This was an impressive all-around effort, as Tim Thomas stood tall in goal, the defense kept New Jersey's big guns in check and all four lines contributed on offense.
Jordan Caron answered after the Devils opened the scoring with his first career goal, and Michael Ryder, Shawn Thornton and Milan Lucic added second-period goals as the Bruins move to 2-1-0 on the season with a win in their first game in North America this season.
Third Period, 18:26, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins can't convert the power play, but this one is well in hand with under two minutes to play.
Boston's 0 for 3 mark on the power play is about the only blemish from this one.
Third Period, 16:26, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins also go back on the power play with Zubrus off for hooking.
Boston doesn't have a power-play goal in this one, one of the few areas they haven't had any success.
Third Period, 16:26, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins are still attacking, with the Krejci line creating several more chances in the closing minutes.
Krejci did take a big hit to make a pass up to Horton though. The Bruins will want to make sure they get out of this one without any injuries as well as taking the two points.
Third Period, 13:42, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins kill off that penalty, which might have been the Devils' last gasp to get back in this game.
Thomas came up with a couple more big stops, and time is now running out on any potential comeback hopes for New Jersey.
Third Period, 11:42, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins will have another penalty to kill off, as Blake Wheeler gets sent off for hooking.
That's the second hooking call on Wheeler in this one, as he is back to bad habits from last season. Wheeler hasn't had a bad night, but he's got to clean up the lazy penalties.
Third Period, 9:21, Bruins 4-1: The Devils finally get their first shot of the third as Adam Mair sends in a slapper that Thomas truns aside.
The Bruins had the first six shots of the period. Who is trailing by three goals in this one again?
Third Period, 7:34, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins didn't cash in on the power play, but they continue to keep the pressure on.
Even after the penalty expired, Boston has kept the puck in the New Jersey zone for the bulk of the play, with Horton creating a nice chance in the slot.
Third Period, 3:34, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins get another power-play chance as Matt Corrente is called for interference.
Boston has a chance to pad its lead, but it might be just as important that they keep the Devils back on their heels for two more minutes as they try to keep New Jersey from gaining any momentum.
Third Period, 2:00, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins have switched up their lines a bit.
Recchi was out with Bergeron and Wheeler, while the rookies were united with Caron skating with Seguin, with Ryder on the other wing.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 4-1: Play is under way in the third, and the Bruins look to continue their physical play by starting the fourth line again.
And Marchand ends up with a scoring chance out front on the first shift anyway.
Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins are partying like it's 2009, as the offense is getting contributions from every line and Tim Thomas is flashing his Vezina form of two sesons ago.
It's a far cry from the struggles from last year, but the Bruins still need to do it for one more period to put this win in the books.
Each of Boston's four lines has produced a goal in this one, with 11 different players collecting points, but none has more than one point.
Lots of milestones, as Caron scores his first career goal, Thornton gets his first since Oct. 3, 2009 and Horton picks up his 300th career point with the assist on Lucic's tally.
The Devils still hold a 25-24 edge in shots, but the Bruins outshot them 16-14 in the second and Thomas has made 24 saves. The defense has helped him with a 10-4 edge in blocked shots, led by Mark Stuart's three.
The Bruins were also more disciplined in the second, as there were no penalties at all in the period. The Devils did out-hit Boston 15-7 in the frame, however, and now lead 21-20 overall in that category.
End Second Period, Bruins 4-1: And a dominant middle frame comes to a close with the Bruins holding a commanding 4-1 lead.
New Jersey struck first, but the Bruins answered quickly, then poured it on in an impressive display.
Second Period, 19:31, Bruins 4-1: The Devils try to answer with a wild scramble in front, but the puck stays out.
The refs check the replay, but the no-goal call stands.
Second Period, 18:09, Bruins 4-1: And the goals keep coming, as Milan Lucic makes it a 4-1 game.
Andrew Ference made a nice play to keep the puck in at the point and eventually Lucic was left alone to convert the chance. Krejci adds another assist as the Bruins start to pour it on. Horton also gets a helper.
Second Period, 16:43, Bruins 3-1: And Shawn Thornton ends an epic drought to push Boston's lead to two goals.
Thornton scores his first goal in over a year with a nice shot from the right circle off a pass from behind the net by Greg Campbell. The whole fourth line contributed, as Marchand also earns an assist as he kept the puck in to start the play.
Second Period, 15:57, Bruins 2-1: The great pace in this middle frame continues, with both teams creating scoring chances.
Thomas came up big in one flurry in front of the Boston net, but the Bruins have had the bulk of the opportunities. The Krejci-Horton-Lucic line had probably their best shift of the night with a couple of chances, and the Seguuin-Recchi-Ryder line continues to play well.
