Savard extension made official; Sauve signed, Boychuk assigned

It was a big day for Marc Savard today, as Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed center Marc Savard to a seven-year contract extension through the 2016-17 season.

The total damage of the deal is $28.05 million, and will hold a cap hit just over $4 million over seven years.

At today's press conference, Marc Savard expressed his excitement on staying in Boston.

"I stated in a couple articles earlier that I wanted to stay in Boston for the rest of my career," Savard said. "Looks like I'm going to have that chance. So I'm happy about that. Over the last few years, I've watched this town grow back into a hockey town. Hopefully our goal as a team and a staff comes true that we can bring a Cup here to Boston."

Savard will be 39 years old at deals end, and all indications are that he will retire wearing a black and gold uniform.

In other Bruins news today, Peter Chiarelli announced that the Bruins have signed forward Max Sauve to an entry-level contract. Chiarelli did not announce the length, but it is a reported three years.

Also, Johnny Boychuk was assigned to the Providence Bruins for conditioning. I for was was surprised that this hadn't happened earlier. Boychuk has sat every game but three this season.

Boychuk will be back with the Bruins after the stint. The team had to say this was a conditioning stint otherwise the Bruins would have had to put Boychuk on waivers to get him to the AHL.

Savard inked to seven-year extension through 2016-2017

Marc Savard has officially been inked to a 7-year, $28.05 million contract extension beginning in 2010-11.

The deal’s annual payouts according to both TSN and the Boston Globe are $7 million, $7 million, $6.5 million, $5 million, $1.5 million, $525,000, and $525,000. Total: $28.05 million.

By these figures, about 90% of deal paid in first 4 years. This is a solid signing for the Bruins, as Savard will still be making his money over the first four years. Savard will likely still be a top center in the league at that point.

At the start of the 2014-2015 season when the cap hit dives, Savard will be 37 and at the tail end. The Bruins can afford Savard into his twilight or buy him out at a very affordable rate.

The Bruins will hold a press conference at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday to announce the Savard contract extension. Both General Manager, Peter Chiarelli and head coach, Claude Julien will attend the press conference. The press conference will air on NESN.

This is the start of a big week for the Bruins. The Bruins will play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night before going to Montreal on Friday night. Also, Phil Kessel will make his return to the hub on Saturday night.

Game Day: Bruins and Senators; Thomas may start

The Boston Bruins will play the Ottawa Senators tonight from the TD Garden. Boston is coming off of a 2-1 SO loss yesterday against the Devils. Ottawa is coming off of a 2-1 victory against Columbus.

Boston and Ottawa are tied for first place in the Northeast division, so tonight's battle is a big one. The Bruins has won five games in a row against the Senators at the Garden.

There is a lot of speculation that Tim Thomas will make his return to the Boston crease tonight. Thomas has been sidelined with a reported hand injury, and has not seen action since Nov. 14, in Pittsburgh.

After making his return to the lineup on the 19th, Milan Lucic is out again with an ankle injury. Lucic is expected to be out until Christmas. Vladimir Sobotka is expected to take Lucic's spot in the lineup while Lucic nurses his ankle.

The Bruins have obtained points in nine of their last 10 games, and with that have moved to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. A win tonight can propel Boston to the third spot in the conference.

UPDATE: Rene Rancourt is in the house. It is always a good night when Rene kicks off the game with the anthems.

Mike Fisher, a center for the Senators will also play tonight. Fisher has missed the last two games for Ottawa with an upper-body injury.

It looks like the goalie match-up will be Tim Thomas vs. Brian Elliott tonight @ the Garden in the battle for first.

Savard ready to go

The Boston Globe is reporting that Marc Savard will play tomorrow night in St. Louis. They are also noting that Savard will center a line with Marco Sturm on the left and Byron Bitz on the right.

With Savard back, this leaves Boston with 13 healthy forwards. The likely scratch will be Vladimir Sobotka. Sobotka will likely be the scratch over Daniel Paille because of Paille's value on the penalty kill.

The team's penalty kill was horrendous before Paille's arrival, but is now positioned as the 5th best PK unit in the NHL. Look for Paille to be in there against St. Louis, who is one of the four teams with a better PK percentage than Boston.

Bruins best Buffalo in overtime

The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres met tonight in a Northeast division throw down. The game lived up to a traditional divisional battle, as the Bruins and Sabres had to settle things in overtime.

The Sabres struck first in this game, just four minutes and twenty seconds into the first period.

Bryon Bitz was sent off for tripping Patrick Kaleta at 16:37, and Buffalo was able to take advantage on the power play.

Paul Guastad, who was parked on the doorstep, got his stick on a Jason Pominville slapper from the blue line, and Buffalo was off to a good start.

Gaustad's fifth goal of the season carried the Sabres into the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

The second period was all Boston, and about half way through the second, their hard work was rewarded.

Tuukka Rask had just made a nice save, and the puck deflected out to Byron Bitz who beat a Buffalo defender to the puck. Bitz brought the puck up ice, two-on-one with Milan Lucic.

Bitz made a feed across the slot for Lucic, and Lucic deposited the pass, past Ryan Miller with a quick wrister.

The goal was Lucic's first goal of the season. This was Lucic's second game back after returning from a 14 game absence due to a finger injury.

Buffalo controlled the majority of the play in the third period, out shooting the Bruins, 15-6 in the stanza.

However, Rask was up to the challenge, and he would carry Boston into overtime. This was Boston's fourth overtime battle in their last five games.

Boston would not wait long in the overtime session to make their mark. Patrice Bergeron scored 47 seconds into overtime, to give Boston the 2-1 victory.

Bergeron won the face off in the Buffalo zone and then went to the slot to tip in a shot by Zdeno Chara.

The win for Boston pulls them within two points of the Sabres for first place in the Northeast division.

Rask made 25 saves in the win for the Bruins, making his third straight start. Tim Thomas has been sidelined due to an undisclosed injury.

Boston will next be in action on Monday night in St. Louis. This game has been speculated to be the return game for Marc Savard.

Lots to look forward to for Bruins fans, as Boston has won back-to-back games, and the Bruins leading point man is ready to make his return to the lineup.

Marchand assigned, Savard still not ready, Rask to start again

The Bruins and Sabres will get at it tonight in Buffalo. Here are some quick hits to bring you up to speed for tonight's game.

*Marc Savard will not play tonight in Buffalo. Savard could make his return Monday night in St. Louis.

*Brad Marchand has been assigned to Providence. Boston is now down to 13 forwards with the big club. This would lead you to believe that Marc Savard will return Monday night.

*It's Tuukka Time again tonight in Buffalo. This will be Rask's third straight start. Tim Thomas is still sidelined due to minor undisclosed injury.

*Marc Savard is close to signing a seven year extension, worth $39 million ($5.7 million per) according to a report from Canada’s RDS.

Whitfield placed on waivers

The Boston Bruins have place forward, Trent Whitfield on waivers. If Whitfield is not claimed, he will re-join the Providence Bruins.

This move was expected, now that Milan Lucic has returned. The Bruins may be returning one more player to Providence soon also, as Marc Savard is expected back in the lineup within the week.

Lucic set to make return tonight

We were all wondering when we would see Milan Lucic and Marc Savard back in the lineup. Well, for at least one of those players, the wait ends tonight.

Boston Bruins GM, Peter Chiarelli announced that Milan Lucic will play in tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers. Lucic is not expected to be back in the top six mix tonight.

Marc Savard did make the trip with the club, but will not suit up tonight. Savard is, however, expected to play at some point during the team's four game road trip.