Boston Bruins Report Games 41- 60

Game 41 at Carolina Hurricanes (1/14/12):

The B’s opened a four-game road trip starting with a Saturday night date at RBC Center and a date with the ‘Canes. Tim Thomas started in goal against Cam Ward. After a scoreless and uneventful first period, Krejci fired a shot on goal in the opening minute of the second that Ward kicked out. Four minutes in, Campbell and Paille forced the puck deep in the zone and Campbell fed Thornton but his shot missed the net. Bergeron put the B’s on top at 6:13 when he grabbed a rebound of Boychuk’s bomb and tucked it past Ward. The ‘Canes tied it up at 10:30 as Dwyer picked a loose puck from Campbell at the blue line, wheeled around and fired the puck past Thomas, who uncharacteristically gave up a bad goal. After the goal, the tempo picked up dramatically as both sides had quality chances in the final moments of the period. Lucic put the B’s ahead again at 1:21 of the third as he grabbed a loose puck out in front of Ward and roofed it over Ward’s shoulder. The fast tempo continued well into the third. Ponikarovsky had a point blank chance five minutes in that Thomas scrambled to knock away. The ‘Canes tied the score at 13:58 as Justin Faulk ripped a shot from the right point and went past Thomas, who was screened by Tlusty on the play. Harrison put the ‘Canes ahead at 18:30 (ugh) as he fired a shot from the top of the slot and it went through a crowd and past Thomas. The B’s simply couldn’t clear the puck out of the zone and paid dearly. With just about a minute remaining, Thomas was pulled for an extra attacker but Staal fired the puck into an open net at 18:58 and that was that. A scrum ensued between Lucic and Allen at the boards and Allen turtled. Chara then knocked Dwyer into an empty net and Dwyer went flying. It was a rare case of the B’s faltering in the third period.

Game 42 at Florida Panthers (1/16/12):

After Saturday night’s disappointing loss, the B’s headed for Sunrise on Monday night and a date with the Panthers. Tuukka Rask stared in goal against Scott Clemmensen. Bergeron put the B’s ahead at 1:20 as he fired a shot from the high slot and the puck went past a screened Clemmensen. Santorelli then rushed the net but Seidenberg went off at 2:53 for hooking in trying to impede Santorelli’s progress. Rask then stoned Mathias as he broke in alone with the puck. Late in the period, Paille and Jovonoski had a go and Jovo got the better of things. In the final minute the Panthers crashed the net but Rask was able to steer the puck away.

The B’s started out quickly in the second period, putting four shots on goal before the patrons had a chance to get back in their seats. The Panthers tied the score at 8:28 as Garrison fired a shot from the point that appeared to have been deflected in out in front of the net. Repik then fired a shot that went through Rask’s pads but squirted wide of the net. The B’s crashed the net and there was a flurry of action in front of Clemmensen before Fleischmann was sent off for hooking at 12:42. Matthias was then sent off for delay of game, giving the B’s a 5-on-3 advantage for 55 seconds. Clemmensen made a great stop of Bergeron’s chance as the puck went behind him and he dragged the puck back toward his body. Bergeron then tipped in Seguin’s shot from the high slot, giving the B’s a 2-1 lead at 14:40. Matthias then scored on a breakaway as he exited the box and buried the puck at 15:54 to tie the score. Chara was called for hooking at 17:08 as he wrapped his stick around Santorelli. Matthias and Stephen Weiss rushed the net in an attempt to jam in the puck.

Five minutes into the third, Krejci fed Lucic directly out in front of the net but Clemmensen kicked out Lucic’s jam attempt. Boychuk’s blast from the right circle left a fat rebound that Chara pounced on from the left circle and fired a shot that Clemmensen covered. Krejci then had a quality chance directly out in front but his shot went over the net, Hamill then had a chance from the low slot on a feed from Caron as the action went back and forth at a high tempo. Campbell then tried to jam one in on a feed from Thornton but Clemmensen covered up as the net went off its moorings. Midway through the period, the Panthers had the B’s on their heels as they attacked in waves. Krejci nearly tipped in a pass from Lucic with a minute a half remaining. With a minute left, Repik had a breakaway but his shot went wide of the net. The game went on to overtime. Rask had 33 saves in regulation.

