Bruins out-gun Thrashers 6-4

The Bruins scored three times in the span of 1:08 during the first period to jump out to an early 3-0 lead, as the Bruins beat the Atlanta Thrashers 6-4 in a Festivus showdown at TD Garden. The Thrashers battled back from the early deficit and made it a game, but the Bruins held on for the win.

The Bruins drew first blood 9:44 into the game with a power play goal from Marc Savard. Savard received the pick at the right circle and waited for Atlanta goalie Ondrej Pavelec to commit before roofing a wrister over the sprawling goaltender.

Daniel Paille made it 2-0 just 48 seconds later when Recchi found Paille on the doorstep for his fourth of the season.

A third goal come just 20 seconds later when Shawn Thornton's backhand centering pass from the left wall found Vladimir Sobotka driving to the net. Three goals in 1:08 was enough to drive Pavelec from the game as he exited after giving up 3 goals on 8 shots.

The Thrashers got one back with 5:16 left in the opening period thanks to Bryan Little's slapper from the top of the left circle.

Atlanta pulled to within one with 2:32 left in the first period when Ilya Kovalchuk's pass from behind the net found Maxim Afinogenov in the slot for a one-timer.

The Thrashers looked like they tied it up at 3-3 in the first minute of the second period when Evander Kane found the back of the net, but the goal was immediately waved off and Colby Armstrong was sent off for goaltender interference.

Seconds later, Marty Reasoner was called for tripping, setting up an extended 5 on 3 for the Bruins.The B's took advantage of the open ice on the 2-man advantage as Zdeno Chara's shot from the top of the right circle made it a 4-2 hockey game.

The Bruins took advantage of an other 5 on 3 power play with 10:28 left in the third period. Michale Ryder picked up a rebound from Patrice Begeron's shot, moved the puck from the forehand to the backhand and deposited it into the back of the net.

After having his first goal taken off the board, Evander Kane got one that counted to pull his team to within two with 6:02 left in the third period. Todd White set up in "Gretzky's Office" and slid the puck to Kane in the slot.

The Thrashers made it a one goal game just over a minute later. Ilya Kovalchuk broke in all alone and beat Tim Thomas for his 21st goal of the season.

Patrice Bergeron sealed the win for the Bruins with an empty-netter with 3 seconds left in the game to account for the 6-4 final score. The freebie was Bergeron's 10th goal of the season.

Notes:

- The Bruins were 3 for 5 on the power play tonight. "It's a Festivus miracle!"

- Rene Rancourt was singing Christmas Carols during the first intermission. No word on whether or not he busted out "Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey".

- The Bruins were actually out-drawn at the face-off dot 34-30

- 3 point nights for Zdeno Chara (1-2-3) and Marc Savard (1-2-3)

- Dennis Wideman led the B's in ice time with 27:52

- I like the way that the B's were pressuring the puck tonight in the offensive zone.

- The Thrashers were undisciplined on the PK and it cost them.

- 30 years ago today, Mike Milbury beat a Rangers fan with his own shoe.

- The Bruins are off until Sunday when the travel to Florida to take on the Panthers in a 5:00 early bird special start.

Happy Holidays from Stanley Cup of Chowder!