Bruins Live Blog: Rangers Hand B’s Another Loss, As Boston Falls 4-3 in New York

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Mar 4, 2012

Bruins Live Blog: Rangers Hand B's Another Loss, As Boston Falls 4-3 in New YorkFinal, Rangers 4-3: The Bruins can't net the equalizer and fall to Rangers for the third time in as many meetings this season.

Tempers flare at the final buzzer with Milan Lucic and Ryan McDonagh getting involved behind the net, leading to a scrum with everyone involved. But it settles down without any full-blown fights developing.

The Bruins are now 12 points behind the East-leading Rangers. They remain three up on the Senators in the Northeast Division, but Ottawa can pull within one with a win later Sunday in Florida.

The Bruins will look to get back on track and snap this two-game slide Tuesday in Toronto.

Third Period, 18:51, Rangers 4-3: Thomas has come to the bench as the Bruins have the extra attacker on trying for the tying goal.

Third Period, 16:11, Rangers 4-3: Joe Corvo takes a deflected puck in the face from Brandon Dubinsky. Corvo goes down in pain, but stays on the bench.

Third Period, 15:45, Rangers 4-3: The Bruins can't take advantage of that power-play opportunity and the sides are back at even strength with Boston running out of time to pull even with just over four minutes to play in regulation.

Third Period, 13:45, Rangers 4-3: The Bruins will get a power-play chance as Stu Bickel is sent to the box for delay of game after chipping the puck out of play.

Third Period, 12:21, Rangers 4-3: The Rangers answer right back as Derek Stepan scores top shelf from the top of the left circle less than a minute after the Bruins tied it.

Third Period, 11:42, 3-3: The Bruins counterattack off that defensive play, with David Krejci finishing a 3-on-2 rush to tie it.

Seguin carried the puck down the middle, dished it to Lucic on the left wing, and Lucic feed it back across to Krejci for the goal in the right slot.

Third Period, 11:28, Rangers 3-2: The Rangers with another threat, but Johnny Boychuk gets back to make a diving breakup.

Third Period, 9:52, Rangers 3-2: The Rangers nearly extend the lead with Derek Stepan alone in front, but his backhand from the slot sails just high.

Third Period, 6:43, Rangers 3-2: The Bruins nearly answer as Brad Marchand is sent in alone by Brian Rolston. Marchand slips the backhander under Lundqvist, but it slides through the crease and goes just wide.

Third Period, 3:14, Rangers 3-2: The Rangers pull ahead as Marian Gaborik scores on a second-chance opportunity at the left post.

The Rangers had a 3-on-1 chance after an ill-advised pinch by Seidenberg, but Thomas made the initial save on Gaborik. He also stopped Brad Richards at the right post, but couldn't get back over to deny Gaborik on the far side as the puck came out from behind the net.

Third Period, 1:17, 2-2: The Bruins with the first solid chance of the third as Milan Lucic leads an odd-man break for a bid.

Third Period, 0:00, 2-2: The final frame is under way in New York, though there's no guarantee this will be the final 20 minutes of the day. These teams have a history of needing more than 60 to settle things.

Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins controlled play for most of the second period and scored the lone goal of the frame to tie it 2-2, but couldn't put the go-ahead goal in despite creating plenty of chances.

They'll have to continue with that same level of effort and intensity, and can't let frustration set in after so many near-misses. Boston outshot the Rangers 10-3 in the second and has a 24-11 edge overall. They've also attempted 54 shots to just 26 for the Rangers. That includes 19 missed shots, some of which were intentional as the Bruins have fired wide to get around new York's shot blockers and look for rebounds off the end boards.

Jordan Caron has struggled for much of his second season, but he's been outstanding in this game. He's factored in both Boston goals and created chances on the forecheck. He's the only Bruin who's a plus through two periods at plus-1 in 7:16.

After a first period that featured three fights and eight penalties, there was just one minor penalty in the second. That was for too many men on the Rangers. That doesn't mean things weren't still physical. Plenty of hits were dished out in the second as well, and the Rangers have the decided edge there at 24-14.

End Second Period, 2-2: The middle frame comes to a close. the Bruins dominated that period, but have to settle for going into the third all even.

Second Period, 17:56, 2-2: Thomas has to make a rare touch of the puck, drawing a Bronx cheer from the New York crowd unhappy with the Rangers inability to get out of their own zone and mount any sustained offensive pressure.

