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Savard, Stuart pace Bruins past Islanders

Sep 23, 2006 - 1:22 AM MONCTON, New Brunswick (Ticker) -- Marc Savard is demonstrating why he was one of the most sought-after free agents this past offseason.

Savard and defenseman Brad Stuart each had a power-play goal and an assist as the Boston Bruins skated to a 5-1 preseason victory over the New York Islanders at Moncton Coliseum.

After scoring a career-high 97 points with Atlanta last season, Savard drew the attention of many teams looking for scoring over the summer. Boston won the sweepstakes, inking the veteran center to a four-year, $40 million contract on July 1.

Savard recorded an assist in his preseason debut with the Bruins before registering a multi-point game Friday. With Boston already ahead, 3-1, the 29-year-old set up Martins Karsums 1:43 remaining in the second period before converting a man advantage late in the third to provide the final margin.

Stuart scored the second of four goals in the middle period before assisting on Savard's tally.

Nate Thompson and Pascal Pelletier also scored and Tim Thomas made 30 saves for the Boston, which rested Marco Sturm, Glen Murray and 2006 first-round pick Phil Kessel.

Former Bruin Shawn Bates scored the lone tally on a breakaway for the Islanders, who were playing their first game of the preseason. Rick DiPietro, who signed a record 15-year contract earlier this month, allowed three goals on 13 shots before being relieved.