"For the first time in weeks, the Bruins truly looked like the Bruins for 60 minutes — like the team that won a Stanley Cup last June and dominated the league earlier this season.

Playing their best all-around game in some time, the Bruins handled the Washington Capitals, 4-1, and avoided their first three-game losing streak since October.

"I think overall, the last couple of days, we went in the right direction," said goalie Tim Thomas, who was in fine form. "We're starting to play the type of hockey the Boston Bruins play."

This is the start of a crucial and difficult stretch for the B's, with 8-of-10 on the road, and they may be rediscovering their game just in time.

"We took another step in the right direction," Milan Lucic said. "Building the consistency in our game is the biggest thing now in getting back to where we want to be.""