Bruins Get Back in the Win Column with 5-3 Win over Columbus

Joe Corvo decided that his first goal as a Bruin wasn't enough, and he started the third period out with the Black and Gold's second goal on the power play, which wound up being the difference-maker as Columbus was unable to come up with the equalizer despite multiple good chances against Tuukka Rask, who came in to replace Tim Thomas at the start of the period, and the Bruins skated away from Columbus with a 5-3 win, despite playing the period without captain Zdeno Chara, who left the game with a lower-body injury. 

Milan Lucic had eight penalty minutes and three assists in a night that was as topsy-turvy as the game itself. Lucic assisted on Corvo's first goal and Nathan Horton's game-tying goal in the late first period after the Jackets had jumped out to a 2-0 lead after some sloppy play in all three zones by Boston. 

Rick Nash, RJ Umberger and Jeff Carter had the goals for Columbus. 

Bruins vs. Blue Jackets, Second Period: The Milan Lucic Redemption Tour Continues, Comes to a Screeching Halt

After a first period that saw Milan Lucic take three careless penalties, the big winger redeemed himself by getting the primary assist on both Joe Corvo and Nathan Horton's goals. Early in the second period, Lucic picked up his third assist of the night, a primary on the power play when Zdeno Chara gave the Bruins their first lead of the game. 

The lead would hold through some insanity later in the period as Derek Dorsett was charged with goaltender interference after driving to the net with the puck and getting tripped by Tim Thomas, injuring his knee and requiring help to get off the ice. The Blue Jackets killed the ensuing Bruins' power play admirably, and RJ Umberger came back with a five-hole goal to tie the game back up with just under four minutes remaining in the second period. 

The ensuing faceoff saw more hilarity as Samuel Pahlsson slashed David Krejci's ankles and everybody on the ice sort of, kind of dropped gloves. 

Lucic took a penalty for checking with the leg with just five seconds to go in the period, meaning that the Jackets have almost a full two minutes of power play time to start the third. With Zdeno Chara not seeing much ice time in the second period, this promises to be a huge turning point for the game. 

Bruins vs. Blue Jackets, First Period: Late Boston Surge Ties Game at 2

If you watched the first few shifts of the game, you'd have expected the first period to be lopsided. 

But not the way it wound up. 

Boston started the game with a series of strong attacking shifts, but Rick Nash got behind the Bruins defense and beat Tim Thomas high on a breakaway to give Columbus the early lead, and after the Jackets killed a Bruins power play, Jeff Carter converted on the first Columbus power play of the game. 

Milan Lucic gave the Blue Jackets their first man advantage, and on his next shift back, slashed and cross-checked RJ Umberger to put Columbus back up a man for four minutes late in the period. 

The Bruins killed the first half of Lucic's penalty, and Columbus seemed to have a 3-0 lead but Tim Thomas made a spectacular diving glove save to keep the Blue Jackets from getting the so-crucial third goal. 

Lucic came out of the box and stayed on the ice, which was surprising enough in and of itself, but he saved the puck from a clear and got it to Joe Corvo at the right point. Corvo beat Curtis Samford with a slapshot from the point, and the Bruins had turned the corner. 

On the same shift, just 45 seconds later, Nathan Horton settled into his office and Lucic found him with a neat pass that he quickly wristed past Samford to tie the game up. 

Bruins Vs. Blue Jackets Preview: TV/Radio Info, Time, Location And More

Event: Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets
Date/Time: Saturday, December 10, 2011 - 7 p.m. EDT.
Location: Nationwide Arena (Capacity: 18,144), Columbus, OH.
Broadcast Info: Saturday's game between the Bruins and the Blue Jackets will be broadcast live on NESN. The game can also be heard on the 98.5 the Sports Hub Radio Network, with Dave Goucher providing play-by-play, and Bob Beers providing analysis.
Last Time Out: The Bruins faced their first back-to-back losses for the first time in over a month on Thursday after losing to the Florida Panthers, 2-0. It was only the second time this season the Bruins have been shutout. The other one was against the Colorado Avalanche who won 1-0 on October 10.

Shawn Thornton and Johnny Boychuk each dropped the gloves in the game, and Thornton’s was to stand up for linemate Danny Paille who was slammed into the boards just over two minutes into the game.

Paille did not skate with the Bruins yesterday during practice, and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. This is just a couple weeks after Paille was sidelined with a facial fracture after a slap shot hit him in the face.

Columbus also played on Thursday and  lost a 4-3 decision in overtime to Nashville. The Predators came back in the third period with two goals in the last two minutes to tie the game. It only took 1:45 into overtime for them to clinch the game winning goal.

Storyline: The last time these two teams met, Columbus goaltender Curtis Sanford took the 2-1 loss in a shootout. He should be starting in net again tonight against Tim Thomas who went 10-0-0 before Thursday night’s loss to the Panthers.

The Blue Jackets will have to look to strike first, because the Bruins have quite an impressive record when they net the first goal. The B’s are 8-2-0 when they draw first blood whereas Columbus has a dismal 1-12-2 record when they are scored on first.

As mentioned before, Daniel Paille will not be playing in tonight’s game and didn’t even travel with the Bruins under his condition.

Players To Watch: Boston is going to have to step up if they want to avoid another loss. The first line is the obvious choice, but right now they will take whomever they can get.

Tyler Segiun came back last game after being scratched the game before, but failed to produce anything for the team. The Bruins hit five posts last game, and they came from all different lines, yet no one was able to put numbers on the board.

Prediction: At this point the Bruins have to score first in order to come out on top of this one. I think their confidence in scoring has waned a little bit, and that first goal will definitely boost the spirits and get them in the frame of mind they need to put a team away. If Columbus comes out early and keeps the Bruins from scoring too soon after that, I think they will find a way to beat them this time around. Final Score: Bruins 3, Panthers 2.

Bruins Vs. Blue Jackets: B's Hope To Avoid Sting Of Third Straight Loss

For the first time in over a month, the Bruins are facing a 2-game losing streak, and are hoping to stop it against the Columbus Blue Jackets before it gets out of hand.