Visionary Samsonov could see it coming
No one was happier for Alexei Zhamnov than Sergei Samsonov. Samsonov had played alongside the struggling pivot for a couple of games prior to last night's game against Toronto before coach Mike Sullivan moved Samsonov to a line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Boyes.
''It's nice to get him going and kind of get the monkey off his back," said Samsonov, after Zhamonov scored his first goal in a Bruins uniform. ''You feel for a guy like that. When a guy is struggling, I know the feeling. I've been in that situation before. He's one of the go-to guys and we need to get him going."
Zhamnov's goal held up as the winner in the Bruins' 4-1 victory at the TD Banknorth Garden.
''It was important," said Samsonov. ''It gives you a lot of confidence. The last three or four games, he'd been getting a lot of chances. He just couldn't put it in. Hopefully, now it's going to come in bunches. It's nice to see him score."
Samsonov said all of their contributions are going to be needed to get the Bruins -- in last place in the Northeast Division -- turned around.
''You look around the league and the teams that are doing well, they have all the lines going," he said. ''We're no different. We're going to have to have everybody on board and everybody contributing. Today was a showcase of that."
Samsonov said he will not be heading to Turin, Italy, to represent Russia in the Olympics for a number of reasons.
''I think right now it's almost mutual that I'm not going," said Samsonov. ''I've had a bunch of injuries in the beginning [of the season]. Right now, I'm looking at the way the schedule is and I think it would probably be smart to rest for a couple of weeks and not go.
''They have a lot of talented guys. All around, it just kind of makes sense. Right now the way the schedule is, obviously to go to the Olympics you have to be in tip-top shape and they play like seven games in 12 days and I think it would be smart just to stay home and get everything in order."
Samsonov missed two games earlier this month with a nerve problem that caused numbness and tingling in his fingers and hands. He said he's no longer on medication.
''Knock on wood, it's been pretty good," he said. ''Hopefully, it's going to stay the same way."
Primeau effort
Wayne Primeau scored Boston's third goal, his first since coming to the Bruins in the trade for Joe Thornton. ''It feels great but it feels even better getting a win," said Primeau. ''Especially against a team like Toronto because they're a team we're chasing. It just feels good all around." Primeau was heartened because 10 Bruins factored in the scoring. ''For any team to be successful, you definitely need contributions from everybody to come out with 2 points," he said . . . The Bruins killed off all nine of the Maple Leafs' power plays. It was the first time in seven games Boston hadn't allowed at least one on the man-advantage . . . Although forward Pat Leahy was cleared to return to the lineup for the first time since breaking his left index finger Oct. 29, Sullivan sat him out . . . Defenseman Milan Jurcina was named to the Team Slovakia roster, his first Olympic experience. P.J. Axelsson will suit up for Sweden, his second Games . . . The Bruins chartered to Toronto after the game. They will recess for the Christmas break before wrapping up the calendar year on the road against the Capitals, Panthers, and Lightning . . . The Bruins will hold their Wives Charity Carnival Jan. 8 at TD Banknorth Garden. The early-bird session is noon-2 p.m., followed by a general session from 3:30-6 p.m. Tickets for the first session are $25 apiece and space is limited. Tickets for the later session are $14 for adults and $7 for ages 6-12. Ages 5 and younger will be admitted free. Tickets may be purchased through bostonbruins.com, at the Garden box office (617-931-2000), and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
