Green rewarded for his body of work

As usual.

"He plays with a lot of grit," said Bruins coach Mike Sullivan, trying to find bright spots after the latest in a string of frustrating efforts, this one a 3-3 tie that came about thanks to a Phoenix goal with just 1:08 to play. Surely Green qualified as a bright note, having scored the game's first goal and having set up the Bruins' second.

"I thought he played well for us and I was glad to see him get on the scoresheet because he's been making contributions to our team in every game," said Sullivan.

Green has fit in well with the Black and Gold, particularly since he had very little time to adjust to his fifth NHL club. Acquired Oct. 3 in a deal with Columbus after he had been waived by Toronto, the 32-year-old center has been the consummate professional, logging plenty of ice time on the third line and handling the unheralded checking duties. That he had scored just one point -- a winning goal Nov. 8 at Dallas -- in Boston's first 22 games was surprising to Green, twice a 25-goal scorer, though he knew it wasn't for a lack of effort.

"I don't know, it's a funny game," said Green. "I've been feeling pretty good lately [but] it's not an easy league to score in anymore. Tonight, it went all right."

Green's dogged pursuit of the puck led to a 1-0 lead when he chased Phoenix defenseman David Tanabe into the right corner, seemingly catching him by surprise. "I think he got a little flat-footed," said Green, who stole the puck, then charged directly to the net and tucked it around goaltender Sean Burke at 4:54.

His offensive exploits weren't over, because in the second period, Green was in control of a loose puck at center ice and well aware of a streaking Patrice Bergeron down right wing. Green hit Bergeron with a pinpoint pass and the 18-year-old was on the mark with his sixth of the year at 5:58 to make it 2-1, Boston.

Hard to believe, given Green's play-making skills, but it was his first assist of the season. His first since March 24 of last season, in fact, though ironically that one also came at the FleetCenter, when Green was with the Maple Leafs. The three points in 23 games, said Sullivan, are in no way a reflection of Green's offensive contributions because the coach insisted they have been consistent.

To Green, the answer is simple.

"It's tough. A lot of goals are scored on the power-play now. The league is a good league now. Teams really check hard and that's why you see so many one-goal games. You can outplay teams and still not win."

Like last night? Green shook his head. Exactly like last night, he confirmed, a game in which he broke through offensively, though the club again let a victory slip away.

"It's not like we're not aware [of the late goals the team is giving up]," said Green. "But sometimes when you're aware of things and you're trying to not let things happen, they do."