The Toronto Maple Leafs came into the TD Banknorth Garden Thursday night with just one regulation win since December 14. This drought has left the Leafs taking their last shot at making the playoffs before the all star break. This sense of urgency may have been one of the main reasons the Leafs ended up coming out on top of a shootout over the Bruins in their first win against Boston this season.

The first few minutes of play were spotted with chances for both clubs. Chuck Kobasew found himself in the middle of a spin-o'rama as he crossed the goal line next to Vesa Toskala. The puck dropped back off Kobasew's stick to trailing Glen Metropolit, who just missed the net beside the scrambling Toskala for the first big scoring chance of the game.

Alex Auld also saw some action early stopping a partial breakaway along with a few other Toronto shots. The Leafs found the back of the net first as Alex Steen ripped an offhand shot making its way above the shoulder of the off angle Auld. The Bruins fans were quieted and the taunting chants of "Alex!" came from a crowd of about 60 Maple leafs fans who rarely let the Boston goaltender have a moment of silence the entire game.

Though Toronto had opened the scoring, the Bruins got the next two tallies, both in the first period. After an expired power play with a lack of offense for Boston, and the constant constructing criticism from fans to "Shoot It!", Zdeno Chara did just that from the top of the circle as he received a pass from fellow All-Star Marc Savard. The booming shot blazed by Toskala to even things up.

Savard again lit the fire under the Bruins as he made a pass in front of the net which was knocked down and then picked up by a streaking Kobasew who deked a butterflying Toskala. The Bruins were headed into the second up 2-1 on the two quick goals as well as a demonstration of brute force as Zdeno Chara gave Dominic Moore a palm to the face sending him barreling backwards.

The second period featured some key saves by Auld as he made a goal line stand early on. The teams battled back and fourth with the Bruins starting to gain some momentum with a huge hit from Peter Nokelainen in the Maple Leafs defensive zone. But with only eight second left in the period, a loose puck in the front of the Boston crease was tucked away by Matt Stajan.

The final frame featured more scoring chances as Auld took a deflected shot headed for the top corner off his blocker up into the protective netting. Toskala also found a few picks his way but was able to easily control the majority of what was thrown his way. The end of regulation came and in the overtime, Phil Kessel hit the post and almost ended the game.

With no scoring, the two teams headed into a shootout. Tomas Kaberle hit the pipe as the Leafs first attempt and Kessel attacked the net at full speed only to miss the net. Mats Sundin slipped the puck around Alex Auld in the second round and Marc Savard couldn't connect and missed the net. Alex Steen then ended the game on a backhander, securing the much needed two points for the Maple Leafs.

The Bruins found themselves in the midsts of injury and sickness problems as some of the players had been experienced flu-like symptoms. We don't have a choice, you can't control injuries with the players" said coach Julien. "You go with what you've got, the guys who are asked to play have to give their best, and that's all you can ask."

The Bruins hit the ice again this weekend in a Saturday matinee against the New York Rangers at one o'clock.

Notes

Boston prospect Pascal Pelletier got his first taste of NHL action tonight filling in for the ill and injured Bruins... Milan Lucic sported the college look with a black cage still trying to mend the split nose suffered in last Saturday's game against the Flyers.