Bruins Report: Games 2-11

Game 2 v. Winnipeg Jets (1/21/13):   The B’s held their first matinee date of the season on MLK Day with the Winnipeg Jets. Once more, the Garden was socked out and the crowd was amped to the max. Dennis Seidenberg missed the game with a “lower body injury.” Things got quiet right away as Chris Thorburn put the Jets ahead at 1:58 of the first on a wrist shot that beat Tuukka Rask. That was the sole highlight from Winnipeg’s end as the teams went back and forth for the balance of the period with no scoring. The B’s had a couple of chances on the power play to no avail before Brad Marchand tied the score at 14:12 on a backhanded rebound of Seguin’s shot. Typical of all Marchand’s goals, it was a matter of hard work and hustle. Moving into the third period tied one-apiece, Johnny Boychuk was called for high-sticking at 18:49 giving the Jets a golden opportunity to score the game-winning goal. But the PK unit and Rask held down the fort and the game moved to overtime. Zdeno Chara was called for holding at 3:32 of the extra frame and the Jets were once more in the catbird’s seat. Once more, Rask was equal to the task and the game moved to a shootout. Seguin and (former Bruin) Blake Wheeler each scored on the opening round. Patrice Bergeron scored but Olli Jokinen was stopped. After Chris Bourque opened the third round with a miss, Bryan’s Little’s shot hit the post and the B’s came away with the SO win. Even though there wasn’t much in the way of scoring, both teams played at a high level and the goaltending was terrific. The B’s next stop is a Wednesday night date at MSG with the Rangers.

 

Game 3 at NY Rangers (1/23/13): The B’s played their first road game of the year at MSG on Wednesday night before a full house. The Rangers started out 0-2 and desperately needed the points. The Bruins started out and finished badly but in between put up one hell of a fight as they overcame a two goal deficit only to fall 4-3 in overtime. Marian Gaborik scored twice within the first seven minutes as the B’s came out sluggish while Rangers pushed the attack. Midway through the first, the B’s finally waked from their slumber and stabilized the situation. In the early going it looked like it was going to be a blowout. Late in the first, Adam McQuaid and Brian Boyle had a nice row with McQuaid definitely getting the better end of things. Something must’ve been said in the dressing room between periods as the B’s came out to open the second en fuego. The Rangers’ Mark Staal went off for a slash in the opening seconds and Brad Marchand was Johnny-on-the-spot moments later as he tipped a puck past Henrik Lunqvist moments later to make it 2-1. The B’s continued to apply pressure in the Rangers’ end after the goal and finally tied the score at 12:24 as Milan Lucic tipped a backhander past Lundqvist and it was a brand new game. Not for long, as the defense gave it right back to Rangers and Taylor Pyatt backhanded one past Rask 46 seconds later. The game stayed 3-2 until 15:37 of the third when Nathan Horton snapped one in from between the circles to tie the score. Rangers pressed really hard at the end but Rask made several impressive stops. The game went to overtime but didn’t last long. Shawn Thornton made a bad pass to Andrew Ference at the point. The puck bounced over Ference’s stick and onto Gaborik’s. On the breakaway, Rask made the initial stop but Gaborik batted in the waist-high rebound into the net for the game-winning goal. At least the B’s came away with a much needed point. All in all, the B’s played a great 50 minutes of hockey…

Game 4 v. NY Islanders (1/25/13): The B’s returned home to face the resurgent Islanders team that was coming off a big 7-4 win in Toronto the night before. This young Islanders’ group finally looks like they’ve turned a corner. All of those fabulously talented high draft picks appear as though they’re finally starting to jell as a unit. There are no Bossys or Potvins out there but they sure look like they’ve made a big leap forward. The B’s started out in highly unimpressive fashion as they continued to allow Islanders to break free into the offensive zone.  Shawn Thornton put the B’s ahead at 4:52 as he was parked out in front of DiPietro and tipped in a rebound from Dougie Hamilton’s blast from the point. The kid has been really impressive with his puck handling skills so far.  Lucic and Carkner then had a go moments later and Lucic knocked him right on his duff, TKO Lucic. Isles’ Aucoin tied it a few minutes later when he was right in front of Rask and banged a loose puck into the open left corner. Once again, the B’s were lax in their end and allowed the Isles to have sustained pressure leading to the goal. Late in the period, Thornton and Martin started to get into it (after Martin whacked Paille with his stick) but it was quickly broken up. Thornton was hit with a misconduct and Martin a double minor. Paille then leveled an Islanders’ player with a heavy check. Chris Kelly was called for tripping Okposo at 19:39.

