Bruins beat Habs, end losing streak

The Bruins ended their 10-game losing streak yesterday by beating the Montreal Canadiens 3-0. The Bruins dominated the first period, then in the second Montreal put the pressure on but Tuukka Rask was solid in net. In the third it was more back and forth by both teams but the Bruins held on for the win. This game also saw Blake Wheeler get into his first NHL fight, as he took on purse snatcher Ryan O'Byrne. It wasn't much of a fight as Wheeler lost his balance but was the only one to actually throw any punches. It was good to see Wheeler to stick up for himself after O'Byrne rammed his head against the glass.

David Krejci left in the first period and did not return to the game.

After the game, coach Claude Julien said that the injury wasn't serious and Krejci could be available for Boston's next game Tuesday night in Buffalo. Julien also said he would know more Monday.
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Other injury news, defenseman Johnny Boychuk will not need surgery for his fractured orbital bone that he got on Saturday when he took a Mikael Samuelsson shot up high. He will be out for 7-10 days, so he won't be playing until after the Olympic break.

The Bruins next game is on Tuesday at the Buffalo Sabres. Then the Bruins go to Florida to take on the Lightning on Thursday and then the Panthers on Saturday.

Possible trade and Chara injured finger

NESN is reporting that the Bruins are interested in trading for St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk. It seems they almost acquired him last season but it didn't fall through.

According to the source, Tkachuk was ecstatic at the thought of coming to Boston last March and would still love to play for his hometown team if the opportunity arose again. Tkachuk, who went to Boston University, has twelve goals and 16 assists this season. He has cracked the 50 goal plateau twice in his career and has 537 career goals and 1,061 points.
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The St. Louis Blues may be looking for a high draft pick though for Tkachuk and I don't think he's worth a first round pick. Tkachuk has definitely not produced as he did back in the 90s, but I think he would be a good fit with Marc Savard.

There's also news that Bruins captain Zdeno Chara has been playing with a dislocated left pinkie finger for nine weeks, and will probably need surgery after the season.

Chara just recently stopped wearing a splint that limited his ability to hold the stick with his left hand. The finger is still off line, especially when he closes his hand, and discolored. Without the splint, he keeps the pinkie taped to his ring finger.

The injury occurred Nov. 20 in a win at Buffalo. Chara was hit from behind, and his hand got knocked into his quad and into the boards. He actually played through it before getting the splint on. An MRI revealed "it was all torn up," he said.
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Mark Stuart to miss four weeks

Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart had successful surgery on Monday on his broken pinky finger on his right hand. He injured it in the fight he had against Los Angeles Kings forward Wayne Simmonds on Saturday. Stuart is expected to miss four weeks.

The Bruins next game is tomorrow against the high scoring Washington Capitals. The game is on VS at 7pm EST.

Bruins update

The Bruins next game is on Friday at the Buffalo Sabres who are in first place in the Northeast division with 67 points. The Bruins (23-20-8) are currently in fourth place in the Northeast division with 54 points, only ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs. There has been word that Marc Savard is trying to come back into the lineup on Friday against the Sabres. Hopefully he does as the Bruins need some scoring. Savard and Byron Bitz were at practice Monday morning. Marco Sturm and Steve Begin are day-to-day and likely out on Friday.

Here are some interesting stats of the Bruins so far this season. The Bruins have only scored 127 goals this season, which is last in the league and have allowed 131 goals. They are13-11-3 at home and 10-9-5 on the road. In their last ten games, they are 2-7-1.

Tim Thomas is 13-14-6 with a 2.53 GAA, and a 91.5% save percentage this season. Tuukka Rask is 10-6-2 with a 2.14 GAA, and a 92.5% save percentage this season.

On Monday the Bruins sent forward Drew Larman back to the Providence Bruins (AHL).

Marc Savard out 3-4 weeks

Bruins center Marc Savard will be out of the lineup for 3-4 weeks with with a Grade 2 partial MCL tear in his right knee, which will not require surgery. The next 3-4 weeks are going to be tough with Savard out of the lineup, especially the next two weeks without Patrice Bergeron as well.