Bedard's Daily Briefing 12.18.18: Where's James White? McAvoy-led Bruins crush Canadiens

Good morning!

A few random thoughts before everybody heads out into the wind chill ... don't forget ya pahka, it's wicked cold out there...

• As the carnage from Pittsburgh continues (should be a fun Felger & Mazz with Murray and the Sports Vulture — maybe he can tell me how important Sony Michel is to this offense), one of the biggest questions is, where did James White go in this offense?


• White was the unquestioned MVP of the offense at the midway point and then, after getting some much-needed downtime with his touches, they've had a tough time re-integrating him back in.


• Breaking ... even with his numbers going down, White is still the offensive MVP of this team. That should tell you something.


• I think this White thing is another indictment (little 'i' ... for him, relative to his MVP season) on Tom Brady's season. He just has not been as good as he usually is at keeping everyone involved this season from game to game.


• Go ask Chris Hogan and Philip Dorsett about that.


• Don't tell anyone, but if Brady stepped into the fourth-down throw and was quicker, he could have hit Julian Edelman around the sticks. And, at that point, I'd go with Edelman's toughness. Better chance than a jump ball.


• Say all you want about the Saints not looking great of late ... they finished 7-1 on the road. That's something.


• Love the touch Bruce Cassidy has. The Bruins get worked over by the Penguins and the Sabres over the weekend, and then they go to the Bell Centre and beat the bag out of the Canadiens.


• That's called mental toughness. Some other teams around here could use a little of that. Maybe Bill Belichick should have Cassidy talk to the team before they play a road playoff game?


• Conor Ryan ain't just blowing smoke ... Charlie McAvoy was immense last night. He was everything.


• ATTENTION BSJ MEMBERS: Your gift special is now operational. Thanks for spreading the word!