December 31, 2008 Savard leads Bruins to 9th straight win

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Marc Savard scored a power-play goal, then set up Boston's next two goals with excellent playmaking, and the streaking Bruins ran their longest winning streak in nearly 26 years to nine games by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 Tuesday night.

Savard had his usual big game against Pittsburgh, and Dennis Wideman had a goal and two assists as the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins improved to 23-2-1 in their last 26 games, outscoring opponents 106-51.

Boston, which barely made the playoffs last season, hasn't had a run like this since the Barry Pederson- and Ray Bourque-led 1982-83 team won nine in a row in January, tied one, then won their next five. These Bruins are 14-1 since Thanksgiving and have won their last five on the road.

Tim Thomas stopped 32 shots to win his seventh in a row.

To view highlights of this game, visit our sports blog BostonScore.com.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)