Second Period, 13:00, Bruins 2-1: Jordan Caron nearly had his second goal with a chance in front on a rebound of a Boychuk bid.
Great work by Bergeron on that shift as well, creating chances both before and after Caron's near miss.
Second Period, 10:44, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins take their first lead of the night thanks to a beautiful play by Tyler Seguin.
The rookie wins a race for the puck in the Devils' zone, makes a turnaround pass out from the left boards to Michael Ryder in the slot, and Ryder gets off a quick shot perfectly placed high to the glove side for the goal.
Mark Recchi also gets an assist for sending the puck up into the new Jersey zone, but that was a special play by Seguin to turn it into a scoring chance.
Second Period, 8:06, 1-1: Things getting a little heated for the first time, as Marchand crashes the crease and draws a crowd.
Adam Mair seemed to take particular exception, but Shawn Thornton steps in and Mair quiets down. No penalties out of that scrum.
Second Period, 5:38, 1-1: The Bruins answer right back, as rookie Jordan Caron ties the game with his first career goal.
Caron scores from the top of the crease on a rebound in front just seconds after Chara made a great rush all the way down to the net for a bid. Johnny Boychuk picks up the assist with the shot in from the right post before Caron's milestone goal.
Second Period, 3:45, Devils 1-0: The Devils finally break the ice, with Zubrus scoring on a rebound in front.
Zubrus flipped the puck over Thomas from the right slot with the Bruins goalie down after the initial shot in. Parise and Andy Greene get the assists.
Second Period, 0:42, 0-0: The second peiod is under way, and the Bruins have killed off the remaining penalty time, thanks to Tim Thomas' sparkling save to rob Ilya Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk took a feed in the middle and drove the net with speed, but Thomas flashed the pad for the stop at the left post.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins and Devils have battled to a draw through 20 minutes, but Boston needs to be more disciplined in the final two periods.
The Bruins took three minor penalties in the first. Marchand's kneeing call was questionable, but the hooking penalties to Wheeler and Caron are the kind of mistakes Boston must avoid.
The Bruins are doing well in a few other areas. They've won 10 of 13 draws (77 percent), with Patrice Bergeron going 5-1 and David Krejci 4-1. Interestingly, third-line center Tyler Seguin has yet to take a face-off.
The Bruins also have six blocked shots to just one for New Jersey and are out-hitting the Devils 13-6. Those 13 hits in the first are more than Buffalo and Colorado had against the Devils in six periods, plus an overtime, in New Jersey's last two games, as Buffalo managed just five hits and Colorado only six. With New Jersey dealing with so many injuries and playing its fourth game in six nights, the Bruins need to wear the Devils done with some physical play, so that's a good sign for Boston.
End First Period, 0-0: The Bruins and Devils will head to the locker room in a scoreless draw.
The Devils hold an 11-8 edge in shots and have two more seconds of a 5-on-3 and another 40 seconds with a one-man advantage after that to start the second.
First Period, 18:42, 0-0: And more bad news for the Bruins with Brad Marchand called for kneeing to give New Jersey a 5-on-3 for 1:21.
It looked like a good hip check on Dainius Zubrus by Marchand in center ice, but he draws the call.
First Period, 18:02, 0-0: The Devils already have the momentum going their way with some pressure on Thomas.
Now they'll go back on the power play with Wheeler off for hooking.
First Period, 17:45, 0-0: Tim Thomas makes one of his patented sprawling saves to keep this one scoreless.
Matt Taormina sent in a shot from the point that changed directions on a deflection in front. Thomas was caught leaning the wrong way, but managed to flash a pad back to keep the puck out.
First Period, 15:56, 0-0: The Bruins survive that penalty more than kill it, but the game remains scoreless.
Tim Thomas had to look behind him at one point, and also played a few seconds without a stick, but he kept the puck out of the net.
First Period, 13:56, 0-0: The Devils will get their first chance on the power play, as Jordan Caron is sent to the box for hooking.
The Bruins need a kill here, as the Devils with their tight defensive system are always one of the toughest teams to come from behind against.
First Period, 11:33, 0-0: The bench isn't the only place with empty seats in New Jersey this year.
The Devils couldn't dress a full roster for several games last week because of injuries and cap issues. In this one, it's the Prudential Center that has plenty of elbow room as it's a bit of a sparse crowd on hand for the start of this contest.
First Period, 8:20, 0-0: New Jersey's Adam Mair delivers a hit on David Krejci.
Mair, of course, is a former Sabre who concussed Krejci with a viscous elbow in Krejci's NHL debut in Buffalo back in 2007.
First Period, 6:30, 0-0: The Devils with their first sustained presure of the night, but Tim Thomas and a couple missed passes keep New Jersey from getting on the board.
