Bruins Live Blog: B’s Explode for Six Goals Against Isles to Give Tuukka Rask First Win of the Season

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Nov 7, 2011

Bruins Live Blog: B's Explode for Six Goals Against Isles to Give Tuukka Rask First Win of the SeasonFinal, Bruins 6-2: Finally, Tuukka Rask, in his fourth start of the season, has his first win of the season.

The Bruins use three third-period goals to win it going away.

Third Period, 17:12, Bruins 6-2: David Krejci caps off what has been an impressive evenig for his line by adding an empty-netter that should put the bow on this one.

Give the assists to Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic for Krejci's third of the season.

Third Period, 15:05, Bruins 5-2: The Bruins kill off another penalty, and they've now killed off all four penalties they've been assessed in this one.

They also scored on their only power-play chance way back in the first, so not a bad showing thus far in the special teams area.

Third Period, 13:05, Bruins 5-2: Milan Lucic heads to the box for the second time tonight, this time it's for tripping.

Third Period, 13:00, Bruins 5-2: It seems like Tyler Seguin has a scoring opportunity every time he touches the ice, as he almost scores again.

This time, Brad Marchand led Seguin just a little too much on a 2-on-1, and Seguin couldn't corral the puck and lift it over Montoya who was moving across his crease.

Third Period, 11:09, Bruins 5-2: The Bruins have tightened things up some in the third, as New York has only been able to muster three shots on goal. 

Of course, the B's have only put three shots on net in the final period as well, but two of those have found the back of the net.

Third Period, 5:23, Bruins 5-2: Just like that, the B's extend their lead to three, with another goal from the Lucic-Krejci-Horton line.

This time it's Horton potting his second tally of the evening after slamming home the rebound on a Joe Corvo shot from the point.

Horton did a good job of creating traffic in front and then stuffing in the rebound.

Third Period, 4:34, Bruins 4-2: The Bruins finally bury another scoring chance, this one a Milan Lucic goal as Nathan Horton fed him on what turned into a 2-on-none breakaway.

The play was started by Lucic in the neutral zone.

Third Period, 3:09, Bruins 3-2: Scary moment for the Bruins there, as Daniel Paille goes to block a Steve Staios shot, and the Bruins forward took in the face.

Paille hit the ice immediately, right in front of the Bruins bench where he was tended to by the medical staff.

He was able to walk off a few moments later, leaving a trail of blood on the ice. It sounded like it may have hit Paille in the visor, but it's still to early to tell.

Douglas Flynn's Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins produced a ton of quality scoring chances in the middle frame, but couldn't get anything past Al Montoya as they remain up by just a goal at 3-2 heading into the third period.

The second line of Patrice Bergeron between Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand has been particularly active. Seguin has been a consistent offensive producer all season, but combining with Bergeron has raised his game even further. Just as importantly, the addition of Seguin to that line seems to have sparked Marchand, who has been relatively quiet most of this season. Seguin has a goal and has already attempted seven shots through two periods, putting four on net.

The Bruins dominate the shot count 31-20, and are also controlling the bulk of the draws. They've won 19 of 29 so far (66 percent), with Gregory Campbell leading the way at 7-2 (78 percent). Perhaps that is why Claude Julien went with the usual combination of Campbell with Milan Lucic and Seguin for an offensive zone faceoff with 3.2 seconds left in the second period. Of course, that ended up being one of the two draws Campbell lost, but still an interesting move to try to take advantage of Campbell's strong night in the faceoff dot.

After a strong first period, Benoit Pouliot did not get many chances in the second. He has his first goal of the year, but that is his only shot so far as he's played a team-low 5:32 through two frames. He hasn't been helped by a string of penalties, as Pouliot does not play either the power play or the penalty kill.

With that, I'll turn the live blog back over to Mike Cole for the third period.

End Second Period, Bruins 3-2,: The second period will go down as a scoreless one for both teams, but the Bruins certainly got the better of the chances in the middle period.

Because of it, Boston is outshooting New York 31-20, but their inability to get anything by Al Montoya since he relieved Evgeni Nabokov in the first means the B's will take just a one-goal lead into the third.

