Milan Lucic opened the scoring 59 seconds in and capped it with an empty-netter in the final minute. in between, Brad Marchand scored what proved the game-winner and Tim Thomas made 28 saves as the Bruins cooled the red-hot Flames.
Rich Peverley didn't factor into the scoring, but had a solid Bruins debut, showing off his impressive speed. Tomas Kaberle led the Bruins with 22:51 of ice time and four block shots and Chris Kelly had a pair of blocked shots in 14:52.
Now it's on to Vancouver, where the Bruins will face the Western Conference-leading Canucks on Saturday.
Third Period, 19:13, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins ice this one as Milan Lucic scores his second of the night with an empty-net tally.
Third Period, 17:27, Bruins 2-1: The Flames are still in this one as Curtis Glencross scores on the power play to cut the lead to 2-1.
Glencross finished off a give-and-go with Iginla as Iginla feed it back across the crease at the left post for an easy tap in.
Third Period, 16:56, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins face a huge penalty kill here without their top penalty killer up front as Patrice Bergeron is sent off for slashing after breaking Anton Babchuk's stick.
Third Period, 15:48, Bruins 2-0: Thomas should do time for that robbery on Olli Jokinen, as the Bruins goalie snares a bid ticketed for the far side of the net from the left slot.
Third Period, 12:21, Bruins 2-0: The Flames come as close as you can get to scoring without actually getting a goal, as a point shot is deflected past Thomas, but hits the post, then squirts just wide of the other post after hitting Thomas.
Third Period, 8:19, Bruins 2-0: The Flames threaten as Curtis Glencross breaks in for a bid in close at the left post, but Thomas makes the save.
Third Period, 5:55, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins get the insurance goal they sought as Brad Marchand scores his 19th of the season.
Marchand was denied on a slick move in front second before, but after a big hit by Patrice Bergeron on the forecheck kept the puck in, Marchand got another chance in the right circle. Andrew Ference's shot from the left point hit Bergeron skate and went right to Marchand, who fired it home.
Third Period, 2:41, Bruins 1-0: Thomas with another big save as he slides post to post to deny Iginla from the left circle on a give-and-go with Tanguay.
Third Period, 1:34, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins can't convert on the double minor, and the sides are back at even strength.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 1-0: The final frame is under way, with the Bruins opening the period on the power play looking to extend their lead.
Second Intermission Notes: No scoring in the second, but plenty of action as the teams traded chances with plenty of up-and-down action.
The Bruins had a 10-9 edge in shots in that period, with David Krejci leading the way with four so far. Milan Lucic also has three shots, three hits and the game's only goal in a strong effort so far.
the newcomer's contributions have been more subtle. Tomas Kaberle has three blocked shots in a team-leading 16:03 and his impact on the power play was evident with the puck possession the Bruins had on their first chance late in the period. Rich Peverley has no shots in 10:02 but has flashed his speed and Chris Kelly has a shot and a blocked shot in 9:21. Tyler Seguin has also looked strong on the fourth line, playing with some good energy and intensity with a pair of shots in 6:30.
The physical play picked up in the second, with Johnny Boychuk nailing Brendan Morrison, Michael Ryder hitting Matt Stajan into an open door at the bench and Lucic shoving with Robyn Regehr in the closing minutes. Should be a fun third period on tap.
End Second Period, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins maintain their 1-0 lead through two periods, and will open the third with 1:34 left on their power play.
Second Period, 17:34, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins get their first power-play chance of the night as Curtis Glencross is sent off for high-sticking. It's a double minor, so the Bruins will have the man-advantage into the third if they don't score a pair in the final 2:26 of the second.
Second Period, 12:50, Bruins 1-0: Great end-to-end action again this period. The Bruins haven't fared well against the West this year, but I still wish they played these teams more often. This is fun hockey to watch.
Second Period, 9:20, Bruins 1-0: Kaberle nearly scored his first goal in a Bruins uniform. Unfortunately, it was on his own net. Kaberle got a piece of Brendan Morrison's shot and it clanged off the crossbar, but stayed out.
Second Period, 7:45, Bruins 1-0: Peverley shows off the wheels are he puts on a burst down the right wing, but he can't quite connect with new teammate Kelly in the slot.
Second Period, 4:34, Bruins 1-0: Great play by Chara, getting back to lift Alex Tanguay's stick from behind, denying a potential breakaway without committing a penalty.
Second Period, 3:30, Bruins 1-0: Thomas with the big save on Niklas Hagman at the right post. Not a bad bid by Hagman considering he went unclaimed on waivers on Monday.
Second Period, 2:00, Bruins 1-0: Excellent pressure in the early going in the second from the Bruins. Lots of buzzing around the net, but so far nothing further has gotten past Kiprusoff.
Second Period, 0:00, Bruins 1-0: The middle period in under way in Calgary, with the Bruins looking to build on their one-goal lead.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins took advantage of a sloppy Calgary line change as Milan Lucic scored 59 seconds into played, but after that the story was Tim Thomas. The rest he got last week looks to have done the trick, as he's back to his old form, stopping all 13 shots he saw in the first.
The Bruins managed just seven shots, and will need to get more sustained pressure on the Flames in the final two periods.
