In typical Bruins and Rangers fashion, Boston and New York skated in a tightly defended one goal game. Unfortunately for Boston, they came out on the short end, as New York posted a 1-0 victory.
Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 shots for his 21st career shutout. It was a milestone win for Lundqvist, as he posted his 150th NHL victory.
Marian Gaborik, who had missed the last two games due to a groin injury was a game time decision today for the Rangers. Unfortunately for the Bruins, Gaborik suited up and scored the games lone goal.
The goal was Gaborik's 11th of the season, putting him second in the NHL in lighting the lamp this season, behind only Alexander Ovechkin.
The goal was a beauty by Gaborik, who let go a quick wrister from the high slot. Gaborik's shot was the only piece or rubber that found itself in the goal all day.
With the loss, Boston continued its season-long trend of alternating wins and losses. A streak that Tim Thomas hopes will end soon. "You'd like to win them all, but we're headed in the right direction. Even if every game we're not getting the results," said Thomas.
With the loss, Boston continued its season-long trend of alternating wins and losses. A streak that Tim Thomas hopes will end soon. "You'd like to win them all, but we're headed in the right direction. Even if every game we're not getting the results," said Thomas.
Quality scoring chances were hard to come by for both teams, but Boston had a good opportunity in the third period to tie the score.
The Bruins had four straight minutes of power-play time in the third period and Lundqvist denied Mark Recchi right on the door step.
One bright note for the Bruins was that their penalty killed off both of New York's power play attempts. Boston has now killed 14 straight penalties after their dismal start on the PK.
However, the part of the Bruins game that continues to concern is Boston's power play. The black and gold went scoreless on all five PP attempts today, and have not netted a goal on the man advantage since Marc Savard went down with a foot injury.
Boston has no one to quarterback the unit with Savard out and Boston's power play is ranked 14th in the Eastern Conference, only ahead of the Florida Panthers power play.
That being said, Bruins coach Claude Julien was not disappointed with his teams play.
"We played hard," Julien said. "We did everything, except right now we're just not scoring goals. "Until that happens, we're going to be dealing with these types of games. It becomes frustrating for everybody."
"We played hard," Julien said. "We did everything, except right now we're just not scoring goals. "Until that happens, we're going to be dealing with these types of games. It becomes frustrating for everybody."
Frustrating for everybody is an accurate statement by Julien, as this brand of hockey has become tough to watch.
The Bruins seem to have sured things up on the back end, but until Savard and Milan Lucic return to the Boston lineup things could stay stagnant up front.
Three Stars
1) Henrik Lundqvist
2) Marian Gaborik
3) Tim Thomas
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