Bruins Live Blog: David Krejci Completes Hat Trick with Overtime Tally for 4-3 Win Over Devils at Garden

Final, Bruins 4-3 (OT): David Krejci completes the hat trick to lift the Bruins to a dramatic 4-3 win 2:59 into overtime.

Krejci roofed a shot from the slot after Zdeno Chara was stoned at the right post off a feed from Patrice Bergeron behind the net.

The win extends Boston's lead in the Northeast Division to three points as Boston makes good use of one of its games in hand on Ottawa. More importantly, the Bruins showed some of their old offensive touch after struggling to score for much of February.

Boston will close out its homestand Saturday against the Islanders, then head to New York for a showdown with the East-leading Rangers on Sunday.

Overtime, 1:59, 3-3: The Devils with a threat as defenseman Andy Greene drives deep into the Boston zone for a bid, but Thomas stones him at the right post.

Overtime, 0:00, 3-3: The sudden-death extra session has begun here at the Garden, with both teams looking for the extra point in 4-on-4 action.

End Regulation, 3-3: Both teams will get at least one point out of this one. They'll each go for the extra point at stake in the overtime.

Third Period, 17:38, 3-3: Brad Marchand with a chance in front, but he can't get the backhander past Brodeur from the right slot.

Third Period, 15:52, 3-3: The Bruins have switched things up a bit, with Chris Kelly skating with Bergeron and Marchand instead of Rolston.

Corvo has also returned to the defensive rotation, but that that may be because Andrew Ference is absent from the Bruins bench.

Third Period, 12:27, 3-3: The Bruins couldn't convert that power play either and it's back to 5-on-5 hockey late in the third.

Third Period, 10:27, 3-3: The Devils end that power play early as Ilya Kovalchuk goes to the box for high-sticking Marchand. It will be 4 on 4 for 34 seconds.

That penalty came after the Bruins nearly scored shorthanded, with Chris Kelly hitting the post after a feed from Beregron on a 2-on-1 break.

Third Period, 9:01, 3-3: The Bruins now have to kill off a penalty as Chara goes to the box again, this time for high-sticking Adam Henrique.

Third Period, 7:45, 3-3: The Bruins can't capitalize on that power play coming on the heels of Krejci's goal, and it remains tied as the sides return to even strength.

Third Period, 5:45, 3-3: The Bruins now have a power-play chance as Petr Sykora is called for delay of game for sending the puck over the glass.

Third Period, 5:30, 3-3: The Bruins tie it up as David Krejci scores his second of the night.

Krejci banged home a bouncing puck at the left post as Milan Lucic sent it across with Zdeno Chara also in deep in front of the net.

Third Period, 1:52, Devils 3-2: Milan Lucic and David Clarkson exchange shoves in the crease after Brodeur ties up the puck. No penalties are called, but Lucic continues to jaw with the Devils bench as he heads off.

Third Period, 0:35, Devils 3-2: The Bruins kill off the rest of the penalty and are back at even strength.

Third Period, 0:00, Devils 3-2: The final frame is under way here at the Garden, where the Bruins will have to kill off the final 35 seconds of Zdeno Chara's interference penalty before trying to pull even in this one.

Second Intermission Notes: After a strong first period, the Bruins lapsed badly in the second as the Devils scored three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead.

It took nearly half a period for the Bruins to muster their first shot on goal as New Jersey clearly wrested momentum away from the hosts in that period.

Joe Corvo continues his struggles, with his giveaway leading to New jersey's first goal. He was also on the ice for the second before Claude Julien moved Adam McQuaid up to that pairing with Dennis Seidenberg.

The Bruins were also outhit 11-5 in the second with the Devils dishing out several big hits. Alexei Ponikarovsky sent Andrew Ference flying and Dainius Zubrus blasted Corvo. The Bruins need to find the form they showed in the first period if they want to pull this one out in the third.

End Second Period, Devils 3-2: The middle frame comes to a merciful end. The Bruins squandered their two-goal lead and will now head to the third down by one.

Second Period, 18:35, Devils 3-2: The Bruins will now have to kill off a key penalty as Zdeno Chara is sent to the box for interference.

Second Period, 17:46, Devils 3-2: The Devils take their first lead as David Clarkson, obviously OK after being shaken up earlier in the period, scores on a wraparound.

