Fresh Links: 721 Edition

<p><b> The Bruins and Canadiens take center stage in an historic, original six matchup tonight in Montreal.  </b></p>

<ul>

<li> The Division lead is on the line tonight, and the Habs have been winning recently. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask are anticipated to be in net. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2013/12/bruins_collide_with_canadiens">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> Get ready, fans, with this preview complete with clips and GIFS from memorable prior matchups. [<a href="http://thespokedblog.com/bruins-canadiens-time/">TheSpokedBLog</a>]</li>

<li> Here's one fan's take on why Bruins fans dislike the Canadiens. [<a href="http://causewaycrowd.com/2013/12/04/boston-bruins-fans-hate-montreal-canadiens/">CausewayCrowd</a>]</li>

<li> The Bruins' "new guys" get a taste of the classic rivalry. For Reilly Smith, it will be his first time taking to the ice at the Centre Bell, for Torey Krug and Kevan Miller, it will be the first time in the regular season. [<a href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/whatsbruin/x1275648347/New-Bruins-to-get-first-taste-of-Montreal-rivalry">MetroWestDailyNews</a>]</li>

<li> Carl Soderberg learned to doggedly follow his instincts about his career arc, and has learned to compensate for his visual impairment. Both his and the Bruins' patience are paying off. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/12/05/taken-some-time-but-carl-soderberg-now-contributing-bruins/8kD4l6ZFAr6qpyuMXvu3DI/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> It ain't easy! Here's how Claude Julien maintains his sanity, and why Montreal is such a pressure cooker of hockey. [<a href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/whatsbruin/x915450189/Claude-Julien-on-how-he-stays-sane">MetroWestDailyNews</a>]</li>

<li> Shawn Thornton talks about fighting vs. hits in causing head injury, how well Loui Eriksson fits, what a "steal" Smith has been, and the Olympic break. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21337796/thornton-dc-everybody-wants-fighting">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> John Buccigross thinks you may be surprised at the four-letter word that is the reason why Thornton fights. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/notebook/_/page/buccigross_ahockeylife_112013/fighting-hockey-all-love">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> There's a good reason Milan Lucic doesn't often fight, and it isn't simply because opponents cower from him. [<a href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/whatsbruin/x1275648356/Claude-Julien-wants-opponents-to-go-after-right-guys">MetroWestDailyNews</a>]</li>

</ul>

<p><b> Elsewhere around the rink: </b></p>

<ul>

<li> An inside look into Montreal enforcer and Violent Gentleman George Parros ' experience with head injury as a result of falling during a fight with Colton Orr. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/10074206/george-parros-fighting-goon-fight">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> What, no air conditioning? Take a nostalgic look back at the old Boston Garden. [<a href="http://www.boston.com/blogs/yourtown/boston/dirty-old-boston/2013/12/the_gahden.html">Boston.com</a>]</li>

<li> Revel in the new HNIC opening sequence. "Can there possibly be anything better?" [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVbYt4crrWk">YouTube</a>]</li>

<li> Dig into this montage of NHL GIFs. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/12/4/5175646/sidney-crosbys-game-winner-nick-foligno-five-hole-sergei-bobrovsky">SBNation</a>]</li>

<li> Malcolm and P.K. Subban's cousin Reagan is a defender for her Preston Panthers team. [<a href="http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/4254634-subban-hockey-gene-not-limited-to-the-boys/">TheRecord</a>]</li>

<li> Happy HOWLidays from the Phoenix Coyotes. No embarassing costumes, iffy dancing, or off-key caroling! [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmto3vR_2IU">YouTube</a>]</li>

<li> The Bruins are featured in two of the Top 10 Hockey Bloopers of 2013. [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/top-10-hockey-bloopers-2013-223336483--nhl.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

<li> The rumor mill is churning, here are a few observations, including why Anton Khudobin might be a target of the Islanders. [<a href="http://spectorshockey.net/blog/nhl-morning-rumor-mill-december-5-2013/">SpectorsHockey</a>]</li>

</ul>