Krejci helps Bruins defeat Penguins, gain in East Division race

PITTSBURGH -- David Krejci had a goal and an assist for the Boston Bruins, who gained in the MassMutual East Division with a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand scored for the Bruins (28-14-6), who had lost two in a row following a six-game winning streak. Tuukka Rask made 25 saves after being scratched Sunday, when rookie Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves with Jaroslav Halak backing up in a 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh.
Boston remained four points ahead of the New York Rangers for fourth place in the division and moved within one point of the New York Islanders for third. The top four teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"There was a lot to like tonight from everybody to be honest with you," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We played a good, determined game. … Our top guys did the finishing tonight. Our bottom guys did a lot of the dirty work, the grunt work. The physicality, it's a good formula for us."

Jeff Carter scored, and Tristan Jarry made 28 saves for the Penguins (32-15-3), who had won four straight and fell one point behind the Washington Capitals, who defeated the Islanders 1-0 on Tuesday, for first in the division.
The Penguins and Capitals play a two-game set at Washington on Thursday and Saturday.
"I think when the stakes are high like this, both teams have a lot on the line," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "Boston, obviously, give them credit. They had a strong response game. They played hard. … I don't think we were at our best, but having said that, I thought we were competing. But we were right there."
Krejci gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 18:10 of the second period. He deked around Mike Matheson to the left circle, where he scored on a backhand to end Jarry's shutout streak at 125:36.
The goal was Krejci's seventh this season but fourth in the past six games.
"We addressed some things before the game," Krejci said. "Obviously, we know where we're at in the standings, what's going on around us. We talked about some stuff. For the most part, we stuck to the game plan and did exactly what we talked about."
Marchand made it 2-0 with his 26th goal of the season at 9:11 of the third period. His initial shot bounced high off Jarry and landed for David Pastrnak, who took a wrist shot that produced another rebound for Marchand at the right post.

Hall scored on a snap shot from the high slot to extend the lead to 3-0 at 12:18. The forward has scored four goals in nine games with Boston after scoring two in 38 games with the Buffalo Sabres.
"I think these past couple games have been playoff-type hockey," Rask said. "Both teams have been defending. The ice, it's tough to get out there. There's no space to make fancy plays too much. I think you have to be patient. I think today, we played a smart and patient game. We got rewarded."
Carter ended the shutout with a slap shot at 17:39 to make it 3-1.
"I think you have to make life a little more difficult for [Rask]," Pittsburgh forward Bryan Rust said. "You have to try to score some ugly goals, whether it goes off a shin pad or you get a rebound, or things like that. I think we can do a better job of that."
NOTES: Boston scored two or fewer goals in four of its previous five games against Pittsburgh. … Carter has scored three goals in eight games with the Penguins since being acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings on April 12.