Fresh Links: Friends Edition

The Bruins host the Islanders this evening at 7 PM.

• Welcome home! Johnny Boychuk (along with old friend Chad Johnson) will return to TDGarden. "It’ll be fun and weird, and awkward," according to Dennis Seidenberg. Tuukka Rask has one wish for the evening... [BostonHerald]
• Rask is looking to improve. His uncharacteristically slow start echoes the unusual struggles of Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron seen against the Sharks. [WEEI]
• After missing the first three games of the season, David Krejci has rebounded to tie the surprising Chris Kelly in points. [PatriotLedger]
• Special teams saved the day for the Bruins against the Sharks on Tuesday, especially in that key penalty kill in the waning minutes of the game. [MassLive]
• Dougie Hamilton spoke about striving to be the best player he can be in a season that will end with him in restricted free agency, and finally living alone(-ish.) (Video, 5:40) [BostonHerald]
• Bergeron is unusual for having come back after a career jeopardizing concussion to be a model for openness about what happened, and for being vigilant about guarding his health going forward. [Grantland]
• Meet "Dr. Shot," whose practice has spread by word-of-mouth. Jarome Iginla introduced him to several Bruins, and a number of NHL (as well as collegiate and junior) snipers benefit from his coaching. [BostonHerald]
• Providence Bruins coaches reminisced about their first NHL goals, and all still have the pucks to prove it. [ProvidenceJournal]

In solidarity with the city of Ottawa and all of Canada, the NHL responded to yesterday's events:

• A tweet from the Bruins offered condolences and solidarity in the face of evil. With many former Senators in the Bruins office and lineup, and after the Boston Marathon bombing, it all hit close to home. #OttawaStrong. [WinnipegSun]
• The Penguins hosted the Flyers last evening, and paused to sing 'O, Canada' pregame. [CBCSports]
• Last night it may have been the farthest thing from anyone's mind, but eventually sport will be part of the healing process. [TheGlobeAndMail]
• The city of Ottawa will persevere, as it has in the past. [TSN]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• The Islanders are looking to leave Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a bang. This will be the last chance for playoff hockey in the building.  [PuckDaddy]
• It was Malcolm Subban's brother P.K. for the win in a thrilling Halloween costume! [TheSportingNews]
• A poem celebrating the career of Wayne Gretzky will now be featured in the International Hockey Hall of Fame, this time in its entirety. [LastWordOnSPorts]
• It looks like Stats Nerds for the win in the National Hockey League this year, adapt or die! [Motherboard]
• As for former NHL coaches left to take temp gigs as panelists, it can get... awkward. [TSN]
• Noora Raty has made history, despite being handed a loss in her debut with Mestis. [TheHockeyNews]