Despite preparation for this weekend's Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, the Bruins hoped to capture the attention of New England fans with another three wins at home.

However, after a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators, the Bruins faded for the first time this year, suffering two puzzling losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last Saturday, the Bruins played against Pittsburgh, where the defenses would set the tone for the game.With eight seconds left in the first period, Penguins center Evgeni Malkin capitalized on the power play, firing a goal past Bruins goalie Tim Thomas for a 1-0 lead.

After a goalless second period defined by missed scoring opportunities from the Bruins, Pittsburgh forward Matt Cooke broke through Boston's defense once more, tapping a goal past the outstretched glove of Thomas for a 2-0 lead.

As the period progressed, the Bruins crowd grew increasingly silent. With only six minutes, 45 seconds remaining, defenseman Joe Corvo would attempt to revive the Boston crowd, hooking a shot past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to cut the lead to one goal.

Yet, the Bruins still failed to find the back of the net, resulting in a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

Hosting the Carolina Hurricanes last Thursday, Bruins Coach Claude Julien knew that his team would want revenge after losing in its three previous matches against the Hurricanes.

It did not seem to make much of a difference, however. The Bruins were shut out for the first time since Dec. 8.

"They're a good team," Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask said. "You look at the standings, and they're not where they want to be, but. ... especially against us, they play some good hockey.

Although the Bruins outshot the Hurricanes 22-8 in the first period, Carolina capitalized, scoring the first goal of the game.

The Hurricanes would take advantage of a fading Boston defense, outshooting the Bruins 14-5. Carolina added their second goal from right wing Tuomo Ruutu with three minutes, 19 seconds left in the period.

The Hurricanes added their final goal of the game on a wrist shot from center Brandon Sutter three minutes, 14 seconds into the third period.

The Bruins began their marathon week last Tuesday with a game that resembled so many others this season.

Despite facing a 3-1 deficit, Boston managed to once again pull out an inspired 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

"We need to clean up different parts of our game, but we played well in the third and hopefully we carry this into our next game," said left wing Brad Marchand, whose third-period equalizer spurred the Bruins on to victory.

The Bruins would not be denied a goal in the first period. Defenseman Zdeno Chara ripped a slap shot into the bottom-right corner to send TD Garden wild just 11 minutes, 57 seconds into the game.

Thomas was beaten by center Colin Greening with one minute, 14 seconds left in the first to tie the game at one.

The Senators added on another two goals to take a formidable 3-1 lead.

However, left wing Milan Lucic wasn't about to let the period end without a goal, sending a laser to the top-left corner with 45 seconds left in the second period.

Marchand was on hand to tap the puck in the net after a missed shot, 17 minutes, 40 seconds left in the third period.

Defenseman Dennis Seidenberg put the Bruins ahead for good in the third period, ripping a shot from behind the blue line for a 4-3 lead.

After a Sunday afternoon win against the Washington Capitals, the Bruins will continue their recovery from last week's three-game losing streak at Buffalo tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.