Second Period, 15:05, 2-2: The Bruins continue to press the attack, creating multiple chances. Lundqvist hasn't looked like his usual dominant self with some shaky rebound control, but he's kept the Bruins from taking the lead despite many golden scoring opportunities.

Second Period, 11:39, 2-2: The Bruins created some chances and Lundqvist gave up some juicy rebounds, but Boston can't convert the power play.

Boston has a 21-9 edge in shots and has dominated play for much of teh game after New York's quick start, but it remains tied.

Second Period, 9:39, 2-2: The Bruins will get another power-play chance as the Rangers get caught with too many men on the ice. Not only to the Bruins get the power play, but that call ended a New York threat as the Rangers were buzzing around the B's zone.

Second Period, 7:10, 2-2: The Bruins having trouble clearing the zone the last few shifts as the Rangers are turning the pressure back up.

Second Period, 4:18, 2-2: The physical play continues as Dennis Seidenberg takes out rad Richards with a big hit in the Boston zone that has the Rangers star center upset.

Second Period, 1:40, 2-2: The Bruins pull even on a stellar play by Jordan Caron.

The youngster picked off an outlet pass by Dan Girardi at center ice, then came down the left wing and blasted a shot home from the top of the circle.

End First Period, Rangers 2-1: The sides will now switch sides as the first 20 minutes officially expire.

The Bruins nearly pulled even as Brad Marchand flipped in a backhand bid late that Lundqvist got just a piece of. It bounced around behind the netminder along the goal line, but stayed out.

First Period, 17:49, Rangers 2-1: The Bruins can't convert that power-play chance, then have to break up a 3-on-1 chance the other way as the sides get back to even strength.

First Period, 17:07, Rangers 2-1: Play has resumed in the first period with the Bruins still on the power play. The final 2:53 will be played, then the teams will switch ends to start the second.

First Intermission Notes: There was no shortage of action in the opening frame, even if that period ended almost three minutes early because of a cracked pane of glass.

The top two teams in the East combined for three goals and three fights in a very entertaining opening period.

The Bruins weathered an early storm that saw New York jump out to a 2-0 lead, but a timely use of a timeout by Claude Julien settled things down and helped the Bruins regroup. The momentum from the fights helped as well, with Lane MacDermid, Milan Lucic and Greg Campbell setting the tone by standing up against Michael Rupp, Brandon Prust and Stu Bickel, respectively. Surprisingly, with all the fights, Boston enforcer Shawn Thornton and Rangers heavyweight John Scott have yet to get involved. Scott did have words with Zdeno Chara, which could lead to something later.

MacDermid looks like a good fit on the fourth line with Campbell and Thornton. That unit has been very physical and effective on the forecheck, providing exactly the kind of energy the Bruins need against a heavy opponent like New York.

Boston has a 12-8 edge in shots so far, and has attempted 21 to just 11 for the Rangers. New York does have a 5-3 advantage in blocked shots, an area the Rangers always excel in.

First Period, 17:07, Rangers 2-1: The teams are sent to the locker rooms after a Brian Rolston blast breaks the glass behind the net. the final 2:53 of the first will be played before the start of the second after repairs are made and the ice resurfaced.

First Period, 15:49, Rangers 2-1: The Bruins get their first power-play chance as Michael Rupp goes off for tripping Chara.

Before and after that play, John Scott was yapping at Chara trying to stir up a clash of giants.

First Period, 15:38, Rangers 2-1: The third bout of the day comes with Gregory Campbell dropping the gloves with Stu Bickel.

Campbell gives up a lot of size and reach, but does a good job of ducking most of Bickel's shots. Gutsy effort by Campbell, though Bickel threw the bulk of the punches.

First Period, 14:49, Rangers 2-1: Dangerous turnover in front by the Bruins, but Brian Boyle couldn't get the shot off from the slot as the Boston defense recovered in time for the block.

First Period, 11:50, Rangers 2-1: After a shaky start, Thomas has settled down and made some big stops to keep the Bruins down just a goal. Overall, the Bruins are playing much better since Julien used the timeout to settle things down.

First Period, 7:59, Rangers 2-1: The gloves come off again off the faceoff following the goal, with Milan Lucic taking on Brandon Prust this time.

Lucic landed a big right early then some lefts late as they went up against the boards in front of the benches, bringing the linesmen in to end it.

First Period, 7:57, Rangers 2-1: The Bruins answer back as Benoit Pouliot cuts the deficit in half with a goal from the slot.

