Tim Thomas, Bruins Take Down Panthers 2-1

by Neil Keefe on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 at 7:54PM

The Bruins didn't let the three-day holiday break have an impact on their play. The B's picked up right where they left off earlier in the week, winning their third straight game.

Michael Ryder and Marco Sturm scored for the Bruins, and Tim Thomas made 25 saves in their 2-1 win over the Panthers.

Bruins 2, Panthers 1
BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Fla.
Dec. 27, 2009

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Headliner: After going winless for nearly three weeks to start the month of December, Tim Thomas has returned to Vezina form, recording wins in three straight games. Thomas stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced against the Panthers, and has now allowed just five goals in his last three games.

Grinder: With just one goal in his last seven games entering Sunday, Marco Sturm found the back of the net for the third time since Dec. 5. Sturm's goal turned out to be the game-winning goal in the victory over the Panthers and his 11th of the season. He now has two goals in his last three games.

Weak link: After struggling to create offense against the Rangers on Wednesday, the Panthers had the same problems against the Bruins on Sunday. The Panthers got on the board just 4:39 into the game but couldn't build off their lone goal. They have scored just eight goals in their last four games since Dec. 19. It's no coincidence they have gone 1-3 in that stretch, with four of the eight goals coming in their only win against the Flyers.

Key Moment: After having three days off, a slow start was expected from the Bruins. But when the B's failed to score for the first 36:02 of the game, it looked like their offensive woes would wind up hurting them yet again. That was not the case, however, as Michael Ryder tipped the puck in at 16:02 of the second period to tie the game. That goal ignited a fire for the Bruins and with new life, the B's were able to get the next goal to take the lead for good.

What's Next: The Bruins finish up their quick two-game Florida road trip on Monday against the Lightning before returning home to host the Thrashers on Wednesday night. After that, it's the game everyone has been waiting for on New Year's Day against the Flyers in the 2010 Winter Classic.