The area was expecting rain throughout the evening, with snow and sleet falling at points in some parts of the state Friday afternoon. Temperatures were expected to drop into the 30s, with 20-mph winds.

The game “will be rescheduled as soon as possible after consultation with officials at Major League Baseball,” according to the team’s news release.

The Red Sox got a 7.8 household rating with a 13 share. The Bruins got a 6.5 household rating for an 11 share.

The next NESN and NESNplus simultaneous coverage event is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, when the Red Sox host the Orioles on NESN and the Bruins host the Islanders on NESNplus. NESNplus channels can be found at NESN.com/NESNplus.

NESN’s programming lineup for Thursday is as follows:

NESN
6 p.m.: Red Sox First Pitch LIVE
6:30 p.m.: Red Sox GameDay LIVE presented by DCU
7 p.m.: Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
10 p.m.: WB Mason presents Extra Innings LIVE
10:30 p.m.: Red Sox Final
11 p.m.: NESN Daily

NESNplus
6:30 p.m.: WB Mason presents Bruins Face-Off LIVE
7 p.m.: Bruins vs. N.Y. Islanders
9:30 p.m.: Ace Ticket presents Bruins Overtime LIVE

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country, with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to more than 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the ninth Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

With 30-1 odds of winning the NBA championship, the Celtics sit in a peculiar position. They’ve seen their 2013 forecast vary wildly over the course of the season, their odds first dipping disconcertingly low and then climbing back up as they re-established themselves as Eastern Conference contenders in the wake of the Rajon Rondo injury.

These days, while few would consider them locks or even favorites to push deep into the playoffs, nobody wants to completely rule them out just yet either.

Boston will face the No. 1 team, in the Miami Heat, on the NBA line. Not only are LeBron James and company favored in virtually every game they suit up for, but long-term as well. Miami’s 6-5 NBA futures are impressive, but nothing new.

Last January, however, the overwhelming advantage that the Heat took into the Beantown contest proved futile. Might it have been the start of the momentum spike the C’s enjoyed around this year’s mid-season mark?

Regardless of what it might have been, the possibility of yet another Boston upset remains. That’s just what happens when the stars of today underestimate the slightly creaky stars of yesterday.

Joining Garnett and Pierce in their brigade against both time and the Eastern Conference’s finest will be a convoy of young contributors ranging from the offensive force Jeff Green to defensive wunderkind Avery Bradley. The roster may not strike fear in the eyes of opponents — or provide any noticeable bump to their NBA odds — but that’s long become Boston’s nature.

With the Big Three once again out of their element when the Monday game tips off in the Garden, Boston will slowly and methodically go to work. By taking their time, playing it right and chipping away at the lead of those ahead of them, a win isn’t out of the question.

Don’t believe us? Look at how far the Celtics have come in the standings.

Bet on the NBA at Bovada.

Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Jenny Dell concluded their four-day tour by spending an eventful day in Rhode Island that included a number of stops, plenty of laughs and now countless memories.

The crew kicked off the day in Providence, R.I., where they stopped by 94.1 WHJY to do a radio appearance on Paul and Al. The topics ranged from the Red Sox’ upcoming season to the crew’s crazy antics and everything in between.

The radio appearance was just the beginning, though. Don, Jerry and Jenny then stopped by the Meeting Street School, which was an amazing experience for all involved. The trio was greeted to chants of “NESN” and “Red Sox,” and the kids loved being able to chat baseball on the day before the start of their school vacation.

Day 4 also included stops at Amica and Cox Communications, and then it was on to the final stop of the tour at the Warwick Mall. Fans from all over the area came out to the mall, and they asked NESN’s on-air talent plenty of hard-hitting, interesting and often hilarious questions. The day concluded with a meet and greet and autograph signings.

All in all, to say the trip was successful would be an understatement. Don, Jerry and Jenny had some long days, yet loved every minute of being able to interact with Red Sox Nation before what is sure to be an interesting season. Now, let the games begin.

Click here to see photos from Day 4 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 3 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 2 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 1 >>

Jerry Remy,

The NESN on-air crew stopped by two radio stations in Portland, Maine, on Thursday to begin the day. First, they appeared on WHOM 94.9 with a couple of welcoming hosts in Teddy McKay and Sandra Harris, where the topics ranged from “Pizzagate” to Jenny’s cooking resume and everything in between. Jerry, Don and Jenny then popped on over to Q97.9 for some more wacky conversations.