Islanders quickly went ahead in the second as Moulson knocked in a shot that went off Rask’s glove and appeared to have bounced into the net. After review, the call of a goal was overturned because there was no video evidence that the puck crossed past the goal line. Michael Grabner nearly scored when Boychuk fell over and Grabner picked up the loose puck and fired away. Chara was sent off for interference with Tavares at 4:10. Seidenberg put a heavy hit on Nielsen. Paille had a nice shorthanded break down right wing and fired a low shot that DiPietro smothered. The B’s killed off their 16^th consecutive shorthanded situation. Aucoin scored again at 9:50 as he ripped a shot high glove side from directly out in front of Rask to put Isles ahead 2-1. Cizikas was caught hooking Bergeron and the B’s went back on the power play but were only able to put one shot on goal. The B’s tied it at 13:42 as Gregory Campbell was at the right place at the right time when a loose puck bounced off of Joe Finley’s skate and Campbell popped it past DiPietro. Streit was called for interference at 16:14 and the B’s went back on the power play.  Late in the period, DiPietro came up with three sparkling stops to keep the game tied at two.

Krejci was sent off at 46 seconds of the third for interference. The Isles were only able to muster a couple of shots. Ference’s drive from the point then rang the iron. Chara put the B’s ahead at 7:07 when he fired a wrist shot from the blue line and Horton effectively screened DiPietro on the play. Bang! The B’s really turned up the heat in the Isles’ end after the goal. Seguin nearly scored a spectacular goal when he broke in, dove and slid the puck toward the goal.  At 13:33, Patrice Bergeron scored a magnificent breakaway goal as he took a tape-to-tape pass from Dougie Hamilton, skated in alone, deked DiPietro and tucked the puck into the open right corner to make it 4-2. Rask then made a nice stop off of Tavares’ blast. DiPietro was pulled with two minutes left but the B’s stymied every effort. The B’s started out slow and there were long stretches in which the Islanders were the better team but the B’s pulled it out at the end. Perhaps it was a case of the Isles running out of gas after playing on consecutive nights, but the B’s will take the points anyway they can. It was a very good opening week, taking seven out of a possible eight points.

Game 5 at Carolina Hurricanes (1/28/13): After a rare weekend off, the B’s traveled down to PNC Arena in Raleigh and a date with the ‘Canes. Good seats were still available…Anton Khudobin started in goal for the first time in this abbreviated season against Cam Ward. Jiri Tlusty had a testy backhanded try in the first minute that Khudobin knocked away. The B’s came out flying the first three shifts. Khudobin was caught handling the puck outside of the trapezoid at 1:40 and was called for delay of game. Jordan Stall tipped a shot by Skinner but Khudobin knocked away.  Brad Marchand scored a shorthanded goal at 3:16 from the right circle on a one-timer from Bergeron. Skinner was hammered between Aaron Johnson and Ference and went down hard. Dwyer went off for interference at 5:28. At 6:14, Lucic tipped in Chara’s blast from the point to make it 2-0. It was a waist-high shot that Lucic got a handle of and tipped it textbook-style into the net. Ward then made a ten-bell save off of Horton, who streaked down right wing. The B’s went back on the power play and Seguin put a real tester on goal but that was it. Lucic and Gleason then had a heavyweight go and Lucic and, after some wrestling by the combatants, Lucic pulled away on points. Moments later, Marchand went off for hooking at 11:25. Khudobin made a nice stop of McBain’s blast from the left corner. Jamie McBain made it 2-1 at 14:50 as he redirected Eric Staal’s shot on the backhand. Bowman then broke in on a pass from Jussi Jokinen and Khudobin made a nice stop. There was a frantic finish at the end with the ‘Canes definitely having the edge over the second half of the period.

The B’s were called for having too many men on the ice at 1:04. The ‘Canes didn’t have much success but Bergeron was called for hooking at 2:48, setting up a 5-on-3 for 16 seconds. Khudobin a great glove save of Eric Staal’s blast from the blue line. Rich Peverley had a shorthanded breakaway and went five-hole but Ward covered up. Bergeron banged his shoulder went he crashed heavily into the boards on a 3-on-2 break but he was back out for his regular shift moments later. The B’s Eric Johnson was sent off for cross-checking LaRose at 8:52 giving the ‘Canes another crack at the power play. Kelly and Peverley had a 2-on-1 shorthanded break but Ward smothered Peverley’s shot and Kelly’s stuff attempt. After killing off the power play, the B’s came back strong and put three quick shots on Ward. Horton made it 3-1 at 15:52 as he broke in alone, skated around Gleason and fired the puck high stick side in a brilliant move. Jeff Skinner quickly got that goal back as the B’s turned over the puck in the neutral zone and Skinner quickly took control and popped the loose puck into the net. Eric Staal then tied it 50 seconds layer as Kelly turned the puck over and Semin fed a perfect tape-to-tape pass to Stall, who buried it.  

