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Bruins, Maple Leafs looking for elusive victory

Oct 23, 2008 - 10:04 AM Toronto (1-2-3) at Boston (2-1-3) 7:00 p.m. EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins are having no trouble earning points. Claiming wins, however, has proven far more difficult.

After back-to-back shootout losses, the Bruins try to earn a full two points on Thursday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston has recorded at least one point in five of its first six games, but has suffered a trio of shootout setbacks in its previous four contests. After a 4-3 loss to Montreal in the Canadiens' home-opening contest on October 15, the Bruins notched a 4-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators last Saturday.

Boston followed up that victory by coming up short in shootouts on consecutive nights to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, respectively. The Bruins only tallied twice in 15 rounds of the bonus format during the three losses.

"We're close to getting another point. We need those points," Phil Kessel said after Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Sabres.

"I've got to bear down on the shootouts. (Going) 1-for-3 is not great. We have to try to win those shootout games. They're close games, and we have to find a way to get a win."

The Maple Leafs likely share Kessel's thoughts after also dropping three games by shootout in their last four contests. Toronto has lost five straight games overall, claiming its lone victory in the season-opening contest after it forged a 3-2 road victory against the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.