Getting won the 3 previous NHL All-Star Games, Tim Thomas knows the methods that provide the time to win a game title that's not kind to goalies.

"In these kinds of games the only real chance you need your title around the record because the winning goalkeeper is that if you participate in the third period," Thomas stated. "You can aquire a shutout within the first period but still not finish track of the win, most likely will not finish track of the win. This is exactly why I needed to experience the 3rd period."

He got his wish, and that he got his win.

Last year, Thomas grew to become the only real goalkeeper in NHL history to win three straight All-Star Games. On Sunday, he enhanced on his record by winning his 4th consecutively, backstopping Team Chara to some 12-9 victory by preventing 15 of 18 shots within the third period.

The overall game was tied at 6-6 entering the 3rd period and Thomas was beaten three occasions by Team Alfredsson, but his men got him six goals -- including Zdeno Chara's champion with 7:40 remaining.

"The main one factor, first of all, another goaltenders were sport enough to allow him finish," Bruins coach Claude Julien stated, referencing Jimmy Howard and Carey Cost, the team's other goalies. "He clearly had probably the most (fan) votes like a goaltender and lots of occasions individuals goaltenders finish up beginning, but we requested the goaltenders when they were Comfortable with it plus they stated, 'Absolutely.'

"Another two performed rock, paper, scissors to determine who'd start. If this was tied (within the third period), happens was looking for Tim to obtain an chance to win his 4th consecutively.Inch

While winning four All-Star Games will probably use like a footnote to Thomas' career achievements, this means a great him.

"It's something they never remove of your stuff,Inch Thomas stated. "I'm excited and that i feel fortunate this happened at this type of late stage of my career, especially.

"I had been shooting for four," he added. "I do not think I recognized just how much I needed the 4th until we've got in it. My team emerged large, obtained a few goals early for me personally, and that i was like, 'Hey, let us do that.A "

Along the way, Thomas stopped fan favorite Daniel Alfredsson from finishing his hat trick and possibly winning the MVP. He stopped all of Alfredsson's shots within the third period.

"Yeah, that's Timmy. He's very competitive," stated Chara, who accepted he was tugging for Alfredsson to obtain the hat trick. "You cannot blame him. That's the only method he is able to play, otherwise he isn't really effective. He's always competitive. That's him."

Thomas' competition makes playing within the third duration of an exciting-Star Game well suited for him. This is when the overall game usually accumulates in intensity, that is only normal for that 37-year-old goalkeeper.

"I am presuming that Alfie wanted to obtain the win on home ice, but it is always more enjoyable to win, whether you are in an All-Star Game or playing some little competition used," Thomas stated. "The interest rate accumulates within the third period, which really causes it to be a bit simpler for any goalkeeper in in certain manner because there's more flow."

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby's will miss the following two games like a precaution carrying out a collision with teammate Chris Kunitz in Monday night's loss to Boston.

Gm Ray Shero stated Wednesday the previous MVP wasn't "feeling 100 %Inch after unintentionally having Kunitz within the third period and can sit out Thursday's game in Philadelphia and Saturday's trip to the brand new You are able to Islanders.

Crosby and Kunitz were skating near center ice once they went into one another. Both gamers were slow to obtain up and required their time making their method to the bench. Crosby later came back to the overall game, playing over 21 minutes while being held scoreless inside a 3-1 defeat.

The 24-year-old Crosby downplayed the incident after the overall game but didn't skate on Tuesday.

"I'm not sure things i hit my knee on, whether it was his leg or, yeah, just type of a little of the stinger," he stated. "Nothing major."

Shero states Crosby visited together with his medical team on Wednesday and demonstrated no recurrence from the concussion-like signs and symptoms that sidelined him in excess of 10 several weeks this season.

"He saw Dr. Micky Collins of UPMC today and required an effect test, which demonstrated no problems," Shero stated. "However, all of us think it is best he sits the next two games like a precaution."

The 2007 MVP has two goals and 10 assists in eight games since his return. He or she is available once the Penguins host Detroit next Tuesday.