That was just the start of Day 3, though. After bouncing off the airwaves, the threesome headed on over to St. Brigid School, where they discussed Red Sox history, fielded personal questions, signed autographs, gave out Wally dolls and even busted out a few dance moves. In fact, the crew moved around surprisingly well for early in the morning.

After saying goodbye to the third graders at St. Brigid, it was back on the road. The trio eventually landed at Binga’s Stadium Smokehouse and Sports Bar for a meet-and-greet session with some avid Sox fans. While at Binga’s, they answered some hard-hitting questions, gave some insight into their gameday routines and were even offered a beer by some of the locals. Of course, this all was in addition to Jenny receiving a Valentine’s Day gift from an unexpected romantic.

The NESN Spring Training Kickoff Tour will continue in Providence, R.I., on Friday. On the tour’s final day, Jerry, Don and Jenny will host a public meet and greet at the Warwick Mall in Warwick, R.I., at 3 p.m.

Click here to see photos from Day 3 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 2 >>

Click here to see photos from Day 1 >>

The NESN crew has got some moves.

As part of the NESN Tour, Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Jenny Dell have been visiting several New England states and meeting with fans excited about the 2013 Red Sox season. On Thursday, the crew stopped in Portland, Maine, where they met with third graders at St. Brigid School. A dance battle broke out, and luckily for us, the cameras were rolling.

Watch Don, Jerry and Jenny show off their best Macarena, Gangnam Style and more along with the students.

Jerry, Don and Jenny have fielded plenty of questions throughout their excursion. Sometimes, the questions pertain to the action on the field. Other times, they relate to the trio’s broadcast career. Regardless of the questions or comments thrown in their direction, though, the crew is all about having fun and getting ready for what should be an interesting Red Sox season.

One of the radio stations Jerry, Don and Jenny stopped at in Portland on Thursday was Q97.9-WJBQ. Click on the link below to listen to their hysterical interview.

Click here to listen to Jerry, Don and Jenny on WJBQ in Portland >>

It was the seventh inning of the Red Sox’ Patriots’ Day tilt with the Angels back in 2007. J.D. Drew hit a popup down the left-field line that landed in the first row. In addition to a fan spilling beer all over the place, a rather bizarre event took place. A different fan a few rows back took it upon himself to toss a slice of pizza at the fan going for the ball. The strange sequence sent NESN’s Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy into hysterics, and has since been dubbed “Pizzagate” in many Red Sox Nation circles.

Don, Jerry and Jenny Dell stopped by to talk with Teddy McKay and Sandra Harris of WHOM 94.9 in Portland on Thursday as part of the NESN Spring Training Kickoff Tour. They discussed a number of topics, but it didn’t take long before “Pizzagate” came up. Don and Jerry still remember the incident like it was yesterday, and actually consider it to be one of their favorite broadcasting moments together.

Jenny wasn’t around at NESN for “Pizzagate,” but she has already had her fair share of laughs with the crazy duo. Check out the trio’s hilarious radio interview by clicking on the link below.

Click here to listen to Don, Jerry and Jenny on WHOM in Portland >>

Any viewer joining Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo on a Red Sox broadcast knows that the former second baseman likes to have a fit of laughter every once and a while. They just might not expect to encounter one of the classic giggle fits during a call to customer service.

During a stop on the NESN Tour this Wednesday, the RemDawg helped field customer support calls at Comcast offices in Connecticut. One caller joked with Jerry about the Phillies, and the two had a good laugh before the NESN announcer passed his call off to a Comcast representative — who just so happened to be a Yankees fan.

Check out the interaction in the video above.

“Thank you for calling Comcast, this is NESN’s Jerry Remy … also known as the RemDawg.”

Calling customer service can be a nightmare at times, but when a friendly voice like the RemDawg, Don Orsillo or Jenny Dell picks up the other line, it might not be so bad. The NESN crew stopped by Comcast offices in Connecticut on Wednesday, where they helped answer phones and lend some technical support.

