Hampus Lindholm says the Bruins' annual toy shopping day is "really fun," and the scene around the team on Wednesday backs him up.
The Bruins traded the practice routine for shopping carts ahead of Thursday's home game against Montreal, and the team's own account made sure fans got a look at it.
Belle Fraser shared what Lindholm told her about the tradition, and the veteran defenseman sounded like he means every word of it.
Lindholm said the best part comes when the players get to go see all the kids when they deliver the gifts. "It makes it even more special," he said, adding that "you've got to bring the Bruins joy for Christmas."
The Bruins' own account kept the mood light with a clip of a "Cart battle in aisle 88." Nobody is telling us who won, and honestly, the suspense is part of the fun.
Then there is Slim, who was on the hunt for some Crayons, according to another post from the team.
The playful stuff did not start at the mall. Conor Ryan pointed out that the Bruins were once again wearing their gold buckets and some of their Hometown Remix gear during practice.
Why a light day matters before Canadiens night
A group that is 13-4-1 and first in the Atlantic Division can afford a morning like this. The Bruins have won four straight, and the last one was a 4-1 result over the Panthers on Sunday.
Montreal arrives right behind them. The Canadiens are 11-3-4 and second in the division, and they lost 2-1 in overtime to the Wild on Tuesday night, so they will come into Boston with something to prove.
Lindholm will be part of the group that has to handle that. He has 5 points in 18 games and a +15 rating, and he has been a steady presence on a blue line that keeps Boston in games.
Marco Sturm gets his team back to work tomorrow, and the toys will be wrapped long before the puck drops. Boston also sits at 8-1-0 at home, which is a good number to carry into a game against the team chasing it.
Nothing about a shopping trip wins a game against Montreal. But a locker room that spends its Wednesday laughing in a toy aisle and thinking about kids opening gifts is not one that looks tight.
Quick hits
CALGARY FLAMESDevin Cooley, not Dustin Wolf, gets the start tonight against the Rangers, according to Ryan Pike. That is a surprise in the Flames' crease.
ANAHEIM DUCKSCoach Quenneville says Troy Terry is likely to make his season debut tonight when the Ducks host the Predators. Anaheim could use the lift.
NEW YORK RANGERSMollie Walker shared the morning skate lines in Calgary, and Glenn Gawdin is in at fourth-line center.
EDMONTON OILERSCoach Mike Babcock has confirmed Tristan Jarry starts tonight against the Flyers, per Jack Michaels.
SAN JOSE SHARKSMacklin Celebrini gets another crack at 200 career points tonight as the Sharks host the Penguins.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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