BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins were back in form tonight and not just because they scored seven goals and rode 25 saves from goaltender Tim Thomas in a rout of the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden.
That chip they carried on their shoulder almost all of last season was back, as they stood up for each other when they felt the Hurricanes crossed the line with their physical play. And to say they got the best of Carolina would be an understatement.
First Milan Lucic wrecked Carolina defenseman Jay Harrison, who wound up with a bloodied left eye, in one bout. Then just three seconds of playing time later, after former Bruins defenseman Andrew Alberts checked Marco Sturm from behind along the half-wall, Marc Savard -- no one's idea of an intimidator -- came to the winger's rescue.
"I mean, we always talk about sticking up for each other," said Savard after the Bruins' 7-2 win. "I thought it was a dirty hit from what I saw. It doesn't matter the time of game because you are always going to stick up for your teammates. They would do the same for me, especially (Shawn) Thornton and Lucic."
Thornton took the spotlight midway through the third period in retaliation for what Alberts did to Sturm and Savard in the second-period scrum. In a one-sided bout, Thornton let Alberts know with his fists that friendships mean nothing when one crosses the line against a teammate.
"I think Albie plays on the edge. He's a hardnosed player," said Thornton. "I thought there were a couple questionable hits so I felt it needed to be addressed. It is not fun when you have to fight a friend but if you play that game then sometimes you have to answer the bell, and that's all that was. I think it was very big of him to step up and get (the gloves) off, so credit to him."
They were special
After a 0-for-5 outing Thursday, the Bruins' power play clicked at a 4-for-8 clip tonight. The penalty kill shined as well with a 9-for-10 success rate. Nine different forwards logged at least 1:31 of shorthanded ice time, led by Steve Begin with 4:16.
Pain but no gain
Defenseman Dennis Wideman proved his toughness when he didn't miss a shot after taking a Matt Cullen rocket shot off his arm. Somehow Wideman didn't get the credit for a blocked shot on the play, so all he had to show for the effort was a giant wrap of ice after the game.
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