Poitras and Frederic help undefeated Boston Bruins blank Chicago Blackhawks 3-0
By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO - Matthew Poitras and Trent Frederic scored 56 seconds apart in the third period, and the Boston Bruins beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 on Tuesday night to match the best start in franchise history.
Pavel Zacha also scored for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves in his 10th career shutout.
The Bruins moved to 6-0 by closing out a perfect four-game trip in the franchise's centennial season. Boston also won its first six games of the 1937-38 season.
Petr Mrazek made 40 stops for Chicago in its third consecutive loss. The Blackhawks also lost to the Bruins on Oct. 11, falling 3-1 in Boston.
The Bruins were in control for most of the night, but it was only good enough for a 1-0 lead before Poitras and Frederic helped put it away.
The 19-year-old Poitras skated past veteran Blackhawks forward Corey Perry and beat Mrazek on the glove side at 4:06. The rookie forward scored his first two NHL goals in a 3-1 win at Anaheim on Sunday.
Frederic made it 3-0 when he knocked home a slick pass from James van Riemsdyk. It was Frederic's second goal of the season.
Chicago appeared to jump in front on Connor Bedard's power-play goal with 6:45 left in the first period. Boston defenseman Charlie Coyle passed the puck right to Bedard, who beat Swayman with a rocket from the slot.
But it was waved off after an offside challenge by Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. The United Center crowd of 19,370 booed when the ruling was announced.
Boston grabbed the lead on Zacha's first goal of the season 3:50 into the second. Zacha tipped home a shot by Kevin Shattenkirk from just inside the blue line.
Boston dominated the period, outshooting Chicago 18-7. But Mrazek kept the Blackhawks in the game despite heavy pressure by the Bruins.
WORTH NOTING
The Blackhawks placed forward Taylor Hall (left shoulder) on injured reserve. The move was made retroactive to Saturday. Hall has no goals and two assists in five games after he was acquired in a June trade with Boston. ... Bruins forward Milan Lucic missed his second straight game. He had a shot go off his right foot during Saturday's 4-2 win at Los Angeles. ... Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev played after he missed the start of the season with a left wrist injury.
UP NEXT
Bruins: Face the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game homestand.
Blackhawks: At the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday night.
