Brad Marchand got things going with a short-handed goal just eight seconds in to the period to tie it, then Mark Recchi took care of the rest with a pair of goals. The first gave the Bruins a lead they wouldn't relinquish, and the second gave him an even 1,500 points for his career.
The Bruins will get to enjoy their Thanksgiving a bit more now, then host Carolina in a matinee at the Garden on Friday.
Third Period, 18:36, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins get another power-play chance as Dmitry Kulikov goes off for cross-checking after a dangerous hit on Marchand.
Third Period, 18:30, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins survive a scare as the left-handed Chara breaks a stick and has to use Wheeler's right-handed twig until the puck is cleared.
Third Period, 16:00, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins take advantage of the 5-on-3 with Recchi scoring again on a rebound at the right post.
That's the 1,500th career point for Recchi, yet another milestone for the future hall of famer. Lucic and Krejci collect the assists.
Third Period, 15:46, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins have a big chance to put this one awy as they have a 5-on-3 for 1:46 with Dvorak off for delay of game after clearing the puck over the glass.
Third Period, 15:31, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins will go on just their second power play of the night as some good pressure from the new top line of Bergeron back with Horton and Lucic forces Florida to take a penalty.
Repik goes off for a high-sticking minor.
Third Period, 13:08, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins come within inches of adding to their lead, as Recchi send Caron in down the middle, but Caron's shot goes off the outside of the post.
The Bruins, after being outshot in each of the first two periods, hold a 12-2 edge in the third.
Third Period, 11:15, Bruins 2-1: This is a much different Bruins team that's shown up for the third period, and that goes beyond just the changes in the line combos.
The Bruins are playing with an energy and desperation that was sorely lacking in the first 40 minutes. It would be nice to see that effort for a full night, but they might have woken up in time to steal two points here.
Third Period, 9:05, Bruins 2-1: Tyler Seguin is now skating with Shawn Thornton and Brad Marchand.
Greg Campbell was out with Jordan Caron and Mark Recchi to complete the revamped combinations up front.
Third Period, 5:10, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins have shifted up their lines, with Bergeron back between Lucic and Horton.
The old Wheeler-Krejci-Ryder line is also back together as Claude Julien shortens his bench.
Third Period, 2:54, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins now have their first lead of the trip, as David Krejci feeds a backhand pass out from behind the net to Mark Recchi in front for the score.
Jordan Caron also gets an assist as the Bruins appear to have shaken up the lines a bit to get something going here.
Third Period, 1:00, 1-1: The Bruins complete the penalty kill and now go back to even strength with the game tied after Marchand's second short-handed goal of the season.
Third Period, 0:08, 1-1: The Bruins needed a little luck, and they just might have gotten it.
Off the opening faceoff, chara dumped it into the zone and Vokoun misplays it behind the net. Brad Marchand pounces on the puck in front and bangs it home for a short-handed tally to tie it.
Third Period, 0:00, Panthers 1-0: The final frame is under way, with the Bruins still needing to kill off the final minute of Lucic's penalty before they can go on the attack looking for the equalizer.
Second Intermission Notes: For the third straight game, the Bruins find themselves playing from behind. This time they trail by just one goal though, so they still have a chance to salvage something from this trip through Florida.
Tim Thomas is the main reason the Bruins are still in this one, as he's come up with 25 saves already. The Panthers outshot Boston 14-8 in the second and hold a 26-19 edge overall, but Thomas has come up with some big stops.
Blake Wheeler has been a bright spot with his offensive play creating opportunities and even has three hits, but he also lost the draw to Reinprecht cleanly that led to Florida's goal. That's the one part of his game at center that still needs improvement, though he is 4-3 on draws overall in this one.
End Second Period, Panthers 1-0: The Bruins will head into the third trailing by a goal, and they'll still have another minute on Lucic's penalty to kill off to start the final frame.
Second Period, 19:00, Panthers 1-0: The Bruins will have another key penalty to kill as Lucic goes off for hooking in the final minute of the period.
Second Period, 16:23, Panthers 1-0: Tim Thomas comes up with another big stop, coming out to challenge Marty Reasoner breaking in on the right wing.
Thomas kicks it out with a pad and keeps it a one-goal game.
Second Period, 15:09, Panthers 1-0: In almost the same spot Mark Stuart sent a Panther flying in the first, Milan Lucic launches Mike Weaver behind the Florida net.
That draws a crowd of angry Panthers, but no one presses the issue with Lucic.
Second Period, 14:07, Panthers 1-0: The Bruins survived that penalty more than killed it, as Florida had possession in the Bruins zone for nearly the full two minutes.
Thomas came up big with a few saves, including one or two he appeared to not even see through screens.
Second Period, 12:07, Panthers 1-0: The Bruins face a key moment here, as Chara is called for hooking after having his point shot blocked and facing the prospect of giving up a 2-on-1 break.
The Bruins can't afford to go down by two goals, but fortunately their PK has been outstanding all season.
Second Period, 11:16, Panthers 1-0: Action at both ends of the ice as the Panthers nearly put another one home, then the Bruins' fourth line counterattacks for a bid the other way.
This is more the pace the Bruins have to be playing at. They have to attack more and use their skating game to create chances.
Second Period, 9:40, Panthers 1-0: The Bruins are starting pick up their hitting game a bit, trying to generate some offense that way.
The Wheeler line again has been the most effective at creating chances.
Second Period, 6:55, Panthers 1-0: The Bruins are struggling to generate speed through the neutral zone against the Panthers, who are effectively clogging things up now that they have the lead.