Rich Peverley had a quiet first period in a Bruins uniform, with no shots or hits in 4:44. Chris Kelly had a shot and a blocked shot in 5:16, but was just 1-3 on faceoffs. Shawn Thornton surprisingly had the only faceoff for the fourth line, but lost it. Overall, the Bruins are just 8-11 (42 percent) on draws.
No power-play chances yet for the Bruins so Tomas Kaberle hasn't been able to show off the best elements of his game. But he has been solid in his own zone so far with two blocked shots in 7:04.
End First Period, Bruins 1-0: Solid road period for the Bruins, who struck early and go into the break with the one-goal lead.
First Period, 15:50, Bruins 1-0: Dangerous chance around the Bruins net, but Thomas keeps the puck out. Calgary is creating chances now after the Bruins carried the play in the opening minutes.
First Period, 12:40, Bruins 1-0: Sneaky shot from the right slot by Ryder, but Kiprusoff makes the save. That new line of Peverley, Kelly and Ryder showing some chemistry early in their first game together.
First Period, 10:15, Bruins 1-0: Getting a goal out of that quick start could prove key for the Bruins, as Calgary has settled down and is starting to mount some pressure of its own.
First Period, 8:22, Bruins 1-0: Thomas sharp early in this one. Those last couple of saves came after Adam McQuaid flubbed a one-timer at the point, allowing Calcary to counterattack.
McQuaid is up on the top pair with Zdeno Chara to start this one with Kampfer scratched. Johnny Boychuk playing with Andrew Ference to start this one.
First Period, 4:30, Bruins 1-0: Strong penalty kill for the Bruins there. Good work up front by Chris Kelly, who created a shorthanded chance.
First Period, 2:30, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins will have to kill off an early penalty as Michael Ryder is called for hooking one-time Bruin Steve Staios.
First Period, 0:59, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins jump out quickly, with Milan Lucic scoring less than a minute in.
Good transition play catches the Flames in a line change and David Krejci sets up Lucic in front with a pass from the right wing. Adam McQuaid picks up the secondary assist on Lucic's 25th goal of the season.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And the Bruins are finally back in action after a few days off, taking on one of the hottest teams in hockey in Calgary.
8:55 p.m.: The scratches are official, with Daniel Paille and Steven Kampfer out for Boston and Brendan Mikkelson out for Calgary.
The Bruins will start Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi up front with Tomas Kaberle and Dennis Seidenberg on defense and Tim Thomas in goal.
The Flames counter with Alex Tanguay, Brendan Morrison and Jarome Iginla up front, Cory Sarich and Mark Giordano on the blue line and Miikka Kiprusoff in net.
8:30 p.m.: The Bruins will be looking to buck a couple trends in this matchup. Boston has struggled mightily against the Western Conference this season, going just 3-7-2.
Calgary, meanwhile, has been nearly perfect against the Northeast Division with a 6-0-1 mark. They're coming off one of those wins, as the Flames shut out Montreal 4-0 outdoors in the Heritage Classic on Sunday behind a 39-save performance by Miikka Kiprusoff.
Kiprusoff will be in goal again for this one, with Tim Thomas in goal for the Bruins.
8 p.m.: The Bruins will get back to work in about an hour as they take on the Flames in Calgary.
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate and is expected to get the start after getting a couple games off to recharge last week.
Rich Peverley will make his Bruins debut on a line with fellow newcomer Chris Kelly and Michael Ryder. That pushes Tyler Seguin down to the fourth line with Greg Campbell and Shawn Thornton, while Daniel Paille is expected to be the scratch up front. More surprisingly, it appears Steven Kampfer will be the odd man out on defense for this one, with Johnny Boychuk expected to return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch two of the last three games.
8 a.m.: After a couple of days of practice at home, the Bruins are back on the road to resume their season-long six-game trip in Calgary on Tuesday.
The Bruins won the first two games away from the TD Garden on Thursday and Friday. But that was against the Islanders and Senators. Facing the Flames will be a little different.
"They're playing well," Bruins coach Claude Julien said of Calgary. "They're very strong down low. They're protecting the puck and making plays. They compete hard and they compete smart, and I think that's what's been their turnaround right now. They're a confident group. You can tell in their play and you can tell in their demeanor. It will be a good test for us, and that's probably what we need right now."
Calgary has won three straight, outscoring its opponents 17-3 in that span. The Flames are 11-1-2 in their last 14 games and 16-4-5 in the last two months. That run has helped them climb out of the Western Conference basement and into sixth place.
Their last win came outdoors, with a 4-0 victory over Montreal in the Heritage Classic on Sunday. That might offer a glimmer of hope for the Bruins, as past outdoors winners have struggled upon their returns back inside. That includes Boston, which went more than two months without winning at home after beating Philadelphia at last year's Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Julien isn't counting on the Flames suffering any post-Heritage hangovers.
"I think right now they are in the playoff hunt and they can't afford to have any letdowns," Julien said. "So standing on this side of the fence, I would say they're ready to go."
The Bruins better be as well, and they'll have reinforcements, with new acquisition Rich Peverley making his Bruins debut and Tomas Kaberle and Chris Kelly slated to play their second games for Boston.
The puck drops at 9 p.m. in the East, so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
