DEVILS 3
BRUINS 2
BRUINS GOALS
Blake Wheeler (17), Patrice Bergeron (15).
GOALIES
Winner: Martin Brodeur, 34 saves.
Loser: Tim Thomas, 9 saves.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Brodeur is known as the NHL's all-time winningest goaltender, but he's also adept at handling the puck and getting it up to his forwards. He assisted on David Clarkson's goal by firing the puck up the middle to the streaking winger, who deked and beat Thomas with a backhand for a 2-0 lead.
NO. 1 STAR
Hard not to give it to Clarkson, New Jersey's gritty winger. He not only scored his eighth goal of the season during a three-goal first period for the hosts, but also assisted on teammate Rob Niedermayer's tally and played well in all three zones the entire evening.
DEFENSIVELY DREADFUL
Team defense was a dirty word for the Bruins over the first 20 minutes, as poor coverage in front of their own net led to New Jersey's first two goals and a poor play by Thomas in net resulted in the third — and Thomas being replaced for the start of the second period.
SHOWING A LITTLE FIGHT
With some questioning the team's mental — and physical — toughness as of late, the Bruins mixed it up twice as defenseman Mark Stuart dropped the gloves with Rod Pelley of the Devils while Shawn Thornton later danced with Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond in the second period. The B's also showed some fight offensively, putting pressure on Brodeur late and getting to within one goal with a 6-on-5 goal by Bergeron with 63 seconds to play.
TURN TO TUUKKA
Tuukka Rask, unquestionably Boston's No. 1 goalie at this point, relieved Thomas and stopped all 16 shots he saw over the final two periods.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bruins conclude a seven-game road trip tonight when they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. (7 p.m.).
— PHIL STACEY
THE BIG NUMBER
14: Games remaining in the regular season for the Bruins, who are trying desperately to hang on to their playoff spot in the East. They currently sit eighth with 72 points.
