BRUINS DEFEAT PANTHERS 4-1, OFF TO BEST START IN 36 YEARS

The Boston Bruins skated out to their best start in 36 years with a 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers Sunday afternoon. Zdeno Chara is usually not known for his moments of offensive brilliance. The Bruins captain and defensemen put on one brilliant performance just hours before the Oscars...

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Chara received a pin point pass from Brad Marchand and completed a complete  360 before putting the puck in the net in the first period of the Bruins 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Boston had one of its best offensive outings of the season. They even completed multiple power play chances, which must have had Bruins' nation in a state of shock. Milan Lucic, Daniel Paille, and Chris Kelly had goals for Boston in addition to Chara's stunning 360 score.

The Boston Bruins are off to their best start in 36 seasons. Boston is currently on a three game winning streak with wins over the Jets, the Tampa Bay Lighting, and the Florida Panthers. Tuukka Rask has been getting the job down as of late. Rask has Boston Bruins fans across the nation saying "Timmy who?" as the Bruins continue to roll through this lock-out shortened season. The Bruins are currently fourth in the eastern conference, behind Carolina, Pittsburgh and the Montreal Canadians. Boston's next opponent is Tim Thomas's current team the New York Islanders on Tuesday evening, although Thomas is more likely to pop up in the snowy mountains of Colorado than at Tuesdays game against his former team.  The Bruins face off with against the Senators on Thursday February 28th. Boston then plays host to the Lighting and the Canadians on Saturday March 2nd and Sunday March 3th. The lock-out shortened schedule is really on display with the Bruins in March. Boston plays 17 games in the 31 days that March has to offer. As great as the Bruins are playing, they are only 4th in the conference at the moment. They certainly pale in comparison to the Chicago Blackhawks, who are off to the best start in NHL history at 15-0-3. The NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching in April. Time will tell if the Bruins look to add one more peace to their championship puzzle before the deadline. Perhaps Jerome Iginla will find himself wearing the black and gold going into the playoffs. He and his expiring contract maybe the short term answer to putting the Bruins in the driver's seat heading into April.

-Joe Passarelli