Check out the video above for some highlights of the stop on the NESN Tour, including one call where Jenny does her best to dissuade a customer from discontinuing their sports package.

On Monday, Jan. 28, NESN president Sean McGrail cut the ribbon on Studio A at NESN, marking the studio open for business and ushering in a new era for New England’s largest television network.

The new studio will be the home of plenty sports talk down the road, and things got moving quickly. Dale Arnold and Billy Jaffe took the stage for the first episode in the new space, with Bruins Face-Off LIVE earning the honor of the first show shot in the new studio.

With coverage of the Bruins, Red Sox and more sure to come from Studio A in the future, take a look back at the past to see all the work that went into building NESN’s newest studio.

Check out NESN’s Studio A construction process >>

For more information about the event, visit the Monster Jam web site.

Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN

ELIGIBILITY
The Monster Jam Ticket Giveaway (The “Sweepstakes) is open to all legal residents of New England who reside in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont who are 18 years of age or older as of January 25, 2013. Employees of New England Sports Network (The “Sponsor”), Feld Motor Sports, and their respective affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies (including immediate family members or those living in the same household of each) may not enter the Sweepstakes.

HOW TO ENTER
Visit nesn.com/monsterjam and register for the contest with your name, zip code, TV provider and email address.  To be eligible, online entries must be received between 9:00 AM EST on Friday, January 25, 2013 and 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Only one entry per person will be accepted. Duplicate entries will be disqualified.  All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.  Entry materials/data that have been tampered with or altered, or mass entries or entries generated by scripts, macro or use of automated devices are void.  Void where prohibited by law.

DRAWING DATE/DEADLINE
Ten (10) winners will be determined in a random drawing on or about Monday, February 11, 2013 from all eligible entries received.   Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received.  Decisions of Sponsor regarding the Sweepstakes are final.

PRIZES (10)
Ten (10) prize winners will receive 4 tickets to the Monster Jam event at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts on Friday, February 15, 2013. Retail value of prize = $100. Winner will be responsible for all expenses not specifically included herein, including but not limited to all applicable federal, state and local taxes and transportation to the DCU Center.  Prize is non-transferable and no substitution by winners or cash equivalent is allowed.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize for one of equal or greater value.

PRIZE WINNER NOTIFICATION
The potential prize winner will be notified by email and/or overnight letter on or around Monday, February 11, 2013.  The potential grand prize winner may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release before attending the event or prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner if time allows.

RELEASE AND CONDITIONS
This Sweepstakes is void outside of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont and where prohibited or restricted by law and subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. This Sweepstakes will be governed by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By entering, entrants agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are binding and final, and release Sponsor, Feld Motor Sports and their respective divisions, affiliates, parent companies, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and any one associated with the production of this Sweepstakes, and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for any claims, injuries, losses or damages (including attorneys fees) of any kind arising out of their participation in this Sweepstakes or resulting from acceptance, possession, receipt, use or misuse of prize, and entrants agree that these entities are in no matter responsible for any warranty, representation or guarantee, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relating to the Sweepstakes and/or the awarding of any prize.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the preceding release is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or void for any reason, the entrant agrees that, by entering the Sweepstakes, (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes, but in no event attorney’s fees; and (iii) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses.  The potential prize winner waives the right to assert as a cost of winning the prize any and all costs of verification and redemption or travel to redeem said prize and waives any liability or claims (including attorneys fees) which might arise from redeeming or seeking to redeem said prize.  In the event of non-compliance with these Official Rules, or if prize notification is returned to Sponsor as undeliverable, if prize is refused or cannot be accepted for any reason within five (5) business days of prize notification, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected in a random drawing if time allows.  Upon forfeiture, no compensation will be given.  Acceptance of prize constitutes permission, to use the winner’s name, photograph, likeness and/or statements attributed to winner regarding Sweepstakes, for advertising and publicity purposes without further compensation or consent.

