Sports Redux: Can We Start the Playoffs Now?

Six games left. One of them will clinch the best record in the East, and the rest will be more tuneups. But forgive the Bruins for being ready for the playoffs right now; they're about as hot as they've been all year, and it would be nice to advance a little while things are going great.

But that's not how it works. Last night's 3-1 no-sweat win over the Lightning didn't get the B's any closer to the Stanley Cup, but it did get the resurgent power play a little more practice, and perhaps more importantly, it got Manny Fernandez a solid win and a confidence booster for when he's needed later on. "I felt different today for some reason," Manny said after the game. Maybe he switched Pop-Tart flavors; whatever it is, we advise him to keep it up. The real fun for B's fans is watching the clusterpuck around the #8 spot in the East; there are about seven different teams we might see in the first round. No wonder Buins fans don't want to leave the building.

The Celtics made it official: Kevin Garnett will be out of action, and probably in the Hannibal Lecter restraints, for another few games. The plan is to rest his knee, give him some minutes in the last couple of regular-season games, and turn him loose in the playoffs. Paul Pierce is still confident.

The fine-tuning of the 2009 Red Sox is almost over. Clay Buchholz got shelled yesterday, and is resigned to going to Pawtucket and wait to see how healthy Brad Penny is. Chris Carter and Nick Green have basically locked up the final two roster spots, and the new hot dogs are ready to roll out at Fenway. It's an exciting time.