Fresh Links: Rollercoaster

The Bruins are right back into the thick of it in Montreal against the Canadiens tonight at 7:30PM on NBCSN.

• In a nutshell, here’s tonight’s matchup at the Centre Bell. London Free Press
• As for last night, Sidney Crosby finished the game without a single point and Matt Murray was chased, while Brad Marchand sizzled. Patriot Ledger
• Hey, a good boot in the seat occasionally will do a team good. 985 The Sports Hub
• Ordinarily pleasant and even-keeled Jaroslav Halak displayed a bit of temper following the fourth Penguins goal. Sporting News
• Brad Marchand took matters into his own hands, scored two goals, and ended up with a five-point game. Boston Herald
• The game may have been scary in long stretches where the Penguins dominated, but the Bruins escaped as the only NHL team with a single regulation loss thus far. Bonus- links to Skate Podcast episodes featuring Dennis Seidenberg and Pierre McGuire. WEEI
• Three bullet points from the game include a sigh of relief for Boston having survived what was undoubtedly the very worst (and not coincidentally worst second) period of the young season. Bruins Daily
• Thankfully, Brett Ritchie was able to play following health concerns. Boston Herald
• Jake DeBrusk seems to be trending in the right direction once again, having opened the scoring last night. Jaroslav Halak flat out kept his team in the game for long stretches. HockeyBuzz
• Beyond that lamentable second period, Charlie McAvoy crashed headfirst into the net in the final minutes of the game. NBCSports Boston
• Cameron Hughes made his NHL debut in place of Peter Cehlarik, who was returned to Providence. WEEI
• Zdeno Chara is receiving accolades as he approaches yet another NHL milestone. NHL
• Meanwhile, in Providence, Mark Divver assesses the weekend that was. The PBruins are in a three-way tie in one ignominious performance category at the close of week #16. Rinkside Rhode Island
• Sticktaps to Savebyryder for this link to an update on Axel Andersson and his impressive progress in the QMJHL. FirstDownSports

NHL Standings:

• The Bruins lead the Atlantic Division NHL and trail only the Capitals in the Eastern Conference. NHL In the league overall, Boston stands second behind only Washington. (The standings remain pretty static, but links are NOT) NHL
• Note that David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand are the Offensive Leaders. On the netminding side, it is all Finns as Tuukka Rask and Pekka Rinne sit atop the Goaltending Leaders. (Links are NOT STATIC) NHL

Elsewhere around the rink:

• In news of former Bruins: Did you catch this conversation with Raptor Rich Peverley? (Audio, 37:09) @IanCMcLaren
• This anonymous player poll answers all the burning questions around the NHL. Worst and best opponent’s dressing room? City? Opinion on recreational drugs? Have you had your fill of Gritty yet? ESPN
• Potpourri- digest these 31 Takes from around the NHL, including that Pittsburgh is now 0-20 on power plays. Yikes! Yahoo Sports
• An evolving NHL game rings the death knell for the slapshot. Sportsnet
• Take a leisurely look at Super Slow Mo highlights from Week #4. Bruins action at 0:22 and 3:48 marks, Halloween silliness at 4:18. (Video, 4:31) NHL
• Never tell me the odds! Would another Bruins v. Canucks Stanley Cup Final be to your taste? (Warning, sample size!) Offside
• Is the NHL any readier for an openly gay player? Perhaps not yet, thanks to one aspect of hockey culture. The Hockey News
• Following their visit to the Capitals postgame, a word of friendly advice- Dear World Series Champion Washington Nationals, don’t quit your day jobs! (With video) Russian Machine Never Breaks