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"Waved-off goal? CHECK! Overtime? CHECK! Bruins victory over the (Sabres?) Wait, say WHAT???" (This headline is lifted and edited from 12/18 Fresh Links: Tre Kronor Edition...)
- Groundhog day! Louie Eriksson remains Mr. OT GWG. Did you watch the last 10 minutes of the game, or were your hands over your eyes? Here's what you missed, in GIFs. [Boston.com]
- It is sad to say that the win in a game against a very depleted Sabres team hinged upon luck. [TheBostonGlobe]
- Take five... observations from the game. Much depends upon Dougie Hamilton. [SouthCoastToday]
- And Hamilton was actually surprised when his last-minute goal tied the game, he was shooting for a rebound. [MetroWestDailyNews]
- Loui Eriksson was started on the first line, but plucky Craig Cunnigham was moved into that slot later to reunite Eriksson with Carl Soderberg and Chris Kelly. [BostonHerald]
- The Dennis Seidenberg / Matt Bartkowski pairing's shortcomings are heightened by Seidenberg coming off injury and being pressed into service on the right side. Loui Eriksson 's performance pleased his coach. Bartkowski dodged a bullet. [TheBostonGlobe]
- No longer seemingly big OR bad, the Bruins are failing to follow their coach's game plan. [WEEI]
- The Bruins are fighting becoming deflated after being scored upon, and recognize how dire their playoff hopes remain. [TheBostonGlobe]
- Bartkowsi will not receive a hearing for his hit on Brian Gionta. [ProHockeyTalk]
- Good news? The power play succeeded (twice, if you count the waved-off goal.) Joe Morrow returned to Providence, because he can without clearing waivers. [PatriotLedger]
- All Claude Julien wants for Christmas is the key to moving his team past these frustrating doldrums. [MetroWestDailyNews]
- All wants for Christmas is a steady linemate. [ESPN]
- All Chris Stewart wants for Christmas is to be a Bruin. [WEEI]
- All Tuukaa Rask and Seidenberg want for Christmas is the softie Tim Schaller goal back, and four other observations from the game. [WEEI]
- The Providence Bruins are clawing back up the standings with David Pastrnak and Joe Morrow back. Matt Lindblad made solid choices. [TheProvidenceJournal]
- A modest proposal- five lineup tweaks that the Bruins should seriously ponder. [BleacherReport]
Elsewhere around the rink:
- America's best face the best of the world in the IIHF World Junior Championship. [TheBostonGlobe]
- Have lunch with Eddie Shore at Friendly's restaraunt. [MassLive]
- The 2005 WJC was a watershed for Canada, just look at their roster! [TheHockeyNews] Then look farther... Tuukka Rask, Anton Khudobin, Phil Kessel, and other current and former Bruins also appeared. [Wikipedia]
- Speaking of Dobby, here he is vaulting energetically over the boards... not. [TheSportingNews]
- As the ruble tanks, five KHL players might want to reconsider the NHL. [TheHockeyNews]
- So you've seen the NHL feature about what NHL stars would be if they were not playing hockey... here are their answers, illustrated. Tuuka Rask is so metal! [BarDown]
- Have a deeper look at Brendan Shanahan's transition to the Leafs' front office. [Sportsnet]
- Mike "Doc" Emrick has been honored with a Sports Media Award as Person of the Year. [SportsIllustrated]
- Is this the new Tim Thomas? Meet Rob Zepp. [SportsIllustrated]
- Have you seen the Penguins ' "Christmas Vacation" themed video? (Video, 2:00) [WashingtonPost]
- Here's your holiday potpourri mailbag, courtesy of Katie Baker. [Grantland]
- And let's revisit historically significant interim NHL coaches, shall we? [Grantland]