Clarkson sneaked the puck in from behind the net, reaching around at the left post.

Second Period, 14:03, 2-2: The Devils pull even as Patrik Elias bangs home a rebound at the left post.

Anton Volchenchov had the initial shot from the point, and Elias was left free to knock home the second chance opportunity from the edge of the crease.

Second Period, 13:21, Bruins 2-1: Devils forward David Clarkson leaves the ice in obvious pain. After consulting trainer on the bench, he heads down hallway to locker room.

Second Period, 11:56, Bruins 2-1: Some spark from the Bergeron line with several shots. Brodeur failed to tie up one bid, allowing the Bruins another couple chances, but they can't convert.

Second Period, 9:11, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins finally get their first shot of the period nearly halfway through as Seguin fires in a wrister from the high left slot with Lucic in front looking for a tip or rebound. Shots are 6-1 in second and 16-10 overall in favor of New Jersey.

Second Period, 8:37, Bruins 2-1: Alexei Ponikarovsky sends Andrew Ference flying with a big hit in the corner. Shawn Thornton over a few words with Ponikarovsky after the whistle.

Second Period, 6:27, Bruins 2-1: The Devils cut the lead in half as Zach Parise finishes a 2-on-1 break set up by a Joe Corvo giveaway.

Corvo coughed up the puck just outside the Bruins blue line, with Ilya Kovalchuk picking off Corvo's pass and feeding it to Parise for the goal from the left slot.

Second Period, 5:26, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins still looking for their first shot of the period, but do get a faceoff in the New Jersey end after an icing. Shots now 14-9 Devils, 4-0 in this period.

Second Period, 3:10, Bruins 2-0: The Devils with the first chance of the second period as Steve Bernier leads a 2 on 1 with Ryan Carter driving the net with Paille in pursuit. Bernier opts for the shot from the left circle and Thomas makes the save.

Second Period, 0:00, Bruins 2-0: The middle frame is under way here at the Garden, where the Bruins will look to maintain the momentum after a strong opening period produced a two-goal lead.

First Intermission Notes: The Bruins have found one line combination to help spark their struggling offense. The new unit of David Krejci back at center between Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin produced a pair of goals for a 2-0 lead after one period.

That trio has four points and five shots so far, but the rest of the Bruins have just four shots. Three of those are from the defense, with Daniel Paille the only other Bruin with a shot on goal. As good as the new top line has looked, Brian Rolston hasn't clicked with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand just yet, and the new third line of Chris Kelly with Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron hasn't created much yet either.

Greg Zanon made his presence felt with a big hit on David Clarkson in his first period with the Bruins. Zanon also has a blocked shot, which he's most known for. The Bruins have a 10-4 edge in that category, as well as a 9-3 advantage in faceoffs led by Bergeron's 5-1 showing so far.

Tim Thomas has been sharp early, making several stellar saves, including two right before each of Boston's goals. he picked up an assist on the second to go with 10 saves. Shawn Thornton also deserves an assist for helping get the Bruins going early with a marathon bout with Eric Boulton in the opening minutes.

End First Period, Bruins 2-0: The opening frame comes to a close, and it was a good one for the Bruins. More specifically, it was a good one for the newly formed line of David Krejci, Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin, who combined for a pair of goals to give Boston a 2-0 lead.

First Period, 19:27, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins can't convert that power play, and Thomas has to make a stop on Carter with a bid down the left wing out of the box.

First Period, 17:27, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins get their first power-play chance of the night as Ryan Carter is sent to the box for roughing.

First Period, 16:10, Bruins 2-0: Greg Zanon announces his arrival in Boston with a huge hit on David Clarkson at the Boston blue line. Should be the first of many hits for the Bruins' newest defenseman.

First Period, 14:51, Bruins 2-0: Thornton, who had gone to the locker room after his fight with Boulton, is back on the Bruins bench.

First Period, 13:33, Bruins 2-0: The Krejci line has created shifts on just about every shift they've had in this one. They pressure the Devils again, with Lucic setting up Krejci in front, forcing Brodeur to make another tough save.

First Period, 11:53, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins kill off that penalty and nearly score shorthanded, but Krejci was denied by Brodeur on a clean breakaway.

