NHL: Boston 4, Atlanta 0

BOSTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Tuukka Rask made 18 saves Wednesday and turned in his second shutout of the season in carrying the Boston Bruins to a 4-0 win over Atlanta.

Rask has made 21 NHL appearances over three seasons and this was his third career shutout.

Byron Bitz, Marco Sturm and Steve Begin all scored in the first period. It was the 13th goal of the season for Sturm, who tallied on the power play.

Boston won for the fourth time in five games and will be the host Friday for the 2010 Winter Classic. The Bruins will meet Philadelphia at Fenway Park.

Atlanta starter Ondrej Pavelec gave up three goals on 10 shots in just under 17 minutes. Johan Hedberg finished the game and made 19 saves in Atlanta's sixth straight loss.