Back In Black

Look out folks...we just might be getting healthy.

Significantly strapped and sporting alot of baby (B) faces over the last month, the Bruins have benefited from a January that has seen 8 of the 11 games played at home. We've gone 7-3-1 over that stretch, despite missing all those guys previously lamented about in this space.

Well, now they're coming back. Kessel and Ryder return tonight from illness and Bergy, Ference and Lucic made their returns on Tuesday. The only interesting note on the injury front is Manny, though. Seeming to be our best trade chip going into the February deadline, his recent back woes are obviously cause for concern, but i digress.

Watch out league...

Look, I'm not making excuses here ....

But for the love of a skinny Vince Vaughn, we need to get healthy. A quick look at the injury report lists the following:

1. Andrew Ferrence: tibia
2. Milan Lucic : complete fucking mystery (Boston.com said leg, then shoulder)
3. Aaron Ward: charleyhorse
4. Patrice Bergeron: concussion
5. Phil Kessel: mononucleosis
   
6. Marco Sturm: Knee

So we're playing without four of our top six forwards and two, maybe three, of our top four blue-liners. It is a goddamned miracle that we aren't on some killer losing streak right now.

And, wait for it ... according to Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe, Wideman didn't practice on Saturday and is considered questionable for the game today at 12:30PM.

Although through this shitstorm we might be able to find a benefit. Last year we saw the Pens not only survive, but actually thrive, without Sid the Kid. It became Evgeni Malkin's coming out party as he was forced to stop being such a bitch and really bring his game up to his potential level. The result? The Pens went on to play for Le Cup and Malkin is now one of the games best.

Now I'm not saying that Bergeron, Sturm, or Kessel is Sidney Crosby (not even put together as some mutant 5 legged, six armed, hockey monstrosity named Sturgeronsel). But I am saying that when these players go down you really find out who the guys are that will shine given more responsibility and ice-time. Let's hope someone besides Krejci steps up to the plate because this is when we really need it.