The dagger has been inserted: Bruins up 3-0 in series

The dagger has been inserted into the Habs heart, now it's time to twist it. The Bruins were up for the Bell Centre tonight and the end result was win number three of a necessary four.

The beat goes on, Milan Lucic out, Byron Bitz in. Bitz was a factor in the game and made a great play along the wall to set up Shawn Thornton for Boston's second goal. It shows the Bruins depth and that no matter who is in there, Boston is a better team than Montreal.

The Bruins will try to wrap up the series Wednesday night at the Bell Centre. What a great feeling it would be if the Bruins could do it in Montreal, in the very place the Bruins season ended last year.

We'll be all over it Wednesday night if the B's wrap it up with our series reaction vlog.

Bruins Goal Scorers:

Phil Kessel (3)

Michael Ryder (2)

Chuck Kobasew (2)

Shawn Thornton (1)

Bruins take 1-0 lead over Canadiens

The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens in front of an amped up TD Banknorth Garden tonight and took an early series lead.

Now, how it happened was a different story. The Bruins had to score a third period goal in the latter half of the period to beat the Habs tonight. The goal couldn't have come from anyone better, as the captain, Zdeno Chara ripped a slap shot past Carey Price.

The game was physical but the gloves were not dropped. At least, not in the way of a one-on-one fight. There were a lot of circles and pushing and shoving but no throw downs in game one, as expected.

The formula for the Bruins all season came out tonight, and why not? All year long the young talent was a big key to Boston's success and they came through in a big way tonight. The Bruins goal scorers were Chara, and then the youngin's, Phil Kessel (2) and David Krejci.

The game was a back and forth affair, and Montreal had plenty of chances to win the game in the third period, however, Boston stayed strong and took the contest.

Then there was Tim Thomas who stopped 26 of 28 shots and made some traditional Tim Thomas nifties in the win. Thomas made some sprawling saves and kept the Bruins out in front for good.

The Bruins are next in action Saturday night at the Garden. The Garden will be jumping on Saturday as the Celtics will take on the Chicago Bulls on Saturday afternoon at 12:30. The Bruins of course will face off with the Habs later on, at 8:00 p.m.

What did you think of that one Boston?

Mark Recchi to chat with fans Wednesday

From BostonBruins.com--

Rinkside Chats presented by Covidien return on Wednesday with Boston Bruins winger Mark Recchi. Acquired at the trade deadline, Recchi has been a huge addition to the Black & Gold lineup. Chat with him at 3:00 p.m.

Bergeron looking good, Ference not so much

OK everyone, here are your Tuesday, Bruins practice notes.

There were some injured Bruins that have missed the last two regular season games, and their status was in question before today. We now have some answers.

*Patrice Bergeron, sidelined the last two games because of an injured right foot, is ready to go Thursday night. Bergeron believes he will be at 100%.

* Andrew Ference remains day-to-day, according to Claude Julien.

However, BruinSpace is hearing that Andrew Ference has been ruled out for game one and is doubtful for game two. The injury prospectus has been compared to that of Detroit forward, Kris Draper who has been named out for games one and two of the Red Wings series against Columbus.

Ference has not skated since being injured against the New York Rangers, 10 days ago.

*Vladimir Sobotka, brought up on emergency recall last week, has been assigned to Providence. This would mean that both Bergeron and Axelsson are ready for Thursday night.

The team already has Byron Bitz as a spare forward.

Today's lines in practice...

Wheeler/Axelsson - Marc Savard - Phil Kessel

Mark Recchi - Patrice Bergeron - Chuck Kobasew

Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Michael Ryder

Shawn Thornton - Yelle - Byron Bitz

Zdeno Chara - Aaron Ward

Matt Hunwick - Dennis Wideman

Mark Stuart - Hnidy/Montador

Tim Thomas

Manny Fernandez

Bruins mismatched in Buffalo without five starters

Your Boston Bruins looked like a team that was on cruise control. Cruise control may be on display tomorrow also as the Bruins will face the Islanders in the regular season finale.

