Bruins on Fire, Win Ninth Straight

With the Bruins having cruised through their recent schedule, by feasting on some lesser foes tonight's game was supposed to be a test to see where the Bruins stood.

The answer, right where we thought they were; at the top. The final score was 5-2 Boston but this game certainly wasn't easy. The Penguins were the first team on the board tonight as Petr Sykora knocked a loose puck into the goal.

The goal couldn't be faulted on Tim Thomas as he initially stopped Dustin Jeffrey and Ruslan Fedotenko. The defense failed to clear another rebound and Sykora was the beneficiary. The first period came to a close with the Penguins leading 1-0.

Less than five minutes into the second period the Bruins found themselves on the power play and PJ Axelsson split the Penguins box finding Zdeno Chara streaking backdoor for the equalizer.

Just before the half way point of the game, Boston found themselves on another power play. It was a four-on-three PP and it was David Krejci finding Marc Savard who roofed the puck over Fleury's shoulder. The assist gave Krejci nine straight games with at least one point.

With just under five minutes to play in the second period, Zdeno Chara coughed up the puck and Sidney Crosby dished to Pascal Dupuis, who ripped a slap shot over Tim Thomas, top drawer. (Wicked shot)

Just 90 seconds later, Phil Kessel stuffed home his 23rd goal of the season and the Bruins regained their lead. Kessel received a pass from Savard and buried into the open goal.

The third period began with the B's leading 3-2. The Penguins were scrapping and trying to even the score on the power play, but then the script flipped. Martin St. Pierre intercepted an attempted pass by Pittsburgh and Marc Savard broke with St. Pierre for a two on one opportunity. Savard fed St. Pierre, who beat Fleury to the short side, giving the Bruins a two goal advantage.

A cherry on top for the Bruins was Dennis Wideman who fired a shot past Fleury for a 5-2 Bruins lead.

With three minutes left in the game Tim Wallace took it upon himself to stir things up. He dropped the gloves with Milan Lucic who was able to handle Wallace. Wallace was undoubtedly trying to set the tone for the rematch on Thursday.

Nine in a row heading into the New Year. Could you really ask for anything more?

Happy New Year Everyone! Here's hoping for a successful 2009.