Final, Bruins 4-0: Another masterpiece for Tim Thomas, who gets his second straight shutout, and third in six starts this year by blanking the Senators in Ottawa.
The youngsters helped provide the offense as rookies Tyler Seguin and Jordan Caron each scored, with David Krejci and Milan Lucic also supplying goals in another strong all-around effort by the Bruins.
Boston improves to 6-2-0, and will continue its three-game road trip with another Northeast Divison clash in Buffalo on Wednesday.
Third Period, 17:53, Bruins 4-0: A little nastiness late as Senators tough guy Chris Neil picks a fight with Dennis Seidenberg of all people.
It started with a jam in front after Thomas tied up the puck, and Neil quickly escalated the pushes to punches and the gloves were off. Neil landed some shots, but good job from the non-fighter Seidenberg to use his strength to tie him up pretty well.
Neil gets an extra two for roughing, but no instigator call, so there won’t be any automatic suspensions for an instigator in the final five minutes.
Third Period, 16:05, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins look like the team that’s trailing and desperate for a goal, as they continue to buzz around the Ottawa net.
Very weak showing by Ottawa in this one, but impressive to see that the Bruins aren’t letting up even with the game seemingly in complete control.
Third Period, 13:43, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins are doing just about whatever they want in this one now.
Ryder makes a steal for another bid, but Elliott is able to make the save. Not much life in the Sens right now.
Third Period, 9:03, Bruins 4-0: Jordan Caron checks in to make sure no one forgets the Bruins have another talented young rookie forward, matching Seguin with a breakaway goal of his own.
Bergeron sends Caron in, and the rookie beats Elliott stick-side with a forehand move.
Third Period, 7:18, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins have another odd-man break, but get a little too cute on this one.
Seguin and Wheeler break into the zone, but Wheeler tries one too many passes with the feed back to Seguin, who can’t get off the shot.
Third Period, 6:10, Bruins 3-0: Interesting to see almost no reaction to Chara in his latest return to Ottawa.
He used to draw the full Kessel treatment with boos every time he touched the puck when he faced his old club, but it looks like the Senators fans have enough to boo with their own team’s sloppy play.
Third Period, 2:04, Bruins 3-0: It was a quiet start to the third, but the Bruins threaten again after more sloppy play by the Senators.
Lucic nearly scored another after a Kovalev giveaway in front of his own net, then Krejci has a chance on a 2-on-1.
Second Intermission Notes: Another strong period in gthe books for the Bruins, who expanded their lead to 3-0 with a pair of goals in the middle frame.
The shots were even at 12-12 in the second, but Ottawa still holds a 24-18 overall edge. That doesn’t seem to matter with Tim Thomas in the goal, as he’s stopped everything that’s gotten through to him in this one.
Plenty hasn’t reached him though, as the Bruins have 20 blocked shots so far. Dennis Seidenberg has five, while Ottawa has just seven as a team.
Tyler Seguin is showing why he’ll be sticking around all season. He displayed a great burst of speed to get behind the defense for his power-play goal. Good to see Andrew Ference collect his first point of the season with the secondary assist on Milan Lucic’s goal.
End Second Period, Bruins 3-0: A big finish to the period gives the Bruins some much needed breathing room as Boston goes into the second intermission with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Solid work from the PK led to the opportunity for the third goal, and with the way Thomas is playing the Bruins have to like their chances going into the third in this one.
Second Period, 18:24, Bruins 3-0: The first breakaway didn’t produce a goal, but Milan Lucic made sure the second one did.
The Bruins killed off another penalty, and Horton had a clean break out of the box. he was denied, but Krejci sprung Lucic seconds later and he cashed in for the 3-0 lead.
Second Period, 15:54, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins have another penalty to kill, with Horton going off for kooking.
Boston has killed 12 straight penalties, and the Bruins need to make that 13 here to maintain the two-goal lead late in the second.
Second Period, 14:20, Bruins 2-0: Just as he did after Boston’s first goal, Thomas comes up big with a spectacular save on the following shift as Ottawa tries to answer.
Second Period, 13:55, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins double the lead as Tyler Seguin scores for the second straight game.
This time it’s a power-play strike as he taps in the puck behind Elliott from the top of the crease off a great feed by Recchi from the left boards.