Second Period, 18:30, Bruins 3-2,: The Bruins certainly are getting some chances.

After killing the Chara penalty off, the big defenseman stepped out of the box and broke up a clearing attempt. He found Brad Marchand, who was turned away by Al Montoya.

Minutes later, it was Nathan Horton setting up David Krejci in the slot, but Montoy made a kick save. Krejci got another chance on the same shift, but Montoya's glove save denied the B's center.

Second Period, 14:27, Bruins 3-2,: Again, another scoring opportunity for Seguin, and again, he gets the pass just a hair of a second too late.

This time, it was Marchand bearing down on the left side before sending a pass across the slot that was just a hair too late, and Seguin's shot ended up hitting the side of the net — although the opposite side this time.

The B's will have to kill off another penalty, though, as Zdeno Chara was given a hooking penalty at the other end.

Second Period, 12:13, Bruins 3-2,: The Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin line continues to give the Bruins scoring opportunities, and in the process, give the Islanders fits.

Seguin appeared to have an empty net to score his second goal of the night, but he received the pass a little bit too deep, and his wrist shot ended up hitting the side of the net.

Second Period, 9:11 Bruins 3-2,: The Bruins kill of Lucic's hooking penalty thanks to a couple of saves from Tuukka Rask, as well Johnny Boychuk's sliding effort through the slot to break up a pass.

Rask has been tested early in the second with a barrage of shots — seven of them to be exact — all of which he's turned away thus far in the middle period.

Second Period, 5:32, Bruins 3-2: The Bruins had a chance to extend their lead to two, but an acrobatic save from Al Montoya keeps it a one-goal lead.

Montoya fell in the crease making a save from his left, and the rebound went directly to Dennis Seidenberg coming down from the point, but Montoya was able to regain his composure to turn away Seidenberg's blast.

Milan Lucic just went to the box for a roughing call that was, questionable to say the least.

Second Period, 0:10, Bruins 3-2: We're under way here in the second period. 

Matt Moulson was just given an additional assist on Grabner's goal. The both of them are now working on two-point evenings.

First Intermission Notes: The Bruins got off to a generally solid start in the first, but still allowed a little sloppy play to creep int their game and keep the Islanders close at 3-2 after 20 minutes.

The Bruins got contributions for each of the top three lines, though the first line scored on the power play with Nathan Horton getting the goal. That line has been on the ice for both New York goals and Horton, David Krejci and Milan Lucic are each a minus-2.

Benoit Pouliot started the scoring with his first of the year from Jordan Caron, who picked up his first point with the assist. Pouliot has been solid in both ends in his return to the lineup, as he also made a nice steal to set up a chance for Chris Kelly. the second line got into the act as well with Tyler Seguin continuing his scoring binge.

As they did on Saturday in Toronto, the Bruins are doing a good job controlling the neutral zone and forcing turnovers. they have had some problems in their own end though, and the Isles have capitalized to stay in the game.

I'll be stepping away from the blog for a bit, but you're in good hands with Mike Cole handling the updates.

End First Period, Bruins 3-2: The first period comes to a close with the Bruins up by a goal.

Milan Lucic and Travis Hamonic got tangled up at the buzzer, but the linesmen prevented anything serious from breaking out.

First Period, 18:36, Bruins 3-2: The Islanders pull back within a goal as Michael Grabner scores on a wrister from the slot.

Grabner started the play by blocking a Boychuk clearing attempt, then got it back from John Tavares for the goal.

First Period, 16:35, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins successfully kill off that penalty and Kelly is out of the box to put the sides back at even strength.

First Period, 14:35, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins are shorthanded for the first time as Chris Kelly is sent off for slashing.

First Period, 14:07, Bruins 3-1: The Bruins strike again quickly at even strength, with Tyler Seguin finding the back of the net once again.

Seguin flipped it home in front off a feed out from the left corner by Patrice Bergeron. That ends Nabokov's night, as Al Montoya has come on to play goal for the Islanders.

First Period, 13:38, Bruins 2-1: The Bruins convert the power-play chance, with Nathan Horton banging home the rebound of a Zdeno Chara point shot.

