While he was solid in his first game back, even a returning James Reimer could not help the Toronto Maple Leafs solve the Boston Bruins on Saturday, as the defending Stanley Cup Champions earned a dominant 4-1 win over their divisional rivals.
In a battle of the goaltenders who had not made a start in quite sometime, Tuukka Rask came out on top in his first start since Nov. 25, stopping 21 shots to earn his fourth win of the year and first since Nov. 17. The 24-year old netminder, who was taken by the Leafs in the first round of the 2005 NHL Draft, also earned second star of the game honours.
Boston's dominance continues as it was their fourth win in as many games this season against the Leafs. The Bruins have outscored Toronto 23-6 during their four meeting this year. Saturday's win also improves the Bruins' record to 13-0-1 in their last 14 games, with their last regulation loss coming on Oct. 29.
Reimer stopped 26 of 30 shots in his first start since Oct. 22 after suffering a head injury. The Morweena, Manitoba native suffered his first regulation loss of the season and first since the last game of the 2010-11 campaign on Apr. 9.
The first period was scoreless as Reimer made some great saves in his first 20 minutes in net in almost two months. The 23-year old netminder stopped all 10 Boston shots in the period to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard through one period.
Boston were able to solve Reimer early in the second period however, as Nathan Horton made a nice pass from behind the net to David Krejci who scored to give the Bruins the lead at the 4:20 mark. Krejci's goal was his fifth of the season and second in as many games, while Horton's assist was his 11th of the year. Milan Lucic picked up the secondary helper, giving him nine this season.
It did not take long for the Leafs to answer back and tie up the game when just 48 seconds later, Mikhail Grabovski wired a one-timer that was deflected top shelf past Rask. The goal was Grabovski's seventh this season and second in as many games. Rookie Jake Gardiner was credited with an assist, giving him eight this season, with the secondary assist going to Joey Crabb for his third.
With an assist on the play, Crabb extended his point streak to five games. During that span, the Anchorage, Alaska native has three goals and two assists.
The Bruins reclaimed their lead just past the midway point of the second when Chris Kelly scored his tenth of the season off a nice cross-ice feed from Rich Peverley. The assist was Peverely's 12th of the year, and the secondary assist was credited to Andrew Ference for his sixth.
Boston struck quickly in the third period thanks to a great shift from Johnny Boychuk. After a big open-ice hit on Tim Connolly, Boychuk then ripped home a shot past Reimer to give the Bruins the 3-1 lead. The goal was Boychuk's third of the year, with the assists credited to Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
Nathan Horton picked up his second point of the night at the 14:26 mark of the third to extend Boston's lead to three, blasting a shot from the point past Reimer who was screened in front by Lucic. The goal was Horton's seventh of the year, while both Krejci and Lucic picked up their second points of the night, picking up assists on the play.
Toronto's top players have been silenced this season by the Bruins. In four games, Boston have been able to keep the league's top scorers in Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul as well as several of their teammates in check and off the scoresheet.
This Season vs. Bruins
Tyler Bozak: No points, -7
Carl Gunnarsson: 0G-1A, -8
Phil Kessel: 0G-1A, -7
Nikolai Kulemin: No points, -2
Joffrey Lupul: 1G-0A, -10
Dion Phaneuf: 0G-1A, -9
The Leafs are back in action on Monday when they visit the Big Apple to take on Brad Richards and the New York Rangers.
Leafs vs. Bruins Stats Recap
Shots
TOR: 22
BOS: 30
Shot Leaders
TOR: Phil Kessel (5)
BOS: Five players tied w/ three each
Power Play
TOR: 0/4
BOS: 0/2
Blocked Shots
TOR: 15
BOS: 13
Blocked Shot Leaders
TOR: Dion Phaneuf (4)
BOS: Five players tied w/ two each
Hits
TOR: 28
BOS: 23
Hits Leaders
TOR: Dion Phaneuf (5)
BOS: Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic tied (4)
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