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Updated Dec 24, 2008 7:30 PM ET
     
 
NEWARK, N.J. - Heading into last night's game with the New Jersey Devils, the Bruins had allowed the fewest number of goals in the NHL, not much of a surprise given coach Claude Julien's emphasis on defense. What may be more surprising, however, was the B's leading the league in goals scored, with 124, topping the output from such offensive powerhouses as the Detroit Red Wings (119) and San Jose Sharks (116). The scoring is even more surprising given that only last season, the Bruins scored just 212 goals, ranking them 13th out of the 15 Eastern Conference teams. ``That part of our game has gotten better,'' Julien said after the morning skate at the Prudential Center. The Bruins have enjoyed balanced scoring, with six players earning 20 or more points and five players already in double figures in goals. Another key has been the emergence of the team's young forwards. Despite their relative inexperience, Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Milan Lucic and rookie Blake Wheeler are second, third, fifth and sixth, respectively, in points on the team. The foursome took the ice vs. the Devils having combined for 53 goals, or 43 percent of the team's total. ``It's nice to integrate young players into your lineup,'' general manager Peter Chiarelli said. ``But the key is to do it at the right time. I think we've got a nice blend now, and the right veterans to help support the younger guys.'' Yelle heard from When the B's signed veteran Stephane Yelle on the eve of training camp, it was with the idea that they were getting a forward with a sound defensive game and a proven ability to win faceoffs. For the first 30 or so games of the season, Yelle filled that role ably as the center on the team's checking line. But the recent loss of Patrice Bergeron (concussion) forced a change, with Yelle elevated to the second line, centering for Chuck Kobasew and P.J. Axelsson. Yelle may not be the playmaker that Bergeron is (when Bergeron was injured Saturday, he already had 14 assists, a figure topped by Yelle in only three of his previous 12 NHL seasons), but that won't change his approach now that he's taken over second-line duties. ``I'm just trying to keep doing what I've always done,'' Yelle said. ``I've never tried to complicate things with my game.'' Yelle had already played some with Axelsson earlier this season and has experience playing with Kobasew when the two were with the Calgary Flames. Clemmensen saves Scott Clemmensen got the nod in goal for the Devils, who are without franchise goalie Martin Brodeur (arm) until February. The Boston College product served as the backup to Brodeur when Julien coached the Devils in 2006-07. He spent last season in Toronto, then returned to New Jersey. Clemmensen (11-3-1, 2.30 goals-against, .921 save percentage) has been a season-saver for the Devils. ``To see him succeed, having had him as a coach here, I'm very happy for him,'' Julien said. Read the Bruins Insider at bostonherald.com.
Tagged: Martin Brodeur, Bruins, Stephane Yelle, Chuck Kobasew, Patrice Bergeron, Scott Clemmensen, Devils

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