First Period, 9:53, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins get the first penalty of the night as Brian Rolston goes to the box for tripping Anton Volchenkov. That's the second minor Rolston has taken in as many games with Boston.

First Period, 8:10, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins get another goal from that line, this time with Tyler Seguin scoring from the top of left circle.

Milan Lucic carried the puck down the left wing to the corner, then dropped it back to Seguin for the shot. Thomas gets the other assist after a big save on Kovalchuk. Both Bruins goals have come shortly after key saves by Thomas.

First Period, 4:24, Bruins 1-0: Krejci nearly returns the favor to Seguin, setting up his new winger for a golden chance at the left post, but Brodeur comes across to rob him.

First Period, 2:11, Bruins 1-0: The gloves now come off with Shawn Thornton and Eric Boulton squaring off for a lengthy scrap. Both men threw and landed a ton of punches in an entertaining and energetic bout.

First Period, 1:13, Bruins 1-0: The new line combos pay off quickly, with David Krejci scoring from Tyler Seguin on their first shift together.

Seguin led the rush down the right wing with Milan Lucic on the left. Krejci jumped up into the attack and took Seguin's pass in the slot and roofed it for the goal.

First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And we're under way here at the Garden, where the Bruins will look to complete a season sweep of the Devils and take advantage of one of their games in hand on Ottawa to create some breathing room atop the Northeast Division.

6:55 p.m.: The Bruins will open with one of their new-look lines, with newcomer Brian Rolston joining Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand up front against one of his former teams. Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference start on defense, with Tim Thomas in goal.

The Devils counter with their top line of Zach Parise, Adam Henrique and Ilya Kovalchuk, with Andy Greene and Mark Fayne on the blue line and Martin Brodeur in net.

6:50 p.m.: The Bruins have scratched Mike Mottau as expected, along with Johnny Boychuk (concussion) and Rich Peverley (knee).

Cam Janssen and Matt Taormina are out for the Devils.

6:45 p.m.: The Bruins have shaken things up in their lines for warm-ups. Tyler Seguin is now up with Milan Lucic and David Krejci, with Krejci returning to center. Brian Rolston is filling Seguin's spot on the right side with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, while Chris Kelly is now centering the third line with Benoit Pouliot and Jordan Caron.

Greg Zanon was paired with Adam McQuaid on defense in Zanon's first pre-game warm-up with the Bruins.

Full line combinations:

Lucic-Krejci-Seguin

Marchand-Bergeron-Rolston

Pouliot-Kelly-Caron

Paille-Campbell-Thornton

Defense pairs:

Chara-Ference

Seidenberg-Corvo

Zanon-McQuaid

6:30 p.m.: Tim Thomas and Martin Brodeur lead the teams out for warm-ups. That will be the goalie matchup for this one here at the Garden.

6 p.m.: The Bruins will look to put their February struggles behind them and get March off to a better start as they take on the Devils for the final time this season.

For the final time in the regular season anyway. These clubs could meet in the postseason, and in fact the current standings would pit them in a 2-7 matchup in the opening round.

Johnny Boychuk skated again this morning but will not play as he continues to progress in his recovery from a mild concussion. Greg Zanon will make his Bruins debut, while Mike Mottau will be the odd man out on defense. 

8 a.m. ET: The Bruins will gladly turn the page on their calendars as the Devils pay a visit to the Garden on Thursday for the start of what Boston hopes will be a much better month.

The Bruins finished February 5-7-1 and were shut out in five of those 13 games. That included a 1-0 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday that pulled the Senators within a point of Boston for the Northeast Division lead, though the Bruins do still have four games in hand on Ottawa.

The Devils are coming off a shutout loss of their own, haven fallen 2-0 to the Rangers on Monday. That was New Jersey's third straight loss after winning four in a row. The Devils are currently seventh in the East at 35-22-4 (74 points).

New Jersey may just be the right opponent for the Bruins (37-21-3, 77 points) to turn things around against. Boston is 3-0-0 against the Devils this season, having outscored them by a combined 14-5 count. The bruins will go for the season sweep on Thursday after beating the Devils 4-3 at the Garden on Nov. 15 and rolling to 6-1 and 4-1 wins in New Jersey on Jan. 4 and Jan. 19.

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