Penner

Rookie defenseman Jeff Penner logged 9:17 of  ice time over 13 shifts Tuesday night in the Bruins’ loss at Toronto. He posted an even rating and was credited with three hits.

In playing his first NHL game, the former collegiate free agent became the seventh player in the history of the Alaska Nanooks NCAA program, according to the Nanooks’ media guide, to skate at the game’s highest level. Most recently, New York Rangers forward Aaron Voros and Chicago defenseman Jordan Hendry represented the Nanooks in the NHL.

That Penner, an undrafted player out of a little-heralded school, made the NHL in just his second full pro season is a great story. But it’s also an indictment on the Bruins’ depth in the organization on defense. (more…)

Nikolai Kulemin took advantage of Michael Ryder’s impersonation of a bowling ball (with Tim Thomas as the 1 pin) to score the game-winner 4:10 into overtime Tuesday night in Toronto.

For the complete game story, check out Yahoo!

Some quick-hit thoughts on the game:

•Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci both stepped up their games in Marc Savard’s absence. It’s amazing how offense-minded Bergeron can become when Savard is out, and how Bergeron’s game doesn’t suffer in other areas. Why he doesn’t do that when Savard’s in the lineup is a mystery to me. (more…)

The Bruins already knew they’d be facing Toronto without Marc Savard against the Leafs tonight. Then came the even worse news, as they found out that defenseman Zdeno Chara wouldn’t be available because of an undisclosed injury. (more…)