BruinsSabres: 5 from the First

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By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.comBOSTONHere are five thoughts from the first period with the Bruins leading the Buffalo Sabres by a 1-0 score after the first 20 minutes of their final regular season meeting of the year.1)Nathan Horton has clearly hit another gear down the stretch of the regular season, and one has to wonder if this is the Horton that everyone will see once the playoffs begin. If can he maintain the pace he has right now (5 goals, 4 assists in the last 10 games) and keep shooting the puckhe has three shots on net in the first periodthen hes going to be a huge factor in the Boston postseason.2)Its incredible how much Adam McQuaid has factored into the offense lately, and he was once again in the middle of things in the first period despite a reputation as a stay-at-home defenseman. His play started the breakout that led to the Nathan Hortons goal, and he had several good shots at the Buffalo net in the first perod.3)Eleven saves for Tim Thomas in a very solid first period that included a momentum-turning glove stops on Jordan Leopold all alone near the net after a defensive breakdownand a great post-to-post stop on Jason Pominville in the closing minutes of the period.4)Zdeno Chara got a big ovation by Bruins fans as the game started during his first shift, and then heard shouts and chants of Chara! Chara! Chara! on the opening shift after his controversial play in Montreal. Bruins fans have always implored for more nastiness out of their captain during his time in Boston. Nobody ever wants to see a player injured badly, obviously.But it'spretty clearthe fans approve of the unflinching physicality from Chara, and don't want to see him lose his "edge" because of one ugly situation against their arch-rivals.5) Like Rich Peverley with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron after watching that line in the first period. Gives that trio a little more skating hop in their step.

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