The Blackhawks came into this game riding a 4 game win streak. The Bruins had won 3 straight and 6 of 7. Not surprisingly, it was a close contest that wasn't decided until the 3rd round of a shootout.
Tim Thomas and Nikolai Khabibulin were beyond amazing. In a game that saw 13 power plays, 71 total shots, and a penalty shot; only 2 pucks crossed the goal line. Both Thomas and Khabibulin made highlight reel saves. Thomas stopped a penalty shot in OT, and Khabibulin was a wall during an overtime penalty kill, robbing Marc Savard and Phil Kessel.
The surprise of the night was PJ Axelsson. Coach Claude Julien selected him to be 3rd in the shootout. Axelsson is 0 for 3 lifetime in shootouts, and hasn't scored a goal all season. Then he beats Khabibulin by faking a wrist shot, forcing the big Russian to commit, then lifts the puck along the side of the net and in for a Bruins victory.
The TV gods seem to hate the Bruins. They were up against a 103-102 Celtics/Hawks game tonight, and will be up against the Pats/Jets Thursday night.
But I suggest you flip back and forth, because Montreal is in town.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
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