(My Sportsbook) - Fresh off an amazing month, the powerful Boston Bruins will play their first game of December when they visit the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning for tonight's test at St. Pete Times Forum.

The Bruins caught the attention of the entire NHL by posting an 11-1-1 record in November. Boston is now first in the Northeast Division with 36 points and two behind the New York Rangers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Boston has won two straight and six of its last seven contests and is coming off Saturday's impressive victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions. The Bruins hosted the Detroit Red Wings and recorded a 4-1 decision at TD Banknorth Garden.

David Krejci finished with a goal and an assist to lead the Bruins and Chuck Kobasew, Blake Wheeler and Phil Kessel added a goal apiece. Boston never trailed in the contest, as the club scored the game's first three goals.

Kessel has a goal in three straight games and has tallied in six of the past seven. He has at least one point in the last nine contests to give him the longest current point streak in the NHL. Kobasew also has a six-game point streak intact and has notched four goals and three assists during his run.

No. 1 goaltender Tim Thomas was rested with an illness and Manny Fernandez stopped 29-of-30 shots in the victory.

Thomas has a 9-3-3 record to go with a 1.88 goals against average and .940 save percentage this year and is expected to be back between the pipes tonight. The 34-year-old veteran is 4-3-0 with a 2.86 goals against average and .905 save percentage in seven career games against the Lightning.

On the injury front, Boston defenseman Aaron Ward left Saturday's game in the first period with an undisclosed injury and did not return.

The Bruins are beginning a two-game tour of the Sunshine state tonight and will also visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Boston is 7-3-3 as the visiting team this year.

The Lightning will try to halt a five-game losing streak when they take the ice tonight. Tampa has lost 10 of its last 11 contests, but has collected points on four occasions with overtime losses during the cold stretch.

Tampa Bay was defeated in OT this past Tuesday in Philadelphia, as Mike Richards scored on a power-play blast 2:05 into the extra session to lead the Flyers to a 4-3 decision.

With Ryan Malone off for interference, Kimmo Timonen held the puck in the left circle and left a perfect no-look backhand pass for Richards, who blasted the game-winner high and inside the right post.

Mark Recchi, Vinny Prospal and Steve Downie -- all former Flyers -- each tallied a goal in the loss. Head coach Rick Tocchet was also making his return to Philadelphia, as he played with the Orange & Black for parts of 11 seasons.

Mike Smith allowed four goals on 32 shots in defeat.

The Lightning are just 3-4-5 as the host this year and will also host Buffalo on Saturday to complete a brief two-game homestand. Tampa has lost four of its last five games at the Forum.

The Bruins have won six of eight against the Lightning overall and five of the last six contests in Tampa.