Forgive us for being a little late than usual with the posting of this, but better late than never.

December poses a busy month for the Boston Bruins as they started their month with a loss to the Edmonton Oilers on their three-game road trip. With 14 games total in December, the Black and Gold will have their work cut out for them, and in the middle of it all will be the Winter Classic hype for their New Year’s Day showdown with the hated Montreal Canadiens at Gillette Stadium.

Here are a few things to watch for during the month of December.

Bruins look to bounce back on three-game trip

The Bruins continue their three-game road trip when they face old friend Dougie Hamilton in Calgary on Friday night. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

The Bruins were riding high coming into Wednesday’s game with the Oilers entering Edmonton with a five-game winning streak. Unfortunately for the Black and Gold, they had a letdown in a so-so effort, and the streak came to an end with the shootout loss.

The road trip continues tomorrow when the Bruins face old friend Dougie Hamilton in Calgary and concludes 24 hours later against in Vancouver. Knowing how last year’s trip to Western Canada played out, the Black and Gold will need to search for consistency in hopes of ending their trip on a high note, especially given their schedule the rest of the month, which includes a stretch of 10 games in 18 days.

Winter Classic hype

P.K. Subban will be one of the main stars when Epix documents the Bruins and Canadiens road to the Winter Classic. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

Sandwiched between the Bruins busy slate is the media attention that comes before the Winter Classic. From Epix documenting the “Bruins-Canadiens Road to the Winter Classic” (that will also be streamed on NHL.com and Epix.com) to the December 9th tune-up in Montreal and the numerous articles and clips from several outlets, the hype will grow in the days and months ahead. The four-episode series will begin on December 16.

Clearly, the buzz surrounding the Winter Classic could provide a small distraction for both the Canadiens and Bruins. How they react to it remains to be seen.

Bruins alumni vs. StinkySocks Hockey

StinkySocks Hockey and the Bruins Alumni will be hosting a charity game for the Bruins Foundation on December 12th at Steriti Rink in Boston’s North End. (Photo by Angela Spagna, Bruins Daily)

On Saturday, December 12th, StinkySocks Hockey and the Boston Bruins alumni will team up in support of the Boston Bruins Foundation. Players will have the chance to play with Bruins of the past like Rick Middleton, Bob Beers, Andy Brickley, Ken Linseman and Terry O’Reilly.

The event, which takes place at Steriti Rink in the North End, will consist of two games — one lower level and one upper level. Teams looking to play will need to commit raising $500 for the Bruins Foundation. Click here for more information.

Other things to watch

– With more mainstream exposure, including a deal with NESN and ESPN3, the NWHL is gaining more attention and more momentum in its inaugural season. That will continue to grow when the Boston Pride host the Buffalo Beauts on Saturday at the Bright Hockey Center for their Canned Food and Coat Drive game. All proceeds from Saturday will benefit Rosie’s Place, and fans who donate an adult coat or five cans of food will receive a discount to a future Pride game. Click here for more ticket information.

– Looking to catch some future Bruins? Well, you’ll be in luck in December starting with Matt Grzelcyk and his Boston University Terriers in a two-game series with Vermont at Agganis Arena, while Ryan Fitzgerald and the red-hot BC Eagles will also be in town in a home and home series with Matt Benning and a struggling Northeastern squad.

Down I-95, the Providence Bruins will host six games at the Dunkin Donuts Center this month. Will Seth Griffith, Tommy Cross, Malcolm Subban, Alex Khoklachev and company be able to overcome their slow start and make a run? Will someone from Providence get a call-up to Boston this month? Only time will tell.