ATLANTA -- For a 10-minute stretch in the second, starting with Matt Hunwick's fight with Evander Kane, the Bruins pushed back against the Thrashers. But after falling behind 3-0 in the first period, then having their gut punched by a late power-play goal in the second, the Bruins couldn't overcome the obstacles they had set up for themselves.

"I wish we knew," said Hunwick of the reason for the poor starts. "I'm kind of speechless. I don't know. We talk about what we want to do and what we need to do. It's obviously not happening. We're coming out flat and we're not playing the way we should be playing. I think it's frustrating for everyone."

Hunwick required stitches above his left eye. He also needed repairs to his jersey, which was torn during the fight.

* Dustin Byfuglien had a goal and three assists in 20:49 of ice time. He is becoming a unique force in the game. "He's done enough this year to bring awareness to everybody that plays them," Claude Julien said. "Right now, everything's going his way."

* Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic combined for zero shots.

* Johnny Boychuk had his best game since returning from his broken left arm. Boychuk ripped off a game-high seven shots and was active in all three zones.