On to the third, and the early pace was much slower. Dougie Hamilton broke in alone and fired a shot that Ward covered up. Lucic then buried Eric Staal up against the boards with a heavy hit. Jay Harrison went off for hooking Seguin at 4:42. The B’s put a few shots on goal but the power play was cut short when Chris Bourque was sent off for tripping. There were no shots on goal in that power play. Midway through the period, both teams were playing cautiously. A turnover by the ‘Canes led to a chance by the B’s as Bergeron fed Seguin with the puck but Ward made a key stop. Horton then had another shot from out in front but Ward made another big stop. Lucic followed up with a bank shot from left wing that Ward covered. Late in the period, the B’s peppered Ward with several shots that were turned aside. Hamilton then fed David Krejci, who drove the puck into the wide open left corner at 18:10. Eric Staal then went off for a slash at 18:29. Hamilton drilled a wrist shot into Ward’s chest. Khudobin made a great save with 20 seconds left. Seguin then broke in alone and tapped in an empty netter at 19:53. Bergeron then beat on Skinner as Seguin drove the puck into the empty net. It takes a lot to get under Patrice’s skin, so Skinner must’ve done something nasty. With the win, Claude Julien went into third place as the Bruins’ coach with most wins. All in all, it was a very exciting game. With each passing game, Hamilton continues to marvel. Tomorrow night, the B’s return to the Garden to face red-hot New Jersey and Martin Brodeur.

Game 6 v. NJ Devils (1/29/13): Twenty-four hours later, the B’s returned home to face the ever tough Jersey Divils. Brodeur did not start as Hedberg got the call in goal against Tuukka Rask. In the first few shifts, Jersey definitely had the jump over the B’s. Shawn Thornton and Krystopher Barch had quite a go at 5:39. The bout went on for well over a minute and Thornton got the better end of things. After the fight, the B’s picked up on hitting everyone in the Jersey zone, though the attack played out on the perimeter. Rask then made a nice stop on Ilya Kovalchuk’s point blank blast. Chris Kelly broke in on a 2-on-1 with Seguin and fired a blast that Hedberg smothered. Barch was tripped by Ference at 15:19 as Jersey had a considerable edge in play. Kovalchuk tried to go top shelf but fired wildly over the net. Jersey only had one shot on goal in that power play. Hamilton came back to fire a high wrist shot that handcuffed Hedberg. Seguin fed Marchand for a beautiful chance that was denied. All in all, the Divils had the better of play.

After a sluggish start, Boychuk was called for tripping at 7:22. Patrik Elias rang the iron with a wrist shot. At 8:30, Zidlicky fired a wrist shot from the high slot that was tipped in by David Clarkson to give the Devils a 1-0 lead. It was the first power play goal that the B’s allowed this year. Fayne then went off for hooking at 9:25. Hamilton fired a blast that was tipped by Peverley over the net. Paille was sent off at 11:53 for goaltender interference. Horton then went off for a high stick at 14:55 but the B’s had no problem killing off that power play.

Early in the third, Clarkson had a one-timer backhand that Rask knocked aside. Krejci was sent off for goaltender interference at 1:32. Rask then took a shot from Clarkson off the chest.  The B’s came right back and fired five quick shots on Hedberg as they had a burst of energy. Hamilton fed Peverley, who had a nice chance directly out in front. The B’s went on the power play midway through the period and Bergeron and Bourque had great chances that Hedberg stopped. Horton finally put the B’s on the board at 15:55 as he took a pass from Krejci in between the circles and he buried the puck to tie the score. After regulation, the game moved on to overtime. Jersey and the B’s are the only teams to have yet to lose in regulation.  Krejci had a great opportunity in the first minute as he shot went right across the crease. The teams went back and forth but there weren’t any quality chances and the game went to a shootout. Seguin went first and went up top and popped it in. Kovalchuk then skated in and drilled the puck high glove side. Hedberg then stopped Bergeron’s attempt. Elias then hit the post with his shot, Then came Horton, and Hedberg came 10 feet out of his crease to make the stop. Zajac was then stoned cold by Rask. Hedberg then stopped Krejci’s five-hole attempt. Clarkson then attempted a backhander and was denied. Hedberg then stopped Bourque’s backhand attempt. Rask then stopped Josefson. Marchand then fired a shot that trickled through Hedberg’s pads. Marek Zidlicky was then stoned by Rask and the B’s came away with the 2-1 victory.

