Bruins, Tim Thomas, Shut Down, Rough Up Penguins, Extend Point Streak to 15 Games

by Cup of Chowder Staff on Dec 5, 2011 10:10 PM EST

Tim Thomas made 43 saves, and Gregory Campbell, Benoit Pouliot and Tyler Seguin scored goals for Boston, which extended its point streak to 15 games with a 3-1 win against the Eastern Conference-leading Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night in Pittsburgh.

Seven of Thomas' saves came when the Bruins were down two men, holding the Penguins scoreless on the power play, despite 3:10 of 5-on-3 time in the second period.

Campbell scored at 2:57 of the second as he scooped up his own rebound off of Marc-Andre Fleury, who left a lot of rebounds in front of him during the course of a game in which he made 24 saves. After Brad Marchand slew-footed Matt Niskanen 20 seconds later, the two dropped gloves and squared off. Zdeno Chara went just 50 seconds later for interference.

The Bruins killed off the ensuing 5-on-3, and a minute after Chara got back on the ice, Rich Peverley found Pouliot on a 3-on-2 rush and the former Montreal Canadien beat Fleury with a wrist shot to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead.

The third period featured more than a few fireworks, but only one of them involved a goal, which was scored by Tyler Seguin on the power play.

Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang collided at center ice, and Crosby went off, barely able to put weight on his right leg. Later in the period, a clean hit by Daniel Paille cut Evgeni Malkin's face and Joe Vitale went high on Tim Thomas.

Campbell took exception to the hit and the two threw down, landing a handful of punches before heading to the box.

The Bruins hightailed it after the game to Winnipeg, where they'll face the Jets Tuesday night.

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Comments

Wow.

That’s all I can find to say right now. I’m in awe. I’m stoked to see them play in Winnipeg tomorrow. Go B’s!

by I Love Ska on Dec 5, 2011 10:58 PM EST reply actions

great game

but I would have loved to see this win happen without half of Pittsburgh’s D missing the game.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Dec 5, 2011 11:23 PM EST reply actions

We play them again

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 6, 2011 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

We certainly do, just saying that I like to beat teams when they aren’t hobbled. Of course, injuries happen to everyone…

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Dec 6, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

I’ll happily take the 2 points. My concept of sports honor is such that I don’t wish for injuries on anyone but I don’t mind it when games are easier for my team.

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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 6, 2011 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

Makes sense.

I’m along the same path though I also will feel little pity for them since my team has been in similar situations in the past and received none.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Dec 6, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

oh, for sure

but sometimes I like to see a more competitive match, y’know? I’m more than happy with the two points.

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Dec 6, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

It’s not like they’re a peewee hockey team. the team was doing quite well and then added Crosby. Until the bruins potted a few it was worrisome.

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Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 6, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

First game this season Seguin finished a minus

Damn that Matt Cooke!

by Sinnach on Dec 5, 2011 11:25 PM EST reply actions

He did score the PPG

makes up for it a little…

by CelticPride on Dec 6, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions

how about the incredible seidenberg stick save?

by negaduck on Dec 5, 2011 11:39 PM EST reply actions

oh my god, that was nuts. Bergy made a good save too, I think?

Kick his ass, Seabass!

by phonymahoney on Dec 6, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

BTW Letang wasn’t playing. The collision was with Kunitz.

Good game all around, but i don’t for the life of me understand how Vitale wasn’t called for interference.

by TCL40 on Dec 6, 2011 7:52 AM EST reply actions

I watched this on the Pens feed as that was the one in HD on Center Ice, surprisingly wasn’t terrible. They weren’t excited when the Bruins did good things (obviously) but they were surprisingly appreciative of good play from the B’s. They seemed to respect skilled plays and goaltending but they got very homer-ish when anything physical happened (understandably). They were baffled Tim Thomas was so calm and collected.

I re watched the Marchand fight with Jack’s commentary and it is kind of hilarious, Marchand got his ass kicked and Jack made it sound like Niskanen never made contact.

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by tkent on Dec 6, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions

That was one ugly fight. What was with him grabbing at Niskanen’s pants?!

That boy has GOT to learn how to fight, at least a little bit.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Dec 6, 2011 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

Claude Lemieux never did and he got a conn smythe

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 6, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

True, but most everyone loathes Claude for his dirty ways and unwillingness to answer for them.

I’d be a hypocrite if I supported Marchand for playing that style while deriding the likes of Ott for doing the very same thing.

I have no problem with you being a pest and also with turning down challenges from true fighters but you have to be willing to stand up for yourself against lesser talents (think Sean Avery fighting Andrew Ference).

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Dec 6, 2011 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

That’s Alternate Captain Steve Ott to you, bub.

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 6, 2011 9:49 AM EST up reply actions

seriously though, Marchand is a scoring pest. He’s gonna do what he can to make people angry.

When Steve Ott was on the 2001 WJC Canadian team, he and his dad looked up phrases in the languages of the team he would be playing just so he could properly agitate. As much as I hate Steve Ott (and really everything about the Dallas organization post-1993) I have to admire that kind of dedication.

Your 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins

Hockey Blog Adventure is my blog but I'm way more active on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Dec 6, 2011 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

NU student section did the same thing for Providence College’s Finnish goalie. Had a sign hanging opposite saying something about his sister in Finnish.

I get that he is a scoring pest, but I think you have to be willing and able to answer the bell on occasion. Feel free to pass on the Asham’s and Godard’s of the world but you should be able to hold your own against the Niskanen’s and Ference’s.

by BobbyOrrsBastard on Dec 6, 2011 9:57 AM EST up reply actions