Boston Bruins Video: Watch Andrew Ference Explain Player of the Game Chain

During their Stanley Cup run last season, the Boston Bruins handed out an old-school team jacket to the most valuable player after each playoff game. This year, they have come up with a padlock chain.

Chris Kelly became the first recipient of the chain on Thursday after his overtime goal in Game 1 against the Washington Capitals earned the Bruins a 1-0 series lead.

Here is a picture of Kelly with the chain, via the Bruins' Twitter account.

The chain has 20 links—one for each player that the team is able to dress for a playoff game (18 skaters and two goalies). The chain symbolizes the importance of everyone playing to the best of their ability, because in the playoffs, there can be no weak link.

Kelly talked about the chain after Game 1, saying:

"It’s something, kind of like last year with the jacket, Andrew [Ference] made something that symbolizes a team, a chain. Try not to be that weak link, and it’s one of those things that you pass out after a game. It’s one of those things that’s all in good fun. It just started for the playoffs."

Even head coach Claude Julien likes the chain:

"

CJ likes The Chain: "Guys got a good chuckle out of that...it serves us well."^BISH

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 13, 2012"

These different items for the player of the game during the playoffs are a magnificent idea, and really show how close this team is. One of the better traits of this Bruins team is the camaraderie and togetherness they have.

All quotes obtained first hand.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and covered the team first hand throughout the season. He was also the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.