Game 7 v. Buffalo Sabres (1/31/13):  The 5-0-1 start is the Bruins’ best since ’70-’71. We all remember what happened that year as the B’s steamrolled through the regular season only to get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Canadiens and a kid named Ken Dryden…The B’s closed out the month of January with a home date against Buffalo. Chris Bourque was out of the lineup for this game and was replaced by Lane MacDermid, who was called up from Providence. In goal, the ever-tough Ryan Miller got the call against Tuukka Rask. The Sabres have remolded their roster so as to be bigger and tougher to compete with the B’s and the other powers of the Eastern Conference.

At 2:53, Shawn Thornton and John Scott (6’8”, 270”) went at it and Scott clubbed Thornton down with a flurry of punches. Unlike Thornton (who can play), Scott is no more than an old-school goon. In the early going, the B’s pressed hard in the Sabres end of the rink. Dougie Hamilton flattened Tyler Ennis with an open-ice check. Paille had a great chance but Miller came out of his crease and broke up the shot. Leopold was called for a slash at 8:29 setting up the B’s first power play of the night. Seguin had a shot that Miller knocked away. Lucic then had a point blank shot on a rebound from Peverley’s shot that Miller smothered. The B’s had a nice counter attack as they put four shots on goal. Rask then came up with a nice stop of Foligno’s shot. Pominville then fired a bomb that Rask turned aside. Lucic nearly tipped in a shot directly out in front of Miller and then Pominville came right back to fire a testy shot on Rask. Scott went off again at 15:36 for elbowing Peverley. Lucic had another shot from directly out in front that Miller steered away. The B’s put only two shots on goal in that power play. In the final seconds, the B’s had another great chance as Chara fired a bomb from the point and Miller had to make a diving stab to knock away the rebound.

Thomas Vanek put the Sabres ahead at 1:38,of the second as he fired a slap shot on a 2-0n-1 that beat Rask. The B’s came storming back, scoring three goals in just under six minutes. At 5:12 Rich Peverley scored his first goal of the season on a slap shot through a crowd that whistled past Miller to tie the score.  At 7:43, Brad Marchand scored his fourth of the season as he skated around Tyler Myers and tucked in a backhander and then Tyler Seguin tipped in a rebound of Marchand’s shot to put the B’s ahead, 3-1. But the good times didn’t last for long as Lucic was sent off for boarding and Chara was sent off for holding, both at 15:45. Vanek scored on a tip-in from Ennis’ shot at 16:46 to make it 3-2. Ennis then backhanded one that Rask knocked free but the Sabres continued to press hard in the B’s zone. Ennis then scored on a forehand at 18:19 as he tucked one into a wide open right side of the net to tie the score at three. Those penalties were stone cold killers.

Bergeron was injured as Erhoff slammed him into the boards behind the Buffalo net following a flurry of shots on Miller. Krejci skated in alone and fired a wrist shot past Miller to put the B’s back on top. But Sulzer came right back at 228 as he fired a rebound past Rask to tie it back up at four. Pominville put the Sabres ahead as he beat Rask on a pass from Vanek in a wide open left corner. Rask was left totally defenseless on the play. Chara had a point blank chance that Miller made a terrific stop. The B’s came back with a flurry of shots and Miller was called on to make a couple of big saves. At 11:25, Myers was hit with a double minor for high sticking Paille in the face.  Seconds later, Seidenberg tripped Foligno and he went to the box. Things were wide open on the 4-on-4 and Seguin broke in on a 2-on-1 but Miller came up with another big save. Miller then made a diving stop on Bergeron’s attempt. The B’s only had two shots on goal on that power play. Ennis and Vanek broke in on a 2-on-1 but Ennis’ shot went just wide. Vanek then went for the hat trick at 18:29 as he and Pominville broke in on a 2-on-none and popped a backhander over Rask’s shoulder. Vanek has always killed the Bruins. He was amazing tonight. Miller was also very strong in goal for Buffalo. Rask was pulled with a little over a minute remaining but it was too little, too late. Pominville broke in alone and popped one into the empty net at 19:46 to put punctuation on this one. The Sabres’ coach then called a timeout as if to rub the Bruins’ noses in it in a really bush-league move. Perhaps he was trying to entice the B’s in a fight as he put Scott out on the ice but the B’s did not bite. The patrons made an early exit from this one as the game ended in silence.

