The Boston Bruins will try to continue heading in the right
direction when they welcome the Florida Panthers for this evening's clash at
TD Garden.
After beginning the month of November on a three-game losing streak, the
Bruins have won their last two games to post consecutive victories for the
first time this season. Last year's top seed in the Eastern Conference will
now shoot for its first three-game winning streak since rattling off six in a
row from March 22-April 4.
Tonight marks the finale of a four-game homestand for Boston, which has gained
a point in every game during the residency so far, going 2-0-1. Overall, the
Bruins are 6-4-1 as the host this season.
After notching a 4-2 win over Buffalo on Saturday, the Bruins made it two
straight triumphs with Tuesday's blanking of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tim
Thomas made 27 saves and notched his 14th career shutout to lead Boston to a
3-0 win over the Penguins at the Garden.
Matt Hunwick and Daniel Paille scored for the Bruins and Patrice Bergeron
added an empty-net tally in the win. For Paille, it was his first goal in 10
games since coming over in a trade with Buffalo on October 20.
Thomas notched his second shutout of the season and has allowed two goals or
less in each of his last five starts.
Meanwhile, the Panthers will try to snap a two-game skid when they take the
ice tonight. Florida had won a season-high three in a row before dropping both
tests over the weekend in a home-and-home series against Washington.
After losing a 4-1 decision at home against the Capitals on Friday, the
Panthers were dealt a 7-4 setback the following night in D.C. Mike Knuble
registered two goals and picked up two assists, as Washington scored five
times in the third period to defeat the Panthers at Verizon Center.
Michael Frolik, Dmitry Kulikov, Michal Repik and Cory Stillman each had a goal
for the Panthers, who have lost six of their last nine games.
"It's disheartening," Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said. "We scored [four]
goals, we should win that game."
Scott Clemmensen was beaten seven times on 32 shots in defeat. Clemmensen, who
signed a three-year deal in the offseason to serve as Tomas Vokoun's backup,
is 2-1-0 with a lofty 5.18 goals-against average this season. Vokoun will get
the start in goal tonight.
The Panthers are expected to get two of their top forwards back on the ice
tonight as Radek Dvorak and Dominic Moore are ready to return from injuries.
Dvorak had missed the last six games with a torn ligament in left knee, while
Moore sat out five games following nasal surgery. Forward Gregory Campbell is
also expected to play tonight despite suffering facial lacerations in
Saturday's loss against Washington.
Florida is 3-4-1 as the guest this season and has dropped five of its last
seven road tests.
Boston won three of four against the Panthers last season and has taken five
of eight overall in the series. Florida has dropped its last two tests in
Boston, but has won in seven of its last 10 trips to Beantown.
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