01:00 AM EST on Friday, January 27, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Tim Thomas won the Player of Month in Finland twice last season and was given the use of a BMW for a month each time.

Prior to his recall from Providence on Jan. 10, he was named the AHL's Goaltender of the Month for December, and still is waiting for the T-shirt the league hands out.

And if he continues to help the Bruins win, as he did in their 3-2 triumph over the Washington Capitals last night, he'll earn more than a car or a shirt.

How about a full-time job in the NHL?

"He is a young 31-year-old," said Boston general manager Mike O'Connell after his team's third consecutive victory. "Hopefully, he'll be with us, but if he's not with us, he'll be in the league. It is a testament to him because he has always believed in himself. He's got a great attitude, and nobody should be surprised he's doing this. He has proved he can play. He deserves to be here and we're happy to have him."

Since goaltenders Hannu Toivonen (ankle) and Andrew Raycroft (leg) have been out with injuries, Thomas has helped Boston earn 12 points in the last seven games.

"We didn't expect any different," said O'Connell. "Everyone thinks this is a surprise, but he had 15 shutouts last year in Finland. We knew he was a good goalie, and now he's getting his chance."

When Raycroft and Toivonen return, O'Connell will have some difficult decisions to make. If Thomas continues to lead the Bruins' playoff push, it would be unwise to assign him to Providence because he would have to clear waivers, which at this point is unlikely.

"Hopefully, we will [have a tough decision]," said O'Connell. "Whoever is playing [well] will play."

To make things even more exciting at The Garden last night, Thomas faced Capitals rookie star Alexander Ovechkin and stopped him on two crucial breakaways. Ovechkin was awarded a penalty shot early in the second period and shot the puck wide, and Thomas made a spectacular double-pad save on his shorthanded bid in the third period.

"I had two breakaways; it's my fault we lost this game," said Ovechkin. "I must score on those chances. When you have a great chance to score to help the team, I must not blow the chance. I must score goals."

Thomas pays close attention to the scoring tendencies of opponents. He worked with the club's video coordinator, Brant Berglund, prior to last night's game on what Ovechkin has in his scoring arsenal.

Even though Ovechkin missed on both chances, Thomas said afterward that he was fooled, but was in good position to recover.

Thomas finished with 32 saves while Brad Boyes, Eric Nickulas and Marco Sturm provided the goals.

The Bruins took a 1-0 lead at 2:36 of the first period when Boyes shoveled in a backhander off a rebound for his second goal in three games and 12th of the season.

Washington had a golden opportunity to even the score when Ovechkin was awarded his first NHL penalty shot, on a play that involved Bruins defenseman Nick Boynton, who broke up the phenom's breakaway. The Capitals rookie attempted to beat Thomas to high to the glove side, but shot wide.

The Bruins goaltender responded with a celebratory stick chop.

"I actually thought twice about it afterwards," Thomas said. "I was like, 'Man, I'd better play good the rest of this game or it won't look too good. It wasn't too smart. I couldn't help myself; the crowd was so loud before he went to take the shot, and when I made the save the cheers were so loud, I got a little carried away."

Washington, however, knotted the contest at 1-1 when Chris Clark pumped in a power-play goal at 5:28 of the second period. Boston responded late in the session when Wayne Primeau did a tremendous job of avoiding a hip check along the half-wall, raced along the goal line and threaded a pass to Nickulas for the go-ahead tally at 19:20.

After the Capitals knotted the game at 2-2 with their second power-play tally of the night, at 10:55 of the third period, the Bruins quickly responded. A ferocious forecheck by Boyes and Patrice Bergeron finished with Sturm's 19th goal of the season, at 11:20, to give Boston a 3-2 advantage.

For only the second time this season, the Bruins have won three consecutive games, and it is no coincidence that their momentum is being fueled by the solid play of Thomas.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340