Game 8 at Toronto Maple Leafs (2/2/13):  Prior to the game it was announced that Shawn Thornton would be out of the lineup for the next 7-10 days with a concussion resulting from Thursday night’s fight. Thornton’s spot in the lineup will be filled by AHL journeyman Jamie Tardif, who has scored a ton of goals this year in Providence. Danny Paille was also out after having been elbowed in the face in the Buffalo game.  Leafs came out resplendent in their 1967 Stanley Cup unis. There was a ceremonial dropping of the puck that featured former B’s Coach/HNIC commentator Don Cherry.  James Reimer started in goal for Leafs against Tuukka Rask. Amazing, but Phil Kessel has yet to score a goal for Toronto.  Nazem Kadri nearly scored a few minutes in as he had a chance directly out in front that Rask knocked away. Lane MacDermid got into it with Mark Fraser at 2:42 and it was a draw. Van Riemsdyk (formerly of Philadelphia) skated in alone and fired a backhander that Rask smothered. Leafs had the edge in play in the first few shifts. Chris Bourque scored his first goal at 8:54 as a Bruin as he knocked in a pass across the crease from Chris Kelly as he crashed the net and knocked the net off its moorings after the puck crossed the goal line. Leafs scored at 11:32 but the goal was waved off due to incidental contact with Rask. Late in the period, McQuaid’s shot from the point was nearly tipped in by Lucic. Chris Kelly was called for hooking behind the net at 19:56. The B’s played a much better period than Thursday night’s third period.

Leafs opened the second with practically a full power play but they really didn’t mount much of an attack. Five minutes in, Hamilton fired a shot on goal that hit the side of the net. Kessel then broke in from the neutral zone and fired a shot that rang off the iron. The B’s then scored but the goal was waved off because Seguin bumped into Reimer before the puck crossed the goal line. After review, the incidental contact ruling against Seguin stood. Seguin was vocal with his displeasure at the call. Ference then broke in and tipped a rebound of Krejci’s shot from the point but Reimer made a nice stop, Bergeron was on the doorstep and nearly knocked in a shot but Reimer covered it. Horton fired a hard shot on a pass from Lucic that Reimer knocked away. Phaneuf cleared the puck over the glass and was sent off for delay of game at 11:48.  Boychuk then made a terrific divin block of van Reimsdyk’s shot. Steckel had a shorthanded break but was sent flying as he attempted to cross the crease. MacDermid and Fraser then had a second go round and MacDermid quickly clubbed Fraser into submission.  Van Reimsdyk then fired a quick backhander that Rask knocked away.  Hamilton took a high stick in the mouth and was bleeding but no call was made. Through two periods, the B’s out shot Toronto 24-13. 

Brad Marchand did not come out for the third period as he suffered an upper body injury after crashing heavily into the boards midway through the second, putting the B’s a forward down. Komarov boarded Boychuk and Chara took offense and both were sent off at 1:45. It was definitely a bad call against Chara. On the 4-on-4, Kelly put a testy shot on Reimer. Horton then skated around Kostka and fired a shot that Reimer knocked away. Boychuk then knocked Kadri off the puck as Kadri advanced into the B’s zone. Kulemin fired a shot from the point that was blocked out in front of the goal. The B’s then peppered Reimer with a series of shots from the perimeter. Seidenberg was sent off for interference at 11:24. Kessel fired a shot that bounced off Rask’s chest. Campbell made a nice diving sweep to clear the puck out of the zone. Krejci then broke in down right wing and fired a high shot that bounced off Reimer. Rask came up with another big stop of Kulemin’s drive from the point. Rask left a big fat rebound in front of van Reimsdyk but the puck drifted out of danger. Seguin was called for slashing at 17:35 in what was another ticky-tack call. Reimer was pulled with 1:15 left. Kelly was tripped at 19:27 by Kostka, who was sent off. The B’s closed off the third on the power play, but it didn’t matter as they kept the puck away from the Leafs and came away with the hard-earned 1-0 victory. B’s are now 6-1-1 and atop the Northeast with 13 points. Next up is a trip to Montréal on Wednesday the 6^th.  