INTERNET
It is the entrant’s responsibility to enter in the appropriate manner. Each entrant is responsible for all costs or charges involved in accessing the NESN.com Web site and warrants that the cost of accessing the site, if any, is part of a larger agreement with an Internet Service Provider or some other means, and that the cost of this access is not an incremental cost. If for any reason the Internet portion of the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes. Should the online portion of the Sweepstakes be terminated prior to February 10, 2013, finalists will be drawn from eligible entries received online up to the time of cancellation and eligible entries received by mail to entry end-date. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communication line failure, theft, or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, services or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any email or entry to be received due to technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading of any material in this Sweepstakes. CAUTION: Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any Web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, sponsors reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. In the event of a dispute, entries made by Internet will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g. business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

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To obtain the names of the winners, mail a stamped, self-addressed envelope (to arrive by February 28, 2013) to and Monster Jam Ticket Giveaway Winners, PO Box 324, Watertown, MA 02472.  Vermont residents may omit return postage.

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9:05 p.m.: The panel is asked for their thoughts about the controversy surrounding the latest ballots for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Merloni’s passionate answer is that the hall is for the best players that have ever played the game and shouldn’t have the moral clause. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are certain hall of famers in his opinion. He doesn’t agree with what they did, but he “knows a hall of famer” when he sees one.

Ryan wants the hall to acknowledge that the steroid era existed and says people have to be stupid to think Bonds and Clemens didn’t cheat.

Massarotti says PEDs have inflated all of the numbers. He says the voting was inconsistent in the past and is even more so in 2012 and beyond. He’ll go purely by the eyeball. “I’m a yes on Clemens and a yes on Bonds,” he said. Edgar Martinez got his vote because he’s the “greatest designated hitter that has ever played.”

Littlefield says the hall is full of guys who did far worse things than the players currently under scrutiny. “There’s nothing moral about it.”

Shaughnessy says that sports are supposed to be a level playing field, and the steroid era has made it incredibly difficult to vote.

For Bell, Bonds’ and Clemens’ (and others’) cheating should disqualify them from a place in the hall.

9:05 p.m.: An audience member asks about the panel’s faith in the Patriots’ front seven (on defense) and undersized secondary.

Bell sums it up perfectly: No pass rush, no defense. “You could have Jesus Christ back there and it wouldn’t make a difference.”

9 p.m.: Bell says players are more disposable today than ever before, and playing more games during a span of seven days puts players in greater danger than ever.

8:55 p.m.: Littlefield says coal miners are compensated for black lung, asbestos workers are compensated for mesothelioma, why can’t football players be compensated for the injuries they suffer on the job?

An audience member adds that arthritis is prevalent among athletes — especially the big ones — of today.

8:45 p.m.: The next question is about football’s future in light of what we now know about head injuries.

Littlefield says the U.S. loves football and other countries don’t. He adds that this is the only military superpower in the world and the two facts “aren’t entirely unrelated.”

Bell adds that people he speaks to love the sport’s violence. He jokes that in 20 years, the losing team will be executed — like in the days of ancient Rome. Will Americans not be entertained?

Merloni cites his first experience watching UFC. “Apparently boxing is not violent enough,” he says. Fans booed two tired fighters. He thinks Americans love the vicious nature of the two sports.

Ryan disagrees. He says mothers of America could shut the “barbaric enterprise” down tomorrow because it systematically destroys the people who play it.

Bell notes that African Americans from poor communities played football to escape poverty in the 1960s and they still do today.

8:40 p.m.: The panel continues on the changing face of sports journalism.

Bell compares the Patriots to the Kremlin in terms of how difficult it is to get inside information.

8:35 p.m.: The next question was asked about the changing face of journalism in the age of Twitter and instant updates and analysis.

Shaughnessy says the function of the daily newspaper is a thing of the past.

Littlefield adds that there are still great places for writers to tell great stories.

8:30 p.m.: An audience member says the Patriots’ hiring of Bill Parcells changed the face of sports in the region, creating a race to the top among the local teams.

Bell says Parcells brought a way of playing football that is unique. He adds the Patriots might not be playing in New England if Parcells didn’t come.

Ryan adds that the Patriots rise has been the single biggest story in his career. He says the Pats are the number one team in the region — ahead of the Red Sox.

Bell adds that Belichick following Parcells was also critical, as the coach controls everything in the professional game.

8:25 p.m.: Bell asks if Francona was the best manager in Red Sox history.

