Halak, Ritchie lead Bruins past Rangers 1-0 for 5th straight

Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves, Nick Ritchie scored in the second period and the Boston Bruins beat the New York Rangers 1-0 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory.

Halak earned his 51st career shutout as the East Division leaders extended their point streak to 10 games (9-0-1) in a physical, tight-checking tussle that included several fights.

Igor Shesterkin stopped 29 shots but the Rangers were blanked for the second time in three games and dropped their third in a row. Each of their last 11 games have been decided by two goals or fewer — eight with a one-goal margin.

Boston Bruins' Jaroslav Halak (41) stops a shot in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

Halak improved his career record against the Rangers to 23-8-1. New York has been shut out three times this season, all at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin sat out with a lower-body injury and the Russian winger is considered day-to-day, coach David Quinn said. Panarin played only three shifts in the third period of Wednesday night's overtime loss to the Bruins.

Ritchie scored at 9:27 of the second. The forward blew past rookie defenseman K’Andre Miller and snuck a short-side shot past Shesterkin. David Krejci and Jeremy Lauzon assisted on the play.

Boston Bruins' Jeremy Lauzon (55) and New York Rangers' Pavel Buchnevich (89) fight in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

New York killed off four minor penalties and has successfully killed 21 consecutive power plays in the past six games.

The Rangers also failed to convert on six power-play opportunities.

Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk did not skate due to a lower-body injury.

Boston Bruins' Trent Frederic (11) and New York Rangers' Brendan Lemieux (48) fight in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

POINT STREAK SNAPPED

Charlie McAvoy’s eight-game point streak came to an end. The Long Island-born defenseman had 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) during the stretch. It was the longest point streak by a Bruins defenseman since Ray Bourque in 1995-96. ... Brad Marchand’s nine-game point streak also was snapped in the victory.

ZIBANEJAD’S SCORING DROUGHT

New York Rangers' Ryan Lindgren skates off the ice after his face was cut in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

Rangers center Mika Zibanejad has only one goal in 13 games this year after scoring a career-high 41 last season. In addition, the Swedish center has just one point in the past 10 games.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

The Rangers skated in their sixth consecutive home game, dating to Jan. 30 against the Penguins. New York is playing at least six straight home games for the 14th time in franchise history.

Boston Bruins' Jaroslav Halak (41) is congratulated by teammates Kevan Miller (86) after their win over the New York Rangers in an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

UP NEXT

Rangers: Host the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Bruins: Visit the New York Islanders on Saturday.

More AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Boston Bruins' Trent Frederic (11) heads for the net as New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin (31) defends during an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

Boston Bruins' Jaroslav Halak (41) defends his net as New York Rangers' Chris Kreider (20) closes in during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

New York Rangers' Ryan Lindgren (55) is hit by Boston Bruins' David Pastrnak (88) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)

Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand shoots against the New York Rangers in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in New York. (ElsaPool Photo via AP)