At 36 seconds, Bergeron was sent off for hooking and Versteeg’s one-timer went wide of the net. Fleischmann then had a chance at the side of the net but Rask held the post. The B’s killed off the penalty but had trouble clearing the puck out of the attacking zone. Versteeg then had a breakaway but was stoned cold by Rask. When was the last time there was four breakaways in one game? Goc’s shot went wide left and Pouliot fired his shot into Clemmensen’s chest. Kulikov’s shot went wide left. Seguin then missed on the backhand. Weiss then scored over a falling Rask as Rask aggressively came out and Weiss popped the puck into an empty net. Bergeron then tied the shootout by ripping a wrist shot over Clemmensen’s shoulder. Samuelsson then missed completely. Krejci came back and fired the game-winner through Clemmensen’s five-hole. This was an exciting game with a terrific ending.

Game 43 at Tampa Bay Lightning (1/17/12):

Twenty-four hours after a thrilling shootout win, the B’s traveled up state to the Tampa Bay Times Forum and a Tuesday night date with Guy Boucher’s Lightning. The Lightning have been a big disappointment so far at 17-23-4 and in last place in the Southeast Division. It’s hard to believe that this is the same team that took the B’s to a seventh game in last year’s Eastern Finals. Tim Thomas started in goal against Mathieu Garon.  The Lightning changed their look to a simplified blue and white, similar in style to Toronto’s. Lecavalier had an early chance after Bergeron turned over the puck in front of Thomas. Gervais then went off for high sticking at 1:58. The B’s had a few chances from the perimeter but nothing of consequence. Gervais drove a hard shot on Thomas from the right point but Thomas blocked it. Matt Gilroy followed up with another shot. Lecavalier put the Lightning ahead at 7:11 when he grabbed a rebound of Gilroy’s shot and swatted the puck past Thomas with his back turned from the net. Moore was sent off for elbowing Corvo at 9:52. The B’s power play has been in a funk, going 2 out of their last 20 chances. Make that 2 for their last 21 chances as that power play was completely flat. Ference then hit the box at 14:24 for interference. Lecavalier’s blast from the right circle rang off the  pipe. Late in the period, the B’s charged the net in front of Garon but couldn’t jam the puck past the goal line. Thornton was caught holding St. Louis at 19:56, giving the Lightning a full power play to open the second. The B’s need to bring a better effort in the second period.

The Lightning opened the second period on the power play but mustered only one shot on that chance. Pouliot then fired a shot from the left point that Garon covered. Thomas then poked away a chance directly out front by Lecavalier. Horton tied the score at 4:28 when he skated out in front of Garon, fired a shot that was kicked out and then backhanded in the rebound as he was being hauled down. Five minutes in, Connolly grabbed a long rebound allowed by Thomas and fired a shot that was knocked away.  Lucic was tripped by Lecavalier at 7:05. The Lightning then had a 3-on-1 rush and Stamkos’ chance was foiled by Thomas. Midway through the period, the Lightning had another chance as Trevor Smith attempted to jam in a rebound but Thomas held the post. The B’s responded with their best sustained pressure in the attacking zone so far. Tom Pyatt made it 2-1 at 14:11 after Lucic turned over and Kubina grabbed the puck, passed to Downie and Pyatt capitalized on the rebound. Horton tied the score at 16:48 as he fired a low shot from the slot and Garon had no chance. Bergeron nearly tipped in a backhanded attempt with a minute remaining. Seidenberg was caught holding St. Louis with 36 seconds left on the clock. Thomas made a brilliant sliding save of Purcell’s drive from the slot.

