Nathan Horton and the B’s dumped the Senators Tuesday night at the Garden. (Getty Images)
For the fourth time this season, the Bruins edged the Senators by one goal. The B’s fell behind 1-0 2:48 into the game but quickly responded with a pair of goals on their way to a 3-2 win at TD Garden Tuesday night. Coming on the heels of the team acquiring Jaromir Jagr, both Milan Lucic (two assists) and Nathan Horton (game-winning goal, fourth straight game with a goal) stated their case for sticking on the top line with David Krejci (one goal, one assist).
It was a very entertaining up and down contest, a rare occurrence in today’s NHL, as Boston (23-8-4) piled up a season-high 50 shots on goal but also allowed a season-high 47 shots to Ottawa (19-11-6). Backup goaltender Anton Khudobin got the start for the second straight game and he made a career-high 45 saves to improve to 8-3-0. The only thing to spoil the good vibes in the Bruins’ dressing room was the undisclosed injury to Patrice Bergeron, who took an elbow in the second period and never returned.
Colin Greening gave the Senators a 1-0 lead after some sloppy play in Boston’s own end. Krejci tied it by tipping in Zdeno Chara’s shot from the point at 3:28. Tyler Seguin worked a give-and-go with Brad Marchand 1:01 after that for the 2-1 Bruins advantage. It was the first time in eight games that Boston had scored a goal in the first period. Ottawa tied it early in the third on a strange play, with the puck hitting the back of the net then coming out quickly and play continuing. After a review, it was ruled a goal by Andre Benoit. Horton’s goal came after Robin Lehner (47 saves) allowed a juicy rebound on Lucic’s shot.
Jagr arrives in Boston Wednesday and he’s expected to play on Thursday against the Devils (7 p.m., NESN) at TD Garden even though head coach Claude Julien wouldn’t give any clues as to where he would slot his new weapon. All eyes will be on the internet, Twitter and television Wednesday as the trade deadline approaches at 3 p.m.
Follow Metro Boston Bruins beat writer Richard Slate on Twitter: @RichSlate
