The Bruins still get a point and are 3-0-1 in their last four games, but after outshooting Atlanta 18-7 in a scoreless third period, Boston has to be a little disappointed it didn't get two points out of this effort.
Despite the loss, Boston actually extended their lead in the Northeast Division as Montreal lost 4-1 to Tampa Bay. The Bruins return to divisional play on Saturday when they take on Buffalo in a New Year's Day clash.
End Overtime, 2-2: There was plenty of up-and-down action with scoring chances for both sides, but the five-minute overtime didn't produce a winner.
So it's on to the shootout to settle this one.
Overtime, 1:21, 2-2: Both teams creating chances by sending their defensemen up ice, as Zach Bogosian has a bid for Atlanta and Steve Kampfer answers with a chance down low for the Bruins.
Overtime, 0:00, 2-2: The extra session is under way, with the teams skating with four a side for the five-minute OT.
End Regulation, 2-2: Sixty minutes won't be enough to settle this one, as we're headed to overtime.
Both teams have secured at least one point, now they'll battle for the extra one.
Third Period, 18:27, 2-2: Thomas comes up with a huge save as to gets a glove up to deflect a bomb from Byfuglien from the right point.
Third Period, 16:22, 2-2: The Bruins can't convert on this power play, despite some decent chances, the best coming on a shot by Savard from the right circle.
Third Period, 14:22, 2-2: The Bruins have a chance to cash in on another late third-period power play in a tie game, as Jim Slater goes off for tripping up Ference.
Third Period, 11:50, 2-2: Strong shift from the Bergeron line creating a few chances and lots of pressure. Marchand has fit in nicely on that line, adding some energy.
Third Period, 9:59, 2-2: Ference pinches in for a bid from Horton. The Bruins have been activating their D's quite a bit in this one. It's created some good chances, though it's also given the Thrashers some opportunities on the counterattack. Still, it's good to see the blueliners be more active and chip in more in the offensive zone.
Third Period, 6:02, 2-2: The Bruins continue to put on the pressure, this time with Marchand having the bid in front, only to be robbed by Pavelec.
Third Period, 3:34, 2-2: The Bruins can't convert on the power play despite plenty of shots, including a Horton rebound in the slot.
Atlanta had its chances shorthanded as well, forcing Thomas to make big saves on Little in the slot and Rich Peverley breaking in alone.
Third Period, 1:34, 2-2: The Bruins finally get their second power-play chance of the night as Slater goes off for slew-footing Chara.
Third Period, 0:00, 2-2: The final frame is under way. Both teams are .500 when tied after two periods, with the Bruins at 2-2-1 and Atlanta at 3-3-2.
Second Intermission Notes: So far no one from Atlanta has come close to challenging Lucic for his punch on Freddy Meyer last week, but Lucic is still having an impact with three shots and two hits. He nearly scored in the second, and actually raised his hands to celebrate before realizing it had not gone in. The rest of that line hasn't been quite as effective, as Nathan Horton and Marc Savard have just one shot between them and have each taken bad penalties.
The Thrashers were just 3 of 37 on the power play in their previous 11 games, but are 2 for 5 in this one. Tobias Enstrom has both of those goals, but is still a minus-2 on the night as he has been on the ice for every goal scored by both teams.
Blake Wheeler continues to have a strong game with Boston's second goal to go with five shots, a hit, a blocked shot and a takeaway in 11:01.
End Second Period, 2-2: With 40 minutes in the books, there's still nothing settled in this one as the teams traded goals in the second and head to the third tied 2-2.
The Bruins killed off the late penalty to Ference, then nearly scored as Marchand and Paille had another 2-on-1 chance, but a great backcheck by Bryan Little broke up Paille's shot attempt.
Second Period, 17:38, 2-2: The Bruins go back in the box again, this time with Andrew Ference called for tripping after a collision in the high slot.
Second Period, 14:40, 2-2: Strong shifts by both teams' fourth lines, as Atlanta's last unit of Boulton, Slater and Thorburn forced Thomas to make a few big saves in a scramble in front, the Thornton and Paille kept the Thrashers pinned in their end for the ensuing shift.
