Fresh Links: Wild West Showdown Edition

<p><b> The Boston Bruins kick off a West trip by facing the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow night, 10pm Eastern: </b></p>

<ul>

<li> Here's where we left off, the Little Engine That Krug overcame an initial faux pas to push the Bruins past the Winnipeg Jets. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/04/torey-krug-leads-bruins-past-jets/9sTV74AgUdhBs68ptUEINI/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> The next week will likely demonstrate exactly what the Bruins bring to the table against the best of the West. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/06/bruins-face-tough-tests-california-road-trip/76Ba39HM8hJ5OBh9jwbFEK/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> The West trip will help answer some roster questions, such as what might be planned to replace Dennis Seidenberg. These upcoming opponents are "murder at home," and are more potent teams than the Bruins have faced recently. [<a href="http://www.patriotledger.com/sports/x128256294/Bruins-face-major-test-out-West">PatriotLedger</a>]</li>

<li> Justin Florek has been recalled to join the Bruins. [<a href="https://twitter.com/MarkDivver/status/420198091090702336">@MarkDivver</a>]</li>

<li> Florek is the latest Providence Bruin to make his mark. Since the watershed Penguins game, there have been 8 players called up. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/05/justin-florek-becomes-latest-bruins-call-make-nhl-impact/vtZ2jCyMua5v7dlvcHxi4L/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> Meet "Yoopers" Florek and Zach Trotman, worth a revisit thanks to current events. [<a href="http://hockeyjournal.com/blog/kirks/Yoopers_Florek-_Trotman_aim_to_reach_NHL_together_with_Bruins">NewEnglandHockeyJournal</a>]</li>

<li> Then get to know Ryan Spooner, whose dog shares a name with a Bruins teammate... (Video, 2:35) [<a href="http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=529986">Bruins.NHL</a>]</li>

<li> Patrice Bergeron on leadership, stepping up in the face of injuries, and an unlikey fight against Tyler Myers. Also, why he will be happy even if he is not named to Team Canada.  [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/14739/bergeron-diary-on-leadership-olympics">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> Daniel Paille has returned with a bang, glad to finally feel like himself after missing seven games with concussion symptoms. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/05/bruins-daniel-paille-feeling-better-and-seeing-increased-production/Hv6t9O1q7egE0Kscuepp6O/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>

<li> Claude Julien has celebrated his 500th game as Bruins coach, but his system is not for everyone. [<a href="http://www.bruinsdaily.com/2014/01/04/claude-julien-500th-game-a-sign-of-a-successful-system/">BruinsDaily</a>]</li>

<li> On Sunday the depleted PBruins, with Malcolm Subban in net, clobbered the Worcester Sharks. [<a href="http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/content/20140105-p-bruins-rout-sharks-8-2.ece">Providence Journal</a>]</li>

</ul>

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

<ul>

<li> The man, the legend: Rich Peverley is the "Raptor Jesus."  [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/rich-peverley-legend-raptor-jesus-212904353--nhl.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

<li> Not once, but twice? Rob Laurie, age 42, signed another professional tryout contract and backed up Vancouver's back up Eddie Lack, he was nearly called upon to take the ice! [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/gonna-call-goalie-rob-laurie-043814078--nhl.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

<li> The bat that flitted around during the anthem singing at the Centre Bell on Saturday has been captured alive, it now also has its own Twitter account, d'accord! [<a href="http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/montreal-canadiens/Bell+Centre+eludes+exterminator/9351683/story.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_camp">MontrealGazette</a>]</li>

<li> Finland, Sweden, and Russia were on the podium at the World Junior Championships. [<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/world-juniors/">TheGlobeAndMail</a>]</li>

<li> One blogger's informational look at concussions in the NHL, listing injured players and including symptoms and protocols. [<a href="http://undisclosedinjury.blogspot.com/2014/01/concussions-in-nhl.html">UndisclosedInjury</a>]</li>

<li> This stained glass panel is the perfect Bruins fan gift! [<a href="http://i.imgur.com/moUYLa4.jpg">Imgur, Largemarge81</a>]</li>

</ul>