After winning only one of their last five games, the Bruins ended their mini-slump tonight with a 3-0 win over New Jersey before 17,565 at TD Garden. The Bruins scored two first-minute goals in each of the final two periods.
Tim Thomas recorded his fourth shutout.
At 0:43 of the third, Blake Wheeler padded a 2-0 lead when he snapped an off-wing wrister through Martin Brodeur. At 0:43 of the second, the Bruins doubled their lead in the second Brodeur let in a rare softie. Milan Lucic hit an in-stride Nathan Horton with a cross-ice pass. As Horton stepped over the offensive blue line, the right wing snapped a wrist shot on goal that sailed past Brodeur at 0:43.
Advertisement:
Later in the second, the Bruins went on a four-minute power play after Mattias Tedenby opened up a cut on Michael Ryder’s face with some errant stickwork. The Bruins didn’t score on the power play, while Ryder went off for repairs for approximately five minutes of game play.
Prior to last night, the Bruins had allowed the opening goal in five straight games (1-3-1). The Bruins finally busted that streak with a five-on-three goal in the first. The parade of Devils to the penalty box began when Matt Corrente was sent off for interference at 13:47. At 14:52, Adam Mair followed Corrente when he was whistled for goaltender interference, an infraction that Tim Thomas responded to by pig-piling on top of the New Jersey forward.
On the following two-man advantage, Ryder found a hole in Brodeur and slipped a sharp-angle shot through the goalie at 15:26.
Earlier in the first, Adam McQuaid engaged Rod Pelley in a slugfest. McQuaid slipped early, but linesmen Pierre Champoux and Jonny Murray allowed the defenseman to regain his footing and let the fight continue.
0:43 3d period: Bruins 3-0
On a two-on-one, Blake Wheeler snaps in an off-wing wrister. Mark Recchi driving on the other side after giving Wheeler the initial feed.
Advertisement:
20:00 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Far better effort through 40 minutes tonight. Tim Thomas looking sharp, but not having to face many flurries.
11:00 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Michael Ryder is back.
9:58 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Still no Michael Ryder.
6:50 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Two slick stops by Martin Brodeur on Mark Recchi and Jordan Caron. Good feed by Tyler Seguin to set up Recchi’s bid.
4:59 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Michael Ryder goes off for repairs. Four minutes worth of stickwork by Mattias Tedenby.
1:45 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Varsity check by Mark Stuart on Mattias Tedenby. Sends the kid onto his rear for the second time this period.
0:43 2d period: Bruins 2-0
Nathan Horton with the long-distance wrister catching Martin Brodeur napping.
20:00 1st period: Bruins 1-0
Bruins with the opening strike for the first time in the last six games.
17:41 1st period: Bruins 1-0
Nathan Horton off for tripping. Not the best stretch of games for Horton.
15:26 1st period: Bruins 1-0
From a bad angle, Michael Ryder snaps a PP shot through Martin Brodeur. PP continues for 1:27.
14:52 1st period: 0-0
Tim Thomas pig-piles on Adam Mair after the NJ PKer poked at an in-close puck. Five-on-three PP for 56 seconds.
10:20 1st period: 0-0
Decent heat on Martin Brodeur so far. More so than Brian Elliott and Carey Price faced in the respective first periods.
Advertisement:
3:05 1st period: 0-0
Adam McQuaid vs. Rod Pelley. Serious slugfest between the two. Good work by linesmen Pierre Champoux and Jonny Murray to let the scrap continue after McQuaid lost an edge early. Right before the fight, Daniel Paille had a great scoring chance in front, thanks to a Shawn Thornton feed. PP upcoming for the Bruins.
0:40 1st period: 0-0
Patrik Elias dangles around Dennis Seidenberg for two Grade-A chances on goal. Not the start the Bruins wanted.
0:00 1st period: 0-0
The Devils will be without Jamie Langenbrunner and Matt Taormina.
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com