Having gone 4-5-1 in their last 10 and having lost their last two, the Bruins enter this afternoon's game against the Capitals looking to regain the form that got them to the top of the Eastern Conference. They'll have to go through the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin in a 12:30 NBC marquee game to do it.
NBC also has another big game on later, with the Patriots in the Super Bowl against the Giants. I could go on about this but I think I'll spare everyone. NBC should get some ridiculously high ratings in Massachusetts today with both games on their network.
After the jump, reactions to the Bruins' recent struggles, Ilya Kovalchuk turns into Rocky Marciano, and a tribute to Scott Gomez.
Bruins News
- Joe Corvo's turnover led to the game-winning goal for Pittsburgh yesterday. Corvo also scored later in the game. To his credit, he's trying to build on the positive things and put the negative in the past. [WEEI]
- Good to hear that Nathan Horton was on a stationary bike on Friday. They could really use him, both for his goal-scoring and his intensity. [WEEI]
- A few minor injuries yesterday, including 20 stitches for Dennis Seidenberg, but it appears everyone came out fine. Corvo left the game after colliding with Andrew Ference in the third, but says he should play today. [ESPN]
- Just a beautiful hit by Brooks Orpik on Daniel Paille yesterday. I loved that no Bruin felt the need to go after Orpik, because they recognized that it was a good, clean hit. Seems like every big hit, even if it's clean, leads to a fight these days. [Puck Daddy]
- Claude Julien says he won't be giving real-time updates on Nathan Horton's status. Which is to say that he'll give updates every once in a while but not every day. [Pro Hockey Talk]
- Jordan Caron was recalled yesterday but did not play. [Projo]
NHL News
- After a dirty slewfoot on Zach Parise by Zac Rinaldo, Ilya Kovalchuk and Brayden Schenn somehow ended up going at it, and Kovalchuk dropped Schenn pretty hard. [Puck Daddy]
- Jimmy Howard could be out longer than previously thought. Joey MacDonald, who I always thought was pretty good, will team up with Ty Conklin while Howard is out. [Pro Hockey Talk]
- Sam Gagner followed up his eight point night with two goals and an assist last night against Detroit. [NHL]
- Ovechkin reportedly looked a little rusty yesterday after a long layoff. Hopefully he'll still be rusty today. [NHL]
- Trade rumors from Saturday- interesting that the Kings are looking at Clarke MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin, as Toronto is still very much in the playoff hunt. [TSN]
- Finally, this masterpiece dedicated to Scott Gomez and his woeful inability to "put anything in." I thought for a while that they would somehow avoid making a dirty joke but I was wrong. [Puck Daddy]
Patriots News (Bonus!)
- The Patriots cut receiver Tiquan Underwood yesterday, in what might be the cruelest move of all time. Thankfully, they did not cut his hair. (rimshot) This means one thing: Ochocinco will be the Super Bowl MVP. Bank it.
GO BRUINS AND PATS