I’ll have to admit, looking at the schedule this weekend and the loss of Milan Lucic…again, I predicted the Bruins to lose to a rested Ottawa team. Hoping I was wrong, it appeared at the end of the first period there was some truth in my theory. The Sens scored 2 goals on 5 shots in the first period as Tim Thomas returned to action and The sold out Garden was thinking it was going to be a lonngggg night.

The never say die Bruins came out a different team in the 2nd frame and it was their turn to run the show as they scored 2 goals, both on the power play and  giving up none and sending it to the final frame knotted up at 2. Dennis Wideman ends his 21 game scoring drought with the Bruins third power play goal of the night half way through the third. Mark Recci takes a penalty with just 3 minutes to go and again, I am having those bad thoughts. But once again the Bruins killed the penalty and were storming an empty net in the last minute trying to solidify the unlikely comeback . Ottawa calls a time out with 25 seconds and on the ensuing faceoff, the Sens storm in and beat Thomas on a really bad goal. Timmy just simply missed his angle with 19 seconds left. Bruins have seen this time and time again so an extra 5 was ordered again.

After a scoreless overtime, we have a shoot out for the second time in as many days and the ninth time this season for the B’s . Thomas came up huge on Spezza in the shootout keeping it scoreless. Michael Ryder beats Elliot in the 4th round of the shootout and  Thomas comes up huge again giving the Bruins the win in a shootout redeeming himself from the soft goal that got them there to begin with.

The Bruins have had a revolving door on the injury list all season and the team has pulled together to keep themselves in just about every game. the efforts have paid off as the team fights their way to the top of the Northeast Division. If this team can ever get healthy, they are going to be tough to beat just like a year ago. They are a scrappy team that finds a way to be in the mix night in and night out.

The B’s have three games in the next four nights and this will be a good test on what this squad will bring us this season. With Lucic out for the next 4-6 weeks, the rest of the team needs to bring their toughness to the rink tonight. Peter Chiarelli has sent a message with the recent trade of Kobesaw, the Bruins GM is trying to shake things up.

The Bruins acquired forward Daniel Paille from the Buffalo Sabres for a third round pick in 2010 and a conditional 4th round pick in 2010. The 6 foot 197 pound Paille has 35 goals, 42 assists and 54 pim in the 195 games played in the NHL but has played only appeared in 2 games for the Sabres this season. Hard to believe but this marks the first ever trade between the two franchises.

The good news for the B’s would be that Shawn Thorton who was listed day to day should return tonight. Look for Thorton to play on the 4th line with Begin and Bitz. More good news may be defenseman Dennis Wideman who has been sidelined since October 10th could also return tonight. With the acquisition of Paille and the return of Thorton and Wideman, the B’s have assigned Lefebrve to Providence.