Bruins do their part, dispose of Penguins

[ Game summary ]

By Kevin Paul Dupont, Globe Staff, 1/24/2003

ITTSBURGH - While the front office went about filling roster holes last night, the Bruins went about filling the net and building on a modest undefeated streak with a 4-1 triumph over the Penguins before a crowd of 13,271 at the Igloo.

Glen Murray scored two goals and captain Joe Thornton added a pair of assists as the Bruins extended their recent run of success to 2-0-1, their most impressive burst in the last six weeks. Mike Knuble and Brian Rolston also each picked up a goal.

Just minutes before game time, Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell announced a deal with San Jose in which the Bruins acquired netminder Jeff Hackett, previously Montreal's backup goalie, and Sharks defenseman Jeff Jillson in a swap for refusenik defenseman Kyle McLaren.

The 34-year-old Hackett, who could be in Boston today in time to participate in a noon workout at Wilmington, could be in uniform tomorrow night at the FleetCenter when the Bruins face the Flyers. He'll likely take over No. 1 duties in the Boston net. Andrew Raycroft, who worked the cage last night, is expected to return to Providence of the AHL and Steve Shields will be the veteran Hackett's backup.

''It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out,'' said Raycroft. ''We'll see what happens and go with the flow. If I go down, I go down on a high note.''

Rolston said none of the players knew until coach Robbie Ftorek told them after the game.

''We're excited to get [Hackett]. We know he's a No. 1 goaltender and he's going to be a great addition to our team. We're excited about it,'' said Rolston.

''When John Grahame was traded, a lot of us thought something was going to happen immediately. When it didn't, I was thinking, `Well, maybe nothing is going to happen.' Both Razor [Raycroft] and Steve have played well for us.''

It wasn't long after the deal was announced in the press box that Murray jumped the Bruins out to a 1-0 lead with 9:29 gone in the first period. Following Thornton down the slot, the powerful Murray stepped into a 30-foot slapper and blasted it by rookie netminder Sebastien Caron.

A little more than a minute later, however, at 10:37, Penguins center Milan Kraft popped the equalizer past Raycroft with a quick lift from in front. With help from Martin Straka and Hans Jonsson, Kraft made his way deep down the slot and lifted the short shot by Raycroft on the glove side.

The whipsaw goal scoring continued, the Bruins connecting for the 2-1 lead at 12:24 when Knuble picked up a rebound and knocked it home for his 12th goal. Murray was a key on this one, too, dropping a soft dish in the slot from Thornton. Trailing down the left side, Knuble wasted no time knocking in a loose puck after Thornton let go one of his low, hard one-time slappers.

Earlier in the day, Thornton refused to mull the possibility that he could close a 10-point gap on Pittsburgh star pivot Mario Lemieux (out with a groin injury last night) and perhaps win the scoring title.

''No one even has a chance at coming close to him,'' said a smiling Thornton, who adopted the same tone a few weeks back when his ex-coach, Mike Keenan, touted him as a possible MVP this season. ''You're fooling yourself if you're looking at the stats.''

However, Thornton's game has shown a noticeable jump after his return from a five-game layoff, a sabbatical he was forced to take after contracting a staph infection in his left elbow. While sidelined, he lost some 15 pounds, most of which he has gained back in recent days. He now wears newly designed pads on both elbows, as well as tightly wrapped rubber-like sleeves, procedures aimed at limiting the risk of injury and reinfection.

''Before I left, I felt good,'' noted Thornton. ''But there's no question, with the five games off, it got my energy back up. I've been really excited to get back in there and play. We need some wins, and our line [usually with Murray and Knuble] has to step it up.''

The Bruins had the only goal in the second, Murray scoring his 27th, an unassisted tally. Barreling into the slot, Murray faded toward his off-wing (left), shifting to a backward skating motion, and likely surprised Caron by ripping off a sweeping wrist shot.

And after taking 5 of a possible 6 points in their last three games, and with the distraction of the McLaren situation behind them, the Bruins have reason to believe they're on the right track again.

''This gives a little bit of closure for everyone,'' said Knuble. ''You've got to give management credit. They got a young guy [Jillson], even younger than Kyle, and everyone can move on. It's probably been hanging over our head more the last couple of weeks than it had the first two months.''

This story ran on page F1 of the Boston Globe on 1/24/2003.
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