Lucic hat trick puts Panthers down

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 18: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins is showered with hats after his hat trick in the third period against the Florida Panthers as teammate Nathan Horton #18 stands by on November 18, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Florida Panthers 4-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Bruins Milan Lucic is playing some great hockey right now. After an ok first period by the Bruins, a not so good second period by the Bruins, the Bruins came to life in the third period, led by Bruins power forward Milan Lucic. Lucic scored in the first period to give the Bruins the lead and then exploded in the third period with two quick goals (getting his 8th, 9th, and 10th goals of the season). His first two goals were hard perfectly placed wrist shots that beat Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun, while his third was a "garbage" type of goal as he knocked in the puck after Patrice Bergeron tried to pass it to Nathan Horton and Vokoun couldn't get to it in time. This was Lucic's second career hat trick, his first was against the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2008.

Also in the first period, Shawn Thornton had a real good fight with Panthers Darcy Hordichuk. They both exchanged wild punches and at the end both were showing the aftermath of the fight. Thornton had a bloody nose while Hordichuk had a nasty bruise and cut under his left eye, see the picture below and watch the fight below too. This fight was definitely the Bruins fight of the year so far. In the third period, Thornton scored his 4th goal of the season with a backhander that deflected off of two Panthers players. Good for him.

Tuukka Rask started in net, and made 41 saves to get his first win and first shutout of the season. Rask is now 1-4-1, with a 2.24 GAA, and a .939 save percentage.

The Bruins next host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. It should be a good one.

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 18: Shawn Thornton #22 of the Boston Bruins is pulled away from Darcy Hordichuk #16 of the Florida Panther by linesman Steve Miller #89 on November 18, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)