Jim McBride's Sunday notes this morning dig into the bond between Bruins goalie Michael DiPietro and Brandon Bussi.
It's the backup goalie story fans are talking about, and it lands on a Bruins game day. Boston is 12-4-1 and first in the Atlantic, and the Panthers visit TD Garden tonight.
McBride said his notes also cover Russian hockey and a Jabberjaw reference.
The post keeps the details of the bond close, so the full story of how the two goalies are connected sits in McBride's column. We won't guess at it here.
What the sheet does tell us is where each goalie stands. Bussi, 28, is with the Carolina Hurricanes and has 7 games played this season. Carolina, first in the NHL, beat Chicago 9-2 on Saturday with Pyotr Kochetkov in net.
DiPietro, 27, has been the one winning in Boston. He is 4-0-0 in his last four games, and Michael DiPietro's latest win in net came Thursday night in a 6-2 victory at Pittsburgh.
Before this season he had just 9 career NHL games. He has 5 of them this year.
For those who missed it, DiPietro once considered retiring, according to Fluto Shinzawa's feature earlier this week.
What DiPietro's run means for Marco Sturm and Swayman
Jeremy Swayman is still the No. 1. He has 12 games played to DiPietro's 5, and nobody is pretending otherwise.
But a backup who keeps winning gives Sturm a real option. Marco Sturm should keep handing him starts when the schedule allows, because a team that's 7-1-0 at home and riding a three-game win streak has no reason to force a change.
Florida arrives after a 4-3 loss at Washington on Saturday, with Brady Tkachuk scoring twice in that game. The Bruins have not named a starter in the information we have, so the crease decision is the one to watch before puck drop tonight.
Quick hits
WINNIPEG JETSDefenseman Elias Salomonsson will be away from the team indefinitely for personal reasons, according to a post on X this morning. No other details are out, and that's where it should stay for now.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSGavin McKenna knew he was probably going to sit after his mistake against Montreal. The Maple Leafs weren't going to let him stew, and he shared what Jim Hiller told him.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKSSpittin' Chiclets reports the Blackhawks held a players-only meeting after last night's 9-2 loss in Carolina. After a score like that, it would have been stranger if they hadn't.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINSSidney Crosby moved past Marcel Dionne into sixth on the NHL's all-time points list as the Penguins beat the Kings 5-2 last night. Pittsburgh got the win to go with it.
SEATTLE KRAKENThe Kraken recalled goalie Niklas Kokko from Coachella Valley to travel with them to Finland, according to NHL Rosters. A third goalie on a trip like that is a smart safety net.
Latest Stories
Starting Goalie: Swayman back in net for BruinsTHE SOFTER SIDE OF TWO BRUINSThe Bruins' official account just shared what a teammate says about Mark Kastelic and Tanner Jeannot, and it's not what you'd expect.
Kastelic and Jeannot have a side fans rarely seeTHE BRUINS SHUFFLE THINGS UP TODAYJack Studley's Game 18 notes are out, and the Bruins will face the Panthers today without James Hagens after he landed on injured reserve.
Lineup Change: Bruins face Panthers without James HagensBRUINS PRACTICE BRINGS A SURPRISEThe Bruins hit the ice Saturday without James Hagens, and Marco Sturm says the rookie will be out a few weeks ahead of Sunday's game against Florida.
Bruins shuffle lines before Panthers at TD GardenBRUINS PREP FOR A SUNDAY TESTThe Bruins' defense, led by Hampus Lindholm, faces the Panthers on Sunday after Saturday's practice, with Boston sitting at 12-4-1.
Bruins lean on their blue line against PanthersBERGERON'S BIG DAY IN BOSTONPatrice Bergeron now has his Hockey Hall of Fame ring, and the Bruins made sure everyone knew it today.
Patrice Bergeron gets his Hockey Hall of Fame ringTHE BRUINS HAVE A MESSAGE FOR EYSSIMONTThe Bruins' official account just shared praise for Mikey Eyssimont, saying he never pouted after being sent to the minors and earned his recall with James...
Bruins praise Mikey Eyssimont for how he handled the minorsBAD NEWS ON A BRUINS ROOKIEMarco Sturm said it plainly at practice today: James Hagens is "definitely going to be a few weeks" for the Bruins.
Marco Sturm sets Hagens' timeline for Bruins