Second Period, 2:15, Panthers 1-0: The Panthers strike first on yet another goal that begins with a lost faceoff in the defensive end.
After the draw, Wideman juked around Caron and came down the right side, centered it out to Repik the high slot and Steven Reinprecht banged home the rebound at the left post after Hordichuk tipped the initial shot. Wideman doesn't actually pick up an assist as Hordichuk and Repik each touched the puck after him.
Second Period, 0:00, 0-0: The second period is under way, with the Bruins and Panthers each still searching for that all-important first goal.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins can thank Tim Thomas for getting out of the first in a scoreless draw, as the Bruins netminder came up with some big saves early.
The Bruins did pick up their play as the period wore on, and finished trailing Florida just 12-11 in shots. Blake Wheeler has been the most impressive offensive performer, looking very comfortable at center as he has set up his linemates with several quality scoring chances.
The Bruins do have an 11-6 edge in hits, with Chara leading the way with three and Greg Campbell, Shawn Thornton and Jordan Caron each chipping in a pair.
End First Period, 0-0: The opening frame ends in a scoreless draw, as the Bruins weathered an early storm from Florida, then picked up their own play as the period went along.
The Panthers did have one final good scoring chance in the closing minute, with Michael Frolik breaking in down the left wing. But Thomas came out to cut down the angle and made the stop.
First Period, 16:38, 0-0: Thomas makes his best stop so far in this one, as he robs Wideman as the ex-Bruin jumps up into the play and launches a one-timer from the slot.
First Period, 13:58, 0-0: The Bruins show some signs of life on offense, with Blake Wheeler making a nifty drop pass to Matt Hunwick and Jordan Caron digging for a rebound in front.
Wheeler created even more chances later in the shift as he continues his strong play since moving to center.
First Period, 12:46, 0-0: The Bruins not only didn't score on that power play, they didn't even manage a shot.
They've gone nearly 10 minutes without a shot on goal, as Florida has built a 10-4 edge in that category.
First Period, 10:46, 0-0: The Panthers have been controlling play for most of the opening period so far, but the Bruins will have a chance to change that as they go on the first power play of the night.
Wideman is sent off for tripping up ex-teammate Brad Marchand as Boston's fourth line draws another penalty.
First Period, 8:57, 0-0: Mark Stuart sends Michal Repik flying with a hit behind the Bruins' net.
That draws the ire of Hordichuk, who gets in Stuart's face, but nothing further develops.
First Period, 7:18, 0-0: The Panthers come close again, this time as Shawn Matthias and David Booth break in on a 2-on-1.
Dennis Seidenberg cuts off the pass and Thomas smothers Matthias' shot from the right wing.
First Period, 6:29, 0-0: The Panthers' fourth line takes a page out of the Bruins' book as they are buzzing around the net creating a scoring chance.
Tough guy Darcy Hordichuk nearly puts one home, but Tim Thomas holds the fort and ties up the puck for a faceoff.
First Period, 4:26, 0-0: Interesting to see that after Patrice Bergeron was tossed from the faceoff, Recchi came in to take the draw rather than Seguin, who had been playing center until two games ago.
First Period, 3:02, 0-0: Shawn Thornton went for the hit on old friend Dennis Wideman in front of the benches, but Wideman planted himself and Thornton took the worst of it and went down.
First Period, 1:04, 0-0: Tyler Seguin continues to look more comfortable on the wing, firing in a shot from the right circle on a good look.
Seguin and Recchi later caused some havoc in front digging for a rebound.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And we're ready to get under way in Sunrise, Florida, with the Bruins opting to start Nathan Horton in his first return to Florida as a Bruin.
He starts up front with David Krejci and Milan Lucic, while Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference start on defense.
Florida counters with Cory Stillman, Marty Reasoner and Radek Dvorak up front and Bryan McCabe and Mike Weaver on the blue line.
7:30 p.m.: There are no surprises with the scratches either, as Daniel Paille and Adam McQuaid are out again for the Bruins.
Injured defensemen Bryan Allen (broken foot) and Jason Garrison (groin) are out for Florida, while forward Bill Thomas in the lone healthy scratch for the Panthers.
7:15 p.m.: As expected, it will be Tim Thomas and Tomas Vokoun in goal for this one for the Bruins and Panthers, respectively.
Thomas comes in with a 10-1-1 record and leads the NHL with a 1.49 GAA, .954 save percentage and four shutouts. Vokoun is off a strong start himself at 8-7-0 with a 2.38 GAA, .924 save percentage and two shutouts.
6:15 p.m.: The Bruins are getting ready to take on the Panthers to close out their pre-holiday swing through Florida.
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, indicating he'll get the call to start against a banged-up Florida squad.
The Bruins will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak. A complete breakdown of the matchup can be found in our Facing Off feature.
8 a.m.: The Bruins have one more bit of business to take care of before they can turn their attention to the upcoming holiday, and they'll be a much more thankful bunch on Thursday if they can snap their two-game losing streak on Wednesday.
The Bruins complete their swing through Florida with a date with the Panthers. It's sure to be an emotional night for forwards Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell, who will play their first games as visitors in Sunrise after coming to Boston in a blockbuster deal for Dennis Wideman and draft picks this summer.
To make it a happy homecoming for Horton and Campbell, Boston will have to avoid falling behind early again. They rallied from a 3-0 deficit against Los Angeles on Saturday to earn a point in a shootout loss, but they couldn't dig out of an early hole in a 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday.
The Bruins will be looking to come out stronger when the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