Game 9 at Montréal Canadiens (2/6/13):   The B’s traveled to Centre Bell on Wednesday night as the teams renewed the ancient and honorable rivalry for the 718^th time. The B’s were without Paille, Thornton and Marchand heading into this one. As usual, the house was packed and the patrons were amped to the max. Canadiens’ Rene Bourque was sent off at 4:21 for goaltender interference but the B’s power play was ineffective. At the end of the power play, Chara turned over the puck at the blue line to Brandon Prust and Prust was held by Seguin as Prust crashed the net. Habs had a great power play as Rask was heavily tested with a series of shots, but the B’s killed off the power play. Lars Eller then broke in alone but Rask came out to knock away his wrist shot. Over the first ten minutes, the B’s had yet to put a shot on goal. The B’s had their best sustained pressure at about the 15:00 mark as Chara held the point and Campbell had a chance from in close. Boychuk fired a shot from the right point that tipped off of Eller’s stick and hit the crossbar. Canadiens then came right back down the ice and peppered Rask with three quick shots. At 16:53, PK Subban was caught hooking and was sent to the box. Once again, the B’s hung another donut. This power play unit is seriously deficient. In the final minute, Chris Kelly snapped a quick backhander that Carey Price covered. All in all, that was a highly competitive first period, typical of all Bruins-Canadiens’ matchups.

Canadiens opened the second period on the power play as Boychuk went off for tripping at 54 seconds.  Campbell fed Kelly on a 2-on-1 shorthanded break but Kelly’s tip-in attempt went just wide. Habs put no shots on goal during that man advantage. Canadiens were then hit with too many men on the ice at 4:01. The B’s crashed the net trying to pounce on a rebound of Dougie Hamilton’s shot from the point to no avail. Moments later, Lucic had a great chance directly out in front. Ryan Spooner had a nice one-timer wrist shot from between the circles on a feed from Campbell. Lucic was called for inadvertently high sticking Markov and Habs went back on the power play, Rask covered up Pacioretty’s bank-in attempt from behind the net. Canadiens scored at 10:53 as Subban fired a shot from the point that went over Rask’s left shoulder. Lucic went back to the box for slashing at 14:09. The Habs crashed the net but Rask was able to cover the puck. Chara fired a bomb from the point on a pass from Lucic that Price smothered. Spooner tipped a shot that Price knocked away. Peverley then fired a shot through a crowd that Price covered. In the final minute, there was some pushing and shoving behind the net.

The B’s came out flying to open the third. Tyler Seguin tied the score at 14 seconds when he backhanded a rebound of Krejci’s shot past Price. The B’s went ahead at 2:05 when Krejci tipped in a shot on a pass from Seguin. Bang-Bang! It was a bad couple of minutes for Price, who was otherwise excellent to that point. At 5:08, Chris Kelly was sent off for hooking. Pacioretty had a point blank chance on a giveaway out in front that Rask knocked away. At 7:44, McQuaid and Gallagher had a little set-to in front of Rask and were both sent off. Chara bopped Brian Gionta but good behind the B’s net. Every time Chara touched the puck he was lustily booed by the crowd. Lucic fired a wicked shot that went over the net. Boychuk then threw one out in front that went across the crease. Dennis Seidenberg inadvertently tipped a puck that bounced toward Rask and was covered up. Seguin fired a shot from between the circles that Price blocked. Rene Bourque then almost tipped in a rebound from Desharnais’ shot. Habs then had two more really testing chances from the high slot. Horton made a sprawling block of the second shot. In the final minutes, the pace going up and down the ice was furious. Subban tripped Peverley at 18:58 and was sent to the box. Coach Therrien then called a timeout to regroup his troops. Price was pulled with less than a minute to go. Krejci was called for hooking at 19:26 in a typical call in favor of Canadiens but this time, the B’s defense held up in the final seconds to post a thrilling 2-1 victory.

On Thursday, February 7^th, the B’s announced that they traded the rights to Tim Thomas to the Islanders for a conditional 2^nd round pick in either ’14 or ’15, depending on whether Thomas elects to return from his sabbatical next year. The trade helps both teams’ salary cap situations as the B’s shed Thomas’ $5MM off the books while enabling the Isles to reach the salary cap floor.

Even a year ago, the thought of trading Thomas was unthinkable, but winning the Cup two years ago was his peak and it’s been all downhill since then. First, it was the whole White House fiasco then he had a poor second half before finally leaving the B’s holding the bag regarding his decision not to play this year. Don’t be surprised to see the Isles flip his rights to another team out West.  

Game 10 at Buffalo Sabres (2/10/13): After Saturday’s game at the Garden was postponed due to the Great Storm of 2013, the B’s hopped a flight to Buffalo and a date with the Sabres. The last time these teams met the B’s played their only bad game to date, so they were not looking as much for a measure of revenge but trying to play a consistent game in their own end of the rink. They were burned by Vanek, who had a hat trick and three assists in the last game. Anton Khudobin started in goal for the B’s against Ryan Miller (who always plays Boston tough).  Brad Marchand and Shawn Thornton returned to the B’s lineup.