The Lightning opened the third as they did the second, on the power play.  Paille had a shorthanded breakaway but his shot rang off the crossbar. Chara’s bomb from the point was tipped out in front and went out of play. Tampa Bay scored at 4:57 when Dominic Moore banged in a loose puck out in front of Thomas to give the Lightning the lead. Midway through the period, Paille had another quality chance but Garon came up with the save. Lucic then went off for interference at 10:14. Stamkos fired a one-time rocket that Thomas knocked away with the stick. Paille then came up with his second shorthanded breakaway and roofed it on the backhand to tie the score at 10:53. Kubina rocked one from the high slot that Thomas scrambled to cover. Stamkos then ripped a quick shot that Thomas scrambled to cover. Stamkos then tripped Seguin as he broke toward the goal but the referee sent both off (trip and dive). Seguin vociferously protested the call to no avail. With five minutes left, a jam in front of Thomas ensued and there was some pushing and shoving. Seguin’s backhand attempt then hit the post. Moore made it 4-3 at 16:15 as he fired a shot from the left circle that whistled over Thomas’ shoulder. It was a perfectly placed shot. Lucic then took a pass from Horton directly out in front and Garon made a huge stop. Thomas was pulled with a minute remaining and the Bruins crashed the net but Garon held up under the heavy pressure. Stamkos then hit an empty netter from 135 feet away as the B’s defense was defenseless on the play. The Lightning broke a seven-game losing streak and the Bruins stumbled again on the road.

Game 44 at New Jersey (1/19/12):

After Tuesday night’s flat line performance in Tampa, the B’s winged north to Jersey and a date with the Divils. The last time these teams got together, the B’s came away with a convincing 6-1win. Brad Marchand returned to the lineup after his five-game suspension and Rich Peverley returned after missing the last two games. Tim Thomas started in goal against Martin Brodeur. Horton went off for tripping Kovalchuk at 1:19. The B’s killed off the penalty without allowing a shot on goal. Zaleski fired a tricky backhander on which Thomas held the near post. Kelly came right back down the ice and Brodeur made a nice kick out of his backhander. Thomas then made a nice stop of Larsson’s shot with Zubrus waiting on the doorstep. Horton’s chance from directly out in front went over the net. The Devils came back with three quality chances that Brodeur knocked away.  Campbell and Brad Mills had a go late in the period with Mills prevailing on a takedown. Carter then had a rebound chance that appeared as if the puck would go in but inexplicably went wide of the mark. The B’s then rushed the net and Bergeron nearly had a wide open chance but the puck bounced over his stick. Petr Sykora then put Jersey ahead at 18:29 when he was waiting on the doorstep and banged in a rebound. It always stinks to allow a goal that late in the period.

Bergeron had a chance in the opening moments of the second but his shot went wide. Thomas was called on moments later to stop Zaleski’s shot. Kovalchuk broke in with Parise on a 2-on-1 but his shot was high and Seidenberg cleaned out the rebound. Midway through the period, Kovalchuk and Parise crashed the B’s net but Thomas was able to stop the advance. Zaleski’s shot rang off the post. The B’s then put a brief flurry of shots on Brodeur including a shot by Pouliot that hit the crossbar. The Devils then crashed the net again but Thomas stopped Parise’s jam-in attempt. Bergeron then had another great chance but his shot went just wide.

Chara laid a heavy check on Zubrus in the opening moments of the third. Faine’s shot from the point then hit the post. Brodeur then robbed Pouliot on the doorstep on a point blank chance. Ference then tied the score at 3:01 as he fired a bomb from the left point that rang off the post and into the net. Boychuk then fired a blast from the right point that Brodeur kicked out. Bergeron followed up with a shot that went just wide as the B’s surged in the attacking zone. Clarkson went off for hooking Krejci at 5:37 putting the B’s on the power play for the first time. Horton scored at 7:10 as he took a pass from Krejci and one-timed the puck into the open corner. Paille and Campbell had chances and then Campbell scored 35 seconds later (7:45) as the line didn’t give up and fought to maintain possession. Campbell fired a backhander over a diving Brodeur and the B’s were up by two. Bryce Salvador then made a nice play cutting off the passing lane on Bergeron’s advance. Brodeur vacated the net with two minutes remaining. Thomas made a great save on a redirected shot from the slot. Kelly popped an empty netter at 19:13 to put this game out of reach. So, the B’s came away with a .500 record on this recent road trip, which wasn’t bad considering that they haven’t played their best hockey of late.

