Tim Thomas Comes Up Big Again As Bruins Hold On for 3-2 Win in New York

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Nov 17, 2010

Tim Thomas Comes Up Big Again As Bruins Hold On for 3-2 Win in New York Final, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins survive some scary moments late and hold on for the victory at Madison Square Garden.

Naturally it's a one-goal decision, as the Bruins can't put one in the empty net at the end, but would you expect anything else from these two teams?

It's the 13th time in the last 15 meetings between the Bruins and Rangers that the game has been decided by a single goal.

Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin and Mark Recchi supplied the goals, but Tim Thomas was once again the difference as New York outshot the Bruins 36-20. But Thomas stopped 34 of those shots to improve to 10-1-0 on the season, giving the Bruins their second straight win and ending New York's three-game win streak in the process.

The Bruins will get right back to work on Thursday, as they return home to face Dennis Wideman and the Florida Panthers at the Garden.

Third Period, 18:09, Bruins 3-2: Blake Wheeler with a bid down the left wing. He drives the net and crashes into Lundqvist, but the puck stays out.

Third Period, 15:57, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins survive the 5-on-3 chance, and Marchand nearly scored from Campbell as the second penalty expired.

Thomas came up with a huge save to keep the Bruins ahead while down two men.

Third Period, 15:15, Bruins 3-2: The Rangers use their timeout here as John Tortorella tries to give his power play a little rest.

The Bruins will welcome the respite as well with two d-men in the box.

Third Period, 13:57, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins face an even bigger challenge with Chara now off for delay of game for flipping the puck over the glass.

The Rangers have a 5-on-3 for 1:45 with Boston's top two defensemen in the box.

Third Period, 13:57, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins face a huge penalty kill here as Andrew Ference goes off for high-sticking.

Sean Avery clearly embellished the play, but Ference's stick did get up high on him. It appeared to hit more shoulder than face despite Avery going down like he was shot.

Third Period, 13:08, Bruins 3-2: Brad Marchand with a chance down low off a clever move by Ryder to get the puck up to him on the right side, but Lundqvist makes the save.

Third Period, 10:45, Bruins 3-2: The action has really picked up in the third, with both teams creating chances as it's become a surprisingly wide-open game here.

The Bruins had a golden chance, but Bergeron's pass to Horton was just off the mark, and Horton couldn't get the shot off as he tried to kick the puck onto his blade.

Third Period, 7:24, Bruins 3-2: The Rangers have really taken the momentum now after that goal and have the Bruins back on their heels.

Thomas continues to come up big though, denying Gaborik a second goal off a dangerous shot from the slot.

Third Period, 5:26, Bruins 3-2: OK, so maybe it will be a one-goal game, as Gaborik pulls the Rangers back within one.

After a turnover led to a 2-on-1 down low, Stepan centered it to Gaborik in front, and the New York sniper made a quick move and beat Thomas with a forehand.

Third Period, 3:13, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins had a chance to extend the lead even further with a 2-on-1, but Daniel Paille misses on his pass attempt to Seguin coming down the middle.

Third Period, 1:10, Bruins 3-1: Maybe this won't be a one-goal game after all, as Mark Recchi gives the Bruins a two-goal lead early in the third.

He somehow squeezed a shot from the right wing through Lundqvist and just barely over the goal line for a huge insurance tally.

Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 2-1: And we're under way in the third, with the Bruins looking to hold on for the win in another tight game against the Rangers.

Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins didn't get that crucial first goal, but they made up for it by answering New York's opening score with two of their own before the break.

Boston is just 2-5-1 when the opponent scores first, but they're also 8-0-0 when leading after two periods, while the Rangers have yet to rally for a win when losing going into the third (0-3-1).

The Rangers actually outshot Boston 12-7 in the second and lead 20-15 overall, but the Bruins made the most of their chances with Bergeron forcing a turnover that led to Lucic's goal and Seguin using his speed to take advantage of a sloppy play by Gilroy trying to keep the puck in at the blue line.

The Bruins maintained their edge in the faceoff circle, and have now won 19 of 31 draws (61 percent), thanks mostly to Campbell, who is 6-1. The Bruins may need a few icepacks though, as the Rangers have a 29-13 edge in hits, with behemoth Derek Boogaard leading the way with four hits. That doesn't bode well with another game on tap in less than 24 hours, but securing the two points in the third would ease any pain the Bruins may be feeling.