In the first period, the B’s started out well and bombarded Miller with a variety of shots, from in close and from the perimeter. There was also a lot of pushing and shoving going on but nothing serious. Patrick Kaleta was itching for a fight and nine minutes in, Gregory Campbell obliged him. Campbell definitely took several more punches than he gave but held his ground. Somehow, Campbell was hit with the instigator call and the B’s were shorthanded. Chara had a shorthanded breakaway but Miller came up with a sparkling save. The B’s continued to pepper Miller with several shots and had the edge in play. Krejci had a point blank wrist shot that Miller knocked away through a crowd. Hamilton’s one-timer was kicked out. In the final minute, the B’s had their best sustained pressure so far but Miller was immense. Chris Kelly crashed the net and was shoved into the goal by Cody Hodgson, who was sent off for a slash at 19:57. The B’s played very well in that period. The B’s out shot Buffalo 16-13 in the first.

The B’s opened the second on the power play. When was the last time the B’s scored on the power play? Not this time, either…Marchand got into it with Steve Ott and then Kaleta but no penalties were called. Ott was sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct and the B’s went back on the power play. Sulzer cross checked Peverley into the boards and the B’s had a 5-on-3 for 52 seconds. Hamilton’s blast from the point was gloved buy Miller. Marchand came in on a break but was skated off the puck with a nice back check. Lucic’s shot from Krejci went over the bar. Miller then made a phenomenal save just as the power play concluded. Were it not for Miller, the B’s would’ve already put four or five goals on the board. Marchand scored at 7:10 as he fired a bullet that whistled past Miller. That was Marchand’s 6^th, which leads the team. The B’s continued the attack after the goal, putting at least three more shots on Miller. Marchand was sent off for an illegal hand pass coming off the draw at 10:32. Khudobin made a terrific stop of Sekera’s wrist shot, the only shot on the Sabres’ power play. The Sabres then had a couple of minutes of sustained pressure. Vanek took a dive looking for a penalty but no call was forthcoming. Chris Bourque was tripped by Mike Weber at 15:41. Buffalo scored at 18:01 as Tyler Ennis grabbed a loose puck, deked Khudobin and tucked it past the B’s goaltender to tie the score.  

Miller opened the third with a sensational save of Lucic’s wrist shot from in close. After Buffalo pressed hard in the offensive zone, Marchand pounced on Vanek turnover but Miller came up with another big stop. Paille then skated past Ehrhoff and fired a shot that Miller knocked away. Buffalo came right back and pressed hard in the offensive zone. Ennis nearly knocked in a loose puck on the shortside. Weber was called for delay of game at 7:24 after he shot a puck over the glass and into the crowd. Bergeron popped in a loose puck that bounced off the boards at 7:52, it was the first power play goal in the last 17 tries and the B’s took a 2-1 lead. Khudobin made a nice stop of Stafford’s quick release from the high slot. Bergeron grabbed a turnover directly in front of Miller but Miller made an absolutely ridiculous save.  Bergeron took a nasty two-hander in the back from Sekera on the play and went flying. Stafford’s shot from in close was knocked away by Khudobin. With less than four minutes to go, the Sabres were playing with desperation. Stafford and Bergeron pushed and shoved in front Khudobin and the net went flying. Miller was pulled with 1:20 left. Krejci grabbed a loose puck in the B’s end, moved the puck to the neutral zone where he passed over to Lucic, who buried it into the empty net. Ference was sent off for a high stick at 19:25. Miller was pulled again and the Sabres went 6-on-4 but it was way too little and way too late and the B’s moved to 8-1-1. Vanek was invisible and the big goon Scott was barely seen. The 17 points in the first 10 games is the B’s all-time franchise best start.

Game 11 v. NY Rangers (2/12/13): The B’s returned home for a big game with Rangers. This was the last time the teams would meet in this abbreviated regular season. This game is only the first of two home games the B’s will play at the Garden this month. Rangers have one of the best top lines in the League with Gaborik, Richards and Nash. These three have already wreaked enough havoc on the Bruins in the previous two meetings.

