Podcast: BruinsCast

Boston -- The Boston Bruins fell to the New York Rangers, 3-1, at Madison Square Garden Saturday afternoon in New York City. New York's Martin Straka scored the game winner early in the second period in a tightly checked, fast paced game.

The Rangers were on the scoreboard first as Michael Nylander, a former Bruin, took a feed from Marcel Hossa at 10:34 and deposited it behind Boston starting goaltender Tim Thomas.

Just after the middle of the first period (11:12), the Boston Bruins tied it up, 1-1, when Marc Savard had a Brad Stuart shot ricochet off his skate and past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

With the game tied, 1-1, at the break, the National Hockey League announced the remainder of the NHL All-Star squad during the first intermission. Chara, Boston's captain, will don the jersey of the Eastern Conference in Dallas on January 24th, while rookie forward Phil Kessel will participate in the YoungStars Game on January 23rd.

But it was the B's Thomas who played like an all-star in the second period, making 22 saves and generally making himself a nuisance to the New York squad.

The Rangers kept the pressure on the B's goaltender throughout the session and consistently tested the Boston folk hero. Thomas was up to the task and made a huge glove save with 11:10 remaining in the stanza and then made an even better split save with 10:09 left on the clock.

One puck did get by Boston's "Tank," however, as Martin Straka scored his 24th of the season early in the stanza. He took a pass from Nylander at 5:52 and beat Thomas to put New York up 2-1.

The Bruins were able to up their tempo in the third period and had several chances on Lundvist and the Rangers.

Unfortunately for the Black & Gold, late in the game the Rangers Jed Ortmeyer was tripped on a breakaway in the Bruins zone.

On the ensuing penalty shot, the Boston goalie seemed to have the ice covered near the left post. But Ortmeyer had bested Thomas (at 17:13) with an outstanding late move which went around the goalie's outstretched left leg and sent the puck through the smallest of gaps and into the net.

Down 3-1 with less than three minutes remaining, Boston pulled Thomas to play with and extra attacker but was unable to catch New York.