End Second Period, Bruins 2-1: The Rangers struck first, but the Bruins answered with two late goals in the second period to take a one-goal lead into the final period.

Second Period, 16:35, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins take their first lead of the night thanks to a brilliant goal by Tyler Seguin.

Matt Gilroy attempted to keep the puck in at the Bruins blue line, but Seguin intercepted the puck and flew by Gilroy, breaking in down the right wing and finishing the chance with a wrister top shelf.

Second Period, 14:06,1-1: Thomas comes up big again with a point-blank save on Derek Stepan, who had a great chance in front as the Rangers' fourth line creates a quality scoring opportunity.

Second Period, 11:06,1-1: The Bruins get the equalizer as Milan Lucic scores from the slot.

Bergeron keyed this play though, with a forecheck to force a turnover. Horton collected the puck on the right wing and found Lucic in front for the goal.

Second Period, 10:52, Rangers 1-0: The Bruins were able to kill that brief power play, though Thomas had to come up big with stops on Girardi and Anisimov in front late in the penalty to keep it a one-goal game.

Second Period, 8:52, Rangers 1-0: So much for that power play, as Zdeno Chara is sent off for boarding to even up the sides again.

The Rangers have the skill to be dangerous here 4-on-4, and they'll have a brief power play once the too many men penalty is up.

Second Period, 8:08, Rangers 1-0: The Bruins will get a chance to answer the goal immediately as the Rangers are called for too many men to put the Bruins back on the power play.

Second Period, 7:10, Rangers 1-0: The Rangers strike first, as Dubinsky obviously shows no ill effects of the high stick as he scores the power-play goal.

Dubinsky beat Thomas with a shot inside the near post from the right circle. Callahan and Lundqvist pick up the assists.

Second Period, 4:09, 0-0: The Bruins will have to kill their first penalty of the night, and it's a four-minute one as Horton goes off for a high-sticking double minor after catching Dubinsky up high with his stick.

Second Period, 4:00, 0-0: The Bruins with their best chance yet as Horton break in down the right wing, but Lundqvist turns the shot aside.

Second Period, 1:15, 0-0: The Bruins come up empty on the power play again.

Nothing new there for the Rangers' PK, which has now killed off all 14 penalties it's faced in the last three-plus games.

Second Period, 0:00, 0-0: The second period is under way, with the Bruins opening with 1:15 left on the power play with Gaborik still in the box for tripping.

First Intermission Notes: The first period was about as even as possible, with not only the score even at 0-0 but the teams also tied in shots with eight apiece.

That shouldn't come as any surprise as these two rivals have had 12 one-goal games in their last 14 meetings.

The Rangers do have a 17-10 edge in hits, but the Bruins have won 12 of 20 faceoffs (60 percent). That's been an area the Bruins have struggled in this season, so it's good to see a solid start there in this one. Bergeron is 8-5 on draws, while Greg Campbell, who also has three hits, is 3-1. Also interesting to note that Blake Wheeler, who is again centering the second line with David Krejci out, has yet to take a draw in this one. Linemate Mark Recchi is 0-1.

End First Period, 0-0: The first period ends just as it began, with the clubs locked in a scoreless draw.

Neither side was able to get much going in the first 20 minutes, but the Bruins will begin the second period on the power play as they seek that all-important first goal.

First Period, 19:15, 0-0: The Bruins will get another power-play chance right away, as Nathan Horton draws a tripping call on Marian Gaborik.

First Period, 18:17, 0-0: Not much doing on that power play for the Bruins, as Boston struggled to even gain the zone with the man-advantage.

The lone quality chance was a bid in front by Seguin off a feed from Ryder.

First Period, 16:17, 0-0: The Bruins get the first power-play chance of the game as Dan Girardi goes off for hooking.

Just before the call, Bergeron put a testing bid on Lundqvist from the high slot. 

First Period, 13:05, 0-0: The one drawback to having Seguin play with Thornton is that he'll be out opposite a lot of fourth lines.

That could create some mismatches with his speed and skill, but could also put him at risk of being nailed by a guy Boogaard or receiving a cheap shot by the likes of an Avery.

First Period, 11:58, 0-0: Mark Recchi gets leveled by Michael Del Zotto, which leads to another 2-on-1 chance for the Rangers, but Frolov and Gaborik can't convert on this chance either.

