Panthers shut out Bruins behind netminder Vokoun

A couple of months ago it looked like the NHL’s Eastern Conference race would be over by Valentine’s Day.  Things have changed, however, and while the Boston Bruins still maintain the lead it’s starting to get interesting.  Boston is starting to fall back to the pack, and on Saturday they were stoned in Miami by the Florida Panthers who beat the Bruins 2-0 behind the stellar goaltending of Tomas Vokoun.

After two scoreless periods the Panthers’ Radek Dvorak scored twice early in the third period to account for both Florida goals.  With the way Vokoun was playing, however, one would have been enough.  Vokoun stopped 41 Bruin shots, including 15 in the first period alone to earn his sixth shutout of the season.   Florida had lost two previous games to the Bruins by a combined 8-2 score, but the Panthers have been playing very solid hockey at home of late winning 7 of their last 8 games.

The Bruins, meanwhile, lost for the fourth time in the last five games.  The best news they received came courtesy of the lowly New York Islanders, who shocked the 2^nd place New Jersey Devils 4-0 keeping them from drawing any closer to the division lead.  The Devils remain tied for second place with the idle Washington Capitals, with both teams 9 points behind the Bruins.

Boston goalie Tim Thomas said that despite the 41 shots on goal the Panthers defense did a good job in front of their netminder:

"We had 41 shots but I don't think that was the true story. It wasn't that Vokoun was ravenous and we had open nets and he had open net saves. I think they did a good job of keeping us out of the house."

Bruins coach Claude Julien said that his team’s play deteriorated as the game progressed:

"I thought we skated well, we had the energy to do it. As the game went we got sloppier and sloppier. There comes a time in the season where you have to convince your guys to start doing the dirty work. Maybe things have been too good for us, maybe it's time we got our noses dirty again."

The Bruins will end their five game road trip on Sunday in Tampa Bay.  They’ll return to Boston for the start of a six game home stand that kicks off on Tuesday night with a rematch against Florida before the Anaheim Ducks come in for a game on Thursday.  Florida will be idle until Tuesday’s game at the TD BankNorth Garden, which will be followed by a game on Thursday against the New York Rangers.  They’ll play the New Jersey Devils at the Meadowlands Arena on Saturday.