McLaren, Bruins Tie Up Tampa Bay

Boston defenseman Hal Gill hardly looked and acted like someone who had just scored a game-winning goal. After all, he's not used to doing that.

Emerging from the shower area with a large ice pack on the back of his neck, the bewildered Gill simply asked: "Do you ask the questions first? How does it work?"

Gill scored just his fourth career goal, a tie-breaking score with 8:31 left in the third period as the Bruins defeated Tampa Bay 3-2 on Monday night.

"I just shot it on net, hoping it would go in," said Gill, playing in his second full season. "I'm not one to score goals. I don't get too many. I remember every one of them."

Kyle McLaren, another defenseman, scored twice as Boston improved to 8-1-2 at home against Tampa Bay, which owns the league's worst mark (8-21-3) and dropped its 15th game in its last 18.

"It's really good anytime you can get two guys that don't have very many points to contribute," said McLaren, who scored his third and fourth goals.

For nearly two periods, the Lightning hardly resembled the league's worst defensive team, limiting Boston to just five shots in the opening period. Entering the third period, it appeared as though Tampa Bay, coming off a 2-2 tie in Philadelphia on Sunday, was going to continue its tight-checking trend.

That changed when the Bruins broke loose for 18 shots in the final period, including numerous wide-open chances.

"We are not supposed to be in their league," Tampa Bay coach Jacques Demers said. "They have superior talent and are a well-oached team."

With the score tied at 2, Gill fired a low slap shot from the point that beat goalie Bill Ranford inside the right post for his game-winner.

The Bruins had tied the game on McLaren's power-play goal 6:11 into the third period when he fired a slap shot that traveled between Tampa Bay defenseman Karl Dykhuis' legs and past Ranford's glove inside the right post.

"McLaren played a (great) game," Boston coach Pat Burns said. "He has a chance to be a superstar in this league."

Craig Janney and Vincent Lecavalier scored for the Lightning.

With 1:18 to play in the game, a pair of fights broke out, leaving the ice littered with gloves and sticks. The final minute was filled with pushing and shoving.

The Lightning went ahead 1-0 on Janney's power-play goal 9:01 into the first. Cory Cross fired a shot from the point and Janney slid the rebound under goalie Rob Tallas.

Boston tied it when McLaren beat Ranford from the top of the crease after taking a pass from Jason Allison 5:10 into the second.

Lecavalier scored off the rebound of Mike McBain's shot, giving the Lightning a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.

Tallas, making his first start since Nov. 24 and only his sixth this season, stopped 24 shots.

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