Fresh Links: Rocky Road Edition

<p><b> Ducks... Kings... two Bruins road games, two stinging defeats. Will Tuukka Rask ratchet up his game against fellow Finn Antti Niemi and the Sharks on Saturday? </b></p>

<ul>

<li> Here's the game recap, condensed into a steaming single shot of espresso. [<a href="http://hockeyjournal.com/blog/blackGold/Bruins_in_danger_of_going_0-for-California_after_loss_to_Kings">NewEnglandHockeyJournal</a>]</li>

<li> Nine goals allowed in the first two road trip games. Rask has not looked sharp. On the bright side, Matt Fraser scored on a sweet Carl Söderberg pass, and Justin Florek tallied his first NHL goal. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2014/01/b_s_go_south_out_west">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> Chad Johnson was solid in relief. Dougie Hamilton took an odd penalty. The Kings capitalized. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/10/bruins/T02RlEjzHjQGG3pp7V8XdN/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> What went wrong and what went better for the Bruins. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21345331/rask-pulled-kings-cruise-past-bruins">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> No Dennis Seidenberg, no Chris Kelly... no success at penalty kill? Worse yet, it is causing some ongoing mental stress. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/10/bruins-penalty-killing-unit-slumping/TQuqnOs4nHQl6rOtIDJiXK/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> As for defensive acquisitions, Dan Girardi 's name keeps popping up, here's why (or why not.) [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/dj-bean/2014/01/10/why-dan-girardi-does-and-doesnt-make-sense-bruins">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> We should have Loui Eriksson back any time now, but hearing about his concussion symptoms and his concern for his future is sobering. Shawn Thornton is set to return Saturday. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2014/01/bruins_loui_eriksson_nearly_ready">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> The return of Thornton should serve as a shot in the arm. Pass the merlot! [<a href="http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/bos140109.html">TheFourthPeriod</a>]</li>

<li> Ryan Spooner has been named to the AHL All-Star team. [<a href="http://nesn.com/2014/01/ryan-spooner-named-to-roster-for-ahl-all-star-classic/">NESN</a>]</li>

<li> Get in on this deal, a Providence Bruins GROUPON! [<a href="http://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-providence-bruins-8">Groupon</a>]</li>

</ul>

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

<ul>

<li> Wade Redden has decided to strap on the gold watch and call it a career. [<a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=440773">TSN</a>]</li>

<li> A daily dose of schadenfreude. See which teams have dominated the "Meh-tropolitan Division" most completely. [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-teams-bullied-terrible-metropolitan-division-most-214959842--nhl.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

<li> Got questions on the second half of the NHL season? Here are the answers, including who will win in Sochi! [<a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/10267676/nhl-second-half-questions">Grantland</a>]</li>

<li> Remember little Oliver Wahlstrom and his remarkable lacrosse-style goal during Mini One-On-One? The seventh grader has committed to the University of Maine. [<a href="http://www.diehardsport.com/2014/01/10/seventh-grader-oliver-wahlstrom-commits-university-maine-hockey/">DieHardSport</a>]</li>

<li> John Scott remains an embarassment to the game of hockey. [<a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2014-01-09/john-scott-throws-puck-into-net-sabres-panthers">TheSporting News</a>]</li>

<li> Here's the 411 on skate sharpening for the uninitiated. [<a href="http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2014/01/09/the-hockey-players-guide-to-skate-sharpening-the-info-you-need-to-know/">BackhandShelf</a>]</li>

<li> More about the nickname "Raptor Jesus" and Rich Peverley. (Video, 1:12) [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyKX-_YZJmo&feature=youtu.be">YouTube</a>]</li>

<li> Get your NHL sweaterdresses here... [<a href="http://www.lavertydesigns.net/">LavertyDesigns</a>]</li>

</ul>