NHL ROUNDUP : Rookie Lacher Impressive in Nets for Unbeaten Bruins

The Boston Bruins are off to a good start thanks to the play of rookie goaltender Blaine Lacher.

“He made big, big saves when he had to,” Bruin Coach Brian Sutter said Monday night after Lacher (LOCK-er) helped the Bruins to a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers at New York. “He’s a competitor--very cool.”

Lacher, a walk-on prospect fresh out of college, turned aside 29 shots in his second consecutive strong performance. He had 19 saves in the Bruins’ 4-1 season-opening victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

“They’ve been two of the best days of my life,” Lacher said. “Tonight, I thought I kicked out a couple of bad rebounds and Donnie Sweeney was there every time to pick me up.”

Sweeney not only played good defense in front of Lacher, but scored the winning goal in the third period.

Lacher gave up only a second-period goal to Stephane Matteau.

“We saw the highlights of yesterday’s game between Boston and Philly and he played pretty well,” Ranger captain Mark Messier said of Lacher. “He could have been a little nicer and let one in for us.”

Lacher, a graduate of Lake Superior State who signed as a free agent, had played in only one minor-league game before starting the season for the Bruins.

Pittsburgh 6, Miami 5--Joe Mullen scored twice as the Penguins scored three goals in a 3:23 span in the third period at Miami.

Winnipeg 5, Chicago 3--Tim Cheveldae stopped 40 shots to help the Jets win at Winnipeg despite being outshot, 43-20.