Fresh Links: R & R Edition

The Bruins rest until Thursday, when they host the Ducks at 7:00 PM.  We can all use a break.

• On the menu for the Bruins is a brief respite. The playoffs are now out of their control. [TheBostonGlobe]


• Right now, they do not appear to deserve a berth. [BostonHerald]


• A couple of key players have been at the center of the team's current struggles. [WEEI]


• Despite Claude Julien's disdain for shootouts, the points have been the salvation of lesser teams. Here's a breakdown (sorry) of the art of the shootout, and which teams benefitted. [TheBostonGlobe]


• And as the final playoff spot spins off into the distance, five notable problems have dogged the Bruins all season. [BostonHerald]


• Reilly Smith 's performance following his admittedly market-value contract still has fans applying the 'sniff test.' [MetroWestDailyNews]


• Will the biggest story be the Bruins clawing into the playoffs, or what will happen to the team if they don't? [CBSSports]


• Here's your ray of Bruins playoff hope, tucked into these quick takes. Bonus: Carey Price for the Hart! Redemption for Mike Richards ! [NHL]


• The Bruins are on this list of the teams and players who surprised us all by their unexpected struggles this season. [TheHockeyNews]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Those plucky Senators have just taken hold of the final wild card slot with their win last night. [ProHockeyTalk]


• Watch as Max Pacioretty gives Bruins fans hamburgers... and then a case of indigestion. (Video, 1:02) [TheHockeyNews]


• Carey Price , still a hero in his own home town, exchanged gifts with a shy lad who traveled all the way to Montreal to carry greetings from his school. (Video, 6:39) [PuckDaddy]


• Conn Smythe is quoted as saying "I’ll give $10,000 to anyone who can turn Herb Carnegie white." Maybe it isn't too late to get Carnegie into the Hockey Hall of Fame. [TheGuardian]


• Relive those memorable Bob Cole calls during Hockey Night in Canada wherever you are through this new app. [NationalPost]


• NHL soundbites from players are now so polished that all the spontaneity is gone. You know why, and this article confirms it. [NationalPost]


• With the Frozen Four upon us, take a look at these players that merit your attention, including Zane McIntyre of UND, Danton Heinen of UDenver, and Rob O'Gara of Yale. [TheHockeyNews]


• GO GOLDEN GOPHERS! The Minnesota women have beaten Harvard for the championship. [YahooSportsCanada]


• The Conception Bay Renegades team has taken a stand, forfeiting a playoff game rather than appear in an arena that did not enforce the league ban of a serial abusive fan from the facility (the league disputes this.)  [YahooSportsCanada]


• What is it like being the team dentist? Ask Dr. Jody Jones of the Predators , who knows the game well from his own school days. [TheTennesean]

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