• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Thornton, Sharks return to Boston

Feb 10, 2009 - 2:34 PM San Jose (36-7-7) at Boston (39-8-7), 7:00 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- All-Star Joe Thornton will return to Boston for just the second time since being dealt to the San Jose Sharks in a 2005 blockbuster trade.

Thornton and the Sharks will look to snap a season-long, three-game losing streak when they visit the Boston Bruins on Tuesday for the first time in over three years.

Selected first overall in 1997 by the Bruins, Thornton was sent to San Jose for Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau on November 30, 2005. Thornton went on to win the Hart Trophy that season and made the Sharks a contender in the Western Conference.

In his only other trip to the TD Banknorth Garden on January 10, 2006, Thornton was ejected from a 6-2 win in the first period for a hit from behind.

The 29-year-old Thornton has recorded 12 goals and 57 points with a plus-21 rating this season. A six-time All-Star, Thornton has just one assist during the team's current skid.

The Sharks, who still own the best record in the West, are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

Boston had a four-game winning streak snapped Saturday, suffering a 4-3 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Bruins, who have the best record in the NHL, are 10-1-3 in their last 14 contests.