B's Win, C's Finish Preseason Play, Pats Injuries, Sox News

Steve Begin steps up for the B's.

BRUINS

The Bruins downed the Predators tonight at the TD Garden. Down 1-0 in the second period, rookie Brad Marchand broke away from defenders in a great individual effort that setup Michael Ryder for his third goal of the season. The Predators would score again to go up 2-1 on a goal from rookie Connor Wilson who was on the BU National Championship team last year. Patrice Bergeron netted the equalizer on a rebound shot from Chara to end the second period. Free agent acquisition Steve Begin scored the game winner on an open net in the third period to seal the deal.

NOTES:

• The Bruins won the faceoff match-up 34 to 21.
• Tim Thomas stopped 28 of 30 shots.
• The Bruins started no one from the first line of last years squad (Kessel, Savard, Lucic)
• Dennis Wideman returned to action tonight.
• Shawn Thornton did not play.
  

CELTICS

The Celtics beat the Cavaliers tonight in their last preseason game. The final score was 96-82, and the C's finished 6-2 in preseason play. The team tips off against the Cavs in Cleveland for the regular season opener on Tuesday night.

Notes from tonight's game:

• Doc said none of the Big Three would play, but Pierce played 13 more "tune-up" minutes.
• Marquis Daniels continues to impress, he put up 17 points (7-10 FGs) in 30 minutes. It will be exciting to see him with the second unit this year.
• Eddie House continues his sizzling shooting this preseason. The sharpshooter had 21 points (8-14 FGs, 3-7 3 PTs). He can be straight up scary playing off of the ball this year.

The team must trim down to a 15-man roster by 6 PM Monday. The team currently has 16 players under contract. It appears it will come down to rookie PG Lester Hudson, PF Michael Sweetney, under performing G/F Tony Allen, second year player G J.R. Giddens, and possibly PF Shelden Williams.

A complete Celtics season preview will be posted Tuesday morning.

PATRIOTS

Injury Report:

Did Not Participate
CB Darius Butler (ankle)
WR Julian Edelman (forearm)
T Matt Light (knee)
RB Sammy Morris (knee)
RB Fred Taylor (ankle)

Limited Participation
G Stephen Neal (not injury related)
S James Sanders (shoulder)
DB Shawn Springs (knee)

Butler's doing well and is the only one on the "did not participate" list that has a chance of playing this week.

Sanders has missed two weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in the Ravens win.

The team still has two open roster spots. WR/KR Brandon Tate and OT Mark LeVoir continue to practice with the team and have 21 days to be added to the roster as they come off of the PUP list. The team could look to their practice squad to fill the wholes with WR Terrance Nunn and WR/QB Isaiah Stanback.

The team takes off for London tomorrow.

RED SOX

Tim Wakefield had successful back surgery today. The 43-year old had a herniated disk but should be fine for spring training. Look for the Sox to bring Wake back at his $4 million recurring option.

The Sox may not only lose one of their bench coaches to a managerial job, but assistant GM Jed Hoyer appears to be finalist for the Padres GM job. The 35-year old Hoyer is very highly regarded in the Sox organization.

One of the more underrated free agents this winter is 21-year old Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. The left-hander can reportedly throw over 100 MPH and will be presumably sought after by the Red Sox and Yankees.