Penguins 2, Bruins 1: Live Score, Updates and Analysis

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The Penguins used a goal by Joe Vitale late in the first period to take the lead and they never looked back.

That goal turned out to be a decisive one as the Penguins recorded a 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. The Penguins have won nine games in a row and are in first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins defeated the Bruins twice in five days, having won the first game by a 3-2 score March 12.

Sidney Crosby scored for the Penguins to open the scoring and Tyler Seguin of the Bruins matched that later in the first period.

David Krejci was hit by a shot from teammate Johnny Boychuk late in the third period and had to be helped off the ice. He did not return.

Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang also left the game with a lower-body injury in the first period and did not return.

3:13 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (Final score)

The Bruins outshot the Penguins 31-18, but Vokoun was not tested frequently. The Bruins outshot the Penguins 12-3 in the third period.

The Penguins took two penalties in the game while the Bruins had just one. Neither team scored with the man advantage.

Three Stars:

Tomas Vokoun, First Star

Sidney Crosby, Second Star

Tyler Seguin, Third Star

3:01 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (Final score)

The Bruins look completely out of sync in the final moments and never test Vokoun with a chance to tie the game.

The Penguins played solid defense throughout and kept the Bruins from getting into their offense.

2:57 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (2:20 remaining in third period)

Krejci went to the lockerroom and the Bruins lose some of their cohesiveness without him. Bruins ice the puck in final 2:30.

2:52 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (5:00 remaining in third period)

Boychuk launches a rocket and his blast hits Krejci. The Bruins' center goes down in pain and Bruins trainer Donny Del Negro comes out on the ice to attend to him. Krejci is helped up and he moves slowly to the Boston bench.

2:49 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (5:00 remaining in third period)

Letang has a lower-body injury and he will not return today.

2:48 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (6:00 remaining in third period)

Seguin with a wraparound attempts and it skitters through the crease. Pittsburgh remains in the lead. Seguin can't believe that didn't go in.

2:43 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (8:00 remaining in third period)

Both teams making quick changes. The Bruins are looking for opportunities to push the puck up ice and they are getting stopped by the surprisingly active Pittsburgh defense.

The Penguins are playing with confidence and tying up Boston whenever the Bruins appear to be ready to create a strong offensive opportunity.

2:38 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (12:09 remaining in third period)

Bruins starting to dominate play in the offensive zone, but they still can't get the tying goal. Curious turn of events as Gregory Campbell gets the puck in the offensive zone and refuses to pass to wide open Seguin, who had his stick raised and ready to fire. Campbell's shot is just ordinary while Seguin would have had a chance to fire a rocket.

2:32 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (15:29 remaining in third period)

While the Bruins have had the territorial edge in the third period, the Penguins had a huge chance as Crosby carried the puck into the zone and sends the puck to the onrushing Kunitz. Rask makes a beautiful save.

2:29 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (17:00 remaining in third period)

Rookie Dougie Hamilton with a turnaround wrist shot that Vokoun stops. The Penguins ice the puck right after.

Peverley throws one on net and Vokoun grabs it.

2:15 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (20:00 remaining in third period)

The third period is underway.

2:13 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (end of second period)

The Bruins have outshot the Penguins 20-15 after two periods. However, the Penguins are the quicker team and when they have time and space, they often have the Bruins on their heels.

When the Bruins have the puck, the Penguins are contesting every pass and making life uncomfortable for the Bruins, especially in the offensive zone.

2:07 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (end of second period)

The Bruins kill the penalty and there is no scoring in the second period. Neither team had any great scoring chances and the Penguins go to the third period with the lead.

2:04 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (2:40 remaining in second period)

The Penguins are buzzing around the Bruins net and Pascal Dupuis swoops around the net with the puck, but Rask is up to the challenge.

Bergeron called for touching the puck with his hand in the defensive zone. Penguins go on the power play.

2:00 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (3:00 remaining in second period)

Bruins control the action on much of the power play but can't get the puck by Vokoun. David Krejci with a good keep-in at the blue line.

After Crosby comes out of the penalty box, the Penguins pressure Rask.

1:56 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (5:42 remaining in second period)

Crosby called for a high stick and Boychuk goes down. The Bruins will try to tie the game with their second power play of the game.

1:49 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (8:45 remaining in second period)

Paul Martin playing an excellent game for the Penguins' shorthanded defense. He takes the puck away from Marchand twice on the same shift.

Kris Letang out right now for Pens with unspecified injury.

1:41 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (13:40 remaining in second period)

Boychuk with a hard shot that Vokoun stops and Penguins control the rebound. Bruins later gain control and Horton wrists a shot that is stopped by Vokoun.

The Penguins then control the puck in the Bruins zone as the Boston defense appears to be running around a little bit. The Pens, however, don't generate any serious scoring opportunities.

1:35 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (17:00 remaining in second period)

Bruins force the action in the early going and Milan Lucic takes a hard shot that Vokoun saves. Crosby takes the rebound and flies down the left side and his hard slap shot goes just wide.

1:25 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (20:00 remaining in second period)

Second period action is underway.

1:21 PM ET

Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (after first period)

The Bruins outshot the Penguins 11-10 in the first period. Seguin led the Bruins with four shots and has the only Boston goal. Crosby had two shots and scored the first goal for the Pens. No other Pittsburgh player has more than one shot.

1:15 PM ET

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Pittsburgh 2, Boston 1 (end of first period)

Rask can't control a quick shot by Craig and Joe Vitale picks up the rebound and scores in the final minute to give the Penguins the lead at the end of the first period.

The puck went out of Rask's catching glove and Vitale roofed the rebound.

1:08 PM ET

Pittsburgh 1, Boston 1 (3:00 remaining in first period)

Great work by Krejci behind the net and that leads to an opportunity by Nathan Horton. He is wide open in the slot and fires his wrist shot. Vokoun makes the save.

Boychuk with a wrist shot, rebound to Seguin and he wrists it home.

Good pressure by Boston and the Bruins tie the score.

1:00 PM ET