PIERRE MCGUIRE'S In the Crease

When the Bruins lost Patrice Bergeron for at least two weeks to a broken thumb on Jan. 4, it was a tough blow for forward Mark Recchi(below), 41, who plays with the 24-year-old center on one of Boston's top lines. Many assumed Recchi's career was over at the end of last season, but he's been a steady contributor (nine goals, 16 assists) in his 20th NHL campaign. He credits his success to the energetic Bergeron (11 goals, 20 assists), saying, "The guy saved my career." ... No team put fewer players in next month's Olympics than the Islanders, who will be represented only by Swiss defenseman Mark Streit. Luckily for New York, it had seven prospects at the recent World Junior Championships, including standout Canadian defenseman Calvin de Haan.

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BRIAN BABINEAU/NHLI/GETTY IMAGES (RECCHI)