Game 45 v. NY Rangers (1/21/12):

The B’s returned home for one game in a Saturday matinee with the Rangers. Tuukka Rask started in goal against Henrik Lundqvist, who generally has the Bruins in his back pocket. Dubinsky was caught hauling down Krejci and was sent off at 5:46. Rangers had a shorthanded break with Stepan but the point men scrambled back to clear away the puck. The B’s put no shots on goal on that power play.

After an otherwise quiet first period, Ryan Callahan put Rangers ahead at 1:31 as he broke in on 2-on-1 with Prust and fired a wrist shot that beat Rask. The B’s came back to tie at 3:28 when Ference tucked a backander behind Lundqvist as Ference came up into the attacking zone and was at the right place at the right time. A few minutes later, Peverley had two great chances as the B’s put furious pressure in the attacking zone. Gaborik put Rangers ahead at 14:30 as he grabbed a fat rebound and fired a one-timer past Rask. Richards then fired a hard shot that knocked Rask’s mask off his head. Horton and Lucic each fired tough shots on Lundqvist that were knocked away. The B’s came back to tie at 19:11 as Peverley went out high and passed to McQuaid and his shot deflected off of Boyle and past Lundqvist.

In the opening moments of the third, Brian Boyle broke in and fired a backhander on Rask that was kicked out. Midway through the period, Rask made a brilliant stop of Gaborik’s volley as he was flying down right wing. The Rangers then went on the power play for the first time at 10:46. Peverley and Marchand then broke in on a 2-on-1. After the B’s killed off the power play, they pressed hard in the attacking zone and peppered Lundqvist with several shots. The Rangers went back on the power play at 15:31 as Kelly tripped Callahan. Bergeron was tripped in the attacking zone but no call was made. The game then moved on to overtime. Midway through the overtime, Ference charged hard into McDonagh, sending him awkwardly into the board head first. Ference got five and a game misconduct (with a suspension likely in the offing). Rangers then won it at 4:57 when Gaborik knocked in a rebound of Richards’ shot. After Rask made two spectacular stops, Gaborik was waiting directly out in front and backhanded in the game winner.

Game 46 at Philadelphia Flyers (1/22/12):

Twenty-Four hours after the OT loss to Rangers, the B’s traveled to Philly for a Sunday matinee with

the Flyers. The NHL came down on Ference with a ton of bricks as he was suspended for three

games for  shoving the Rangers’ McDonagh hard into the boards in yesterday’s game. Steven

Kampfer took Ference’s spot in the lineup. 99% of the normal viewing audience was tuned into the

Patriots-Ravens AFC Championship so only the true diehards were watching this game. Tim Thomas

started in goal against Ilya Bryzgalov. Kelly fired a shot on goal within the first 10 seconds. Bergeron

scored 50 seconds in when he drove to the net and took a pass from Marchand and tipped in the

puck. Lucic and Sestito then had an early go with Lucic winning going away on points. The Flyers tied

it at 2:05 as Voracek tipped in a cross pass from Talbot. The puck actually deflected off of

Seidenberg’s stick. After the goal, the Flyers pressed hard in the attacking zone and Scott Hartnell

attempted to jam one in at the near post. The B’s went on the power play as Courtier went off for

slashing Marchand at 4:13. The Flyers were then hit with having too many men on the ice at 5:31.

