The Boston Bruins got goals from a variety of scorers and tall Zdeno Chara was lauded for his graceful move during a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Feb. 24.
Right off the faceoff, Milan Lucic snapped a goal past Jacob Markstrom to put the Bruins on the board first about eight minutes into the first period. Zdeno Chara built up Boston's lead a few minutes later by using a graceful spin move to make it 2-0. NESN's Jack Edwards described the move as being like that of a ballerina.
However, Tomas Kopecky scored near the end of the first to dash Tuukka Rask's hopes of a shutout. It would end up being Florida's only goal of the day.
When Chris Kelly found the back of the net at the start of the second period, not only was it his first goal of the season, it was also a power play goal. Boston was able to hold their lead, and actually keep the Panthers shot-less, during a long four-minute Florida power play granted when Milan Lucic took exception to a hit from behind by Mike Weaver and lashed out at him.
In fact, the Bruins had three shots on goal during that man advantage, including a great chance on a breakaway from Rich Peverley. They also killed off all the penalties they got and so they remain the NHL's best in penalty kills.
Late in the third period, with Chara off for interference, Daniel Paille was able to score a shorthanded empty net goal to extend Boston's lead to three goals. This was the first time this season that the Bruins led by, and eventually won by, a margin of three.
Now holding a three-game winning streak, the Bruins will travel to play the New York Islanders on Feb. 26. From here until the end of the regular season, Boston's schedule is going to get a lot more hectic, especially in March, a month featuring 17 games.
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