Milan Lucic scored his 15th of the season and Tuukka Rask made 30 saves as the Boston Bruins blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Zdeno Chara added an empty-netter in the final minute.
Per @EliasSports: @NHLBruins earned a regular-season shutout win in PIT for 1st time since Nov. 24, 1976 (Cheevers, 4-0 W). #BOSvsPIT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 14, 2015
With the win, Boston has now won five straight and seven of its last nine and moves past the Washington Capitals for the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins have a game in hand on the Caps.
Boston’s win coupled with Detroit’s loss in Philly leaves the Bruins just three points back of the Wings in the Atlantic Division. Detroit has one game in hand.
Pittsburgh played much of the game without both Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.
Crosby was a late scratch from the lineup due to illness and replaced by Craig Adams following the pre-game skate.
Malkin took a hit from Chris Kelly on his first shift of the game and was shaken up. He left the game briefly, but returned to finish the first period. He did not return to start the second.
Johnston says "We think they might be able to play" Sunday.
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPGH) March 14, 2015
Rask’s shutout was his third of the season and the 26th of his career.
Tuukka Rask posted his 26th career shutout to tie Gerry Cheevers for 6th on @NHLBruins all-time list; Eddie Johnston is 5th w/ 27. #BOSvsPIT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 14, 2015
Thomas Greiss made 28 saves in the loss.
With Saturday’s victory, Boston wins the season series taking two of three from Pittsburgh. The Penguins won the first meeting 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 24. The Bruins edged the Pens with a 3-2 overtime win on Jan. 7.