BOSTON, April 2 (UPI) -- Michael Ryder scored on a third-period penalty shot Saturday and the Boston Bruins clinched the Northeast Division title with a 3-2 win over Atlanta.
Ryder was awarded the shot after Thrashers defenseman Johnny Oduya hauled him down from behind following a turnover in the Atlanta zone. Ryder unleashed a snap shot past Ondrej Pavelec with 7:29 remaining to give Boston the lead.
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Mark Recchi and Daniel Paille also found the net and Tuukka Rask improved to 6-2-1 in his last nine starts with 28 saves for playoff-bound Boston.
The Thrashers, meanwhile, saw their last hopes for a post-season berth snuffed out with the setback.
Dustin Byfuglien and Evander Kane scored and Pavelec stopped 20 shots for Atlanta.
