the second. Montreal took a 2-1 lead after 2; Vladimir Sobotka tied it up. They tied it again, 3-3, on a Milan Lucic goal, then took a lead (which lasted 11 seconds) on Kessel's second. But Marco Sturm scored, and the B's held for the final three minutes for a 5-4 win and a trip back to Canada.

As hockey miracles go, this is bigger than the Habs popping the Bruins a few years ago, and smaller than Lake Placid 1980. But they fight another day. It will be VERY interesting to see how Carey Price and the Montreal crowd respond to this abrupt turnabout. If the microcosm continues, the Bruins might just be standing when the 60 minutes (or however many OTs) are over on Monday. They're playing, as they say, with house money.

The Red Sox, trying to get some attention in this hockey-crazed city, added a degree of difficulty to their game against Texas last night. The Sox waited until Texas was up, 3-2, and until the Bruins final was flashed on the Fenway scoreboard, then went to work. Pedroia doubled, Ortiz singled him in, then Manny went deep (#496) off Joaquin Benoit for the 5-3 win.

Two other Red Sox notes: Yankee reliever Kyle Farnsworth was suspended for three games for firing a fastball behind Manny's head the other day. Manny doesn't think the suspension is warranted, saying, "He was just protecting his players. You know we hit [Alex Rodriguez] the game before." Also, sadly, John Marzano, the Sox' backup catcher from 1987-92, dies in an accident in his Philadelphia home. We don't mind having that picture of him slugging Paul O'Neill to remember him by.

Perhaps also inspired the Bruins, the Revolution fought off adversity and long odds to gain a 1-1 tie with the Red Bulls. Jeff Larentowicz scored the lone Revs goal on a free kick in the 56th minute.

TODAY: Tim Wakefield pitches against Texas, then everyone gets plenty of rest for the Patriots' Day matinee tomorrow. The Celtics kick off their postseason tonight against Atlanta; Kevin Garnett missed a couple days of practice, but somehow we think he'll be ready for the playoffs.