(My Sportsbook) - The struggling Boston Bruins will try to win for just the second time in eight games when they welcome the Florida Panthers for tonight's clash at TD Banknorth Garden.

Despite losing six of their last seven games, the Bruins still have 88 points on the year and currently hold a 19-point lead over Montreal for first place in the Northeast Division. However, Boston is now just seven points ahead of Washington for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Bruins' slide has also allowed San Jose to take a three-point edge for first in the NHL. The team with the most points at the end of the regular season is awarded the Presidents' Trophy.

After beating Carolina last Tuesday to end a four-game losing streak, Boston was handed consecutive road losses over the weekend. The first setback came against these Panthers, as Florida recorded a 2-0 victory Saturday at BankAtlantic Center.

The Bruins were then handed a close loss this past Sunday in Tampa. Vinny Prospal netted the game-winner on the power play late in the third period, lifting the Lightning to the 4-3 win over at St. Pete Times Forum.

Andrew Ference notched his first goal of the season for Boston, but also committed the penalty that led to the go-ahead tally by Prospal. Phil Kessel and Zdeno Chara also lit the lamp for the Bruins, who concluded a five-game road trip with a 1-3-1 record.

Marc Savard collected two assists and Manny Fernandez stopped 14-of-18 shots to take the loss.

Tonight's test kicks off a six-game homestand for the Bruins, who are 19-4-4 as the host this year, but have dropped two straight and three of their last four in Beantown. This residency matches Boston's longest homestand of the season.

Florida's last test came in Saturday's home victory over the Bruins. Tomas Vokoun was masterful between the pipes in that game, turning away all 41 shots in his sixth shutout this season. Radek Dvorak scored both Florida goals in the 2-0 victory.

Dvorak broke a scoreless tie on a short-handed breakaway in the opening moments of the third period and added some insurance exactly five minutes later for the playoff-hopeful Panthers, who have won seven of 10 and are tied with Buffalo for the seventh seed in the East. Florida is trying to make the postseason for the first time since 2000.

Vokoun notched his 31st career shutout and third in the last six games. He also picked up an assist on Dvorak's first goal. The Panthers set a new franchise mark with their NHL-leading ninth shutout overall this season. Backup Craig Anderson has the other three.

The Panthers, who are just 13-13-3 as the guest this year, are beginning a five-game road trip tonight. Florida's trek also ties a season-high road trip, as it marks the club's third five-game swing of the year.

Florida picked up its first win in three tries this season against the Bruins on Saturday, but Boston has still taken three of the last five meetings. The Panthers have won seven of their last nine games at the Garden.