Second Period, 12:41, 2-2: The Bruins finally get things going on the penalty kill, not only denying Atlanta any scoring chances on the power play but also creating several shorthanded opportunities of their own.
Second Period, 11:32, 2-2: The action is picking up, as the Bruins nearly score on a shorthanded 2-on-1 with Marchand and Paille breaking in, but Pavelec stopped Marchand's shot from the left circle.
After the whistle, Paille and Byfuglien collide and exchange shoves. The gloves come off, but Paille goes down immediately and they wrestle on the ice for a bit. Two minutes each for roughing.
Second Period, 10:41, 2-2: The Bruins go back on the penalty kill again, as McQuaid is called for boarding on a hit on Jim Slater.
Second Period, 9:21, 2-2: The Thrashers tie it with another power-play goal by Enstrom as Horton's minor penalty comes back to haunt the Bruins.
Again Enstrom fires in a shot from the left point, this time with Andrew Ladd supplying the screen in front of Thomas.
Second Period, 8:03, Bruins 2-1: Steven Kampfer scored his first NHL goal off a Marc Savard feed on Tuesday, and nearly had another on a give-and-go with Savard. Kampfer redirected the return pass on goal as he drove the net, then had a chance at the rebound but couldn't double his career goal total.
Second Period, 7:38, Bruins 2-1: Nathan Horton's struggles continue, as he takes a tripping penalty to negate the Bruins' power play.
It will be 4-on-4 for 43 seconds, then the Thrashers get a brief power play.
Second Period, 6:21, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins finally get their first power play of the night. All it took was Tim Stapleton running over Thomas.
Stapleton goes off for goalie interference, while the B's have a chance to extend their lead on the man-advantage. While Thomas shakes off that hit, Seguin has cleared the cobwebs and returned to the bench for the Bruins.
Second Period, 2:40, Bruins 2-1: Tyler Seguin takes an awkward tumble in the corner as he is caught between Jim Slater and Freddy Modin. Seguin was shaken up and has gone into the locker room.
Second Period, 0:55, Bruins 2-1: Blake Wheeler was the best Bruin on the ice in the first period, and he picked up right where he left off as he gives Boston its first lead less than a minute into the second.
Wheeler broke in down the right wing and fired one past Pavelec from the right circle. David Krejci picks up the assist for the long indirect pass that sent Wheeler on his way.
Second Period, 0:00, 1-1: The middle frame is under way, with the Bruins and Thrashers looking to break this stalemate.
Boston is 7-4-2 when tied after one period this year, while Atlanta is 6-5-1 in such situations.
First Intermission Notes: It wasn't the bloodbath many anticipated – and wanted – in the first period, but by now fans should know better than to expect much in the way of fireworks in today's NHL.
While there was no fighting and little physical play (Atlanta held a 10-4 edge in hits), there were plenty of scoring chances. The Thrashers had the bulk early thanks to a pair of weak penalties by the Bruins, and jumped out to a quick lead. But Tim Thomas made sure they didn't get more than that, and the Bruins came on strong later in the frame to tie it.
Blake Wheeler took one of those penalties with a hooking call, but otherwise had a strong first period. he led the Bruins with four shots and created several scoring chances. Atlanta defenseman Dustin Byfuglien continues to torment the Bruins, as he was a threat all period long again as he led the Thrashers with four shots.
End First Period, 1-1: The first 20 minutes are in the books, with neither side gaining an advantage as they head to the locker room deadlocked at 1-1.
The Bruins started a bit flat and two a pair of bad penalties early, but came on strong as the period wore on.
First Period, 17:38, Thrashers 1-0: McQuaid is back on the ice for the Bruins. Good to see after he left in obvious pain from that blocked shot earlier this period.
First Period, 14:09, Thrashers 1-0: Patrice Bergeron pulls Boston even as he drive down the middle and flips in a backhander at the left post.
that goal came just seconds after Adam McQuaid was hurt in front blocking a shot and struggled to get to the bench.
First Period, 12:31, Thrashers 1-0: Anthony Stewart gets behind the Bruins defense for a partial break down the right wing, but Thomas comes out to cut down the angle and makes the stop.
First Period, 11:50, Thrashers 1-0: The Bruins have their first real pressure of the night, with a Johnny Boychuk bomb from the point leaving a rebound in front, but Boston can't quite get a stick on it to take advantage.
