Sports Redux: Bruins Get Second Wind

That two-game losing streak last week? Forget it. The Bruins have found their offensive punch again, and won their second straight on a 5-1 whupping of the Whalercanes yesterday at the Garden. Tim Thomas stopped 29 shots, and the B's chased Carolina goalie early in the second, after Krejci, Yelle and Stuart had gotten past him. Michael Ryder also scored twice before the Canes popped in a meaningless goal early in the third.

The only drama left after the early fury was breaking in Matt Hunwick as a certified NHL fighter. Which he did, hard checking Justin Williams and embroiling himself in his first big-time contretemps. "I was happy for him," said Thomas. "We won't be bragging about that game," sniffed Carolina coach Paul Maurice afterwards.

Since Patrice Bergeron may not be back for a while and Marco Sturm seems to be done for the year, the Globe looks at some veteran help who might be brought in as the B's look to consolidate their hold on the East. The same, East, by the way, which Claude Julien will pilot in the All-Star Game. A well-deserved honor.

It was a great day for little birds and underdogs in the NFL playoffs. The Ravens won another defensive struggle and beat Tennessee 13-10 on a very late field goal. And the Cardinals - the Cardinals! - smacked around Carolina for their first 2-game playoff winning streak ever. If the avian theme holds, the Eagles should be favorites at NYG today, while the Chargers and Steelers have no ornithological connection we can think of.

The Red Sox pitching staff is turning even more Japanese (we really think so), as they added reliever Takashi Saito, who was a 2007 All-Star with the Dodgers and put up pretty good numbers last year even as he struggled with elbow trouble. Speaking of the Red Sox, at least one former Fenwayer will certainly get the call from Cooperstown tomorrow (pause here to fondly remember Rickey Henderson's 2 weeks in town), but will Jim Rice get a call as well? Bob Ryan hopes so.