The Bruins are in first place in the Eastern Conference, and their games have again become worthy of braving the cold, the horrific Boston traffic or a bumpy ride on the T.

The Bruins are in first place in the Eastern Conference, and their games have again become worthy of braving the cold, the horrific Boston traffic or a bumpy ride on the T.

Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 15 games - the best in the NHL this season - and Michael Ryder scored two goals Saturday night to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

BOSTON — Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 15 games _ the best in the NHL this season _ and Michael Ryder scored two goals Saturday night to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

BOSTON - When Phil Kessel got into a stick-swinging duel with Atlanta defenceman Boris Valabik, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara came to his teammate’s defence and picked up 17 minutes of penalty time.

The powerful Boston Bruins will aim for a sweep of a home- and-home series when they welcome the Atlanta Thrashers for tonight’s meeting at TD Banknorth Garden.

ATLANTA - Phil Kessel had a goal and two assists to extend his NHL-best points streak to 14 games, and the Boston Bruins scored four times on their first five shots in a 7-3 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night.

After having a five-game winning streak halted, the Boston Bruins will try to get back on the right track tonight as the visit the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena for the opener of a home-and-home series.

Capitals goalie Brent Johnson shut down the Eastern Conference’s top offense, and Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexandre Giroux scored, leading host Washington to a 3-1 victory over the Bruins on Wednesday night.

Wednesday, December 10 All I can say … it’s about time. The Boston Bruins are finally catching the contagious fever of success that has been breeding among the other three pro sports teams in the city for several years now.