Bergeron nearly one-timed in the puck but it was blocked by Timmonen. At 6:40, there was a scuffle

at the bench area as Talbot and Krejci each went off for roughing. Peverley then broke in alone with

the puck and nearly backhanded in the puck but Bryzgalov came up with a big stop. The B’s went

ahead at 9:01 on the power play when Bergeron fought for a puck behind the net and fed Seguin,

who was directly out in front and knocked in the puck.

Kampfer then took a heavy hit from Schenn. Chris Kelly immediately came to the defense of his

teammate and went at it with Schenn. Kelly was hit with an additional instigator. The B’s went up 3-1 as Lucic walked through an open seam and took a pass from Horton and buried the puck. A rumble then ensued in front of the Flyers’ net after Meszaros speared Marchand. Bryzgalov then slammed his blocker into Marchand and was called for roughing. Chara was then called for delay of game at 14:05 for chipping the puck over the glass.

Moving into the second period, Horton took a heavy, late hit from Sestito on the blind side. Horton

took exception and shoved Sestito prompting another scuffle. Horton took a dirty hit and he’s the

one who wound up in the box. Hartnell scored on the power play at 3:323 as he found an opening in

the seam took a pass from Giroux and one-timed the puck past Thomas. Hartnell then tied the score

at 7:25 as Schenn kept the puck in the attacking zone and fed Hartnell, who flipped a knuckleball

past Thomas. Thornton and Shelley then had a pretty good tilt with both trading several punches

but no clear victor. With 46 seconds remaining, Hartnell scored the natural hat trick on the power

as he again found an open seam and took a pass from Giroux and banged in the puck. The ice was

then littered with hats and the referees decided to send the teams to the dressing room and play

out the balance of the second after the intermission.

Krejci tied the score at 1:19 as he redirected a shot from Chara that went underneath Bryzgalov.

Campbell then put the B’s ahead at 4:59 as he tipped in Paille’s perfect wraparound move. Thornton and Hartnell then had a go midway through the period after Schenn crashed the net. Thornton received the extra two for instigating. The Flyers then tied it at 10:38 as Carle fired a shot from the point through a screen that was deflected out in front of Thomas and into the net. The game went to overtime, where the B’s had a power play late in the OT but couldn’t convert. The game then moved on to a shootout. Thomas saved Read’s shot but Krejci beat Bryzgalov with a wrist shot. Giroux then beat Thomas. Seguin then tucked home a wrist shot, and then Thomas stopped Simmonds’ shot for the win.

Game 47 at Washington Capitals (1/24/12):

In the final game before the All-Star break, the B’s traveled to Washington for a date with the Caps.

On the day before, the team traveled to the White House to celebrate the Cup Championship with

the President. The celebration was “marred” when Tim Thomas refused to attend in a political

protest. Naturally, this created a firestorm in the media and the talk shows. Actually, it was much

ado about nothing. The last time I checked, the United States of America is not some third-world

banana republic where lodging a protest is a capital crime. Thomas made his statement, as was his

constitutional right, and that was that. Sometimes hockey and politics make strange bedfellows.

Whatever, it was a slow time in the news world.

Tuukka Rask started in goal against Tomas Vokoun. Nathan Horton was out of the game with a

concussion after getting hit on Sunday afternoon. Alex Ovechkin was out of the Caps’ lineup. The B’s got on the board first at 17:46 when Peverley’s pass intended for Lucic deflected off of Alzner’s stick and past Vokoun.

The Caps tied the score at 2:14 as Cody Eakin fired a shot that squeaked through Rask’s blocker side arm and into the net. The Caps then went ahead at 2:55 as Mathieu Perreault unfortunately caught a deflection with his skate and the puck went into the net. The B’s then tied the score at 12:21 as Seguin took a pass from Kampfer in the high slot, skated in and roofed one under the crossbar as he was being hauled down. The Caps went back ahead at 14:23 as Boychuk turned over the puck in the neutral zone and Perreault grabbed the loose puck and ripped a wrist shot past Rask. Marchand then tied the score on the power play at 17:42 when he grabbed a rebound of Seidenberg’s shot and popped one in.

