Sick Call

The Bruins take on the Capitals tonight at TD Garden, 7:00 PM.

• Now the Bruins must mix-and-match.  The goal? Settle on the best line combinations.  [BostonHerald]


• It just isn't fair. Now Seth Griffith will miss three weeks or so with a sprain.  [WEEI]


• Meanwhile, Joonas Kemppainen was a whiz at faceoffs, and goes to the net. Just what the doctor ordered! But will he need more seasoning?  [TheBostonGlobe]


• Young David Pastrnak is back with his team, bringing his cheerful hard work ethic and even demonstrating a spark of leadership. [TheBostonGlobe]


• The Bruins are determined that Tuukka Rask will not be shouldering the overwhelming burden of netminding as he did last year.  [WEEI]


• Now it can be told, apparently, that Adam McQuaid recently underwent another procedure relating to his issue with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It had been holding him back in training in recent years.  [CSNNE]


• Get well soon, Matthew Grzelcyk ! He will miss some of his senior season at Boston University after undergoing knee surgery.  [SBNCollegeHockey]


• The Bruins have a need to bump up their speed at the blueline, and two young defensemen would like to step up to fill the void.  [PatriotLedger]


• Zac Rinaldo showed some real speed and flair on Sunday evening, but don't be fooled. No, siree.  [BostonSportsDesk]


• Everything you wanted to know about Art Ross (warts and all) is in a new book- here's a review of "Art Ross — The Hockey Legend Who Built the Bruins" by Eriz Zweig. [SouthCoastToday]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Bid adieu to the bruising goons of yesteryear. Now those 4th liners need to evolve their game to stay in the NHL.  [CBC]


• Meanwhile, the players that filled that role in years gone by are passing away at a sobering rate. Why is no one sounding the alarm?  [TheHockeyNews]


• Got diagrams? Enjoy some graphic illustrations of preseason hockey topics, including one involving Dr. Mark Recchi. [SportingNews]


• The Return of John Tortorella: He has been named coach of the US National Team competing in the World Cup of Hockey... [SportsIllustrated] ...and in light of that, here is an overview of some of his best meltdowns!  [SportsIllustrated]


• Biomechanics. The Maple Leafs have joined the cutting edge by embracing the Catapult Sports tracking system, chipping and tracking players by computer using GPS. It may not be long until it is approved for game use.  [Sportsnet]


• A QMJH game was cancelled as a player took a hit to the head and subsequently collapsed on the bench.  [YahooSportsCanada]


• Sports imitates life: The shrinking middle class is now an issue in the NHL.  [TorontoSun]


• If numbers don't lie, these established NHL defensemen should be kept on a tighter rein.  [TodaysSlapShot]