Henrik Lundqvist started in goal for Rangers against Tuukka Rask. Darrell Powe was sent off for delay of game at 3:03. 41 seconds into the power play, Tyler Seguin was sent off for hooking in front of Lundqvist. Bouychuk hammered Staal with a heavy check in the B’s zone. Peverley’s long distance wrist shot was covered by Lundqvist. Bergeron then fired a shot into the crease and Seguin nearly tipped in the puck. Moments later, Seguin fired a shot from the left circle that Lundqvist smothered. McQuaid leveled a Ranger behind the B’s net. Both teams were fighting for every inch of ice. Bourque had a chance from the high slot that Lundqvist knocked away. Rick Nash made a tremendous move firing a shot with three B’s draping over him. Nash’s shot went wide but Karl Hagelin had a wide open rebound and backhanded the puck past Rask at 7:37. Callahan fired a shot from the left point that Rask covered. McQuaid was sent off for roughing with Kreider. Peverley had a great break and singlehandedly maintained possession in the Rangers’ zone for more than 10 seconds. There was great tempo throughout the period and both defenses were at the top of their games. It was just one great play by Nash that made the difference.

Rangers had the definite edge in play in the first few minutes of the second period. DelZotto picked Kelly’s pocket in the B’s first foray into the offensive zone. Rangers were caught with too many men on the ice at 4:10. Coach Tortorella went ballistic. Horton fired a wrist shot through traffic and Lundqvist came up with a nice (but painful) stop. The B’s had their chances on that power play with four shots. Paille had a great chance after the power play that Lundqvist turned aside. The B’s then had a 4-on-2 break but the Rangers’ D held. Hamilton was turned around on a bad pass from Lucic and Stefan burned him, firing a wrist shot past Rask at 8:17 to give Rangers a 2-0 lead. The B’s went back on the power play as Staal was sent off for interference at 8:31. The B’s had a couple of shots from the perimeter but that was it on that power play. The B’s had another 3-on-2 break but Ryan McDonagh made a nice play breaking up Krejci in front of the Rangers’ net. Nash’s drive from the right circle hit the post. Lucic hammered McDonagh into the boards and was caught for a high stick at 19:02. It didn’t hurt that McDonagh embellished the hit. Bergeron had a shorthanded breakaway but he was robbed by Lundqvist on a backhanded attempt. Marchand was then caught on a marginal cross-check call at 19:45 and the Rangers went on a 5-on-3 scenario headed into the third. The B’s appeared to be just one step behind New York throughout the course of those twenty minutes of play. They’d have to come out in the third with a much better effort.

The B’s successfully killed off the 5-on-3. But Anton Stralman knocked in an easy goal at 2:07 and Rask slammed down his stick in disgust as he should’ve made that save. Lucic leveled Nash behind the Rangers net and Nash retaliated and went off for hooking at 6:43.  The boo-birds began to let the B’s know their displeasure. Krejci then tucked a rebound of Seidenberg’s shot behind Lundqvist at 8:44 and the B’s finally got on the board. It didn’t count as a power play goal but it was for all practical purposes. After the goal, the B’s had a brief period of sustained pressure as Chara was all over the offensive zone using his size and strength to advance the puck. Bergeron had a great tip-in attempt from Seguin’s shot but the puck went over the net. Chara’s wrist shot from the point went through a crowd but was knocked away. Paille turned over the puck directly out in front of Rask but Rask was able to clear away the puck. Rask was pulled with 1:40 left and Horton scored at 18:29 as he knocked in a rebound from Ference’s shot from the point to make it 3-2. Marchand then scored at 19:17 to tie the score as he fired a bullet short side high through a crowd and the patrons went totally crazy!  That was about as exciting a finish as anyone could ask. The B’s came back to battle to earn at least a point out of a game in which the Rangers held a prohibitive 3-0 lead.

On to overtime: The B’s pressed hard in the offensive zone in the first minute. Seidenberg’s shot from the point went just wide. Boychuk’s shot from the point was gloved by Lundqvist. Stralman had a point blank shot that Rask knocked away. Richards’ shot from Hagelin went over the net. It was wild and wide open in the final two minutes of the overtime. Lundqvist made a great save of Ference’s blast from the left point. Rask then come up with a couple of really good stops in the final seconds and it was on to the shootout. Seguin went first and Lundqvist. Marion Gaborik then went for Rangers and Rask stoned his five-hole attempt. Bergeron was then stopped. Rick Nash then scored a brilliant goal, using his reach to go post to post and backhand the puck into an open left corner. Marchand then scored to tie it with a nice move. After Richards’ attempt was stopped, Krejci was stoned by Lundqvist. Ryan Callahan then cashed in on a five-hole attempt and the Rangers won it. So the B’s went 1-0-2 with the Rangers during the regular season and even though the Rangers picked up the extra point, that was one fantastic finish by the Bruins.