Seven Up

Inspired by Gregory Campbell's fight and 5-on-3 shorthanded goal, the Bruins obliterated the Canadiens 7-0 Thursday night to re-establish their dominance in the Northeast Division.

Just when it seemed as if the Boston Bruins had lost their punch, the Black and Gold reminded us all exactly how good they can be when everything starts to click. From the initial drop of the puck, the Bruins dominated the helpless Canadiens Thursday night, pinning a 7-0 shellacking on the hated Habs before an electric sell-out crowd of 17,565 at the TD Garden. But, more importantly, the pivotal win stretches Boston's lead over Montreal to five points in the Northeast Division.

Coming into the game, the stage was set for an epic clash between the two Original Six bitter rivals. Trailing Boston in the standings and looking for revenge from the now-infamous Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty, the Canadiens seemed poised to play well, especially against a recently struggling Bruins squad looking to recapture their winning identity.

"I never thought we would do this," admitted Mark Recchi. "I thought it would be close."

Instead, it was a blow-out from the start.

Just sixty-one seconds into the game, Johnny Boychuk hammered home a rebound off the boards from just inside the right point to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. By the time the first intermission rolled around, the Bruins were up 3-0 thanks to additional tallies by Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton (power-play).

Although no goals were scored in the second period, the middle frame was entertaining nonetheless. Despite trailing by three goals, Montreal stole the momentum and began to pressure the Boston end furiously. Displaying the importance of the game, Julien called a timeout midway through the second period after poor play in the Bruins' end led to two consecutive icings. The period ended with a heavyweight joust near center-ice between Campbell and the towering Paul Mara with just 16.5 seconds left. It was the 10th fighting major of the season for Campbell.

Continuing to play passionate, inspired, fundamental hockey, the Bruins extended the lead to 5-0 after scoring two goals in just 28 seconds early in the third period. First, Krejci found Horton with a beautiful cross-ice saucer pass, who then sniped the top corner for his second goal of the game, 22nd of the year. Then, Adam McQuaid's slapper from the point was deflected past Price to light the lamp yet again. Montreal promptly pulled Price and replaced him with old-friend Alex Auld.

Tomas Kaberle scored his first as a Bruin midway through the third when he snuck back door and snapped in a rebound past Auld. Recchi picked up an assist on the play, his 1,531st career point to tie Paul Coffey for 12th on the all-time scoring list.

And just when Bruins fans thought the scoring was over, Boston struck one last time late in the third. With Horton and Brad Marchand in the penalty box, Campbell scored one of the most unlikely goals you'll ever see. After stealing a cross-ice pass in the Bruins zone, Campbell tipped the puck toward center-ice then beat both Montreal defenders to the puck before streaking in on a breakaway and firing it past Auld. A five-on-three shorthanded goal, the rarest of the rare.

Tim Thomas finished with 24 saves to earn his 8th shutout of the season and 25th of his career.

Although it was the final regular-season meeting between the teams, the Bruins and Canadiens could meet up in the playoffs.

And, if the series started today, you'd have to like the Bruins chances.