It's Good To Be A Boston Fan

Just a quick update:

• With their third straight victory last night, the Bruins moved into sole possession of the Northeast Division, 2 points ahead of the Habs. With the division lead, they overtake the number three seed in the Eastern Conference. They remain 8 points behind conference leading Pittsburgh, but the season is still young as they have 47 games remaining. Mark Recchi's final minute goal completed the three-game win streak, as the B's have now won four of five games, including wins over the Capitals and the Lightning.
• The Celtics improved to 4-1 since Rondo's injury with a 95-83 victory at Indiana last night, led by Pierce's 21 points. They overcame a 7-point first quarter deficit, with much help from Rondo fill-ins Marquis Daniels and Nate Robinson. The C's improved to 24-5, and hold a 2 game lead over the South Beach Heat in the Eastern Conference. They head to Detroit tonight for the final game of a 3-game road trip, and wrap up December at home against the Hornets on Friday. With two games remaining in the month, the Celtics have been stellar, going 11-1 in the month with impressive victories against Portland, Chicago, Denver, and Atlanta. The road to the Finals only gets better, as the C's play 9 of their first 11 games in the new year at home. Rondo could return Friday, Perkins could return in about a month, and Delonte could return mid-January as his cast is set to come off his non-shooting wrist in the next couple weeks.
• Not a whole lot has been left unsaid about the Patriots at this point. They not only clinched the East with an easy victory over Buffalo, but they locked in the #1 seed and home-field throughout the playoffs in the AFC. At 13-2, they have the best record in the NFL, and Tom Brady is the hands-down MVP leader. The Pats also had six players elected to the Pro Bowl: Tom Brady, Logan Mankins, Devin McCourty, Brandon Meriweather, Vince Wilfork, and Jerod Mayo. They face Miami in their season finale showdown at home, and as all Patriots fans know, Dolphins-Pats matchups are always fun late-season in Foxboro. The Pats should finish 14-2 and have two weeks to prepare for their Divisional playoff matchup with either the Jets, Ravens, Colts, or Jaguars. Regardless of who they face, things are looking good for the Pats on their road to Super Bowl XLV.
• Finally, the Red Sox are wrapping up their A+ offseason through final roster moves. They have either traded for or signed a plethora of players, including key acquisitions Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler, and a few other bullpen pieces (Andrew Miller/Matt Albers/Taylor Buchholz). Meanwhile, the Yankees had so much trouble re-signing Jeter and Rivera that they missed out on almost all possible big free agent acquisitions. It is safe to say that their signings of Russell Martin, Neal Cotts, Mark Prior, and Sergio Mitre scares absolutely no one. The Sox are poised for a World Series run this year, and look to win the division for the first time since 2007.