Bruins go back-to-back for 1st time since January

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 3/12/2000

MONTREAL - Inspired isn't a word that's been used to describe the Bruins very often this year.

The season has been defined by strife, disappointment, and controversy. However, last night's 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Molson Centre was a credit to the young, patchwork Boston lineup, whose primary goal will be to play spoiler against playoff-bound opponents down the stretch.

The Bruins, who won back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 19-20, when they beat Atlanta and Tampa Bay, did a pretty good job against the Habs, who are trying to claw their way into contention for the remaining postseason berths.

''We don't have a lot of pressure on us,'' said Bruins coach Pat Burns. ''The pressure is on the other teams. The more we win games, the more the pressure is not on us. It's fun.''

The game marked the Bruins debut of right wing Mike Knuble, who joined the team after being dealt from the New York Rangers Friday night for right wing Rob DiMaio. Knuble played on a line with left wing P.J. Axelsson and newcomer Brian Rolston, who joined the team in Buffalo after coming from Colorado in the Ray Bourque deal.

Knuble set up the winning goal, which was scored by Rolston on the man-advantage.

Goalie Rob Tallas, who thought he'd be backing up John Grahame, was pressed into service when Grahame went down with a shoulder injury Friday night against Carolina. Tallas made many tough stops, picking up his first win since Oct. 28.

The Canadiens struck first, scoring at the three-minute mark. Craig Darby, positioned in the right circle, potted his sixth of the season after he took a centering pass from Patrick Poulin and beat Tallas with a high shot.

That lead lasted only a little more than a minute. Boston's most impressive line in the early going was Shawn Bates, Cameron Mann, and Mikko Eloranta. It was Mann who pulled the Bruins even at 4:18, beating goalie Jose Theodore with a backhander between the pads.

At 18:59, Mann dropped the gloves with one of Montreal's peskier players, Shayne Corson. The more experienced Corson got the better of the shots, but Mann held his own.

In the second period, the Bruins took the lead less than two minutes in when Bates made a nice move on Theodore. Eric Nickulas feathered a pass from the right side to Bates heading down the slot. Bates beat Theodore with a backhander inside the right post at 1:48.

The Canadiens roared back to tie it, 2-2, at 5:47 when Martin Rucinsky beat Tallas on a breakaway with a backhand flip shot.

Boston had plenty of scoring chances. At 13:46, it was Antti Laaksonen's turn. His first shot was stopped by Theodore, but Laaksonen picked up the rebound in his skates, kicked the puck to his stick, and cashed in on the rebound.

After Theodore made a terrific stop on Eloranta, the Habs came back the other way and defenseman Sheldon Souray made it a 3-3 game at 18:52. Souray, in the right circle, pulled up and fired a shot between defenseman Kyle McLaren and Mann that appeared to glance off Tallas before landing in the net.

The Canadiens, who suffered as a result of injuries early in the season and struggled mightily until getting healthy again, were dealt a blow when center Saku Koivu went down with a left knee injury in the second period and didn't return.

The Bruins went back on top to stay with a power-play goal at 2:13 of the third. Knuble, positioned behind the net, relayed a pass to Rolston, who was along the inside edge of the right circle. Rolston fired an off-balance shot and it beat Theodore between the pads.

It brought a rare but genuine smile from coach Pat Burns.

The Bruins have not been eliminated from the playoff race. There's still a glimmer of hope.

''It's not impossible,'' said Burns. ''You never know at this time of the year. Usually the teams that aren't really in the hunt for the playoffs are the dangerous ones.''

Joe Thornton added an empty-net goal with 26.1 seconds left.

This story ran on page E02 of the Boston Globe on 3/12/2000.
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