Looking Back at the 2011 Boston Bruins: March 1st, 2011

By: Jeff Playdon | Follow me @PlaydonJeff

Bruins Look to make it 6 Straight

The Boston Bruins, who were riding a five-game winning streak while on the road, looked to make it six games when they visited the Ottawa Senators in Scotiabank Place. Coming into this game, Milan Lucic proved that he is not only a fighter but can also be a pivotal goal scorer; in fact, coming into this game, he led the Bruins with 27 goals. Along with Lucic stepping up, goaltenders Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask showed that they can keep the Bruins in games. 

On the other side of the ice, Ottawa was coming off a 4-1 upset victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and looked to make a late-season playoff push. Scratches for Boston included Daniel Paille and Andrew Ference, while Ottawa would be without Daniel Alfredsson, Matt Carkner, Pascal Leclaire, Milan Michalek, and Peter Regin. The starting goaltender for Boston would be Tuukka Rask again, while Ottawa’s starting goaltender would be Craig Anderson. 

Slow First Period

Going into the first period, Boston looked to not get scored on first like the prior games on the road trip. Instead, Boston looked to jump out to a quick start and not have to worry about climbing back from a deficit. As the period flew by, both teams seemed unable to find the back of the net, and the game would remain scoreless going into the first intermission. Along with no scoring in the first period, there were no penalties called for either team, so that was a positive. Even though Boston was not trailing after the first period for once, they found themselves getting outshot 10-6.  

Scoreless Second Period

As the start of the second period got underway, much like the first period, both teams could not find many scoring chances, and it was an eventless start of the period. With 5:58 remaining in the period, the Bruins would get their best opportunity of the night so far as Ottawa’s Jason Spezza would be called for tripping, and Boston would go on the powerplay. With the Bruins best scoring chance of the night coming with this powerplay, they still couldn’t find the back of the net, and it was back to even strength. The period would quickly be over, and it was still scoreless going into the second intermission. Just like the first period, the Senators would outshoot the Bruins in the second period 14-9.  

Horton propels Bruins to 6th Straight Win

Coming into the third period, both teams were desperate to get on the scoreboard and would do anything to do so. Tuukka Rask was doing a phenomenal job goaltending and was a key factor in keeping Boston in this game so far. Finally, just 1:43 into the third, Nathan Horton fired a goal right past Craig Anderson and put Boston on top 1-0. Horton was ecstatic to finally break the scoreless tie and brought momentum to Boston’s side. However, just as Boston had momentum on their side, Gregory Campbell would be called for Charging, and the penalty put Ottawa on the powerplay. This was a big break for Ottawa as they pursued to tie the game and try to pull off the upset against Boston. Ottawa could not convert, and Boston was able to make the kill.

Three minutes later, just as Ottawa seemed to have momentum on their side, Erik Condra was called for hooking, and the penalty allowed Boston to make it 2-0. Boston couldn’t extend the lead, and Ottawa was able to make the penalty kill. As the period was dwindling down, Brad Marchand would get called for holding and put Ottawa on the powerplay with 3:37 left of regulation. This was a pristine opportunity for Ottawa and was their best chance of the night for trying to tie the game. As Tuukka Rask continued to make clutch saves for Boston, they were able to make the kill, and it was back to even strength with 1:37 left. Boston was able to hold on and down the Senators 1-0.  

Three Stars of the Game

This would make it six straight wins for the Boston Bruins, and they were as ecstatic as ever. Even though this wasn’t the prettiest win ever for Boston, and they got outshot 33-21, the fact that they went 6-0 on the road trip was a scary sight for the Atlantic Division, and they definitely put the NHL on notice.  The three stars of the game were Tuukka Rask, who had a 33 save shutout and propelled Boston to victory; Craig Anderson of Ottawa, who had 20 saves on 21 shot attempts; and finally, the captain Zdeno Chara, who led the Bruins in On-ice time with 23:43 and had two shots. Boston would finally return home on March 3^rd as they would host the Tampa Bay Lightning and look to make it seven straight wins.