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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Bruins won a game they were expected to
win for a change.
Jonathan Girard had two of Boston's three power-play goals and
Jason Allison also scored twice as the Bruins beat the Tampa Bay
Lightning 6-2 on Saturday night.
|  | | Sergei Samsonov, right, gets tangled up by Brian Holzinger, but the Bruins winger netted two assists in Boston's 6-2 win. |
"I have to give my teammates credit, because I got two great
passes," Girard said. "My confidence is building every game and I
know I have to continue to prove that I belong."
Boston is 8-11-1 against teams under .500 this season, including
losses to Montreal and Atlanta within the last week.
The Bruins, 2-for-45 on the power-play in their previous 10
games, are 11-0-2 against Tampa Bay since 1994. The Lightning have
lost 12 straight on the road, and are an NHL-worst 4-22-2-3 away
from home.
"We struggled with their big guys up front and couldn't control
them around the net," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "Our
whole team was very tentative."
Bill Guerin and Joe Thornton each had a goal and an assist for
the Bruins, and Sergei Samsonov had two assists. Fredrik Modin had
his 25th goal, and Matthew Barnaby also scored for Tampa Bay.
Modin opened the scoring 1:24 into the game, sliding the puck
past goalie Byron Dafoe off a pass from Brian Holzinger.
Dafoe strained his hamstring when he fell awkwardly on the play
and was helped off the ice. He was making his 25th consecutive
start and will have an MRI on Monday.
Peter Skudra immediately replaced Dafoe.
Thornton tied the game 1-1 for the Bruins when he wristed a shot
over the shoulder of Kevin Weekes. Thornton returned from his
second two-game suspension of the year for cross-checking.
"I was conscious of where my stick was and will have to stay
under control," Thornton said. "I have to play physical if I want
to be effective."
Girard's goals were his second and third of the season and gave
the Bruins a 3-1 lead. The goals came 1:20 apart midway through the
first period.
The Lightning recorded only one shot on net in the third period,
and have only two wins in 16 games.
Allison entered with two goals in 22 games. He also added an
assist and leads the Bruins with 59 points.
"This was a huge win for us, because we couldn't afford to lose
two games in a row with a big road trip coming up," Allison said.
"Mentally and physically I feel rested and hopefully our line can
get back on track."
Weekes left the game with 2:31 remaining in the second with a
groin strain. Dieter Kochan took his place.
Game notes
The Bruins are 4-9-2 against the Southeast Division, which
is statistically the worst division in hockey. ... Boston begins a
six-game road trip next Thursday at Tampa Bay. ... The Bruins sent Eric Manlow to Providence of the AHL. ... Lightning defenseman Jassen
Cullimore is day-to-day with a bruised shin. ... Newly acquired
defenseman Adrian Aucoin did not dress for the Lightning and is
waiting for a work visa. ... Tampa Bay recalled goalie Kochan from
Detroit of the IHL.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Tampa Bay Clubhouse
Boston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Pittsburgh 5
New Jersey 4
Florida 7
Atlanta 3
Boston 6
Tampa Bay 2
Montreal 5
NY Islanders 3
Buffalo 2
Ottawa 1
Detroit 3
Toronto 3
Columbus 3
Nashville 2
St. Louis 4
Colorado 3
Calgary 4
Vancouver 1
Washington 4
Los Angeles 3
San Jose 3
Chicago 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Boston's Jason Allison scores on a breakaway for his second goal of the game.
avi: 579 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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