Your savory breakfast links:

• Notes and assorted whatnot from Wednesday's optional practice:
  • In general. [Capitals Report (audio), Caps365 (Hunter, Ovechkin), RtR]
  • But there was really only one storyline at Kettler as the team and its fans anxiously awaited word on the condition of Nicklas Backstrom's noggin.
  • Backstrom was "evaluated" and is presently listed as day-to-day. [WaPo, WashTimes (and again)]
  • Jay Beagle speaks from experience ... [WashTimes]
  • ... the players speak about their response when Rene Bourque jammed his elbow into Backstrom's jaw ... [WaPo, WashTimes]
  • ... the pundits speak about the response they would have preferred... [DSP, CSNW]
  • ... and the NHL Department of Player Safety speaks to the severity of Bourque's action by announcing a 5-game suspension. [Japers' Rink (video), WashTimes (transcript), NHL.com, ESPN, Puck Daddy]
• Here's to a modest four-game winning streak. Don't make any sudden moves. [WaPo]
• Game changer. [RtR]
• This and that. [Dump 'n Chase]
• A double-headed Russian Weagle is rising over America's Hockey Capital. [Sick Unbelievable]
• Has the Caps' power play turned that proverbial corner? [KOL]
• He said, he said on the latest Alex Ovechkin nontroversy. [NHL.com, Puck Daddy, WashTimes]
• Dennis Wideman stopped by for a chat on NHL Home Ice...[NHL.com]
• ... and Brooks Laich did his Sports Junkies spot. [106.7 The Fan]
• The Hershey Bears are gearing up for their own Outdoor Classic:
  • Keith Aucoin is literally gearing up. [Patriot-News]
  • Braden Holtby is your starter, and will most likely be facing Michael Leighton. [Patriot-News]
  • Boyd Kane and Ryan Potulny have some Philly ties and can't wait to play hockey in the baseball stadium. [Patriot-News]
  • The rosters were announced for the AHL All-Star Game. Congrats to Keith Aucoin, Chris Bourque, and playing captain Boyd Kane. [The AHL]
    
• Evgeny Kuznetsov is tearing it up at the WJCs for the second year in a row, and his success is apparently a bitter pill for some to swallow. Fortunately, cooler heads have prevailed. [Japers' Rink, Buzzing the Net, Scotty Wazz, Hell on Ice, Nick On Sports, hockey yelling]
• But it's not just about one game. Kuznetsov can bring it. [Sportsnet.ca, Buzzing the Net, Fox Sports, ESPN Insider $]
• And the card collectors are taking notice. [Canada Card World]
• Finally, happy 24th birthday to Mathieu Perreault, happy 37th to Mike Grier and happy 44th to Joé Juneau.