Mike Loftus has the Bruins enjoying their third straight win over the Montreal Canadiens last night, with a 3-1 victory at the Garden. Fluto Shinzawa has Zdeno Charo setting the tone for the Bruins. Mick Colageo has Tim Thomas setting a physical tone of his own, crosschecking Andrei Kostitsyn after the Montreal forward had buried a hurting Aaron Ward. Stephen Harris says that the Bruins sent the crowd home having seen a pretty special hockey game. Bud Barth has Chara putting the Bruins on his back last night.

Rich Thompson has Chara coming up big last night with two goals and a number of punishing hits. With the rumors swirling that Vincent Lecavalier is heading to Montreal, Kevin Paul Dupont says that the Bruins have the means and the goods to make a deal for the Tampa Bay superstar.

Loftus’ notebook has Patrice Bergeron making progress in his recovery.Shinzawa’s notebook has Bergeron happy to be back on the ice. The Herald notebook has more on Thomas sticking up for Ward. Barth’s notebook has the injury list growing for the Bruins.

Red Sox

Adam Kilgore looks at John Smoltz being introduced as a member of the Red Sox, and how the longtime Brave feels the transition will go for him. Daniel Barbarisi has Smoltz feeling that he can be a winner with the Red Sox. Michael Silverman says that Smoltz was signed with the big picture – the second half and postseason – in mind.

Mike Fine has Smoltz saying that he likes how the Red Sox operate. Paul Jarvey has the Red Sox hoping to hook Smoltz up to the rejuvenation machine here in Boston. Lenny Megliola has Smoltz seeing an opportunity with the Red Sox that he wasn’t going to get with the Braves. Jeff Goldberg has Smoltz leaving the Braves after 21 season. Haggerty says that Smoltz sounded a lot like Curt Schilling.

Dan Shaughnessy has Carl Yastrzemski praising Jim Rice. Sarah Green says that now that Rice is in the Hall, the new controversy will be over Tim Raines. Nick Cafardo wonders if Rice is the first of a trend – players who get into the Hall because they are perceived as being clean of steroids. Steve Buckley has Rice answering the steroid issue with a comic touch.  Jim Donaldson says that Rice is good enough for Cooperstown, but not great enough to be a true Hall of Famer.

Kilgore’s notebook examines the still uncertain catching situation.

Patriots

John Tomase says that Scott Pioli is a huge loss to the Patriots.

Christopher Price has the Patriots losing an integral part of their team-building process with the loss of Pioli. Glen Farley has more on Pioli’s move to KC. Ben Swasey says that KC isn’t the worst of football situations, despite the 2-14 record last year. Paul Doyle has Pioli getting full control of the Chiefs football operations. Shalise Manza Young says that for Pioli, the timing is clearly right for an exit from New England. Donaldson looks at Nick Caserio as the likely Pioli replacement.

Rich Garven has the Patriots losing depth in their coaching staff. Donaldson says that if Josh McDaniels can be successful in Denver, it will be somewhat of a first for a Belichick assistant. The Globe reports on a change at special teams coach for the Patriots.

Seeing McDaniels smile and talk at his introductory press conference in Denver, Mark Farinella can’t help but take a shot at Bill Belichick and the way he deals with the press. He also intimates that Belichick might be too old and worn out for another rebuilding process with the Patriots, and seems to hint that McDaniels should’ve just taken over here.

Tomase’s notebook has more on Caserio.

They’re pumped out in KC, as Joe Posnanski and Jason Whitlock - via the Herald, can attest. (Aside: how can Kansas City have two columnists better than anyone in Boston – with the exception of Bob Ryan.)

Celtics

Frank Dell’Apa says that the absence of Kendrick Perkins for the next two games against the Nets will be a big loss for the Celtics. Mark Murphy has a look at Brian Scalabrine who will be starting the next two games against his old club. Robert Lee has rookie Bill Walker ready to play if his number gets called.

Boston College

Mark Blaudschun and Steve Conroy report on Boston College promoting defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani to head coach. Eric Avidon has BC finally getting their man, a guy who wants to be at BC and nowhere else.

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