Final, Maple Leafs 4-3 (1-0 in shootout): Nazem Kadri scores the only goal in the shootout to lift Toronto to the win at the Garden.
The Bruins pick up a point, but don't clinch the division title just yet. They are now eight points ahead of Montreal. The Canadiens have four games remaining and if they win all four in regulation or overtime and the Bruins don't get another point, the Habs would have the tiebreaker over the Bruins.
Boston is still in fine shape with five games to go and just one point needed to officially clinch the division. They'll get their next shot at it on Saturday afternoon when Atlanta comes to town.
End Overtime, 3-3: And this one will go to a shootout. The Bruins finish with a 38-31 edge in shots, but it's all even on the scoreboard after 65 minutes of play.
Overtime, 3:55, 3-3: The Bruins get a power-play chance to end this one as Lupul is called for slashing after breaking Kaberle's stick behind the Boston net. Claude Julien uses his timeout to rest his troops and set up the man-advantage.
Overtime, 1:43, 3-3: The Leafs get a penalty shot as Mikhail Grabovski is hooked by Steven Kampfer on a breakaway, but Thomas comes up with the huge pad save at the left post to keep the game going.
End Regulation, 3-3: This one is headed to overtime, with the Bruins still looking for that second point to clinch the division title while Toronto needs every point it can get to stay alive in the playoff chase.
Third Period, 19:50, 3-3: Another icing and another big draw for the Bruins, who win and get the clear.
Third Period, 19:10, 3-3: The Bruins called for icing in the final minute. Very important defensive-zone faceoff here.
Third Period, 14:30, 3-3: The Bruins playing with a little more energy now, creating some quality chances the last few shifts, but haven't been able to retake the lead.
Third Period, 11:40, 3-3: The Bruins have just two shots so far in the third with more than half the period gone. Boston needs to get its offense back on track and producing chances the way it was in the second.
Third Period, 7:53, 3-3: The Leafs tie it up as Joffrey Lupul scores his second of the night.
Some sloppy play in the defensive zone leads to a bid for Lupul from the right slot, and he fires a wrister home.
Third Period, 5:30, Bruins 3-2: Things have been relatively quiet to start this period, which is just fine by the Bruins as they hold the one-goal lead.
Third Period, 0:28, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins are back to full strength as Ference's penalty has expired.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 3-2: The final frame is under way here at the Garden, with the Bruins holding a one-goal lead but the Leafs having 28 seconds of power-play time to start the period.
Brick Breaks Down the Game: Just spent a few minutes with NESN analyst Andy Brickley to go over what we've seen so far and what the Bruins need to do to pull this on out in the third.
Here's Brick's breakdown:
"I thought going into the second period the Bruins needed to be sharper, especially in the offensive zone, and that's just what we got. They were more emotional invested. They elevated the intensity level. That [Brad] Marchand shorthanded goal really seemed to lift the bench.
"I'm glad [Michael] Ryder didn't engage [Jay] Rosehill there, but at the same time I liked what [Milan] Lucic did. That's the way the Bruins are. They man up, unlike some other teams in this division. They have a chance to win the division tonight, but let's not do it in an unBruinslike style.
"Toronto hasn't shot a puck into the net yet tonight. They've got two good bounces, but they compete. They work hard. They don't go away. The Bruins have a lot of work to do in the third period. But they have a chance to lock up the division and solidify what they want to do the rest of the way with their goaltending rotation, working players in and getting rest for guys. They can do all of that the way they want without worrying about anything else if they go out and win this period."
End Second Period, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins will go into the third with a one-goal lead, but this one is getting mighty chippy. Lots of late scrums, and Brad Marchand added some fuel to the fire by appearing to make the golf swing motion to the Leafs bench as he went off in the closing seconds of the period.
Second Period, 18:28, Bruins 3-2: Another penalty to the Bruins, with Ference sent off for hooking late in the second. Big kill here for Boston to maintain this lead into the third.
Second Period, 16:39, Bruins 3-2: Lucic and Rosehill are released from the box, and both players are greeted by congratulatory stick taps and applause at the benches as they return.
Second Period, 14:59, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins can't convert that power play, as the sides are now back at even strength.
While the crowd basks in the glow of that Lucic scrap moments ago, the jumbotron just showed Stan Jonathan on hand for this game, and one of the Bruins' all-time great battlers got a huge reception from the Garden faithful.
Second Period, 12:59, Bruins 3-2: Another power play for the Bruins, as Dion Phaneuf is sent off for tripping Krejci.
Second Period, 11:06, Bruins 3-2: The gloves come off for a marathon bout between Milan Lucic and Jay Rosehill. After the penalty expired, a scrum broke out behind the Toronto net.