First Period, 12:11, 1-1: Some good pressure from the Bergeron line leads to the first power-play chance of the night as the Bruins will go on the man advantage. Travis Hamonic heads to the box for cross-checking.

First Period, 7:58, 1-1: Chances at both ends as Pouliot continues his strong game with a steal to set up a Chris Kelly rush. Johnny Boychuk then lost control of the puck in the Bruins end, giving Blake Comeau a bid from the left circle that sailed just wide.

First Period, 5:52, 1-1: The Islanders answer right back as Matt Moulson ties the game with a deflection in front.

Steve Staios took the shot from the right point and Moulson redirected it in the slot past Rask.

First Period, 1:35, Bruins 1-0: The gloves come off right after the goal, with Adam McQuaid squaring off with Matt Martin.

It was McQuaid's first fight of the year and it was a solid effort as he landed some big rights, though he couldn't get Martin's helmet off to do any real damage.

First Period, 1:32, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins strike first with a quick goal by Benoit Pouliot.

The Isles can't control a puck in the corner of the zone, and Jordan Caron pounced on it and fed it to Pouliot at the top of the crease. It was the first point of the year for both Caron and Pouliot.

First Period, 0:00, 0-0: This one is under way here at the Garden, with the Bruins looking to stretch their modest win streak to three games while the isles try to build off Saturday's win over Washington.

7 p.m.: The Bruins will open this one with Patrice Bergeron between Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin up front, wth Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk on defense and Tuukka Rask in goal.

The Islanders counter with Matt Moulson, John Tavares and Michael Grabner up front, Mark Streit and Steve Staios on the blue line and Evgeni Nabokov in net.

6:50 p.m.: The Bruins have officially scratched Rich Peverley (undisclosed injury) and Steven Kampfer.

Mike Mottau and Rick DiPietro are out for the Islanders.

6:40 p.m.: As expected, Benoit Pouliot moved into Rich Peverley's spot on the third line for line rushes in warm-ups. That keeps the other three units intact.

Here's the full breakdown from the warm-up:

Lucic-Krejci-Horton

Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin

Caron-Kelly-Pouliot

Paille-Campbell-Thornton

Defense pairs:

Chara-Boychuk

Seidenberg-Corvo

Ference-McQuaid

6:30 p.m.: There was no mystery with the coaches announcing the starters this morning, but Tuukka Rask and Evgeni Nabokov do lead their respective teams out for warm-ups to confirm those starting assignments in goal for this matchup.

6 p.m.: The Bruins will open a five-game homestand in just about an hour, looking to extend their first winning streak of the season to three games as they host the Islanders.

They will have to do it without Rich Peverley, who will miss the game with an undisclosed injury that coach Claude Julien stated is just "minor."

That puts Benoit Pouliot back in the lineup on the third line with Chris Kelly and Jordan Caron. Kelly will be playing his 500th career game in this one.

The Bruins will also have Tuukka Rask back in net, as he'll get his fourth start of the season and will try to earn his first win.

8 a.m. ET: The Bruins have begun the long climb out of the hole they dug for themselves with their poor October.

They are unbeaten in November, winning back-to-back games for the first time this season with a 5-3 victory over Ottawa last Tuesday and a 7-0 rout of the Leafs in Toronto on Saturday. Now they'll look to extend that win streak Monday when they return home to face the New York Islanders.

The Bruins (5-7-0) and Islanders (4-5-2) are tied for last in the Eastern Conference with 10 points apiece, though the Isles have played one less game. New York comes in looking to build off an impressive win of its own. The Islanders snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory over Washington on Saturday.

The matchup will feature two of the highest picks in recent drafts, who are each coming into their own as offensive leaders for their respective teams.

John Tavares, the first overall pick of the 2009 draft, had a goal in that win over Washington and leads the Isles with 8-4-12 totals so far this season. He had a hat trick in New York's last win prior to Saturday in a four-point night against the Rangers back on Oct. 15, and has had some success against the Bruins with 4-3-7 totals in eight career games against Boston.

Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick in 2010, likewise leads the Bruins with 7-7-14 totals this year. That includes his first NHL hat trick Saturday night in Toronto. He's also had a goal and an assist in two career games against the Islanders.

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

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