Rask makes 25 saves in shutout, Bruins blank Canucks 4-0

BOSTON — Charlie Coyle had a goal and an assist, Tuukka Rask stopped 25 shots for his third shutout this season and the Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to four games with a 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Karson Kuhlman also scored. Charlie McAvoy had two assists as Boston won for the fifth time in six games, remaining a point behind Washington for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Bruins have won all three games since returning from the All-Star break and their bye, which led to a 10-day layoff in the schedule.

“It’s nice to start off that way after a long break and you get a few wins under your belt and they’re not really fluky, either,” Coyle said. “We’re doing the right things and that’s a good sign coming out of a break.”

Jacob Markstrom made 38 saves for Vancouver, keeping his team close until the Bruins got goals late in the third period by Krejci and Kuhlman.

The Canucks, second in the Western Conference, lost in regulation for the first time since Jan. 14, when they were shut out at Winnipeg 4-0. Vancouver had surged since then, winning five straight before a 4-3 shootout loss at Carolina on Sunday.

The Canucks’ hopes to continue their point streak faded as Boston controlled the tempo from the start, outshooting Vancouver 13-6 in the first period.

“They know how to win. They know how to play. They’re heavy on the puck. We didn’t get inside enough on them,” Vancouver coach Travis Green said. “I thought in the small areas of the game they were harder than us.”

Rask stopped the few chances the Canucks had, earning his 48th career shutout and improving to 11-0-6 at home this season.

The Canucks also hurt themselves with seven penalties, although only one resulted in a goal when Kuhlman scored on a redirection 18:10 into the third period.

Green also lost a challenge after Coyle’s goal 14:24 into the game. Green thought the Bruins were offside before McAvoy fired a slap shot on Markstrom and a long rebound bounced right to Coyle in the slot.

“I think we’re playing hard and we’re playing fast,” McAvoy said. “Our forwards are so good at forechecking and the transition side of the game. If we can get up and make plays and just really move our feet, I think that plays to our style.”

McAvoy also assisted on Marchand’s goal with 4:25 left in the second on a one-timer from the slot off a centring pass by Patrice Bergeron.

Markstrom stopped Chris Wagner on a short-handed breakaway midway through the second during Vancouver’s first power-play opportunity. Marskstrom came up with another big save against Coyle on a breakaway later in the second.

NOTES: The Canucks were playing their fourth of five straight road games. … The Bruins are 6-1-1 against Pacific Division opponents and 13-3-3 against Western Conference teams. … The teams meet again Feb. 22 in Vancouver. … LW Danton Heinen, who missed Saturday’s game in Minnesota after taking a puck off his foot the night before at Winnipeg, was out again for Boston.

UP NEXT

Canucks: At the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Bruins: At the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.

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Doug Alden, The Associated Press