First Period, 9:40, Thrashers 1-0: The Bruins are fortunate to survive that Atlanta power play, as the Thrashers had plenty of solid scoring chances and only some strong play by Thomas keeps this one a one-goal game.
First Period, 7:40, Thrashers 1-0: The Thrashers go right back on the power play as the Bruins take another weak penalty, this time with Blake Wheeler going off for hooking.
The Bruins need to play a lot more disciplined than this. It's one thing to go to the box standing up for yourself or a teammate, it's another all together to take lazy stick penalties.
First Period, 3:23, Thrashers 1-0: The Thrashers take advantage of the power play to jump out to an early lead.
Tobias Enstrom gets the goal on a shot from the left point through a screen in front.
First Period, 2:03, 0-0: The Bruins take the first penalty of the night as Marc Savard is called for slashing after whacking the stick out of Chris Thorburn's hands.
It is interesting to note that Atlanta put out their fourth line with tough guys Thorburn and Boulton opposite Boston's top line, which features Milan lucic, the first time Lucic was on the ice. No fireworks on that first shift, but expect Lucic to be challenged at some point in this one.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: The Bruins will open this one with the new combination of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi, as Marchand moves up and Tyler Seguin moves down to the fourth line with Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton.
Andrew Ference and Adam McQuaid start of defense, with Tim Thomas is goal.
Atlanta counters with Bryan Little, Alexander Burmistrov and Tim Stapleton up front, Ron Hainsey and Brent Sopel on the blue line and Ondrej Pavelec in goal. With that starting lineup, don't expect a repeat last week's physical start, when Thornton and Eric Boulton fought just two seconds after the opening faceoff.
7 p.m.: The scratches have been announced, and Greg Campbell is out sick along with Mark Stuart (broken hand).
Atlanta will be without Evander Kane, while Freddy Meyer and Ben Eager are healthy scratches.
With Eager, one of Atlanta's tough guys, and Meyer, who sparked last week's brawl, out, it appears the Thrashers may not be out for blood in this rematch.
6:30 p.m.: As expected, Tim Thomas and Ondrej Pavelec led their respective teams out onto the ice for warm-ups.
That will be the matchup in goal for this one, as Thomas makes his seventh straight start for Boston.
6 p.m.: The Bruins and Thrashers will resume their feud in just about an hour in Atlanta.
Boston could be without Greg Campbell, who missed the morning skate and will be a game-time decision after falling ill. Atlanta will definitely be without Nik Antropov, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday afternoon, and could also be without Evander Kane. Tim Stapleton has been recalled from the AHL for the Thrashers.
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, so it looks like he'll start his seventh straight game. Ondrej Pavelec will get the start for Atlanta.
All eyes will be on Milan Lucic after he received a match penalty and was fined – but not suspended – for punching Atlanta defenseman Freddy Meyer last week after Meyer spark a line brawl with a high hit on Lucic late in Boston's 4-1 win at the Garden. But while there could be more fireworks in the rematch, the Bruins must also focus on the two points at stake as they look to extend their win streak to four games and solidify their hold on first place in the Northeast Division.
8 a.m.: The Bruins will look to continue their successful swing through the South and stay perfect on their five-game road trip as they make a stop in Atlanta on Thursday.
This one promises to be a physical affair, as the Bruins and Thrashers combined for 120 penalty minutes, eight fighting majors, five game misconducts and a match penalty in their last meeting. That came just a week ago, with the Bruins posting a 4-1 win at the Garden.
Shawn Thornton set the tone in that one with a heavyweight bout with Eric Boulton two seconds after the opening faceoff, then added two goals. Milan Lucic picked up the match penalty for decking Freddy Meyer with a punch after a high hit by Meyer on Lucic sparked a line brawl late in the third.
Lucic was fined but not suspended for the incident, and will be in the lineup for the rematch. He could find himself being asked to answer the bell with Boulton or one of the Thrashers' other tough guys, but don't expect too much craziness.
This one means too much to both teams, as the Bruins look to extend their win streak to four games and maintain their lead in the Northeast Division, while Atlanta hopes to snap a four-game losing streak.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
