Shawn Thornton scored two goals - his first coming 56 seconds after Michael Ryder tallied in the second period - as the Boston Bruins skated to a 4-1 triumph over the visiting Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday.

Patrice Bergeron netted an unassisted shorthanded goal for his 300th career point and Daniel Paille notched a pair of assists for Boston (18-11-4), which entered the contest with just one win in its last five contests (1-3-1).

With the addition of the two tallies, Thornton now has a career-high seven goals this season. Thornton hit the post in the waning moments of the third period, denying his chance for his first hat trick of his career.

Staked to an early three-goal lead, Tim Thomas wasn't tested too much in this one. The veteran goaltender turned aside 27 shots to improve to 16-4-3 with the victory.

Bergeron opened the scoring exactly three minutes into the first period after collecting a loose puck at center ice and tucking it past Ondrej Pavelec for his seventh goal of the season. The tally ended the Bruins' scoreless drought at 105 minutes and 57 seconds.

Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien netted his team-leading 13th goal for his 21st point in his last 18 games for Atlanta (19-13-5), which dropped its seventh straight game in Beantown. The Thrashers last won in Boston on March 31, 2007.

Pavelec finished with 31 saves to fall to 12-7-3 this season.