Monday, November 7, 2011

Game Thirteen: Breakout Night

The Boston Bruins knocked off the New York Islanders Monday night by a score of 6-2 as they start a five game home stand off the right way. The B's now have won three straight games. They are slowly, but surely, digging themselves out of that early-season slump.

The Bruins led 3-2 after the first period. Benoit Pouliot scored his first goal of the season after a Jordan Caron shot deflected to his stick and he just tapped the puck into the goal. Pouliot was activated for this game due to an undisclosed injury to Rich Peverley.

Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin had the other two Boston goals in the opening period. Horton's goal was a power play goal, the only power play opportunity of the game for Boston. They were perfect on the man advantage in Monday's game, technically speaking.......

Anyway, Matt Moulson and Michael Grabner had the two goals for the Islanders. Along with John Tavares, Moulson and Grabner are a very underrated first line in the NHL. All three players contributed to the two goals (Tavares had an assist and both Moulson and Grabner each had a goal and an assist). Unfortunately, the Islanders do not have much beyond that top line.

The Bruins went on to add three more goals in the third period. The top line of Horton, Milan Lucic and David Krejci had the goals. The first line played the way a top line should, combining for four goals and four assists. The defense played very tight, allowing Tuukka Rask to get his first win of the season. Finally some goal support.

A scary moment in the third period occurred when Islanders defenseman Steve Staios blasted a slap shot right into the face of Bruins forward Daniel Paille. After laying on the ice for several minutes, he was able to get to his feet and skate off the ice with a blood-soaked towel covering his face. He did end up leaving the game and he did not return. Paille will be examined by a specialist Tuesday to determine if there is a significant head injury.

Boston improves to 6-7-0 on the year. Their next game will be Thursday night at the TD Garden when they take on the Edmonton Oilers.

Gold Star: Nathan Horton (2 goals, 1 assist, +1 rating).

Black Star: Chris Kelly...A tough game for Kelly as the referees were not making it easy on him. He got called for questionable penalties and could not get any momentum going.


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