For Boston Bruins fans disappointed that the team isn't featured on HBO's wonderful 24/7 this season (Rangers-Flyers), they can take solace in the fact that Boston's 6-0 beating they threw against host Philadelphia this afternoon should guarantee that they get some face time next Wednesday night on HBO.
A showdown between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference never materialized at the Wells Fargo Center since the Bruins (21-9-1) hung four on Mr. Universe, Flyers (20-8-3) goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov in the first period.
It was basically 40 minutes of extended garbage time after that as Boston added a goal in the second period and third period to skate away with a very impressive road victory, their fourth consecutive win overall.
Tim Thomas (31 saves; 15-5-0) picked up his 30th career shutout with a through performance between the pipes which was juxtaposed with Bryzgalov's (15 saves, 5 goals allowed) nightmare that mercifully ended early in the second period.
With its top two players-defenseman Chris Pronger and NHL leading scorer Claude Giroux-sidelined with injuries, the Flyers were rudderless. 12 Bruins had points and six different players scored, led by Rich Peverley (3 assists), Joe Corvo (2 assists) and Tyler Seguin (1 goal, 1 assist).
Before the fans had even sat down with Yuengling in one hand and cheesesteak in the other, Benoit Pouliot (5th of the season) made it 1-0 only 27 seconds into the game. He tipped it in off a great feed from Peverley.
Daniel Paille (6th of the season, tying his goal output from last season) doubled the lead at 2:50 after following up a rebound. Dennis Seidenberg and Corvo had the assists.
Zdeno Chara (7th of the season) scored the first of Boston's three power-play goals at 8:08, from David Krejci and Peverley. Chara's blast from the point came only a few minutes after he got into a fight with Jody Shelley.
Milan Lucic (11th of the season) closed out the incredible first period for the Bruins with another power-play goal, at 17:10 from Corvo and Seguin.
As the game got out of hand, Philadelphia resorted to its usual tactics-starting fights-but while that might work against some weaker teams (ie. most Canadian squads), the Bruins relish the chance to get into a couple scraps. Johnny Boychuk stuck up for Brad Marchand (and received a 10-minute misconduct in the process) as he fought Scott Hartnell.
The last two goals for Boston will hopefully propel two of its coldest offensive players. Nathan Horton (9th of the season) had the final power-play goal, at 7:06 from Chara (completing the Gordie Howe hat trick-1 fight, 1 goal, 1 assist) and Peverley. Bryzgalov's juicy rebound to Horton signaled the end for everyone's favorite wacky Russian.
Lucic got a game misconduct late in the second for checking from behind. It was a dumb decision that could cost him a game (suspension) or a fine.
Seguin (team-leading 14th of the season) ended the rout with a tally at 12:12 of the third period past backup goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Marchand and Andrew Ference had the assists.
Marchand was the third and final Bruin to get a misconduct late in the third period.
This sets up another big rivalry game on Monday night as the Canadiens-fresh off firing their head coach Jacques Martin this morning-visit TD Garden. So far, Montreal owns the season series 2-1 but Boston won the last game 1-0 on Nov. 21 at the Bell Centre (the game Thomas stole).
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