NHL: Boston 3, Montreal 1

BOSTON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Two power-play goals in the second period by Zdeno Chara put Boston in front Tuesday and the Bruins went on to down Montreal 3-1.

Boston extended its lead over second-place Montreal to 12 points in the Northeast Division.

The Bruins have won three in a row and improved to 17-3-1 at home this season thanks, in part, to 34 saves from Tim Thomas.

Montreal had a four-game winning streak snapped.

The Canadiens took the lead early in the second period on a power-play goal from Andrei Kostitsyn. Montreal, however, was blanked the rest of the way and Chara took advantage of Montreal penalties to score his eighth and ninth goals of the season.

Chara scored at 8:23 of the second while Patrice Brisebois was in the penalty box for hooking. He then put the Bruins ahead with 1:36 to go in the frame while Roman Hamrlik was off for cross-checking.

David Krejci gave the Bruins an insurance goal with 1:11 to play in the third. Boston has won three of the four meetings between the teams this season.