Rask shuts out Oilers, Bruins win 2-0

The Bruins were coming off of a hard fought loss to New Jersey on Thursday night and turned in another stellar effort against Edmonton.

Tuukka Rask shut down the Edmonton attack, and Vladimir Sobotka was today's offensive star as the Bruins took the match, 2-0.

The game had an extremely fast pace from the start, as Boston and Edmonton went back and forth. The line of Blake Wheeler, Daniel Paille and Sobotka was a cycling machine, with Paille and Sobotka controlling the boards against the Edmonton players.

The defensive pairs were also playing effectively. The Edmonton forwards were having a hard time finding quality scoring chances, and the pairs were also chipping in with some offensive pressure.

The second period started the same way that the first period ended for Boston, with all four lines providing a spark.

The fourth line had a great flurry, with Shawn Thornton, Byron Bitz and Steve Begin swarming the net, but they came up empty.

The energy level rose to another level midway through the second period when Steve Begin jacked up Zack Stortini at the Edmonton blue line. The hitting really picked up from that point, as both teams were not afraid to throw their weight around.

Boston continued to pressure the Oiler zone, and with about seven minutes to go in the second, Zdeno Chara teed up a slapper that went off Nikolai Khabibulin's mask.

After a storm of pressure from Edmonton, Boston came ever so close to taking a one goal lead into the intermission. Sobotka found the back of the net, however, it was a second or two after the buzzer had sounded and the teams went to the locker room scoreless after two.

The third period began with Boston missing on a couple of quality chances, however, fortunately for the Bruins the trend did not continue. Sobotka did a great job along the boards, battling with Theo Peckham. Sobotka won the battle down the wall, and fed a streaking Wheeler for the goal.

The roles were reversed, just over four minutes later as this time it was Wheeler who found Sobotka on a two-on-one rush. Wheeler put a pass over a defenders stick and onto the tape of Sobotka who was able to beat Khabibulin.

The two teams played out the string and Boston hung on for a 2-0 victory. Tuuka Rask stopped 19 shots in shutting out the Oilers, while Sobotka and Wheeler each had a goal and an assist in the win.

Games Three Stars

1) Sobotka

2) Rask

3) Wheeler