Status Quo

Time to enjoy time with family and friends... and fruitcake. EVERYONE loves receiving those holiday fruitcakes! NO, REALLY!

• The Bruins gained no ground in the division last evening with a shutout loss to the Blues, but hey, the Canadiens also lost.[TheBostonGlobe]


• Some times good enough won't beat a good team, but the Bruins can go into the Christmas break without regrets.[WEEI]


• Hey, who isn't glad that the Bruins elected to keep coach Claude Julien? Kirk Luedeke looks back at Julien's tenure with the Bruins, and how an early experience with a billet family helped mold him.[ScoutingPost]


• Take five... it was hard to be mad about a loss in a close game.[WEEI]


• That loss represented the first time the Bruins have been shut out all season: An ill-timed change by the Bruins defense in the third period opened the door for the first goal.[Hockeybuzz]


• Matt Beleskey took a chance when he left the Ducks, and he isn't looking back. He has been key to his line's success, despite not personally scoring the goals.[WEEI]


• The good news: Here are the key factors in the Bruins' success this season.[BruinsDaily]


• It is a quick turnoround for tonight's EPIX "Road to the Winter Classic" Episode #2, film from last evening will be included in the 200 minutes of raw film condensed into tonight's broadcast. Here's a deeper look into the logistics of production.[TheBostonGlobe]


• Here's what's on the Bruins' holiday wish list, along with other Atlantic Division teams' desires.[AlongTheBoards]


• Oh, Jack Edwards, NEVER CHANGE! (With video of Jack singing... you have been warned!)[PuckDaddy]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Got hockey comics? This site one offers one making a wry comment on Bruins sweater sales.[BarDown]


• Team USA has set their roster for the World Junior Championship.[NHL]


• Only the Jagr would make light of losing teeth to a high stick...[PuckDaddy] ...as the Panthers continue on their roll, beating the Senators.[TSN]


• Dig on into this week's Thirty Thoughts, and ditto to #30![Sportsnet]


• Reebok-CCM is backing away from the safety claims regarding their hockey helmets.[TheGlobeAndMail]


• Claude Giroux would like to have a word with you. Who knew he was such an AC/DC fan?[PlayersTribune]


• A Boston University player's season is over after he was found to be gambling.[SBNation]


• The SPHL has responded decisively to a serious incident resulting in injury to a goalie with heavy suspensions for a Cottonmouths player and coach.[FayetteObserver]


• Fans behaving badly: A Swiss hockey coach was injured by rock-throwing hooligans postgame.[PuckDaddy]