The Bruins are right back at it tonight, hosting the Panthers tonight at 7:00PM on NESN.
- Former Panther coach Gerard Gallant is widely regarded as being “one of the good guys,” but old school may have collided with statistics. Bonus: A eye-test look at the results of other teams sacking a coach at the season midpoint. Adam McQuaid has not seen much sparring action. The Boston Globe
- Previewing the game... New coach Tom Rowe is a Lynn native, Don Cherry decried the firing immediately, former Bruin Shawn Thornton weighed in, and Seth Griffith must simply feel shell-shocked. Worcester Telegram
- In case you missed it Saturday, the Bruins beat the Sabres 2-1 in Buffalo and even enjoyed a two-goal lead, albeit briefly. The big news may have been of the injuries and illnesses. The Boston Globe Recap here. (Video, 6:14) NHL
- Take five... observations from the Sabres game. The Bruins wasted no time in a strong opening period, scoring first. WEEI
- Other happenings of note include that one Sabres goal called back after review (WHEW!) and two key penalty kills. Bruins Daily
- We await word on Matt Beleskey’s injury. Anton Blidh completed the checklist of what Claude Julien wants to see from a youngster in NHL action. Expect Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin to split the back-to-back games this week. Patrice Bergeron was slowed by “the bug.” The Boston Globe
- How about David Pastrnak’s “sudden breakout?” His success sounds more like the result of hard work and heeding his coaches. Sports Illustrated
- Bergeron has been a warrior for his team, despite what appears to be a nagging injury and even this bout of illness. WEEI
- Best. Defensive. Forward. EVER. Even his fellow NHLers are in awe of Bergeron, and his numbers don’t lie. The Hockey News
- Blidh is working to stay in Boston, and becomes the seventh youngster to debut on the NHL stage this season. The Boston Globe
- Frank Vatrano is skating with Kim Brandvold, facing an uphill slog to be ready for game action. Zdeno Chara may be back this week. The Boston Globe
- Meanwhile, in Providence Bruins action... Turnabout! The PBruins fell to the ThunderBirds in overtime on Saturday evening Providence Journal and then dropped them in overtime on Sunday afternoon. WPRI
Elsewhere around the rink:
- Weekend NHL results included the Capitals falling to tie with the Bruins in standings for the Wild Card slot, and parity around the league Sportsnet
- A former Temple University club hockey goalie answered the call as the Blackhawks’ backup after Corey Crawford underwent an emergency appendectomy. WEEI
- The Ducks were unlucky in being unable to relieve Jonathan Bernier during a shelling by the Flames- as they say, $#!T happens... The Score
- Why does the NHL appear to oppose being on the stage at such a high profile event as the Olympics? National Post
- Hey, NHLPA, you may want to read this crib sheet on The Betman’s usual tactics as the Olympic participation decision looms. Maybe there’s more for the NHL to gain by brick walling. The Globe And Mail
- Is that Brent Burns or an ECHL Fort Wayne Comet? @FortWayneComets
- This EA Sports NHL 17 player gets props for creativity, maybe. Bar Down
- Lend your ears to the new Biscuits podcast, tackling the Panthers’ firing of their coach, the loser point, whining over low scoring, the expansion draft, and various and sundry other things, link here. (Audio, 1:03:13) Down Goes Brown