Merloni says he is, but his refusal to change over time cost him dearly. The former Sox infielder says the players changed, Francona didn’t and it cost him control of the clubhouse.

8:20 p.m.: Caron asks if the Red Sox players face more scrutiny than their counterparts on the Celtics, Bruins and Patriots.

Merloni says the Red Sox are a special case because everyone in the region played and understand the sport really well. He says there’s no better place to play when things are going well, but players “face the wrath” when they fail. Some players can take it, others can’t. He adds that you learn a lot about players by how they react to failure.

8:15 p.m.: Bell wants to know what’s going on behind the scenes at Fenway Park.

Shaughnessy says there are plenty of bright and capable people in the upper reaches of Red Sox management working to dig out from the current situation. He says Ben Cherington has a “methodical” approach.

Ryan points out how difficult it is to win a championship. He cites the Yankees, who have spent over a billion dollars this century and have only one championship to show for it.

8:10 p.m.: Merloni says the Red Sox players never believed in the Curse of the Bambino. He adds that watching the Sox win the 2004 World Series from afar (he left for Cleveland after the 2003 season) gave him mixed emotions.

8:07 p.m.: Bell says the 49ers are the best team in the NFL.

8:05 p.m.: Ryan says Boston sports fans should be most upbeat about the Patriots, but we’ll know a lot more after the next three games.

The Celtics are in for a frustrating season, as their defense and rebounding are too inconsistent to put them among the best teams in the league. Shaughnessy agrees with Ryan’s assessment of the Celtics.

8 p.m.: The panel is making its way to the stage and the discussion will begin in a few minutes.

I’m Marcus Kwesi O’Mard, putting down my soccer shoes for the evening to bring you the highlights of the discussion.

If you’d like to make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation, visit ArthritisFoundation.org/Massachusetts.

If you want to follow along on Twitter, use #SportsConnection2012.

7:55 p.m.: Bob Ryan, the guest of honor, is making a few remarks. He says Celtics’ Dave Cowens was the biggest personality he ever got a chance to cover. It goes without saying that he feels Boston is the “perfect place” for him to be a sportswriter.

“The Commissioner” graciously accepts the Sports Connection Achievement Award.

7:30 p.m.: The panel discussion will begin in a few minutes. Those who want to follow the discussion on Twitter should use #SportsConnection2012. You can join the conversation there.

8 a.m. ET: December is not yet upon us, but it’s safe to say that 2012 was an action-packed year as far as Boston sports go.

Some of the region’s esteemed media personalities will review the year that was (and still is) at the Sports Connection “Your Ticket to the Inside Track,” presented by the Arthritis Foundation event on Thursday evening.

NESN’s Tom Caron will host a panel discussion about all the year’s best moments in Boston sports.

The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy, Globe writer and 98.5 the Sports Hub broadcaster Tony Massarotti, National Public Radio’s Only A Game program host Bill Littlefield, WCRN’s (Worcester) Upton Bell and former Red Sox utility man and WEEI-FM host Lou Merloni will break down the highlights of 2012.

They will be joined by the guest of honor – legendary Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan.

We’ll be at Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel to bring you all of the panel’s main points — as they happen. Join us right here on Thursday starting at 6 p.m. ET.

But some, like former Sox hero Johnny Damon, were apparently trying to spin their involvement into a second go-around with the team.

Damon, who is still trying to find a Major League Baseball team to play with in 2013, was cut by the Indians last season. So when the Red Sox invited him back to Fenway Park for the anniversary of the 2004 championship, he figured he might as well try to wrangle some at-bats out of the appearance.

“They really wanted me up there for the eight-year anniversary,” Damon said, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. “I was like, ‘Eight years sounds weird. If I can play, suit me up. I’m still in shape. I’ll be there.’ But they couldn’t adjust the roster, and I didn’t go up.

“It would have been classic.”

Classic, indeed. On that day, the Red Sox were battling the Tampa Bay Rays as they closed out a woeful season, with all sorts of call-ups and fill-ins speckling the roster. Damon may have been able to do some damage.

But perhaps it’s a good thing Damon wasn’t given a spot in the batting order. With Pedro Martinez and Keith Foulke on hand, who knows who else would have wanted to don a Sox jersey and give baseball one more try that night.