Take Aways From the First Game

Expect 4th Liner Shawn Thornton Dropping the Gloves This Season

 Saturday night the garden was bumping and so were the B's as they showed New York who's home they were in with a 3-1 victory.

 In the first period the Bruins got an early powerplay but couldn't convert, but on a streak to the net, Center David Krejci ripped a shot bouncing off of Henrik Lundqvist's pads right into the stick of Milan Lucic who hammered it home.

 In the second, Gregory Campbell shot a puck through traffic which found its way to the back of the net as it bounced off Daniel Paille's stick and bounced off Lundquist's back landing beyond the goal line. The Bruins were up 2-0.

 The Rangers quickly answered back as Brad Richards shot a bullet through traffic as Rask was screened.

 Towards the end of the second the first blood was drawn as Shawn Thornton and Mike Rupp dropped the gloves, a clear victory by Thornton. Just moments later Gregory Campbell and Stu Bickle decided to take matters into their own hands as they dropped the gloves, a pretty even match. At the end of two the Bruins led 2-1.

 The third period started shaky as the Bruins faced a 2 man down penalty kill, but stayed poised and over came the adversity.

 A controversial call (I say it wasn't a goal, but many may disagree) Krejci was fed for a one timer in which Lundqvist sprung across the crease making a spectacular save. Eventually Boychuck would knock home the game winner from Bergeron, and it would have been 4-1 if new comer Chris Bourque made the empty netter, but we will take the victory.

 A couple things that stood out. Penalty kill was on point yet again. Also improvements to the power play, as there was more puck movement and a lot of good, quality shots on net. Something I saw was Nathan Horton got pushed around a few times, which could be some timidness.

 Tuukka, the name that we will throw around a lot this season, stood on his head. Excellent game and the only goal he allowed was on a screen.

 All in all great game by the B's. They next play Monday afternoon against Winnepeg at the Garden. Puck drop is set for 1pm. Let's hope they keep the foot on the gas. Great start to the season.

 Weigh in with your thoughts of the first game.

Also, let's not forget about the Patriots tomorrow, let's end Ray Lewis' career and let's book those plane tickets to New Orleans.