Today on Bruins Daily

Jarome Iginla faces his former team for the first time since being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins back in March. One team and nine months later, Iginla dons a different Black and Gold as they visit the Saddledome to take on the Flames.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter for live updates at @BruinsDaily and include #DailyLive in your tweets. We’ll also have a statistical preview of tonight’s matchup later today from fellow colleague Dan St. Pierre, so be sure to check that out too.

In case you missed it

Chris Chirichiello chimed in with Kevan Miller’s performance Sunday night that included his first NHL goal and being the recipient of a Dion Phaneuf cheap shot. Phaneuf did get a two-game ban on Tuesday for his hit.

Also, for the third time this season, Chris named Reilly Smith as his player of the week.

Anthony Travalgia examines the Bruins’ injury situation as they prepare for their Western Canada swing.

And finally, your’s truly explains why Saturday was an ugly night for the NHL.

Know the enemy

The prime reason why Iginla was finally dealt after years of speculation was for the Flames to go into rebuilding mode. And that is exactly what they are doing right now.

With 26 points, Calgary is second to last in the Western Conference – just three points ahead its provincial rivals, the Edmonton Oilers. But they’ve seen some good play from Jiri Hudler, whose 27 points is good for the team lead, and defenseman Kris Russell who is a plus-6 and has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) in 29 games.

But its still an uphill climb for the Flames, who have given up 98 goals this season in the first year without Miikka Kiprusoff. They have yet to find a replacement for Kiprusoff and are facing a goaltending carousel featuring Reto Barra, Kari Ramo and Joey McDonald – each of whom have a save percentage below .900 and a goals against average at or above 3.00.

It may take awhile for the Flames to get back to relevance again, as GM Jay Feaster and coach Bob Hartley try to maneuver their way through during this rebuilding stage.

Bruins linkage

There’s no denying that Shawn Thornton lost his composure Saturday night. On the other hand, 4/4 Bruins Daily writers (that’s 100 percent of our writing staff if your scoring at home) disagree with Matt Kalman comparing the Thornton/Brooks Orpik incident to that of Marty McSorley and Donald Brasher. (CBS Boston)

NHL personnel, both past and present, weigh in on Thornton’s antics. (Joe Haggerty/CSNNE)

Lets all kneel down and appreciate Days of Y’Orr for their take on James Neal’s five-game Shanaban for kneeing Brad Marchand. (DOY)

League linkage

Marc Staal was diagnosed with his third concussion in the last three seasons and will miss more time for the New York Rangers. (Mike Halford/Pro Hockey Talk)

The Leafs’ 5-2 loss to the Bruins on Sunday is the least of their worries. (Mike Brophy/CBC)

The Salary Cap, discipline and outdoor games in Winnipeg and Phoenix – out of all places – are just a few topics being tossed around during the Board of Governors meetings in Pebble Beach, Calif. (Pierre LeBrun/ESPN)

Bruins’ projected lines

Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Jarome Iginla
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Reilly Smith
Matt Fraser-Ryan Spooner-Carl Soderberg
Nick Johnson-Gregory Campbell-Jordan Caron

Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg
Matt Bartkowski-Johnny Boychuk
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Chad Johnson

Flames’ projected lines

Michael Cammalleri-Matt Stajan-Lee Stempniak
Lance Bouma-Mikael Backlund-David Jones
Sven Baertschi-Joe Colborne-Jiri Hudler
Blair Jones-Paul Byron-Brian McGrattan

Chris Butler-Mark Giordano
Kris Russell-T.J. Brodie
Ladislav Smid-Shane O’Brien

Reto Berra
Kari Ramo

Tweets of interest

Haggs should drop the mic and leave:

Shawn Thornton will get a long suspension. But anybody comparing his incident with McSorley/Brashear does not have a clue about hockey

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 10, 2013

Neal still claiming he didn’t intend to injure Marchand. If I had a bridge to sell to those who believe him…

Neal: I “had no intent to injure” anyone.

— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPG) December 10, 2013

For something completely different

Here are 12 reasons why its great to be single during the holiday season.