bruins 5 - penguins 2

The Bruins took on the Penguins last night, looking for their ninth straight win. Crosby and company have been on a bit of a skid of late, but of course, boasting the assets that the Penguins do, they are never far from turning a losing record around.

In fact, the Penguins got on the board first, with Sykora beating Tim Thomas on a rebound. In the second period, Zdeno Chara pinched from the blue line and tipped home the tying goal, and a few minutes later Marc Savard potted a highlight reel wrist shot over Marc-Andre Fleury.

Dupuis tied it up for the Penguins, but that would be all they could muster against the Black, White and Gold. The Bruins went on to take the lead 30 seconds later on a shot from Phil Kessel, and scored two more unanswered goals (including a short-handed goal from Martin St-Pierre, his first in the NHL).

Of Note: The Bruins have a firm grip on first place in the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Sharks for first overall; the Bruins play Pittsburgh again on New Year's Day.

Happy New Year to all the loyal (and not so loyal) readers of Black, White and Gold. I hope 2009 brings you health, happiness, and one giant silver cup we can all call our own.