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Tuesday, Mar. 21 7:00pm ET
Tallas, Grahame combine for shutout | |||||
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BOSTON (AP) -- Brian Rolston hasn't wasted any time making an impact in Boston. Rolston, acquired earlier this month in the trade that sent Ray Bourque to Colorado, had a goal and an assist, and Sergei Samsonov added three assists in the Bruins' 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. "It was like a pit bull on a chunk of filet mignon," said Tampa Bay coach Steve Ludzik. "Boston's forwards pounded us all night. It was the first time in a long time we saw things we didn't want to see." Robbie Tallas made 16 saves and improved his career mark against the Lightning to 8-1-1 before he was replaced by John Grahame for the final period because of a stiff neck. Tampa Bay has won just once in 15 games at Boston. Mike Knuble gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead in the first period when he deflected Rolston's slap shot from inside the point past Tampa Bay goaltender Zac Bierk on the power play. It was Knuble's 11th goal of the season. "It was a huge play for Mike," Rolston said. "The goalie's going to stop shots from in front, but he had no clue where the puck was. It was huge that we have someone standing right in front of the goalie. I can't say enough about it." Boston made it 2-0 when Rolston notched his 14th on a power play 2:10 into the second period. Rolston's slap shot from just outside the left circle gave him three goals and three assists in seven games since joining the team on March 6. "When you have guys shooting the puck from the blue line, it makes a big difference," said Boston coach Pat Burns. "We're not playing the best penalty killing units in the league and their kid in net struggled a bit." Joe Thornton scored his 21st midway through the second when his backhander slipped off Bierk's shoulder and into the net. Mikko Eloranta added his sixth early in the third period. Bierk (3-3) finished with 38 saves for the Lightning, which finished a successful five-game road trip at 2-2-1. Tampa Bay has just six road wins this season, which is the franchise low for a season. Tallas (4-10-4) was injured early in the second period and remained on the ice for several minutes after Todd Warriner tripped going to the net and collided with the goalie. Tallas appeared to jam his back and net on the post, but remained in the game until the third period. The Bruins defense tightened up after Tallas was hit and allowed seven shots on goal over the final two periods. Grahame stopped three shots. "The team played tough tonight and Tallie made some big saves in the first period," Grahame said. "After that, it was nothing. For me it was just to jump in and do your best for 20 minutes and help the team. I didn't have to do much -- they did all the work." | ALSO SEE NHL Scoreboard Tampa Bay Clubhouse Boston Clubhouse RECAPS Boston 4 Tampa Bay 0
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