Bruins No Match For Fired-Up Habs

To me, the Bruins are the very opposite of the famous Godfather quote. Just when I think I’m back in, they push me right back out again. I’m a casual/bandwagon Bruins fan at best. I was excited to watch last night’s game and see how the Bruins would respond in an extremely hostile environment.

They didn’t have a chance.

The Bruins were overwhelmed by a fired-up Montreal team and crowd, and meekly fell 4-1. To make matters worse, Zdeno Chara appears to be facing disciplinary action from the league for a hit, that from many viewpoints was not illegal (though deserving of a penalty) or particularly violent, but left a Canadiens player in thie hospital with a concussion.

Talk today on sports radio, especially the Felger and Mazz show, should be, um, spirited.

Or as Charles P. Pierce says:

(This Blog is anxiously awaiting evening drive on The New Station, since the warm-up for yesterday’s game was a festival of poopy-jokes, brain-dead xenophobia, and barely disguised gay-baiting unseen this side of a middle-school cafeteria. What new delights will ensue this afternoon?)

For all the Bruins news, go on over to BruinsLinks.com.

Not much fight – Kevin Paul Dupont looks at an ugly night all around in Montreal. Mick Colageo also weighs in on an ugly loss.

Bruins take a step back in Montreal – Joe Haggerty has some old questions coming back to haunt the Bruins last night.

The aftermath of an ugly loss to the Habs – DJ Bean looks at where this loss leaves the Bruins.

Zdeno Chara calls hit ‘very unfortunate’ – Steve Conroy has the defenseman and his coach talking about the hit on Max Pacioretty. James Murphy has Chara saying he doesn’t try to hurt people.

Goaltenders doing splits – Dupont’s notebook has the Bruins looking to get Tim Thomas some rest so they can ride him in the playoffs.

New point guard Carlos Arroyo was the focus at practice yesterday as the former Heat guard practiced with his new team and tries to settle in for a playoff run of backing up Rajon Rondo. Meet the newest Celtics with content from: A. Sherrod Blakely | Chris Forsberg | Mark Murphy | Jim Fenton | Julian Benbow | Paul Flannery

Rivers’ challenge: Finding a playoff rotation – Paul Flannery looks at the job ahead for the Celtics coach.

Big Baby unfazed by joining new play group – Mark Murphy’s notebook has Glenn Davis surrounded by a new bench crew.

Learning from the master – Gordon Edes has the new Red Sox first baseman already serving as a mentor to young Jose Iglesias.

Is this the end for Tim Wakefield? – Kirk Minihane has Tim Wakfield prepared to call it a career if he doesn’t make the Red Sox.

Beckett back on mound, in fine form – Peter Abraham has the Sox pitcher getting back on track. Maureen Mullen has more on a strong outing from Beckett.

Andrew Miller’s on his own – Michael Silverman has the Red Sox trying to make the high-ceiling lefty as comfortable as possible.

Red Sox sweep split-squad doubleheader – Mullen’s CSNNE notes has the Sox finding success yesterday. The Globe notebook from Peter Abraham and Nick Cafardo has Gonzalez hoping for game action next week. The Herald notebook from Scott Lauber and Michael Silverman has more on Gonzalez’s progress. The ProJo Red Sox Journal has more on Beckett’s performance.

Patriots Will Still Be in Good Shape in Event of NFL Lockout and 19 Other NFL Thoughts – Jeff Howe notes that the Patriots handed out pamphlets to their players with conditioning suggestions.

Mike Wright on schedule – Ian Rapoport has an update on the defensive lineman.

On opening NFL books and the crucial $1 billion – Greg A Bedard has some good insight on the latest roadblock between the players and owners in the CBA talks.