The Boston Bruins have a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup finals after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 in Game 3.
The two sides contested an evenly fought first period. The Bruins carried their momentum from Game 2 and dominated the start of the period but the Blackhawks came back toward the end of the opening frame to level the momentum. Boston wound up outshooting Chicago 11-10 in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Bruins jumped out to a lead early in the second period when Daniel Paille scored his second goal of the series at the 2:13 mark of the middle frame. Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin provided the assists on the goal. The team doubled the score 12 minutes later thanks to a powerplay goal from Patrice Bergeron. Jaromir Jagr and Zdeno Chara added the assists; the goal was Bergeron's seventh of the postseason. Boston wound up outshooting Chicago 15-9 in the second period.
Chicago came out desperate to make a comeback in the third but was unable to muster more than nine shots on goal.
Boston goalie Tuuka Rask finished the night with 27 saves for his third shutout of the postseason; he has only allowed seven goals in his last seven games. Boston won its fourth straight Game 3 of the postseason and its seventh straight home game; the team has only lost twice at the TD Garden during the playoffs and has not been defeated there since Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Chicago lost its fourth straight Game 3. They have won two of their three Game 4's during this postseason.
Game 4 takes place on Wednesday at 8 PM EST.