The Bruins played without, Zdeno Chara, Andrew Ference, Phil Kessel, Patrice Bergeron and PJ Axellson.

Bergeron of course is out tomorrow as well as he has a swollen foot. Bergeron took a shot off the foot Thursday night and was told to take the weekend off. Bergeron's foot was still hurting on Friday so there was no need to rush Bergeron back.

So, without a lot of key components, the B's lost 6-1 today in Buffalo. They looked terrible, but with the playoffs kicking off Thursday, there is no need to push it.

*With Boston's loss today the San Jose Sharks have clinched the Presidents' Trophy (best regular-season record).

Today's goal scorers:

Buffalo:

Thomas Vanek: (39,40)

Tim Connelly: (18)

Daniel Paille: (12)

Matt Ellis: (7)

Chris Butler: (2)

Boston:

Mark Recchi (23)

Boston will wrap up their season tomorrow at 5 p.m. when they will skate against the New York Islanders on the island.

In a potential playoff preview update, Montreal is tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period. If the Habs lose in regulation than they will be the Bruins first round opponent. If they win, or lose in overtime or shoot out and gain a point we will have to wait until tomorrow.

New York plays tomorrow against the Flyers at 5 p.m. The Rangers and Canadiens both have 93 points, with New York holding the tie breaker.

REPORT: Boston to host 2010 NHL Winter Classic

A report out of the Boston Herald says the Boston Bruins will host next season's NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park against an unnamed opponent.

Boston has apparently beat out bids by the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers for the 2010 game, which will be played on New Year's Day.

Look for the game to be played against the Montreal Canadiens. This of course is one of the biggest rivalries in hockey and would bring in a U.S. and Canadien audience. The other team rumored was the Rangers, but with New York in the running for the 2011 game, they are probably out.

Kobasew joins list of the wounded

*Yet another Bruin missed practice today. This time is was winger, Chuck Kobasew who was out.

Claude Julien was asked if Kobasew was hurt significantly or was it just a maintenance day for Chucky. ''Yeah, it's a maintenance day,'' said Julien.

It is not known whether or not a replacement will need to be called up from Providence for Kobasew, however, it is unlikely.

* PJ Axelsson, Dennis Wideman and Andrew Ference did not practice also.

Ference of course, is out for the remainder of the regular season while Axelsson and Wideman are doubtful against Thursday night's tilt with the Habs.

*Tim Thomas is expected to be in goal when the Bruins face the Habs tomorrow night at 7 p.m. from the Garden.

Ottawa ends Boston's six game win streak

The Ottawa Senators dumped the Boston Bruins 3-2 tonight from Canada's capital. The Bruins will now come home to play their Garden finale against the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night.

Boston fell behind early and never recovered. It was Christoph Schubert who potted the games first goal on a deflection. Schubert's slap shot deflected off of Steve Montador's stick and over Manny Fernandez's shoulder for a 1-0 Ottawa lead.

The lead would expand half way through the first period when Mike Fisher scored on the short hand. The goal was Fisher's 13th and gave Ottawa a 2-0 lead heading into the locker room after one stanza.

In his first game back after resting up an apparent shoulder injury, Phil Kessel was able to net his 32nd goal on the rebound. Marc Savard put the rubber on net and after Kessel's second whack, the puck found its way past Alex Auld.

As the period wound on, Marc Savard was sent to the box and his good friend, and in this case Bruins enemy, Dany Heatley scored on the power play to make it 3-1 Senators. The one timer was a shot that Manny Fernandez would like to have back.

Then, with just nine seconds left in the second period, the Bruins were able to score on a power play of their own. It was Zdeno Chara's 18th of the season on a blue line blast. The goal gave the Bruins some much needed momentum heading into the third period.

The third period came and went and Boston was not able to put anything past Auld. The Senators were able to extend their home winning streak to nine games, while the Bruins lost for the first time in seven games.