Fresh Links: Reversal of Fortune

The Bruins host the Sabres tonight at 7:00PM on NESN.

• Patrice Bergeron is expected to be back in action tonight, and a bunch of Bruins and Sabres youngsters who played in Boston against each other in college will be reunited. Union Leader
• Brett Ritchie will sit and heal, and Charlie Coyle is expected back on David Krejci’s wing. @NHLBruins
• Buffalo arrives reeling, having lost 8 of their last 9 games including Tuesday’s loss to the bottom-dwelling Wild. Die By The Blade
• We will neither have the pleasure of Vladimir Sobotka’s NHL nor Marcus Johansson’s company tonight. @PHam1717
• The Sabres have had so-so defense so far this season, including meh performances by Colin Miller. Die By The Blade
• David Pastrnak is poised to join a vaunted group of Bruins tonight. @ShawnHutcheon
• Wasn’t it nice to see Matt Grzelcyk light the lamp not once, but twice on Tuesday night? Boston Globe
• Jake DeBrusk was buzzing in his return to game action. Now healthy, he is focused on skating a complete game going forward. Patriot Ledger
• Here’s a hip-hip-hooray for Charlie Coyle and his performance as a Bruin. Causeway Crowd
• Cold comfort? Coyle can point to the fact that NHL GMs agreed that the skate kick that prompted his goal to be taken back should have constituted a skilled possession. WEEI
• Don’t ask what brings it up, but Bruce Cassidy now holds third place in the Atlantic Division as far as tenure is concerned. NESN
• Okay, okay- here’s the news. Mike Babcock was broomed from Toronto. How does that affect the Maple Leafs and Bruins going forward? Causeway Crowd
• SHOPPING! The Bruins were out selecting toys at this year’s charity toy shopping spree. Par Lindholm employed a solid strategy. (Video, 1:04) Bruins NHL Torey Krug knows what practical item he’d gift Brad Marchand for Christmas. (VIdeo, 2:10) NESN Peruse a photo gallery here Boston Herald or another gallery here. Bruins NHL
• Heartwarmingly, a bunch of organizations including the Bruins and Drop Kick Murphys have mobilized to raise substantial funds for the family of fallen firefighter Lt. Jason Menard, including offers of free tuition for his children at area colleges. Patch
• Here’s a Jack Edwards drinking game, maybe you can play this in conjunction with your bingo card. @BruinsNationBOS

NHL Standings:

• The Bruins retain the lead the Atlantic Division NHL just ahead of the Panthers, but trail both the Capitals and Islanders in the Eastern Conference. NHL They remain third (tied in points with the Blues and Oilers, but with games in hand) against those two teams in the league overall. (Standings have been pretty sticky, but links are NOT STATIC) NHL
• Note that David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand are still solidly among the Offensive Leaders. David Krejci now joins both Marchand and Zdeno Chara among the Plus/Minus leaders. On the netminding side, Tuukka Rask is now in the mix of Goaltending Leaders in every category. Jaroslav Halak is in the save percentage leaders as well. (Links are NOT STATIC) NHL

Elsewhere around the rink:

• In news of former Bruins: Marcus Johansson and Colin Miller are now with the Sabres. How has the latter fared since his departure? Where might he be headed? Prime Time Sports Talk
• Toronto was a “dead team walking” and as far as Mike Babcock, he was ten minuites late for the inevitable door behind which Kyle Dubas can no longer hide. Bonus- random thoughts about the Capitals v. Bruins in the playoffs, the Islanders, and well wishes to Bobby Ryan. HockeyBuzz
• Time to put away your Babsocks. What does this all mean? Why now? What next? ESPN
• Great Expectorations? Paul Stewart has an opinion on Garnet “Hock-a-looey” Hathaway’s suspension, and why Brad Marchand would NEVER lick an NHL official. HockeyBuzz
• Spitting, fighting... what’s the difference, anyway? The Guardian
• The Unsung Heroes of each NHL team are highlighted in this power ranking. Sticktaps to Jaroslav Halak, folks. A former Bruin is hero to the Stars. ESPN
• Review the 25 NHL storylines that captivated the NHL in the decade about to close. You’ll like #9 a lot. (Annoying click gallery, but worth it.) MSN
• Take a moment to remember the NHLers we lost this year. Hockey Lists