Sports Redux: Bruins' Trip Starts With A Win

Maybe the Bruins didn't make any world-shattering moves at the trading deadline. But it seems like they pulled their ace goalie back from the brink of irrelevancy, and that might be enough to get them over the hump.

Tim Thomas followed up his sensational performance Thursday vs. Toronto with another stellar effort, as the B's stuffed the Islanders 3-2 to start their pivotal seven-game roadtrip with a victory. Thomas notched 37 saves on the afternoon, and killed a five-minute major on Michael Ryder, sending the Isles off the ice at tend of the second down 3-1 and hearing boos from the lackluster Long Island crowd.

Lucic, Krejci and Savard scored the three Boston goals, which helped put the tiniest bit of breathing room between the Bruins and the all-important 8/9 divide. Savard's goal was his first in 19 games - a lucky bounce on a power-play shot by Patrice Bergeron that Savvy flipped in for an easy backhand. "“I guess they call that good living. I’ll take it. I’m usually streaky, so hopefully I can get on one here," said Savard, showing a surprising amount of self-awareness.

The Red Sox split the day in Florida. John Lackey made an impressive spring debut, retiring all six Twins he faced in a 9-3 win in one game. He got an offensive boost from infielder Tug Hulett, who pinch-hit for David Ortiz(!) and delivered a three-run homer. In the other game, Tampa Bay had a triple and homer in the ninth to beat Kris Johnson and the boys, 6-4.

And meanwhile, while the Washington Nationals are so unloved that their 37 fans have to sponsor a blogger to get any news out of spring training, we have the luxury(?) of having Dan Shaughnessy in Fort Myers, bellyaching about how boring Sox camp is and how no juicy scandals are plopping themselves in his lap. If any of our readers learn of any fundraising to buy Dan a ticket home (maybe to send a local blogger who isn't jaded and who doesn't hate sports, hint hint), send it our way.