Fresh Links: Lopsided

The Bruins survived a soberingly impotent first period to best the Sabres 3-2. Next up? The Wild arrive tomorrow night at 7:00PM on NESN.

• Bullet points from the win include noting an immediate and relentless attack by the Sabres capitalizing on a slow start for the Bruins. That would be an understatement. Bruins Daily
• No “A” game to be found? No problem... for now. The power play was boosted by the return of Patrice Bergeron to the bumper position. Boston Globe
• The first period was alarming, and yet the Bruins fortunately entered the dressing room after the first period down by only one goal. Chris Wagner took on Curtis Lazar, who was trying to strong-arm Urho Vaakanainen. Boston Herald
• Tuukka Rask kept his team in this one and stole the game, while Brad Marchand put his team on his shoulders in the scoring department. How about that Matt Grzelcyk pass that set up his second goal? Patriot Ledger
• Don’t get too far ahead of yourselves, but Matt Grzelcyk’s performances bode well if the Bruins can’t re-sign Torey Krug. Newburyport News
• It was Tuukka Rask and the Bruins power play that finally tilted the ice. Not to belabor it, but at one point the shot differential was 14-0. Welp. Boston Sports Journal
• So, was Tuukka Rask’s save more spectacular than Marc-Andre Fleury’s recent eye popper? MassLive (Who cares? It’ll never stop the nattering naysayers. Nothing ever does. WEEI)
• Bruins Head Athletic Trainer Don DelNegro has worked with Boston since Ray Bourque’s and Cam Neely’s playing days (when he sported some sick flow.) The man who cares for the entire Bruins family celebrated his 2000th NHL game last night, and was feted with affection. @NESN
• Meanwhile, in Providence, Jack Studnicka is maintaining a point streak as he works on his development. Causeway Crowd
• AHL Week #8 will be busy for the PBruins, with a home game tonight, followed by a stretch on the road Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday. Details here. Bonus- which players are hot and cold, who’ll be in net, and link to podcast. (With video) Black ‘n Gold Hockey
• The other favorite son of Weymouth, Paul Carey, is leading his teammates both in scoring as well as by example. The AHL

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 Isles and Blues, 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, the latter in every category. David Krejci, Marchand, and Zdeno Chara remain among the Plus/Minus leaders. On the netminding side, Tuukka Rask is rising among 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: The Penguins have also been hit hard by injury- Zach Trotman to the rescue! Pensburgh
• This panel weighs in on whether Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will ultimately outscore the Oilers’ top line, the future of Cory Schneider, the Blackhawks’ and Flames’ chances of making the playoffs, and the likelihood of Alex Ovechkin scoring 50 goals AGAIN. ESPN
• The REAL MVP- team by team, which player is the cog that drives his team’s success? The Bruins have leaned on (gasp) Brad Marchand. The Hockey News
• Relive those 1990’s memories with our (once again) friends over at the Blues blog, St. Louis Game Time.
• And it begins- Babcock watch! This cautionary piece urges Predators fans not to be so hasty in their dissatisfaction with Peter Laviolette. On The Forecheck
• Learn from history, don’t repeat it! Look at the facts surrounding the last five years in NHL coaching changes. Sportsnet
• Treating new officials more like NHL draft picks is an investment in the future of officiating. New York Times