Fresh Links: All He Wants For Christmas

The Bruins host the Islanders tonight at 7:00PM on NESN, but be sure to tune in early at 6:30PM to see Rick Middleton’s #16 raised to the rafters at TD Garden.

• Ryan Donato returns to the battered Bruins tonight- the Islanders’ Casey Cizikas will be back in action as well. Fox Sports
• All he wants for Christmas- Donato had a long, painful visit to his dentist while he was with the Providence Bruins. The procedure seemed a lot like carpentry. Boston.com
• Here is a quintet of forwards the Bruins could target to fill the opening for a scoring boost. Boston.com
• Defensemen up from Providence as well as those usually relegated to low minutes are enjoying the chance to strut their stuff as the regular blueline suspects heal up. (With video) NHL
• Brandon Carlo’s likely return on Thursday couldn’t happen at a better time, with Kevan Miller now out. Patriot Ledger
• Rick Middleton will be celebrated at a pure goal scorer. He credits coach Gerry Cheevers and linemate Barry Pederseon for the resurgance of his career. Boston Herald
• Don Cherry wants to return to Boston again this spring for one good reason. Bonus: have a look at his special outfit for tonight. WEEI
• Standings- Boston remains ninth overall in the league NHL, sixth in the Eastern Conference, NHL fourth in the competitive Atlantic Division, NHL and is in the top wild card spot. NHL

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Review each Atlantic Division rival’s performance this year (so far) compared to last year. Bonus- graphic evidence. Raw Charge
• This power ranking... employs a haiku format... in rating each team. Sportsnet
• There is now an approved plan in place to distribute the remaining Go Fund Me money to the survivors and families of the Humboldt Broncos. TSN
• Here’s all you need to know about cowbells. Reddit