The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to 11 games and became the first team to clinch a playoff berth by blanking the suddenly-struggling Colorado Avalanche, 2-0, on Friday night.
Chad Johnson earned his third career shutout with a 31-save performance.
Patrice Bergeron and Carl Soderberg scored for the Bruins, who last won 11 straight during a 13-game run from Feb. 23-March 20, 1971.
Boston also tied St. Louis for the most points in the league with 101.
Semyon Varlamov was sharp in defeat, making 26 saves, but the Avalanche still lost their third consecutive game.
Colorado, which has dropped four of five overall, was shut out for the first time this season despite playing almost the entire final five minutes with Varlamov on the bench for an extra skater.
[SportsNetwork.com]