Away from that, Lucic and Rosehill found each other and decided to go. Very long scrap with both men trading a ton of punches. Lucic landed the better early. They separated and unlike the fight with Colton Orr last year, there was no question about Lucic wanting Round 2 this time. They came together again and traded more blows, with Rosehill looking to get the edge in that portion of the fight.
Second Period, 9:00, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins go back on the power play as Jay Rosehill is sent off for interference.
Early in the power play, Lucic and Komisarek renew acquaintances with some shoves in front.
Second Period, 8:31, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins pull ahead again as Andrew Ference blasts in a shot from the left point in transition.
Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand pick up the assists on the play.
Second Period, 7:50, 2-2: Nathan Horton and Dion Phaneuf having words behind the play. Appeared that Horton wanted Round 3 of their feud, but Phaneuf was not interested. Phaneuf did try to throw a big hit on him later in the shift, but Horton sidestepped it.
Second Period, 7:06, 2-2: The Leafs pull even on the power play, with Joffrey Lupul converting a Phil Kessel pass at the top of the crease.
Kessel sent the puck out from along the goal line and it went in off Lupul's skate. It was reviewed for a kicking motion, but the goal stood.
Second Period, 6:38, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins take yet another penalty. This time it's Greg Campbell guilty of a high-sticking minor.
Second Period, 3:08, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins take the lead with their second goal in just under a minute.
David Krejci finished off a nice passing play by the top line as Nathan Horton sent it down from the high right slot to Milan Lucic at the left post, and Lucic moved it on to Krejci in front for the goal.
Second Period, 2:09, 1-1: The Bruins pull even as Brad Marchand strikes for a shorthanded goal.
Marchand broke down the left side, cut to the middle and while shielding the puck from Clarke MacArthur, he lifted a backhander over James Reimer.
Second Period, 0:40, Maple Leafs 1-0: The parade to the penalty box continues as Chara is now called for holding.
Second Period, 0:00, Maple Leafs 1-0: The middle frame is under way here at the Garden. The Bruins begin with five seconds of power-play time left, then the sides are back at even strength.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins will have to come from behind to clinch the division title in this one.
Tomas Kaberle had a tough first period against his old team, as the game's lone goal deflected off of him and past Tim Thomas. Kaberle had a chance to make up for that on the power play in the final minute of the period, but he couldn't put home the bid from the right slot.
Plenty of intensity in this one, as you would expect with two division rivals going at it for the sixth and final time this season and Toronto battling to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. It was a pair of unlikely combatants that nearly went at it though, as Phil Kessel and Andrew Ference exchanged slashes in front of the Bruins net. Ference was held back by the linesmen when he tried to escalate it into a full-fledged scrap, but Kessel was called for the extra penalty.
End First Period, Maple Leafs 1-0: And the first period is in the books, with the Bruins trailing by a goal after a tough bounce off Tomas Kaberle in front.
First Period, 18:05, Maple Leafs 1-0: The Bruins go right back on the power play with Nikolai Kulemin now sent to the box for hooking.
First Period, 18:00, Maple Leafs 1-0: The Bruins can't convert their fist power play as the sides are back to even strength, though Kessel remains in the box serving his extra minor.
First Period, 16:00, Maple Leafs 1-0: Things just got a little nasty as the penalty was about to expire. Kessel and Ference got into it in front, exchanging slashes. Ference wants to go with Kessel, but the ex-Bruin is saved by the linesmen.
Toronto gets the extra penalty with Kessel getting both slashing and roughing and Ference just slashing.
First Period, 14:03, Maple Leafs 1-0: And the Bruins are right back on the penalty kill with another rookie heading to the box. This time it's Steven Kampfer called for hooking.
First Period, 13:47, Maple Leafs 1-0: The Bruins kill off that penalty, and Marchand nearly sent Peverley in on a shorthanded bid.
First Period, 11:47, Maple Leafs 1-0: The Bruins get the first penalty call of the night, with Tyler Seguin taking a bad hooking penalty in the offensive zone to put the Leafs on the power play.
First Period, 7:06, Maple Leafs 1-0: Tomas Kaberle just scored one more goal for the Leafs. Unfortunately he now plays for the Bruins.
Luke Schenn gets credit for the goal after sending the puck in from the right point. It hit off Kaberle in front and past Thomas for the early lead.
First Period, 2:56, 0-0: Physical start to this one with some big hits, then Marchand lets go a shot as the whistle blows for an offsides and Mike Komisarek dumps him. That brings in Chara for a few words with Komisarek, but no penalties are called.
First Period, 0:54, 0-0: Less than a minute in, and we have our first boos for Phil Kessel as he touches the puck for the first time.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And this one is under way at the Garden, where the Bruins will look to clinch the Northeast Division crown with a win over Toronto.
