Bruins 2, Rangers 1: Tuukka Rask turned aside a season-high 43 shots and fourth-liner Daniel Paille scored a short-handed goal midway through the second period as visiting Boston spoiled Rick Nash's return to the ice.

Fellow linemate Shawn Thornton also tallied for the Bruins, who posted their sixth win in seven outings and maintained their recent dominance over New York. Boston eliminated its Original Six rival in five games during the second round of last season's playoffs.

The Bruins drew first blood at 4:58 of the second period after taking advantage of Mats Zuccarello's ill-advised pass and caught defenseman Justin Falk in the offensive zone. Thornton skated up the right wing before wristing a shot from the circle that sailed over the shoulder of Henrik Lundqvist (20 saves) and under the crossbar.

Paille doubled the advantage 6 1/2 minutes later after taking advantage of a misplayed puck by Ryan Callahan near the blue line. Paille beat the Rangers captain down the ice before tucking the puck past Lundqvist.

With his team on the power play, Derick Brassard answered 61 seconds later as his wrist shot from the left circle sailed between the legs of Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk and over the glove of Rask. The tally snapped the Bruins' string of successful penalty kills at 33.

GAME NOTEBOOK: New York LW Chris Kreider received a penalty shot at 6:16 of the first period after he was pulled down by Boychuk. Kreider, however, was denied by the right pad of Rask. ... Nash, who finished with five shots, missed 17 games after he suffered a concussion following a hit from San Jose D Brad Stuart on Oct. 8. ... Boston C Patrice Bergeron won 18-of-23 faceoffs while playing in his 600th career game. ... Bruins D Dennis Seidenberg suffered an undisclosed injury during the first period and did not return.