Fresh Links: Wild One

The Bruins dropped the weary Wild 4-0 last night, and return to action tomorrow against the Capitals at TD Garden, 7:00PM on NESN.

• The win marks the fifth in a streak for the Bruins, who recognize that a lot of pucks bounced their way last night. TSN
• The Wild were understandably tired, and it showed. 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Special teams were just that for the Bruins last night, among other observations from the win. Bruins Daily
• Sticktaps to the Bruins for leaping to a lead and not letting the Wild into the game. Bonus- period-by-period observations from the game. South Coast Today
• The win marked the first shutout this season for Tuukka Rask, and Brad Marchand has now scored a goal in each of the last four games. Metro West Daily News
• Tuukka Rask has returned to form- what lies ahead for him? WEEI
• Three key issues still need to be addressed for the Bruins as they move into the second half of the season. Bruins Daily
• Jake DeBrusk just had to get something off his chest in the waning moments of the first period during a power play. (Video, 0:52) Bruins NHL
• That Eric Staal penalty was actually Zdeno Chara’s stick tripping Rask. Oooops, sorry! BarDown
• Ryan Donato has been glad to rejoin Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson and Danton Heinen on the third line. Enterprise News
• The return of Charlie McAvoy will leave the Bruins with difficult lineup choices. Boston Herald
• Jack Edwards has a secret weapon up in the NESN booth- a custom computer and proprietary software that his son helped build. NESN (No word on whether or not he uses a bingo card for all those Jack-isms we know, love, and anticipate.)
• The final episode of NHL’s “Road To The Winter Classic” is up- highlights are noted here, along with a link to view the entire episode. NESN
• Standings- the Bruins are 9th in the league overall, NHL 4th in the Eastern Conference, NHL and remain 3rd in the competitive Atlantic Division, NHL distancing themselves from the Sabres and Canadiens, who are shifting in the two Wild Card spots. The Islanders lurk just out of contention. NHL (Note- links are NOT static)

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Erstwhile PBruin (while on loan from the Blues) Jordan Binnington made a stellar NHL debut against the Flyers. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Greg Wyshynski is apparently on a deep undercover assignment: First, he takes a look at hockey in Alabama, Southern style. Bonus- there is history there! ESPN He then goes to the horse’s mouth to find out what the NHL needs to do to appeal to nontraditional markets deep in the South. Y’all listen up! ESPN
• Paul Stewart explains how he muses the reasons behind the rules to apply them correctly, and that consistency is a key concern. HockeyBuzz
• Revisit this examination of taxes and other factors that affect what an NHL player ultimately takes to the bank. Bonus- link to Part 1 of this series. Hockey-Graphs
• News of the Humboldt Broncos- one defenseman is back skating and shooting, two others dropped the mitts in a charity game of sled hockey. (With video) BarDown In related news, the truck driver in the accident has plead guilty to avoid a trial. NBC Sports