Second Period, 12:26, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins get another shot on the power play, as Marchand’s strong work results in an tripping penalty on Zack Smith.
The Bruins needed a big shift from their energy line and they delivered, albeit in a little different way than may have been expected by getting the power-play chance.
Second Period, 10:45, Bruins 1-0: The Senators continue to press looking for the tying goal, but Thomas isn’t having it.
Jason Spezza had the latest chance, trying to stuff it home at the left post.
Second Period, 7:27, Bruins 1-0: The Senators’ Daniel Alfredsson scores an apparent tying goal, but it’s immediately waved off by the refs as Fisher was in the crease.
No penalty for goalie interference on Fisher, but getting the goal wiped out is more than enough for the Bruins to be grateful for.
Second Period, 6:24, Bruins 1-0: The Senators nearly pull even, but Mike Fisher’s shot from the left circle clangs off the near post.
That followed Seidenberg breaking his stick for ths second time this period. Campbell also broke a stick, as this has been a very sloppy game with broken sticks, slips and missed passes galore.
Second Period, 2:37, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins can’t convert the power-play chance, as the sides are back at even strength.
The Bruins struggled to gain the zone early in the penalty, but did end up with a couple of late chances.
Second Period, 0:37, Bruins 1-0: The second period is under way and the Bruins finally get their first power play chance in the opening minute.
Ottawa gets nabbed for too many men to give Boston its first chance on the man-advantage.
First Intermission Notes: It was a solid road period for the Bruins in the first 20 minutes of this one, as they hold the 1-0 lead despite being outshot 12-6.
The shot totals could be a lot worse, but the Bruins defense already has 11 blocked shots. Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg lead the way with three each, while rookie forward Jordan Caron has chipped in two.
Tim Thomas has taken care of everything that has made it through to him, as he looks like he is in top form once again as he continues his amazing start to the season.
Lots of good work by the Bruins’ fourth line, particularly Brad Marchand. He’s still searching for his first NHL goal, but it will come soon if he keeps creating chances like he did in the first. The other lines got a bit of a shakeup, with Mark Recchi and Blake Wheeler switching lines.
The Senators hold a 12-5 edge in hits so far. They’ve also gotten away with some mischief. Jarkko Ruutu wasn’t called for holding Greg Campbell stick, as Campbell went off alone for roughing after he popped Ruutu in retaliation. Matt Carkner also got away with a punch on Wheeler, while Wheeler went off for slashing.
End First Period, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins head into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead thanks to a David Krejci goal and more great goaltending by Tim Thomas.
First Period, 19:25, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins kill another penalty, and nearly score themselves after Wheeler gets out of the box.
Wheeler comes down the left wing and centers to Horton for a bid in front, but he can’t put this one home.
First Period, 17:06, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins back on the PK after another dubious call.
Blake Wheeler nearly scores at teh right post off a nice passing play from Seguin and Ryder, then a major scrum develops after the save. Wheeler gets the only call for slashing, despite taking a huge punch from Carkner that draws no call.
First Period, 15:32, Bruins 1-0: Thomas with another big save, as Sergei Gonchar loads up for a one-timer from the right point, but the Bruins goalie gobbles it up.
Thomas got a little help in front earlier from Matt Hunwick, while Adam McQuaid also had a block as all the defense is chipping in for this one.
First Period, 12:00, Bruins 1-0: That power play didn’t last long, as Fisher is called for cross checking.
After a bit of 4-on-4 play, the Bruins will get a brief power play.
First Period, 10:53, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins will have to kill off the first penalty of the night, and do it without one of their primary penalty killers.
Greg Campbell gets called for the retaliation pop on Ruutu at the Ottawa bench. Ruutu was holding Campbell’s stick, but Campbell gets the only call.
First Period, 10:30, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins have switched up the forward lines a bit, moving Mark Recchi back to Patrice Bergeron’s line with Jordan Caron remaining on the other wing.
Blake Wheeler has moved down to Tyler Seguin’s line, with Michael Ryder on the opposite side.
First Period, 8:30, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins have been guilty of some sloppy play of their own, allowing the Senators several solid scoring chances, but Thomas continues to keep everything out.
