BOSTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Joe Thornton scored two third-period goals Saturday night to lead the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 triumph over the Florida Panthers.
Thornton got the go-ahead goal 46 seconds into the final period and added an insurance goal, the 100th of his career, with 1:58 left.
The top overall pick in the 1997 draft put Boston ahead for good by finishing off a set of quick passes from Martin Lapointe and Brian Rolston and sliding the puck under the stick of goaltender Roberto Luongo.
Current Florida Coach Mike Keenan was hired by Boston early last season to turn around the struggling Bruins but was not retained after they just missed the playoffs. This was his first trip to Boston since his dismissal.
Lapointe had a goal and an assist and Rolston picked up two assists for Boston.
Pavel Bure scored his 400th NHL goal and Jason Wiemer had the other tally for Florida, which is winless in eight of its last 10 games (2-7-1).
