Ryan Spooner, Tuukka Rask help Bruins beat Senators 5-0

Posted December 30, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rusk makes a chest save against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - The Boston Bruins pushed aside the reeling Ottawa Senators - again.

Ryan Spooner scored twice and Tuukka Rask made 25 saves in the Bruins' 5-0 victory over the Senators on Saturday night.

Noel Acciari, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins, 5-1 winners over the Senators on Wednesday night in Boston. Rask had his second shutout of the season and 40th overall.

"We took over the game," Rask said. "Their chances came early and that's it. We scored more and we always played the same way and that's great to see. Going ahead that has to continue because that's going to reward us in the future."

Mike Condon stopped 29 shots for the Senators. Ottawa was shut out five times in December, going 4-8-2 in the month. The Senators have been outscored 14-6 in their past three games.

"It's stupidity and frustration," Senators forward Mark Stone said. "We put ourselves in terrible spots when you look at the goals that they're scoring. We're putting ourselves in terrible situations."

Boston took a 4-0 lead in the second, scoring three goals on 13 shots.

Sean Kuraly provided a screen for Acciari, who beat Condon off his backhand for a 2-0 advantage. Just over two minutes later, Ben Harpur, looking to shoot the puck in at the blue line, had his shot picked off by Spooner, who broke in alone and beat Condon through the legs.

Krejci, returning to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury, then picked up Charlie McAvoy's rebound and tucked it in at the side of the net on the power play. The Bruins took a 5-0 lead in the opening minutes of the third when Bergeron tipped Torey Krug' shot for their third power-play goal of the game.

The Bruins opened the scoring at 8:13 of the first on the man advantage. After a couple of solid saves by Condon, a rebound popped right out to Spooner.

NOTES: Ottawa D Fredrik Claesson served the second game of his two-game suspension. ... Boston LW Anders Bjork, C Frank Vatrano and D Paul Postma were healthy scratches.

UP NEXT

Bruins: At New York Islanders on Tuesday night.

Senators: At Detroit on Wednesday night.

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For more NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey

Boston Bruins' Ryan Spooner (51) celebrates his second goal of the night with teammates David Krejci (46) and Jake DeBrusk (74), against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Boston Bruins' Ryan Spooner (51) celebrates his second goal of the night with teammate David Krejci (46), against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

Boston Bruins' Ryan Spooner (51) checks Ottawa Senators' Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Fred Chartrand/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

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