It was, so far, the save of the season.
During the overtime session in Saturday’s game against Toronto, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas came seemingly from nowhere to rob Francois Beachemin with the glove, allowing the Bruins to reach the shootout.
“I just know that I’m just trying to follow the puck wherever it goes,” Thomas said. “I didn’t have time to get my whole body over there. I was diving and I was able to pick up the puck and follow it all the way into my glove.”
Thomas has likewise come from nowhere this season to produce the best two months of any goalie in the NHL. The backstop, who missed much of last season to injury, leads the league in goals-against average and shutouts, making him the early favorite for another Vezina Trophy.
But while Thomas has been a 60-minute man (and beyond), his teammates have scarcely played a complete game. The Bruins were outshot 12-5 in the first period Saturday and were lucky to escape with a 1-1 tie. It has become an all too familiar pattern for the Bruins.
Facing the Sabres tonight at TD Garden, it will take more than just Thomas’ hot glove to pull the Bruins from the bottom branches of the playoff tree.