Perreault went for the hat trick at 7:18 as he grabbed a rebound of Hamrlik’s shot and drove the puck past Rask to give the Caps a 4-3 lead. Rask was pulled with 1:30 left and the B’s put on a mad rush to try for the equalizer. Wideman then scored on a 185-foot shot into the open net as the Caps got a fortuitous bounce and Wideman pounced on the loose puck and chipped in a long-distance empty netter. The Caps may have got a few lucky bounces but truth be told the Caps out-worked the B’s at every turn.

Game 48 v. Ottawa Senators (1/31/12):

The B’s opened the post-All Star break with a home tilt with Ottawa. All of the hubbub surrounding Tim Thomas seemed to dissipate. It was a non-story to begin with. The B’s came out in their alternate all black third sweaters. Tim Thomas started in goal against Craig Anderson. Nathan Horton remained out of the lineup with concussion symptoms. The Sens came out with some jump in their skates as the B’s spent the first minute on their heels. Five minutes in, Thornton broke down right wing with the puck but Anderson was able to make a nice stop. Anderson then stopped Pouliot’s shot as the B’s had a becief offensive flurry. Alfredsson and Foligno then fired shots that had Thomas hopping. Pouliot then had an elusive move that hit the pipe as the B’s picked up the energy. Marchand then tripped over his skates as he broke in alone with the puck and his shot went wide. Marchand was then denied a chance as he was tripped heading toward the net and was sent flying into the back of the net. The B’s went on the power play at 10:09 and the B’s peppered Anderson with a barrage of shots. Chara fired a bomb from the left point that Anderson never saw and the B’s went ahead at 11:57. Neal and Thornton then had a heavyweight bout. They grappled and threw a few punches but it was nothing of consequence, but McQuaid and Konopka then had a go and both threw several wild punches with McQuaid got the best of Konopka. Chara then fired another bomb from the high slot that Anderson covered. Joe Corvo then leveled a player that had his head down as he crossed the red line with the puck. Colin Greening then tied the score at 18:40 as he grabbed a rebound of Michalek’s shot and tucked the puck past Thomas. The B’s were inconsistent as the defensive line broke down in front of Thomas.

Bergeron had a good chance in the opening moments of the second but his shot went just wide. Carkner then fired a shot from the right point that Thomas smothered. Seguin broke in with Marchand on a 2-on-1 but Marchand’s shot went wide of the net. Kyle Turris put Ottawa ahead at 7:43 as the Sens broke down the ice after the B’s pressed hard in the attacking zone. Working on a 3-on-2, Turris scooped up the puck in the high slot, skated in and fired the puck past Thomas. Marchand then skated around Kuba and fired a shot that hit the side of the net. Alfredsson then fired a shot that rang off the post. Erik Karlsson then made it 3-1 at 13:28 as he took a pass from Neil, skated into the high slot and fired a wrist shot that beat Thomas. Alfredsson then fired a high shot on a feed from Foligno that Thomas knocked away. Lucic made it 3-2 at 19:15 as he took a feed from Peverley in the high slot and fired a wrist shot past Anderson.

The B’s opened the third on the power play as Karlsson was sent off. Marchand scored the tying goal at 2:20 as he fought for the loose puck at the right corner and banged in a rebound of his own shot. Pouliot had a chance on a feed from Krejci but his shot went just wide. Dennis Sedenberg put the B’s ahead at 7:09 as he fired a shot from the red line that caught Anderson napping. Peverley then broke down left wing with the puck but his shot went wide. The B’s seriously picked up their intensity in the third. Lucic then flew down the ice on a breakaway but Anderson covered up. The Senators came right back to match the B’s effort as they pressed hard in the attacking zone trying to get the equalizer. Turris then picked a loose puck and fired a shot that Thomas covered. Foligno then went off for tripping at 17:12. Anderson was pulled with 45 seconds left and then Thomas made a nice save of Michalek’s shot. Spezza was then sent off at 19:56 for cross-checking Boychuk but the game was already over. The B’s overcame sloppy play earlier in the game to kick off the post-All Star break on the right note.

