Boston is only one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference after its victory over Montreal.

01:00 AM EST on Friday, February 3, 2006

BY JOE MCDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Looking at the schedule and the league standings, it's no secret this is a huge week for the Boston Bruins.

The team has a home-and-home series with Montreal, which began last night with Boston skating to a 3-1 victory in front of 17,565 fans at the TD Banknorth Garden. After the Bruins face the Habs north of the border tomorrow, they'll host the Eastern Conference's top club -- the Carolina Hurricanes -- on Sunday.

The Bruins now are just one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference -- held by the Toronto Maple Leafs -- and that's quite a difference from where the club was a few weeks ago.

"We've preached to our players all along that we're in this race," said Bruins coach Mike Sullivan. "There is a lot of hockey left and a lot can happen in this game, and we just have to maintain the focus. We need to improve every day as a team and pay attention to the details. Having said that, it was a difficult time, and certainly a frustrating time for our whole team, and to the players' credit they have stepped up their work ethic and their attitudes. They are playing spirited hockey right now."

Boston couldn't even think about the postseason a few weeks ago, but with the sharp goaltending of Tim Thomas and the resurgence of the rest of the club Boston is playing its best hockey of the season, having won five of its last six games.

Glen Murray, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Boyes scored for the Bruins last night and Thomas made 16 saves. The Garden had a playoff atmosphere to it, and the players -- at least those on the winning side -- were well aware of it.

"Geez," said Boyes, "that was awesome. That was the funniest game of the year. Just the plays that were made, the intensity that was there, it had everything. The fans were in it, and it was an enjoyable environment."

The Bruins outshot the Canadiens in the opening period, but Montreal took a 1-0 lead at 15:14 of the session when Tomas Plekanec rifled a wrister past Thomas from the left faceoff circle.

Boston began the second period with a little more jump and capitalized on a pair of man-advantages to take the lead.

Murray blasted a one-timer from the top of the slot that beat Montreal goalie Cristobal Huet to tie the game at 1-1 at 11:00, during a 5-on-3 power play. Bergeron gave Boston a 2-1 lead when he netted one of the prettiest goals this season, at 12:13. During the club's fourth power play of the game, Bergeron weaved his way past defenders and worked a nifty give-and-go with Boyes deep in the offensive zone. In fact, when Bergeron received the return pass, his skates were behind the goal line. He reached back and stuffed the puck home for his 17th tally of the season.

"That was unreal," said Boyes. "I was just sitting there watching him do everything. I was just getting up close to congratulate him on the goal when he gave me the puck. I'm just glad he was ready when I gave it right back. It was just an unbelievable play on his part."

Sullivan always has said the sky is the limit for Bergeron, and the 20-year-old forward continues to impress.

"We appreciated it on the bench," said Sullivan. "When he scored, I turned to (assistant coach) Norm Maciver and said, 'This kid is a great player.' He gets better and better every day, and I think the players on our team realize how good he is. The coaching staff certainly realizes how good he is. The greatest thing about him is his humility. He comes to the rink every day and works at his game. He has that insatiable appetite to play."

Boyes added an empty-net goal with 37.9 seconds remaining.

The Bruins' focus now is on the rematch in Montreal.

"Right now, it is all about us," said Thomas. "If we play like the team we've become lately, then we should have no worries. If we don't, then shame on us."

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