Hitting the Links: New Year's Day/ Weekend Edition

New Year's Day is unofficially known as "National Hangover Day," and last night it looked like the Bruins had started a little early. The Bruins only put 20 shots on goal in Dallas in a 4-2 loss to the Stars in a game that the Bruins looked lost in from the start.

This was bound to happen eventually, I guess. Even when the Bruins have lost during their hot streak, it's always felt like they were the better team (the Florida game is a good example). That was not the case last night. They got outplayed. They're back in action on Wednesday night in Jersey, and you can bet you'll see a much better effort.

After the jump, reactions to last night's game, Ryan Miller gets a bird, and an ugly racial incident in Sunrise.

Bruins News

• They lost last night, but the Bruins could be winning more important games for a long time. [WEEI]
• Joe McDonald's observations on last night's game. [ESPN]
• Not many positive things to take from Dallas, but the return of Rich Peverley is one of them. [NESN]
• Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask are still really, really good. Maybe the best goalie duo ever, even. [CSNNE]
• The P-Bruins signed UMass-Lowell grad Bobby Robins to a "professional tryout agreement." [Projo]
• Tim Thomas fell heading onto the ice for the third period last night. Pretty symbolic. [Globe]

NHL News

• The American junior team rallied from a 3-0 first period deficit but came up short against Canada by a 3-2 score. They will play in the relegation round. [CNNSI]
• Florida's Krys Barch was given a game misconduct for reportedly using a racial slur toward Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban. Not many Subban fans on here, but that shouldn't happen. [Puck Daddy]
• Jason Chimera of the Caps flipped off Ryan Miller Friday night after a fight in front of the Sabres net. Someday he'll get to Andrew Ference's level and flip off entire crowds.
• 24 big moments in the NHL from 2011. Lots of Tim Thomas. [NHL]
• The Leafs' penalty kill has been really bad, and it was again last night in a 3-2 loss to Winnipeg. [TSN]
• There won't be a Winter Classic game at Yankee Stadium for at least a few years. [Pro Hockey Talk]

Happy New Year!