Hop on the ‘bus... the Bruins travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets tomorrow evening at 7:00PM on NESN.
- Like the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Bruins are still burdened by the problems they carried into the holiday break as they face the hottest team in the NHL. The Boston Globe
- Remember how concerned we all were about defense as the season began? Concern has now shifted to a dearth of scoring. Boston Herald
- The return of Frank Vatrano (and David Pastrnak) should improve the Bruins’ firepower. WEEI
- If you had underestimated Austin Czarnik’s chances to be and NHL player, you would not be alone. Boston Herald
- On this quick wish list for the Bruins is a power forward to wing the Patrice Bergeron line, maybe even someone familiar... Fox Sports
- Matt Bartkowski and Peter Mueller toil in the AHL with visions of resurgent NHL careers dancing in their heads. Zane McIntyre remains the top AHL netminder, by the numbers. Providence Journal
Elsewhere around the rink:
- Malcolm Subban’s brother cleverly involved his friends at Montreal Children’s Hospital in his holiday visit with children in Nashville, and now everyone has new pen pals! @PKSubban1
- From across the NHL, players posted holiday pictures. David Pastrnak made it home to be with his family, and Paul Bissonnette’s free-association to his childhood picture is just classic BizNasty. Bar Down
- Meanwhile, in the KHL, Max Talbot didn’t like his Christmas gift... (NOT for the squeamish) @Max25talbot
- In Sean McIndoe’s review of the trades made by the Atlantic Conference teams, the Bruins join the Islanders to sit in the corner wearing the dunce cap. Sportsnet
- NHL goalies look back fondly on receiving goalie equipment for Christmas. In Goal
- Look back at the 10 stories that melted the ice in our hearts around the hockey world this past year. Puck Daddy
- It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and not because of wassail and presents. Taylor Hall explains. Players Tribune
- The real spirit of Christmas is hiding in the story of one unusual Blackhawks road trip in 2008, which has been come to be known as “The Funeral Burgers.” (Video, 3:07) Puck Daddy