Despite the New Jersey pressure, Blake Wheeler turns in a solid shift, helping out on the back check, delivering a good hit on Corrente and blocking a shot.
First Period, 4:11, 0-0: The Bruins can't convert on that chance, but they got some good looks on the power play.
Good movement from both units, but only one shot on net. Tyler Seguin did have a decent bid from the left circle.
First Period, 2:11, 0-0: The Bruins get the first power-play chance of the night as Zach Parise is sent off for tripping Johnny Boychuk.
The Bruins are just 1 for 8 on the man-advantage this year, but did have 19 shots on those chances.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And we're off. Interesting to see the fourth lines get the start in this one.
Both teams seem to want to set a physical tone and get the energy going right away.
7 p.m.: The starting lineups are in, and the Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg reunion might be back on hold.
Seidenberg will start the game with Sunday's partner, Mark Stuart, with the fourth line of Greg Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Brad Marchand up front.
The Devils counter with their fourth line of Rod Pelley, Adam Mair and Tim Sestito, with Matt Corrente and Alexander Urbom on defense.
It will be interesting to watch if Claude Julien keeps those defense pairs intact or puts Chara and Seidenberg back together when New Jersey's top line is on the ice.
6:50 p.m.: The scratches for the Bruins are official, with Daniel Paille out for a second straight game.
Brian McGrattan and Adam McQuaid are the other healthy scratches. New Jersey has no extra healthy bodies to scratch.
6:40 p.m.: The warm-ups are complete in New Jersey, with no surprises for the Bruins.
Boston will go with the same lineup used on Sunday against Phoenix, though they have shuffled the pairings on defense as expected.
Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg have been been reunited and are sure to see plenty of Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise on New Jersey's top line. The other pairs are Andrew Ference with Johnny Boychuk and Mark Stuart with Matt Hunwick.
5:30 p.m.: The Bruins won't have to face four of New Jersey's regulars on defense due to injury, but they will have to take on future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur in goal.
Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports that Brodeur will get the start against the Bruins on Saturday, even though he played in Friday's loss to Colorado. Brodeur, in fact, has started every game this year for the Devils, with backup Johan Hedberg seeing just one period of mop-up duty so far this season.
Facing Brodeur is always a challenge, but at leat one Bruin isn't worried, as rookie Tyler Seguin made it clear this week he wasn't intimidated by Brodeur's impressive resume.
Seguin won't be the only youngster in the spotlight in this one. Jordan Caron is expected to play his second NHL game, while Brad Marchand will dress for just the 23rd time. They'll go up against an even younger Devils defense, as half of New Jersey's blue line contingent is made up of rookies. Matt Taormina, Alexander Urbom and Matthew Corrente have played a combined 23 games in the league, but have been pressed into duty by injuries to Anton Volchenkov, Bryce Salvador, Anssi Salmela and Mark Fraser.
The Devils also have rookies Jacob Josefson (1 game) and Tim Sestito (11 games) up front, so the Bruins might be able to take advantage of New Jersey's lack of experience.
4 p.m.: The Bruins are just a few hours away from opening their first game in North America this season, as they prepare to take on the Devils in New Jersey.
Tim Thomas, who posted a 29-save shutout against Phoenix on Sunday, will get his second straight start in goal. The scratches — Daniel Paille and Brian McGrattan up front and Adam McQuaid on defense — are expected to remain the same as Sunday as well. The complete line combination and projected Devils lineup are posted here.
While we await the opening face-off, feel free to check out a complete breakout of this matchup here, while the Bruins also dicussed the difficulties in shutting down Devils star Ilya Kovalchuk and their hopes to be able to take advantage of New Jersey's short bench due to injuries and cap problems.
8 a.m.: The Bruins open the domestic portion of their regular-season schedule with a trip to Newark to take on the Devils on Saturday night.
New Jersey is never a fun matchup with its tight defensive system, and this year the Devils are equally capable of creating headaches with their offense as Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise form one of the most dynamic duos in the league.
Add in the NHL's all-time leader in wins (603) and shutouts (111) with Martin Brodeur between the pipes, and it's easy to see why teams dread facing the Devils.
But the Bruins may have picked a good time to take on New Jersey. Not only is Boston well rested and riding a high from Sunday's 3-0 win over Phoenix in Prague, but the Devils could be very weary as they play their fourth game in six days. They've played those games without a full complement of players, as injuries and cap issues forced them to play with just 15 skaters on Monday against Pittsburgh and 16 skaters on Wednesday in Buffalo. They're back to a full 20-man squad now, but they still have no healthy scratches and feature a defense missing four regular veterans.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. in Newark, so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
