Bruins-Senators: Boston Downs Ottawa, 5-3

The Boston Bruins remain undefeated against the Ottawa Senators this season after a 5-3 victory last night at the TD Banknorth Garden.

The Bruins started the first half of the first period on fire, looking like the Bruins of November in taking an early 3-0 lead.

Aaron Ward lit the lamp first for the Bruins, which was nice redemption for taking an early two-minute minor hooking penalty just 1:10 into the game.

No. 44 hopped out of the penalty box and took a wicked slap shot past netminder Alex Auld for the shorthanded goal.

PJ Axelsson would score his sixth goal of the season just five minutes after, and Chuck Kobasew netted his 17th of the year, just over three minute later. Kobasew is now five goals away from tying his single-season high (22)—not bad considering that the Vancouver native has missed 14 games for the Black and Gold thus far.

Ottawa captain Jason Spezza answered just two minutes later for the Sens, scoring his 24th goal of the season, making the game 3-1 at the end of the first.

"We seem to have good starts, but we let off the gas pedal," said Boston forward Mark Recchi,"The good thing is, though, everybody in here understands that we're not where we need to be."

Phil Kessel scored his 28 and 29th of the season last night, the game winning goal and an empty netter to solidify the Bruins sixth straight win over the Senators.

Kessel now has five goals, six points, and a plus-one in his last 10 games.

His 10 games prior to that: One points and a minus-one.

All Star center Marc Savard added to assists total with two last night, making that 12 in his last 10 games. No.91 is now tied for fourth in the NHL with 54 helpers, and is eighth overall in the league in points, with 75. 

"It's important to keep in mind that we just played a team that isn't going to make the playoffs, and we just skidded by," Thomas said. "We have to get that killer instinct."

Tim Thomas stopped 25 of 28 shots that the Senators faced him with, picking up his 29th win of the season. The Vezina candidate is now 29-10-6 on the season—placing him ninth in the league—and 4-2-1 in his last seven. Thomas still has a commanding lead in the NHL in goals-against (2.08 GAA) and save percentage (.932 SV %)

Boston will host the NHL’s worst team—the Islanders-Examiner">New York Islanders (54)—in tomorrow’s matinee at the Garden.

The Bruins will next face the Ottawa Senators on April, 2, when the annual Seventh Player Award ceremony will be conducted.  Go to NESN to vote for your Bruins player.

(Side note: Stephan Yelle was at practice this morning. (Check out Fluto’s blog.)