Hitting The Links: Payday Edition

A 2-1 loss to the Senators in preseason means that the Bruins' record of not losing in regulation in fake games is broken. Woe. One more pretend game on Saturday and then we're on to the real thing on Thursday.

Less than a week from today, a brand shiny new gold banner will be hanging in the quiet, dark TD Garden, while echoes of the previous night's festivities fade. Can you believe it's been three and a half months since the Stanley Cup fell into the hands of the Bruins?

After the jump, an injury clarifies the seventh D spot, the coaching staff has faith in 'Benny Poo,' and it's good to get paid on Friday - doubly so if you're Drew Doughty.

Bruins News:

Steven Kampfer injured his knee on a play last night, which might just be the final straw for Matt Bartkowski to make the cut as seventh d-man. [Globe]

The coaching staff knows that former fourth overall pick Benoit Pouliot has potential - it's just about harnessing it. Luckily for Pouliot, they're willing to be patient with him. [Telegram]

After nursing a healing broken toe for most of the summer, Milan Lucic is good to go. He scored last night's only Bruins goal. [Gazette]

Tim Thomas gets the whole 'collapse' thing, Red Sox. He really does. [Herald]

Maxime Sauve is one of those players right on the cusp - with good skills, Claude Julien believes that if he improves his skills battling for the puck, he might have a shot. [Globe]

A Vancouver blog takes a look at the part of the Stanley Cup Champs DVD where Thomas explains bodychecking Henrik Sedin. [Province]

Dougie Hamilton's Niagara Ice Dogs are lacking on defense? That doesn't sound good. [Chronicle]

Ryan Spooner is ready to do work in Kingston. His team beat the Brampton Battalion last night. [Whig-Standard]

NHL News

Drew Doughty got paid, son. $56 million over 8 years. He is officially the highest-paid Kings player. [LA Times]

That kid who scored the GWG against the Bruins last night, David Rundblad? Is pretty good. He might go back to Sweden if he doesn't make the NHL, though. Also Rundblad apparently means "round leaf" which is adorable.  [Sun]

Everyone scoffed at my 8th round draft of Jaromir Jagr in fantasy hockey. He scored the gwg last night. WHO IS LAUGHING NOW!? [Delaware Online]

That whole "vets getting injured and opening spots for newbies" thing is really paying dividends in Florida. Jacob Markstrom will probably start the season as backup goaltender for the Panthers. [Miami Herald]

The Devils had to walk the last few blocks to the game in Philly last night after their bus broke down. [Fire and Ice]

Sidney Crosby is going to travel to the home opener but probably won't play. [NHL]

After suffering a back injury, Jarome Iginla is back and good to go. [SLAM!]

Henrik Lundqvist is super excited to play against his former team and his twin brother in Frolunda this preseason...and it's almost here. [NHL]

Non Hockey Link of the Day:

The IgNobel prize awards the year's funniest scientific research. Seriously, some of these projects are sort of ridiculous. [Telegraph]