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Morning briefing

Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff November 29, 2008 10:06 AM

Milan Lucic might have to answer the bell if he hits from behind again. (Reuters)

Good morning from TD Banknorth Garden, where the Bull Gang has been busy, changing from ice to hardwood yesterday afternoon, then going back to the frozen stuff after last night's Celtics game.

Some tidbits from the pre-game notes:

Good of Milan Lucic to plead guilty to an ugly hit on Tim Jackman yesterday. By planting him into the glass, Lucic nearly turned Jackman into one of those suction-cup doodads (sorry, couldn't think of a better word) you see stuck on car windows. "I need to be a little bit more careful," Lucic said. "His numbers were showing and I did let up as much as I could. He did go forward, but there is no excuse for hitting guys in the back. I just need to be more careful next time."

Nearly identical records for Boston (15-4-4) and Detroit (15-3-4). The Red Wings are coming off a 5-3 win over Columbus yesterday in which Chris Osgood got the start between the pipes.

Detroit has the No. 1 power play in the league, humming at a 32.3 percent efficiency rate.

While the Wings have only 263 penalty minutes, fifth-fewest in the NHL, they recalled bruiser Darren McCarty from Grand Rapids yesterday. So we might see a throwdown despite Detroit's history of staying away from the rough stuff.

Detroit is 10-0-2 when leading after one period. The Bruins are 5-2-1 in games where they lead after 20 minutes.

Marc Joannette and Ian Walsh will be the referees tonight. Jean Morin and Tony Sericolo will be the linesmen.

tags Milan Lucic