7 p.m.: The Bruins will go with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi up front to start this one as usual. Zdeno Chara and Adam McQuaid will start on defense and Tim Thomas is in goal.
Toronto counters with Clarke MacArthur, Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin up front, Dion Phaneuf and Keith Aulie on the blue line and James Reimer in net.
With Phaneuf starting and Nathan Horton not in the opening lineup, we'll have to wait until later in the game to see if those two renew their rivalry with Round 3 in the one. They fought in October here at the Garden and in Toronto earlier this month.
6:55 p.m.: The Bruins have officially scratched Thornton, Boychuk and Shane Hnidy.
Toronto has scratched Fredrik Sjostrom, Brett Lebda, Jonas Gustavsson and Colby Armstrong (broken foot). Tough guy Jay Rosehill is in the lineup, a bit of a surprise as he's been scratched in six of the last eight games and Thornton is out for Boston.
6:45 p.m.: The Bruins will have a couple changes in the lineup for this one.
Up front it's a straight switch with Michael Ryder moving into Shawn Thornton's spot on the fourth line as Thornton recovers from the severe cut to his forehead suffered on Tuesday.
On defense, several pairs are changed with Johnny Boychuk getting the night off. Adam McQuaid was up with Zdeno Chara in warm-ups, while Steven Kampfer skated with McQuaid's usual partner, Andrew Ference.
Boychuk skated in warm-ups even though Claude Julien stated he will be scratched. Boychuk did not participate in the line drills.
Here are the full line combinations from the warm-up:
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Recchi
Peverley-Kelly-Seguin
Paille-Campbell-Ryder
Defense pairs:
Chara-McQuaid
Kaberle-Seidenberg
Ference-Kampfer
6:30 p.m.: Tim Thomas and James Reimer lead the clubs onto the ice for warm-ups. That's the goaltending matchup as expected for this one.
6 p.m.: The Bruins will face the Leafs for the final time this season in about an hour.
The Bruins can clinch the Northeast Division title with a win. A Boston victory would push its lead on Montreal to nine points, and the Canadiens can pick up a maximum of eight points with just four games remaining on their schedule.
Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, indicating he will likely get the start in goal for this one. Claude Julien also stated this morning that Shawn Thornton will not play after needing more than 40 stitches to close a cut on his forehead when clipped by a skate in Tuesday's win over Chicago. Johnny Boychuk will also get the night off, with Michael Ryder and Steven Kampfer returning to the lineup.
8 a.m.: The Bruins will continue to try to fine tune their game in preparation for the playoffs and
maybe put an end to Toronto's slim playoff hopes in the process, when Boston hosts the Maple Leafs on Thursday.
It will be the fourth straight home game against an Original Six foe for the Bruins, who sandwiched wins over Montreal and Chicago around a loss to the Rangers in the past week. Boston also won in Philadelphia on Sunday to officially clinch a postseason berth as the Bruins have won four of their last five games overall.
Toronto has also been surging of late. The Leafs have won four of their last five, as well, a run that began with a 5-2 victory over the Bruins in Toronto on March 19. Toronto has gone 8-5-1 in March and 16-7-5 since the start of February to make an unlikely late run to a playoff spot. It's likely still too little, too late as the Leafs remain seven points out of the final playoff spot in the East with just five games left to play.
The Bruins have some extra motivation in this one as they own Toronto's first-round pick next year to complete the Phil Kessel trade that has already yielded Tyler Seguin and Jared Knight. Kessel, meanwhile, has finally begun to put up some numbers against his old team. He still is just 2-2-4 and a minus-8 in 11 games against Boston, but three of those points have come in the last two games, including two goals in his last visit to the Garden on Feb. 15.
The Leafs won that game at the Garden 4-3 and have won three of the five meetings overall this season, with Kessel scoring the deciding goal in a 3-2 shootout win in Toronto on Dec. 4 and Toronto also prevailing earlier this month with a 5-2 victory at Air Canada Centre on March 19. The Bruins won 2-0 at the Garden on Oct. 25 and 2-1 at Toronto on Jan. 3 in the other meetings.
Tim Thomas picked up the shutout in that October victory and is 4-0-0 with just two goals allowed in his last four starts, but could get a night off in this one. Tuukka Rask, originally drafted by the Leafs in 2005, is 5-1-0 with a 1.76 GAA and a .946 save percentage against Toronto.
Rookie netminder James Reimer has keyed Toronto's second-half surge. He's 18-8-4 with a 2.55 GAA and .922 save percentage, including a 2-1-0 mark with a 2.35 GAA and .933 save percentage against the Bruins.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action.
