Daily Bean: Bruins Lose, Prospects Look Great, Trade and Extension Talk

The Boston Bruins (20-18-2) have made it six losses in a row, which has been the case once before this season. Careless stick infractions, especially in the third period, came back to bite the Bruins. The penalty kill was called on and executed, going three-for-three in regulation, but the overtime penalty was too much for the Bruins to overcome.

Jonathan Aspirot, who returned to the Bruins lineup after sustaining an injury on December 11, committed the high-sticking penalty with no time on the clock in regulation. 

In St. Paul, MN, and Davos, Switzerland, the Bruins prospects continued to put up brazen performances. Will Zellers scored his third straight game-winning goal for the United States, and the US named James Hagens its Player of the Game. Meanwhile, Chris Pelosi and the US Collegiate Selects are on their way to the Spengler Cup final.

Around the league, the Pittsburgh Penguins completed a trade for a right winger, who requested a trade from Columbus in the summer. The Colorado Avalanche have not stopped winning. A former Bruin expressed frustration after his new team named him a healthy scratch. In Philadelphia, Christian Dvorak is just about ready for an extension – is it worth it?

Boston Bruins

The Bruins lost last night, 2-1 in overtime, to the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. With no time remaining on the clock, Jonathan Aspirot took a two-minute high-sticking minor, sending Calgary to the power play in overtime. They would capitalize and skate away with the two points on their home ice.

Two of the Bruins’ prospects took to the ice on Monday for Team USA at the World Junior Championships. The USA matched up against Slovakia on Monday, and Slovakia jumped out to an early lead. Sprung by a four-goal second period, the USA would go on to win 6-5. Bruins’ prospects factored on the final four goals – including Will Zellers’ third game-winning goal of the tournament.

In other Bruins’ prospect news, Chris Pelosi (Quinnipiac) suited up for the US Collegiate Selects on Tuesday. They played HC Sparta Praha at 9:10 AM ET and picked up a 5-3 win. Pelosi skated on the fourth line, and Ryan Walsh (Cornell) did not play. Their next game will be the Spengler Cup championship game on Wednesday at 6:10 AM ET. The game can be found on their YouTube channel.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins completed a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, acquiring forward Yegor Chinakhov for Danton Heinen, a second, and a third-round pick. Dan Kingerski explains how Chinakhov fits in Pittsburgh and details the fallout with Columbus that led to the Russian winger being traded on Monday.

Philly Hockey Now: Will James weighs the pros and cons of extending center Christian Dvorak, who is on a one-year deal worth $5.4 million. The Flyers’ free-agent signing has panned out; he is having a career year in Philadelphia, so it makes sense for the Flyers to want to keep him around. However, his career year could set the Flyers up to move him at the trade deadline and maximize their return.

Canucks Army: “It’s embarrassing,” Jake DeBrusk, the 2015 Bruins first-rounder, said. “I’d be wrong if I wasn’t saying I’d be pissed off right now, but I understand.” DeBrusk was a healthy scratch for Monday night’s Canucks game, and he, understandably, was not happy about it. Jake DeBrusk has nine goals on the season, and eight of them have come on the power play.

Colorado Hockey Now: Even if there are struggles in a game, the Colorado Avalanche continue to find ways to win. The Avalanche, led by yet another solid MacKenzie Blackwood goaltending performance, could not generate anything on their power play. That did not matter, though, as they defeated the Kings 5-2. The Avalanche have now won 14 straight home games, and improve to 29-2-7 on the season.

Chicago Hockey Now: Connor Bedard, who was injured on December 12, took to the Blackhawks’ practice rink before the rest of the team on Monday. Bedard is progressing, though there is still no timetable for his return. They will evaluate that after the New Year. Frank Nazar is also moving forward in his recovery, although he did not hit the ice.

Daily Faceoff: World Juniors wrapped up day four of tournament action on Friday. Steven Ellis takes a look at the best performers from the four games, including Team USA’s Player of the Game, James Hagens. None of the Bruins’ prospects will be on the ice for today’s slate of games, but they return on Wednesday.

World Juniors action kicks off at 2:00 PM ET today, and both of today’s games are on the NHL Network:

2:00 PM: Switzerland vs. Germany

4:30 PM: Latvia vs. Denmark