BOSTON - Rookie David Krejci scored for the third straight game today, sending Boston past the Atlanta Thrashers 3-2 for the Bruins' sixth straight victory.
Boston goaltender Tim Thomas stopped NHL goal-scoring leader Ilya Kovalchuk of Atlanta on a last-chance shootout attempt.
Krejci flipped a shot over Atlanta goalie Johan Hedberg in the third period off a pass from Phil Kessel to tie the score. Kessel later faked Hedberg and then put a backhander behind him for the only goal of the shootout.
The Bruins stretched their unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1). They are alone in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The teams traded goals in the first period, with Glen Murray's 15th giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 6:06. But Kovalchuk, after being pulled down by Bruins defenseman Dennis Wideman, came back with his 42nd just 35 seconds later on a penalty shot to tie it.
The Bruins' Marc Savard recorded his NHL-leading 59th assist on Murray's goal. Atlanta had a 5-on-3 for 38 seconds in the second period, but Thomas made spectacular saves, twice stopping Mark Recchi on the doorstep.
Kovalchuk nearly won it in overtime when he stole the puck after Thomas left the net to clear it. But Thomas scrambled back and made the save.
Friday
July 18th, 2025
7:31PM
