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BRUINS 5, BLACKHAWKS 4 Bruins' offensive might offsets defensive breakdowns vs. Chicago [ Game summary ]
As with any work in progress, it takes time to iron out the kinks.
Last night was a roller-coaster ride, with sensational offense and startling breakdowns. It all added up to a 5-4 Bruins victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the FleetCenter.
The triumph ended the Bruins' longest active winless streak at home against any team (0-6-2). The last time Boston had beaten Chicago on home ice was Feb. 19, 1991, when there was a different Mike - Milbury - behind the Bruins' bench and Cam Neely was lighting it up.
Last night marked the 1,000th career game for coach Mike Keenan, whose club ended a three-game losing streak.
Allison, who was frustrated to the core by the team's recent troubles, turned in a stellar performance with two goals and two assists. Sergei Samsonov had three assists and extended his assist/point streak to four games.
''Allison's got the good hands, the quick stick, the offensive skills,'' said Keenan. ''He reminds me a little bit ... of a man I coached in Philadelphia named Tim Kerr. Timmy used to slap it in all the time but the same quick hands, a big man, an imposing man can make a difference.''
Allison's first goal came just 32 seconds into the game. Darren Van Impe, who was back after missing two games with a shoulder injury, made it 2-0 at 11:02 with a power-play goal.
In the second period, the Blackhawks rallied to tie. Center Michael Nylander scored during a two-man advantage at 6:38, and left wing Reto Von Arx pulled them even with an unassisted strike at 10:05.
The nicest goal of the night was set up by Allison's dogged determination. Samsonov dumped the puck in deep and both Allison and Andrei Kovalenko were battling down low. Kovalenko threw a check on defenseman Steve McCarthy, springing Allison for a wraparound try. With Von Arx draped over him like a trench coat, Allison kept skating. He found a wide-open Kovalenko, who buried it for a 3-2 lead at 16:36.
''We didn't play as well as we would've liked to at certain times of the game, but we'll take the 2 points,'' said Allison.
''I'm scoring and creating goals. At times I still think there's room for improvement. Sometimes you get bounces and they go in. Other times, you don't. I had a couple great games early in the year. The two games in New York, I didn't play well at all, I was a little frustrated. We have to put teams away. Good teams put teams away in those situations, and we've had a tough time doing that.''
A case in point was Chicago's third goal. Left wing Jean-Yves Leroux deflected it past goalie Kay Whitmore, who was making his first NHL start since April 1995, at 5:53 of the third, pulling Chicago even again.
Allison picked up his fourth point of the night and second goal of the game at 12:41 of the third period on the power play, putting the Bruins back in front, 4-3. But Hingham native Tony Amonte came back to haunt his hometown team, tying it again at 17:55.
That set the stage for Mikko Eloranta, who snared the winner with 1:29 left. Eloranta flung the puck from the left boards and former Bruin goalie Rob Tallas momentarily stopped it between his legs, but the puck dropped down behind him and rolled over the goal line.
''Every time you're surprised when you score a goal,'' said Eloranta.
''That's the main thing of the game. I thought he had it but he didn't see how it came, and I think he was a little surprised, too.''
A work in progress is always full of surprises. Keenan said it's going to require patience and positive reinforcement to get everyone on the same page and boost the club's confidence.
''It's a big transition for them, they're changing systems,'' said Keenan.
''Even during that game, there were often times I had to remind them we weren't trapping in the sense that they were looking for the neutral zone. We were looking for the trap in the offensive zone. So there were a lot of things going through their minds. That transition will come with more success that they've earned. Maybe tonight they slipped back on a couple of occasions, but they got the results they worked for.''
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hey're a work in progress. Sometimes, they dazzle, the way center Jason Allison (4 points) did. Sometimes, they infuriate, the way the defense gets discombobulated on occasion. Sometimes, they terrify, the way they give up goals at the most inopportune times.