Game 49 v. Carolina Hurricanes (2/2/12):

Two nights later, the B’s returned to the Garden Ice and played well in the first period only to fade and lose 3-0 to the ‘Canes, who swept the season series against the B’s. There really wasn’t much more to offer about this game.

Game 50 v. Pittsburgh Penguins (2/4/12):

The B’s lost 2-1 in a game that really wasn’t that close. Marc-Andre Fleury had a nice afternoon’s work and Evgeni Malkin tallied both goals for the visitors.

Game 51 at Washington Capitals (2/5/12):

The following day, the B’s traveled to Washington for a Sunday afternoon date with the Caps. Tim Thomas started in goal against Tomas Vokoun. Milan Lucic put the B’s ahead at 10:45, as he took a pass from Peverley and fired a wrist shot past Vokoun. At 18:38, Marchand tucked a backhander past Vokoun to give the B’s a 2-0 lead. Moments later McQuaid and Hendricks had a full tilt go. After a scoreless second period, Tyler Seguin made it 3-0 at 6:38 of the third when he tipped in a shot by Marchand. The Caps scored their only goal at 12:04 on Marcus Johansson’s goal. Vokoun was pulled with about 1:30 left and Rich Peverley capped off the scoring at 19:19 when he rapped in an empty netter. The B’s went to .500 post-All Star break.

Game 52  Buffalo Sabres (2/8/12):

The B’s were smoked 6-0 by the struggling Sabres. The only worthwhile highlight was Lucic’s pummeling of Kaleta. Other than that it was a highly forgettable night. It was the worst loss suffered by the B’s in many a moon.

Game 53 v. Nashville Predators (2/8/12):

The B’s blew a two-goal lead with the Preds going ahead late in the third. The B’s pulled Thomas with about a minute and a half remaining and Milan Lucic scored the game tying goal at 18:53. After a scoreless overtime, the B’s won it in a shootout as Seguin and Bergeron scored to give the B’s a 4-3 win. Other than that exciting ending, the game was a rather dull affair.  

Game 54  v. NY Rangers (2/14/12):

The B’s played their last home game for a while on Valentine’s night against the Rangers. Tim Thomas started in goal against Henrik Lundqvist. Once more, the Blueshirts got the better of the B’s as their defense came up big and the offense chipped in three timely goals en route to a convincing 3-0 whitewash of the B’s.

Game 55 at Montreal (2/15/12):

The B’s bounced back one night later with a 4-3 shootout win over Les Habs in the start of a six-game road trip. As was the case in the Nashville game, the B’s started out strong only to blow a two-goal lead as Canadiens scored twice in the third on goals from Pacioretty and Cole. In the third period, Rich Peverley left the game after suffering a knee injury and did not return, Tyler Seguin came up big for the B’s as his shootout goal was the difference maker.

Game 56 at Winnipeg (2/17/12):

Peverley suffered an MCL sprain and will be out of the lineup for the next 4-6 weeks, and with Horton out indefinitely with a concussion, the loss of both players is quite a blow to the team. On Friday night, the B’s traveled west to Winnipeg, where the Jets out hustled and outplayed the B’s en route to a 4-2 win. The B’s started out fast and tied the score early in the second on Jordan Caron’s goal but quickly faded. Former Bruin Blake Wheeler did most of the damage with a goal and two assists. Krejci tied the score early in the third but the B’s were overwhelmed by the Jets, who came right back to score two more times to seize the game from the B’s. 

