Boston Bruins dominate and thrash New Jersey Devils 6-1 -NHL Update
The Boston Bruins moved up to the second number in the Eastern Conference by not only dominating New Jersey, but thrashing the Devils, 6-1, on Wednesday night, January 4, 2012, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
Boston now has 51 points, which came after a major boost as the Bruins won the past nine of their ten contests, putting them below the first placed New York Rangers by a single point.
For the Stanley Cup defending team, staying in the upper ranks this 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season is crucial, as they look to make another run for the championship instead of laying back and going with the flow.
"It's something really important", said Bergeron. "You want to defend when someone is in a shooting zone, but to turn it into a goal and make them pay is a big turnaround. I want to be in those situations".
David Clarkson tried to build up the New Jersey momentum by making his 15th goal of the season on their first power play opportunity after Shawn Thornton and Cam Janssen exchanged fists, coming right into the contest, and Johnny Boychuk was called for delaying the game.
Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton added two straight for Boston to take the lead, finalising the first 20 minutes, while Patrice Bergeron extended the lead on a breakaway opportunity at the 4:02 mark of the second period.
Boston's goalie, Tim Thomas, was focused in the net to keep New Jersey out, while the Bruins’ forwards kept scoring goals to keep the effort balanced.
"It was a tighter game than the score indicates", Thomas said. "If Bergeron doesn't get that fourth goal, it might have ended up differently. They had some sneaky chances on me, but it was nice that we scored a few more times to make it look easier".
Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Shawn Thornton finalised the game by getting a hat trick for Boston in the third period, taking the game way out of Devils’ hands.
Boston has started off the New Year with a bang and will be looking to continue their winning ways as they host the Calgary Flames on Thursday to inaugurate a four-game home-stand.
New Jersey is on a two-game slump and will have another chance to change things around as they host the Florida Panthers on Friday.
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