Bogged Down

The Senators turned the neutral zone into what Kevin Paul Dupont likened to The Great Molasses Flood, and the Bruins failed to slog effectively through it.

• In just over two minutes into the game, the Senators had the Bruins down by two goals, and Boston never looked quite right going forward. WEEI
• The Bruins were hog-tied in the neutral zone, and trapped in their own zone for agonizing stretches of the second period. Boston Globe
• But Brad Marchand has reached the 30 goal mark two seasons in a row, which is nice. WEEI
• Potpourri: A called penalty was mysteriously reversed, local boys Bruce Cassidy and Ryan Spooner had their tribes in the stands, and former Bruin Chris Kelly is doing well, thank you very much. Boston Herald
• The Bruins recent resurgence has been led by their defensemen pitching in on offense. Causeway Crowd

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Here’s where the Atlantic Division playoff race stands thus far. NHL
• Is there a statistical relationship between winning face-offs and winning games? I’m asking for Patrice Bergeron... Sports Illustrated
• The aptly named Reid Duke of the Brandon Wheat Kings has become the very first Golden Knight. Sportsnet The OTHER Reid Duke has taken notice. The Score
• Rookie Joshua Ho-Sang has already reached the pinnacle of any player’s NHL career. The league will now be retiring his number. NO, REALLY! Lighthouse Hockey
• The NHL says that fans want more goals. In order to achieve that, instituting a new two-goal line is on the table, one similar to basketball’s three-point line. NO, REALLY! Elbow News
• A Tale of Two Brothers- one was famous former Bruin Phil Esposito, the other Tony Esposito. They were the product of the mill town they grew up in, and took different paths into the NHL Hall of Fame. NHL
• He could read opponents and play hockey well, but school was a struggle. Only after his daughter was diagnosed with learning disabilities did he find out why. Brent Sopel is now focused on helping others in a similar situation. Players Tribune