bruins 3 - canadiens 1

Boston met their long-time arch rivals in an up-tempo afternoon game yesterday, and enjoyed a return to early-season form in the win. Les Canadiens took the ice in their throwback "escaped convict" / "barbershop nightmare" sweaters, and were able to get the first goal against Bruins' keeper Tim Thomas. Robert Lang wristed home a shot on a Canadiens' powerplay.

Giving up the first goal fits with the Bruins' recent profile, however, in a reversal of story lines, it was the Bruins scoring in the final seconds of the period to knot the game up at one-goal-apiece. Dennis Wideman got the goal by picking off a Komisarek pass, and walked in from the blue line to get the puck on net. It crossed the goal-line with 0.6 seconds left in the period.

In the second period, Shawn Thornton made his impact felt for a second time (Thornton fought some random Canadiens' call-up in the first period), by potting the eventual game-winner. Byron Bitz fed a pass from behind the net to Thornton in the crease, and he pushed home his 5th goal of the season past Canadiens goalie Price. The goal was just-deserts for a Bruins fourth-line that had been battling hard for every loose puck all game.

In the third period, the Bruins were able to gain a bit of breathing room, with Marc Savard's empty net goal. Savard held his ground at centre, blocking a chip in attempt, and making sure any miss would not be ruled Icing, he hit the empty net for the final goal. The Bruins take the victory.

With the win, the Bruins become the first team in the League to reach 80 points. This was the Bruins 4th win in five meetings against the Canadiens.