Bruins grab share of conference lead

Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron had a goal and an assist each to lead Boston to its eighth victory in nine games, a 4-2 decision over Florida on Friday night that moved the Bruins into a tie for the NHL Eastern Conference lead.

The Bruins, 11-1-1 in their last 13 games and the winners of seven straight at home, matched the idle New York Rangers with 30 points in the conference race.

Phil Kessel and David Krejci added goals for Boston.

David Booth and Ville Peltonen scored for Florida.

The victory was also only the second for the Bruins in their last nine home games against Florida. The Panthers are one of only two NHL teams — Minnesota is the other — with winning records against the Bruins in Boston.

Savard, who has two goals and nine assists during a five-game points streak and three goals and 15 assists in the last 17 games, sent Kessel in on a breakaway to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead just 2:46 of the first period.

Kessel hits 10-goal mark

Kessel has goals in each of the last three games and three goals and three assists during a five-game points streak. He is the first Bruin to score 10 goals this season.

After Booth tied it, Bergeron tipped Matt Hunwick's shot past Tomas Vokoun for his first goal in eight games. David Krejci and Savard scored in the second period as the Bruins peppered Vokoun with 35 shots in the first 40 minutes.

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas improved to 5-0-1 in his last six games.

Ville Peltonen scored his first goal of the season late in teh game to make it closer.

Booth's goal came on a breakaway and was first ruled no goal, even though it appeared to be in. A review confirmed Booth's sixth goal in the last nine games.

The Bruins, who haven't lost in regulation this month, are one game from matching their longest home winning streak since Nov. 2-29, 2002. They will face the New York Islanders on Nov. 29 after two straight road games.