Game 57 at Minnesota Wild (2/19/12):

The B’s moved on to the Twin Cities on Sunday afternoon for a date with the Wild, who have a 9-3-0 historic advantage over the B’s. Today was more of the same as the B’s turned in another lackluster effort, losing 2-0. There was nothing noteworthy about this game as it was about as dull and boring a game as any the B’s have played lately.

Game 58 at St. Louis Blues (2/22/12):

If ever there was a time when the B’s needed a boost in their sagging confidence, Wednesday night’s game against the Blues was it. St. Louis had only suffered three home losses all year so it was a tough challenge. The B’s played well as they downed the Blues 4-2. Krejci was put on a wing on the first line and skated like a man possessed out there. Marchand and Lucic scored in the first period but it seems these days that no lead is safe. St. Louis came back to tie the score on goals by Chris Stewart and Ryan Reaves. Late in the second period, Chris Kelly put the B’s ahead for good and then Marchand put a capper on it with his second goal of the game on a breakaway. Even still, they’re 8-9-1 in their last 18 games.

Game 59 at Buffalo Sabres (2/24/12):

As was the case the last time the B’s traveled to Buffalo, Tuukka Rask started in goal against Ryan Miller. Perhaps the result would be different this time, as the B’s were smoked in Buffalo a couple of weeks ago. Sabres crashed the net right off the bat using the high triangle offense and nearly scored. After having survived that early rush, the B’s came back to play well for the balance of the period. Early in the second period, Seguin picked a turnover, skated in alone and fired but Miller came up with a big stop, A few minutes later, Miller came up with two big stops off of Krejci; a point blank shot and a tip-in attempt. Sekera put Buffalo on top at 14:45 on a wrist shot from the high slot that beat Rask glove side. Late in the period, the B’s had three very good chances but once more Miller came up big.  Big Z tied it at 3:36 of the third on the power play as he rocked a high bomb over Miller’s shoulder. Miller’s shutout streak against Boston ended at just under 110 minutes. With 23 seconds remaining in the third, Vanek was sent off for high sticking Boychuk. The B’s opened the OT session on the power play but didn’t do much. The Sabres then crashed the net and Rask came up with a great sliding save off of Vanek’s attempt. Boychuk then broke down the ice in the closing seconds but Miller smothered his shot. The game ended up moving on to a shootout. Rask stopped Pominville’s attempt and then Krejci beat Miller on the backhand. Vanek ripped a slapper that zipped past Rask. Seguin was then stopped by Miller. Rask then stopped Nathan Gerbe’s forehand chance and then Miller stopped Bergeron’s try. Derek Roy then roofed a backhander over Rask’s shoulder. Miller then stopped Pouliot’s attempt and the Sabres came away with the 2-1 win. 

Game 60 at Ottawa Senators (2/25/12):

The B’s wrapped up this long road trip in Ottawa with a Saturday night date with the Senators. Tim Thomas started in goal against Alex Auld. Erik Carlsson put the Sens ahead at 1:10 of the first but Patrice Bergeron quickly tied the score and the B’s were off and running. Midway through the period, Thomas made a sparkling glove save off of Greening’s blast from the high slot. The B’s went ahead at 16:13 on Marchand’s wrister from the left wing circle. Moving into the second period, the B’s Carter Camper scored his first NHL goal at 3:57 on a rebound of McQuaid’s shot from the point. Things got quite physical in the third as Chris Neil laid a heavy hit on Boychuk, who left for the dressing room not to return. Kyle Turris then elbowed Corvo in the head and was shown the door for his trouble. Midway through the period, Krejci made it 4-1 when his shot from the low slot made it just over Auld’s shoulder. Neil and Chara then had a big-time goal in front of Thomas in retaliation for Neil’s hit on Boychuk. Daniel Alfredsson then scored two quick goals late in the period to tighten things to 4-3. The Sens pulled Auld with about a minute remaining but Bergeron knocked in the empty netter and the B’s came away with a 5-3 victory and a winning record on the trip.