Boston, MA

Goaltender Tuukka Rask recorded a 28-save shutout while Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored in the second period as the Boston Bruins blanked the Chicago Blackhawks, 2-0, for a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals at TD Garden.

The shutout was Rask's third in the Stanley Cup playoffs and first in the finals as the Bruins seized control with back-to-back victories in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 will be played Wednesday also at TD Garden.

Paille scored his fourth goal of the playoffs while Bergeron added his seventh on a power-play goal for the Bruins.

Corey Crawford stopped 33 shots for the Blackhawks, who were dealt a surprising blow before the start of the game when Marian Hossa was scratched from the lineup after reportedly being hit with the puck during pre-game warmups.

Hossa was tied for the team lead with 15 points in this postseason and has been Chicago's most consistent forward. Ben Smith, who played one game during the regular season for the Blackhawks, replaced him in the lineup.

The Bruins also had a scare during warmups. Captain Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic collided near the end of the pregame skate. Chara needed stitches in the back of his head but he played and recorded an assist on Bergeron's goal.

Paille scored his second goal of the series to give the Bruins the lead after a scoreless first period. Paille took the puck away from Bolland and fired one past Crawford at 2:13 for a 1-0 lead.

The Bruins had a 5-on-3 for 11 seconds with Bolland and Niklas Hjalmarsson in the penalty box which they took advantage to clinch a 2-0 lead.

Bergeron beat Chicago captain Jonathan Toews on the faceoff and scored the Bruins' second goal before Bolland could get back into play.

 

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2013 Stanley Cup Finals Game 3: Tuukka Rask Shutout Lifts Bruins Over Blackhawks