BHN Puck Links: Ullmark Sunday, Smith Hurt, Time To Bench Chara?

Brad Marchand stayed hot for the Boston Bruins and new Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark shined in his Bruins debut in a 4-1 win Friday. 

Ullmark has now earned a second straight start on Sunday but there will be some lineup changes for the Boston Bruins when they host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

Could former Boston Bruins captain and current New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara be spending some time up in the press box soon?

That and more in the latest Boston Hockey Now Puck Links:

Boston Bruins

As my partner-in-scribe, Joe Haggerty tweeted during the first period of the Bruins 4-1 win over the Sabres Friday, Linus was ‘making his Ullmark’ early and often in a brilliant 35-save performance. (BHN)

Here are the BHN Talking Points from the win in which Brad Marchand continued his strong start and Charlie Coyle finally got going. (BHN)

There’s a strong chance that the Boston Bruins will be without Craig Smith Sunday against the Sharks and that rookie forward Jack Studnicka will get called up from Providence. The B’s also announced that Ullmark will start again Sunday afternoon. (BHN)

#NHLBruins Practice updates per Coach Cassidy:

Anton Blidh and Nick Foligno both ruled out for tomorrow

Craig Smith listed as questionable

Believes Jack Studnicka will get the call up

Linus Ullmark will get the start in net pic.twitter.com/uu8AZYbzYB

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 23, 2021

National Hockey Now

The already battered and depleted Pittsburgh Penguins got more bad news Saturday when defenseman Kris Letang was placed in COVID Protocol. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara has struggled out of the gate and it may be time for Barry Trotz to sit him up top, writes Stefen Rosner. (NYI Hockey Now)

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle will play his former and longtime Florida Panthers teammates for the first time Saturday. (Florida Hockey Now)

Thanks to Tyler Bertuzzi being a selfish COVIDIOT and not getting vaccinated yet, he will be unable to play for the Detroit Red Wings when they play the Canadiens Saturday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Bertuzzi cannot cross the border and play in any Canadian city until he gets vaccinated. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Apparently, that three-goal winning formula for Pete DeBoer and the Vegas Golden Knights doesn’t always work. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Is former Boston College star Johnny Gaudreau one of the most underrated leaders in the NHL? (Calgary Hockey Now)

The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to get back on track against the aforementioned and injury-riddled Penguins in Pittsburgh Saturday night. (Toronto Hockey Now)

Can the Montreal Canadiens get off the schneide against the Wings Saturday? (Montreal Hockey Now)

Our man in VAN, Rob Simpson, is on the road for the first-ever Seattle Kraken home game:

Wow. Impressive barn. pic.twitter.com/WsujzQV83E

— Rob Simpson (@simmerpuck) October 23, 2021

NHL

Speaking of the Kraken home opener, here’s a great print and video tour of Climate Pledge Arena with Emily Kaplan. (ESPN)

Can someone explain to me how Jani Hakanpaa isn’t even getting a fine for this dirty play? This is the type of play that ends careers as sadly Cam Neely and the Boston Bruins know:

Drew Doughty injured after getting kneed by Jani Hakanpaa pic.twitter.com/QAcjIpl6em

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) October 23, 2021

Are the Edmonton Oilers finally a legit contender again? (Sportsnet)