Reality Bites

Tonight the Bruins host the beasts that are the Capitals, 7:00PM, and then they take their show on the road.

• Reality has set in for the Bruins after the last few games. From contenders for the first place in the division, they've dropped back to struggling for a wild-card playoff slot.[ProvidenceJournal]


• Brad Marchand continues to cool his heels as his suspension drags on.[WEEI]


• Much depends on the progress of Zach Trotman and Colin Miller as the Bruins move into a tough series of opponents and a five-game road trip.[ProvidenceJournal]


• These are the ten things that the Bruins need in 2016. Discuss.[BruinsDaily]


• Well, at least the PBruins won this weekend, on strong power-play production.[ProvidenceBruins]


• Review the ups and downs of the weekend in Providence, where Seth Griffith is on a tear, and a face-caged Noel Acciari returned to action.[ProvidenceJournal]


• Meanwhile, at Denver University, prospect Danton Heinen continues to impress despite lack of production.[ScoutingPost]


• The Dropkick Murphys maintained their integrity by turning down an invitation to perform at the Winter Classic that hinged on their doing just one little thing...[Boston.com]


• Here's the post mortem on the Winter Classic broadcast ratings- blame Canada... and college football.[PuckDaddy]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Ageless former Lightning player Brett Connolly has personal insight into the Jonathan Drouin situation. [WEEI]


• Meanwhile, at the World Junior Championship, Hockey Canada wants you to avoid blaming the Team Canada youngsters...[PensionPlanPuppets] ...and Team Russia topped Team USA to face Finland for the gold.[PensionPlanPuppets]


• Is this the new luxury perk to attract tenants for Canadian apartment buildings?[Sportsnet]


• Here's your mid-season reminder, hockey parents, to behave appropriately at the rink.[BarDown]