Tonight before 17,565 at TD Garden, the Bruins scored two goals in the second and added a strike in the third to record a 3-0 win over Chicago.

Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk scored in the second. Nathan Horton scored his 24th goal in the third. Tim Thomas stopped every Chicago shot to earn his ninth shutout. The Bruins have allowed three goals in their last five games.

After a scoreless first period, the Bruins found the back of the net twice in the second period. Prior to the game’s first goal, Patrice Bergeron won an offensive-zone faceoff. After some cycling by Bergeron and Brad Marchand, the puck went to Chara at the left point. Chara floated a shot toward the goal that deflected off Brian Campbell and beat Corey Crawford at 12:02.


Just over two minutes later, the Bruins struck again. Milan Lucic started the play with a heavy forecheck. Lucic rimmed the puck around the boards, where Mark Recchi gained control. With a soft touch, Recchi tapped a bank pass off the boards, giving Boychuk the puck. Boychuk, who had just rolled over the boards, stepped into the pass and snapped off a long-distance shot. Boychuk’s shot fooled Crawford and hit the back of the net at 14:22, giving the Bruins a 2-0 edge.

With the assist, Recchi passed ex-Bruin Paul Coffey to claim 12th place on the all-time scoring list. During a TV timeout, his teammates and the Garden crowd gave Recchi a standing ovation.

The Bruins lost Shawn Thornton early in the second. During a collision, a Chicago player’s skate sliced open Thornton’s forehead. Thornton left the ice with blood leaking from his face. Thornton stopped in front of the benches to bark something at the Blackhawks.

Earlier in the shift, Crawford stoned Thornton. The tough guy winged a point-blank shot on goal that Crawford booted away.

5:20 3d period: Bruins 3-0

Nathan Horton, skating in Shawn Thornton’s spot on the fourth line, tucks the puck behind Corey Crawford. Good work by Daniel Paille to track down the puck.


0:00 3d period: Bruins 2-0

No Shawn Thornton to start the third. Must be done for the night.

20:00 2d period: Bruins 2-0

Bruins blitzing the Chicago goal. Corey Crawford keeping this from becoming a rout. Blackhawks have tired legs.

15:31 2d period: Bruins 2-0

Standing ovation from teammates and Garden crowd for Mark Recchi. Old Man Rex passes Paul Coffey and is now alone in 12th place on all-time scoring list.

14:22 2d period: Bruins 2-0

Johnny Boychuk with a quick snap shot from the right point. Catches Corey Crawford by surprise. Neat dish off the boards by Mark Recchi to Boychuk.

12:02 2d period: Bruins 1-0

From the left circle, Zdeno Chara wrists a shot on goal. Deflects off Brian Campbell and beats Corey Crawford.

10:46 2d period: 0-0

Still no sign of Shawn Thornton.

8:40 2d period: 0-0

Big stops by both goalies. Tim Thomas stands tall on a Jonathan Toews stuff job. Corey Crawford turns back Brad Marchand at the other end.

5:35 2d period: 0-0

Tempers flare after Tim Thomas stops a Tomas Kopecky shot. Both teams ornery.

3:53 2d period: 0-0

SH chance by Patrice Bergeron. Brent Seabrook goes after Gregory Campbell after the center pokes at Corey Crawford.

3:31 2d period: 0-0

Shawn Thornton to the room. Bleeding from a cut on the forehead. Appeared that a Chicago player’s skate sliced Thornton open following a collision.

1:46 2d period: 0-0

Tim Thomas covers up a Michal Frolik shot. Thomas getting good looks at pucks again.

20:00 1st period: 0-0

Bruins with a 12-5 shot advantage. Hungry first by the Bruins. Good legs. Sharp down low in the defensive zone. Thorough effort so far.


13:15 1st period: 0-0

Flareup between Shawn Thornton and Fernando Pisani. Thornton doesn’t care for a Pisani thump. For the second straight game, no active heavyweight on opposing roster for Thornton to stare down.

7:37 1st period: 0-0

Holding on Milan Lucic. Iffy call. Wipes out some decent net-front work.

6:38 1st period: 0-0

Good heat by Patrice Bergeron and friends. Corey Crawford stops Bergeron’s in-stride wrister. Bergeron jamming away at rebound.

5:22 1st period: 0-0

Chance for Tyler Seguin goes through the crease. Good speed by Seguin and Chris Kelly.

3:12 1st period: 0-0

Right-pad stop by Corey Crawford to foil Brad Marchand on the partial breakaway.

3:04 1st period: 0-0

Niklas Hjalmarsson getting up slowly. Was hit by Daniel Paille. Looks to be OK.

0:00 1st period: 0-0

Michael Ryder, Steven Kampfer, and Shane Hnidy are the healthy scratches.