He had to scramble to make a couple big saves just after Krejci’s goal, with Alex Kovalev in alone and chris Kelly attempting a follow. Ottawa threatened again after a blind pass by Milan Lucic was intercepted at the blue line.
First Period, 4:32, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins take advantage of some sloppy play by the Senators to take a quick lead.
Mike Fisher can’t handle Chris Phillips’ pass in front of his net, and David Krejci pounces on it and fires it home for the unassisted tally.
First Period, 3:27, 0-0: Brad Marchand nearly scores his long-awaited first NHL goal.
He deked around Carkner for a backhand chance, but Elliott makes the save.
First Period, 2:00, 0-0: Thomas tested early on a blast from the point by david Hale, but the sens will have to do better than that to beat Thomas with the way he’s playing this season.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: After the extra-long pre-game ceremonies thanks to Hockey Night in Canada, the game is finally under way.
And already some words are are changed between Thornton and Neil on the first shift.
6:55 p.m.: The rest of the starters have been announced, and could there be some fireworks early in this one?
The Bruins are going with the fourth line of Greg Campbell, Brad Marchand and Shawn Thornton for the opening draw, with Mark Stuart and Dennis Seidenberg on defense.
Ottawa counters with its most physical line of Chris Kelly flanked by agitator Jarkko Ruutu and tough guy Chris Neil, while Chris Campoli and heavyweight Matt Carkner start on the blue line.
Thornton and Carkner fought twice last season (plus a third time in the preseason), while both Thornton and Milan Lucic have had bouts with Neil in the past.
6:45 p.m.: No surprises in the lineups for this one as the scratches have been announced.
As expected, Daniel Paille is out again for Boston (along with injured Johnny Boychuk), while Ottawa won’t dress Milan Michalek (knee) and Brian Lee.
Tim Thomas has been confirmed as the starter in goal for Boston, with Brian Elliott starting for the Sens.
6 p.m.: About an hour to go before the opening face-off in Ottawa, as the Bruins return to action in a Northeast Division clash with the Senators.
If it seems like the Bruins haven’t seen much action yet this season, there’s a reason for that. Boston has played the fewest games in the league to this point with just seven.
Much of that has to do with starting the season in Prague, but the other five teams that opened in Europe all have played at least one more game than the Bruins. That helps explain why even with their impressive 5-2-0 start, the Bruins are just eighth in the East with 10 points. Things will pick up quick enough with 14 games in November, but first the Bruins want to close out October in style with a win in Ottawa on Saturday.
4:30 p.m.: The Bruins are getting ready to open a three-game road trip in Ottawa on Saturday night. That usually means good things for Tim Thomas.
Thomas is 16-7-2 with a 2.10 GAA and a .932 save percentage against Ottawa in his career. He’s posted four shutouts against the Senators, more than he’s had against any other team. So it’s no surprise that Bruins coach Claude Julien eschewed his usual reticence to reveal his starter in net and confirmed that Thomas will indeed start in this one.
Thomas’ dominance against the Senators has been particularly pronounced in the last three years. He was 4-1-1 with a 0.99 GAA, a .968 save percentage and two shutouts in 2007-08, 3-0-0 with a 2.28 GAA and a .915 save percentage in 2008-09 and 4-2-0 with a 2.13 GAA, .915 save percentage and a shutout last season.
Thomas hasn’t lost in Ottawa in nearly three years, going 6-0-0 since a 3-2 loss at Scotiabank Place on Nov. 3, 2007.
Of course, Thomas has been enjoying success against everyone this year, as he’s off to a 5-0-0 start with a league-best 0.60 GAA and a .981 save percentage.
For more on Thomas and the complete projected lineups for Saturday’s clash, check here, while a complete preview of the matchup can he found here.
8 a.m.: After winning two of three games on their first homestand of the season, the Bruins head back out on the road with a three-game trip beginning in Ottawa on Saturday.
The Bruins have had plenty of success in Canada’s capital of late, winning their last three games there and coming away with victories six of the last seven times they’ve played in Scotiabank Place. But the Senators won’t be pushovers, as they are coming off back-to-back wins over Phoenix and Florida, exploding for 10 goals in those two games after managing just 16 goals in their first eight games.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. in Ottawa, so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.