Last Skate of the Day, January 8th, 2014

Jan 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center

(37) looks for an open teammate during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow night, the Boston Bruins face what is likely to be the easiest of their three California opponents, the Los Angeles Kings. They have been in a slump as of late, only going 1-5-1 in their last seven games. The Bruins have been getting back their players on a pretty safe rate now, and by the end of the west coast trip, we will see the Boston Bruins whole (save for Dennis Seidenberg) for the first time in nearly two months. Here is the Associated Press’ thoughts on tomorrow’s Kings-Bruins matchup. (AP)

Since losing Dennis Seidenberg to his season ending injury, the Black and Gold have dropped three of their last five games. For a team that relied on him being a solid presence on the blue line, that’s extremely painful. What makes the pain hurt all that much more is that there isn’t anyone right now the Bruins could seem to net that would have Seidenberg’s drive and battle ability, and come in at a price that wouldn’t gouge the team either financially or in future draft picks. Joe Haggerty has a short list of potential short-term replacements. (CSNNE)

I think it’s safe to say that there aren’t many friends of the Boston Bruins in the Yahoo Sports department. (Personally, I think some of them wish to interject their own personal political beliefs into articles.) Here’s an opinion of one of their contributors and their opinion on the Bruins loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Evaluate it for yourself and make your own opinion. (Yahoo)

Finally, the folks over at Bleacher Report take a look at Bruins center Patrice Bergeron. They look at his skill, his ability, and why it was just so bloody impossible for the Canadian National Team NOT to take one of the best all around hockey players in the NHL for their team. The only thing that stinks is that Team Canada is SO good, that Patrice Bergeron will be to Team Canada what Jordan Caron is to the Boston Bruins, the back up forward. (Bleacher Report)