Jordan Caron set that up by forcing a turnover on Anton Stralman's clearing attempt. The puck went right to Pouliot, who buried a quick shot.

First Period, 6:15, Rangers 2-0: The Rangers strike again as Carl Hagelin's speed creates a chance.

Hagelin fly down the right wing and around behind the net, flipping it out front, where it banged in off the traffic in the crease. Claude Julien uses his timeout after the goal to try to settle down his charges.

First Period, 5:05, Rangers 1-0: The Bruins kill off the penalty, but the rangers strike just after the sides return to even strength.

After Chara's turnover trying to clear the puck, Anton Stralman fired a shot in through a screen from just outside the top of the left circle.

First Period, 2:46, 0-0: The penalties continue, but this time only to the Bruins as Zdeno Chara is called for high-sticking Brandon Dubinsky and the rangers will get the first power play of the day.

First Period, 2:25, 0-0: Another whistle, but this one is followed by plenty of action as MacDermid makes his presence felt on his first shift with a fight against Michael Rupp.

They square off after a faceoff and trade some big punches. MacDermid landed the best with a strong right, but Rupp also snuck in a nasty uppercut.

First Period, 2:23, 0-0: Bit of a slow start to this one with plenty of whistles in the opening minutes, including a pair icings and an offsides to the Rangers.

First Period, 0:00, 0-0: This one is under way in the Big Apple, where the Bruins face a big challenge of taking on the East-leading Rangers while battling a string of injuries.

12:35 p.m.: The Bruins will open this one with Patrice Bergeron between Brad Marchand and Brian Rolston up front, Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk on defense and Tim Thomas in goal.

The Rangers counter with Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards and Brandon Dubinsky up front, Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman on the blue line and Henrik Lundqvist in net.

12:30 p.m.: The Bruins have officially scratched Tuukka Rask, Daniel Paille, Andrew Ference, Rich Peverley and Mike Mottau. Only Mottau is a healthy scratch.

Ryan Callahan (foot), Jeff Woywitka and Steve Eminger are out for the Rangers. Michael Del Zotto (hip) will play.

12:15 p.m.: Call-up Lane MacDermid will slide into injured Daniel Paille's spot on the fourth line alongside Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton, leaving the other lines unchanged.

MacDermid adds some toughness, which could come in handy against a Rangers team that leads the NHL with 50 fighting majors and features Brandon Prust, Michael Rupp, Stu Bickel and picked up superheavyweight John Scott at the trade deadline.

12 p.m.: It's no surprise, but Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist lead the teams out for warm-ups.

That will be the goalie matchup for this one, pitting the reigning Vezina winner in Thomas against the heavy favorite to win the award this season in Lundqvist.

11:30 a.m.: The Bruins will meet the East-leading Rangers in about an hour, but they'll do it with an ever-growing list of injured regulars sitting out, Tuukka Raska nd daniel Paille joined that list in Saturday's loss to the Islanders.

Coach Claude Julien had no update on Rask's condition before this game, while Paille is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

8 a.m. ET: The Bruins once again failed in their quest to string together back-to-back wins with a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday at TD Garden. Now, they have to head to New York to face an even tougher Gotham-based squad, taking on the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers in a matinee affair at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Making matters worse is that the Bruins will be without goalie Tuukka Rask, who suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday's loss and did not accompany the team on its trip. Daniel Paille also suffered an undisclosed injury, and the Bruins recalled goalie Michael Hutchinson and forward Lane MacDermid to fill in.

Hutchinson will back up Tim Thomas, who figures to face an even bigger workload as long as Rask is out. MacDermid (12 fighting majors, 106 PIMs in 57 games in Providence) adds some toughness, which could come in handy against the Rangers. New York leads the NHL with 50 fighting majors. The Bruins are second with 47, though the first two meetings between the clubs produced just one fight.

The Rangers won both of those games, 3-2 in overtime on Jan. 21 and 3-0 on Feb. 14. Both of those games were in Boston, and the Rangers (41-15-7, 89 points) have since extended their lead over second-place Boston (38-22-3, 79 points) to double digits in the race for the top spot in the East, as the Bruins have not won consecutive games since Jan. 10 and 12.

New York has some injury issues of its own, with captain Ryan Callahan (foot) and defenseman Michael Del Zotto (hip) both listed as day-to-day.

The puck drops at 12:30 p.m., so check back here for updates on all the action.

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