First Period, 10:04, 0-0: Seguin is playing with more confidence and energy than I've seen in a while. Some very creative moves to create chances in the early going, best being a quick shift down the middle off a pass from McQuaid that nearly got Seguin in alone on Lundqvist.

Seguin will play with more gifted wingers eventually, but a few games with a guy like Thornton whose work ethic will hopefully rub off a bit on the rookie could really serve Seguin well.

First Period, 8:04, 0-0: This one has all the hallmarks of a typical Bruins-Rangers clash so far. Not a lot of room out there on the ice as these two teams both play a very tight-checking style.

Goals will be at a premium, so expect another close, low-scoring affair between these Original Six rivals.

First Period, 5:43, 0-0: Thomas looking sharp early again as he denies Brandon Prust on a deflection in front.

First Period, 3:15, 0-0: Shawn Thornton keeps piling up the shots, as he has a chance from the right wing off a feed by Seguin, but Lundqvist gobbles that one up.

First Period, 1:00, 0-0: The Rangers have an early chance with an odd-man break, catching the Bruins after Lucic broke his stick and went for a change, but they fail to get a shot on net.

First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And we're under way in this one, as the Bruins make a quick trip down to the Big Apple before rushing back to Boston to welcome Florida to the Garden on Thursday.

That trip home will be a lot more enjoyable for the Bruins if they can avenge last month's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

6:55 p.m.: Johnny Boychuk will have to wait at least one more day for his return to the lineup, as he has been scratched for the game against the Rangers.

David Krejci remains out while he works his way back from a concussion. The lines will remain the same as Monday's win over New Jersey, with the top unit of Patrice Bergeron flanked by Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton starting the game, along with Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference on defense and Tim Thomas in goal.

The Rangers counter with Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov up front, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi on defense and Henrik Lundqvist in goal to start. Todd White and Michal Rozsival are the scratches, with Derek Boogaard returning after missing one game with a sore hand.

6:15 p.m.: With Tim Thomas expected to get the start again in this one as he was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, here's an interesting tidbit on his historic start to the season from the game notes.

With his fourth shutout just 15 games into the season on Monday, Thomas collected four shutouts faster than any Bruin goalie since Terry Sawchuk had four in 15 games into the 1955-56 season. Thomas has never had more than five shutouts in a season in the NHL.

6 p.m.: Andrew Gross, Rangers beat writer for the Bergen Record, has reported that Derek Boogaard will be in the lineup for this game.

Boogaard missed Monday's game with Pittsburgh after cutting up his hand in a pair of scraps with Edmonton's Steve MacIntyre on Sunday. With Boogaard in, Todd White will sit out for the Rangers, who have won three straight coming into this matchup.

For a look at the complete projected lineups, check here, while a full breakdown of the matchup can be found in our Facing Off feature.

5:45 p.m.: The Bruins and Rangers are getting ready for their second clash of the season and first meeting at Madison Square Garden this year.

There's still no word on whether Johnny Boychuk will make his return from a fractured forearm in this game. The final decision won't be made until after warm-ups.

That and other lineup decisions are weighing much more heavily on Bruins coach Claude Julien's mind, but he is about to reach an important milestone in his coaching career. Julien will coach his 500th NHL game in this one, though he tried to downplay the achievement after practice on Tuesday.

"I've got a long way to go to get to 1,000," said Julien. "A lot of people have 1,000 games in. I'm only halfway. Those things are so far away from my mind. I don't even know [about them]. Most of the time you media guys tell me about those things. I don't pay much attention to that. I'm just happy to be here."

8 a.m.: The Bruins finally earned a win at home on Monday when Tim Thomas shut out the Devils, but now they have to head right back out on the road to face the Rangers in New York on Wednesday.

Games against the Rangers usually end up as nail-biters, as 12 of the last 14 meetings between the Original Six rivals have been decided by one goal, including the first meeting this year when New York squeaked out a 3-2 victory at TD Garden.

The Bruins would love to return the favor at Madison Square Garden, and they'll have some extra motivation to do it. They have a chance to commemorate coach Claude Julien's 500th career game as an NHL head coach with a victory, and they may have a familiar face back in the lineup to help do it.

Defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who suffered a fractured forearm in the last game against the Rangers when slashed by Brandon Dubinsky, made the trip to New York and could play in this one. Center David Krejci also traveled with the team. He's not quite as close to a return, but he continues to make strides in recovering from a concussion, as he passed his neuropsychological test and has been cleared for contact in practice.

The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.

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