They received strong contributions from their new trio, which combined for one goal and two assists, and an inspired performance from goalie Hannu Toivonen, which might just spark a netminding controversy.
Perhaps most encouraging, the Bruins didn't fold in the third period, into which they took a 2-0 lead. Instead of collapsing, which they have too many times this season, they built on their lead with Dan LaCouture (in his second game with the Bruins) scoring his first goal of the season at 6:13. The Bruins did not take a penalty in the final 20 minutes, which might have been the most impressive development of all.
The Bruins took a 3-0 lead when Alexei Zhamnov, in the left circle, got the puck from defenseman Hal Gill and dished it to LaCouture, who was driving to the net.
The Bruins, who improved to 3-9-1 in the Northeast Division, handed the Senators just their fourth loss in 23 games. The Bruins also ended Dany Heatley's scoring streak at 22 games.
Armed with three new players and less one captain, the Bruins took a page out of the Senators book -- scoring in the first minute of the game. It was newcomer Marco Sturm who put the Bruins on the board 1:17 into the action. Right wing Brad Boyes, positioned along the right-wing boards in the Ottawa zone, zipped the puck onto Sturm's stick in the slot and he redirected it past goaltender Dominik Hasek.
The second tally came during a power play. Newly-acquired Wayne Primeau drew the penalty when he was tripped by high-scoring forward Dany Heatley at 6:50.
Just three seconds before the man advantage expired, new defenseman Brad Stuart fired a pass from the right point to center Patrice Bergeron in the left circle. Bergeron's one-timer beat Hasek at 8:47, giving Boston a 2-0 lead.
