The Bruins have, objectively, been pretty good this year. They're still in playoff position (it's tenuous, but still true), and have won some pretty exciting games. But for some reason, the sight of the Canadiens turns the B's into frightened little kittens, commiting penalties and hanging their goalies out to dry on power play after power play.

The first power play, on a Marco Sturm elbow, led to a Montreal goal; then they scored a second in less time than it took us to drive home from the supermarket. Aaron Ward finally scored in the second to make it 3-1, and Milan Lucic brought the B's within one early in the third, but two late Habs goals sealed the deal and made the Bruins 0-5 this season against our Neighbours to the North.

"They're a highly skilled hockey club," said Bruins hockey coach Claude Julien. "Let's not pretend that they're not." The Bruins get another shot at them on the 22nd.

The Red Sox are bringing back Doug Mirabelli! (We're on the exclamation point bandwagon too!) Also in the Globe article discussing the deal, there's an item about an autograph session Monday at the Official Red Sox Store. Clay Buchholz and a bunch of prospects and youngsters will be signing for a $20 donation; if nothing else, it'd be a good way to meet some Minnesota Twins scouts.

According to Dan Shaughnessy, the Patriots like having home-field advantage. We'll stay with this story all day in case of developments. Meanwhile, a Jacksonville columnist discovers that Patriot fans are all disciples in the Church of Belichick. We've seen a lot worse religions to follow, we'll say that.

Photo of this little Canadien, who has two goals and four assists against the Bruins this year, from Flickr's davduf.