Bruins Slam Flyers And Take First Place

Maybe it was the chance to show off for the HBO cameras, or maybe it was the chance to take hold of the Eastern Conference lead that led to 6-0 drumming of the banged-up Philadelphia Flyers Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center.

Zdeno Chara had a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup while Tim Thomas made 31 stops for his third shutout of the season.

Captain my Captain

If you really wanted an idea of how much Chara makes a difference when he is playing then look no further than his performance in Philly today. An early tone setting fight with Jody Shelley, a powerplay goal, and a late assist capped off a Gordie Howe hat trick for the Captian, he also led the team in ice time with 23:39. The Bruins D-corps has been competent if not a little sloppy in his absence, allowing 49 shots in their last game, but the return of Chara really stabilized the back end.

Thomas on Again

It was another one of those games for Thomas, you don't know how he does it but the puck gets stopped. It's ironic but the games where he is flopping all over the place seem to be the ones he always does his best in. He did have a lighter workload with the return of Chara but a shutout is a shutout even against a injured Flyers team.

Seguin Doing His Time

Tyler Seguin might be on the upswing after this game. After looking a little lost early on and earning a short demotion to the fourth line he ended the night with two points and his first goal since December 5th. Garbage time goal aside, the kid may be getting his fire back.

Smile For the Cameras

For the second year in a row the Bruins have made a team look silly on HBO's 24/7. The Bruins got up early and then things naturally got a little chippy. Multiple big scrums, dives, and some good fights if anything it will make for good television come Wendsday night.

Lucic On the Outs?

Milan Lucic lives for these kind of games but the big man may have let it get the best of him Saturday afternoon. His boarding on Zac Rinaldo earned him a game misconduct, an early shower, and a possible date with Brendan Shanahan. The Bruins have been lucky so far this year when it comes to suspensions but given the nature of the hit, the timing, and his earlier transgressions don't be surprised of that luck runs out come Monday.

Cup of Chowder's Three Stars

1. Zdeno Chara

2. Tim Thomas

3. Rich Peverley