Bruins Lose to Capitals 4-3 in OT

Alexander Semin was too much for the Bruins in OT

The Bruins fell to the Capitals in OT at the Garden Saturday on an impossible goal by Alexander Semin.  Hunwick, Kessel and Chara each scored in different periods, Chara’s effort coming on a powerplay in the 3rd to force overtime.

The highlight for the Capitals in regulation was Alex Ovechkin’s goal from the left slot from what looked like an impossible angle.  Tim Thomas slid to his right as the pass was made cross ice by Matt Bradley, leaving nothing for the young star to look at but pads.  But Ovechkin buried it and reminded us all why he is the best in the game.

22 seconds into overtime, Alexander Semin scored on a shot that even he didn’t expect to go in.  Semin teed up a shot from just over the redline and let it rip.  The rocket found a hole in Thomas’ pads and trickled into the back of the net, giving the Capitals the win.  The Bruins did salvage a point for the overtime loss.

The Bruins will host the Flyers on Tuesday night at the Garden.

Bruins Stomp Panthers

Boston's Chuck Kobasew

By Jim Chandley

After a 1-3-1 road trip, the Bruins just needed to sleep in their own beds for a night.  Back at the Garden on Tuesday, Boston dominated the Florida Panthers in every aspect of the game.

The Bruins were clearly a better team all night, taking a 3-1 lead into the 3rd period.  But in the 3rd, things just got out of hand.  Byron Bitz, Aaron Ward and Michael Ryder (back from injury) all netted goals in the third.

Between the fourth and fifth goals, Chuck Kobasew destroyed the Panthers Keith Ballard along the boards in the Panthers zone.  Ballard got up looking for a piece of Kobasew and didn’t get much.  The two danced, Kobasew landed a few shots and Ballard fell to his knees.  The fight was not one-sided, but Ballard had already lost when his clocked was cleaned seconds earlier.

Tim Thomas stopped 24 of 25 shots from Florida for his 26th win of the season.

The B’s will host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at the Garden.

Long Lay-off Leaves Bruins Flat

By Jim Chandley

The Florida Panthers handed the Bruins a 2-0 loss tonight in Florida.  Thomas Vokoun (pictured above) recorded his 6th shutout of the season, turning away 41 shots in all.  Radek Dvorak did all of the offensive work, scoring both goals for Florida.

The Bruins did not bring their usual intensity tonight.  One of Dvorak’s goals came shorthanded, leaving the Bruins powerplay unit -1 on the night.  Despite 6 chances, the powerplay team failed to net a single goal.

While the Bruins weren’t their usual selves, Vokoun was unbeatable.  He did everything but stand on his head (and had he needed to he might have).

The B’s will skate at St. Petersburg Times Forum in Tampa tomorrow at 5.  They will look to beat a Lightning team that is effectively done for the season.  Tampa is 2-6-2 in their last 10 and 18 points out of a playoff spot.

Overmathced Hurricanes Were Just What the Doctor Ordered

By Jim Chandley

The Bruins go into Carolina and end their 4-game losing skid.

Boston beats Carolina 5-1.  Goals came in bunches in the 3rd as the period started 2-1 Bruins.  Tim Thomas turned away 31 Hurricane shots as the Bruins fought hard in front of him for most of the game.

After a gutty 50 minutes, the flood gates opened for Boston.  David Krejci scored from Patrice Bergeron shorthanded at 16:12 in the 3rd.  Exactly a minute later, Zdeno Chara’s slap shot from the point on the power play was tipped in by Chuck Kobasew.  As time wound down, Patrice Bergeron stole the puck in the neutral zone and blew threw the Hurricanes to put in an empty net goal to finish the scoring.

The B’s will now spend 3 consecutive off days in Florida in preparation for their next game against the Panthers on Sunday.