This one was far from a classic.

Returning to game action after a three-day break, the Bruins shook off some early doldrums to take a 2-1 victory over the Panthers Sunday in Sunrise, Fla.

Most contests between the Bruins and Panthers are short on the electricity scale, and the second of four meetings between the teams this season followed that form.

The B’s came out flat and fell behind on a shaky goal against Tim Thomas but rallied to tie the game on a Michael Ryder goal in the second and win it in the third on a strong goal by Marco Sturm.

The victory was third straight for Boston. While the rest of the hockey world sets it sights on the outdoor Winter Classic looming at Fenway Park on New Year’s Day, the Bruins will look to complete a sweep of a two-game road swing through Florida when taking on the Lightning in St. Petersburg on Monday.

After Sunday’s win, Boston is 5-1-1 against the Southeast Division, with contests against Tampa and Atlanta remaining this week. Last season’s Bruins squad beat up on weaker opponents, and the B’s seem to be capitalizing on those chances this year, too.

While the Winter Classic certainly is the focal point this week, the three games leading into the Frozen Fenway event could provide an important boost for the Bruins.

Here are three things we learned from Sunday’s win:  

A FLAT FIRST

Taking on the Panthers should have been a competitive challenge for the Bruins. Both teams entered Sunday’s game having gone 5-3-2 in their last 10 contests, with Florida’s top line of Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton and Michael Frolik having generated 14 goals in the Panthers' last eight games.

Yet, playing for the first time since taking a 6-4 home win over Atlanta Wednesday, the Bruins came out flat against the Panthers.

Some four minutes into the game, Dominic Moore whirled and one-timed a shot from the left corner that snuck between Thomas’ leg pads, giving Florida a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers continued to press the attack, outshooting Boston 14-8 in the period, hardly the start the Bruins were looking for after their Christmas break.

STARTING TO STEP UP IN THE SECOND

The B’s started getting their skating legs in the second, controlling play but generating few shots, until Ryder deflected an Andrew Ference slapper past former Boston College goalie Scott Clemmensen to tie the game with 3:52 left in the period.

The goal was the first this season for the B's in nearly five periods against the Panthers. The teams had skated to a 0-0 deadlock after 65 minutes of play on Nov. 12 before Florida ultimately prevailed in the shootout.

The Bruins were able to avoid any overtime setbacks Sunday as Sturm gathered a pass inside the Florida blue line and fought through a check to unleash a wrist shot from the slot that eluded Clemmensen 4:39 into the third.

Boston still needed a few sharp saves by Thomas in the final minutes to secure the victory. After struggling through a four-game stretch without a win, Thomas has won three straight games, improving to 10-8-5 on the season.

MORRIS RETURNS

Defenseman Derek Morris was able to get back into the Boston lineup after missing three games with an undisclosed injury.

Morris was paired with Matt Hunwick on the third defensive group. He logged just under 18 minutes of ice time, generating one shot on goal and one hit.

With Morris back in the lineup, rookie Adam McQuaid became a healthy scratch.