Canadiens make it official

MONTREAL -- A realist knew the end of the Bruins' postseason hopes was coming. The players and coaches said all the right things because that's what they had to do. But for a long time now, their last regular-season game April 15 in Atlanta has loomed as the end to the excruciating 2005-06 campaign.

Now there is no doubt. Boston was mathematically eliminated from contention for a playoff spot with last night's 2-0 defeat at the hands of its biggest Northeast Division rival -- Montreal -- at the Bell Centre. It was the third consecutive shutout against the Bruins by Canadiens goaltender Cristobal Huet, who made 32 saves in his 11th career blanking.

''You play all year and you play a lot of games and to be told that you're pretty much finished with seven games left is tough," said defenseman Brad Stuart. ''But we've all got pride and we've all got a love for the game and we don't want to get embarrassed. We're going to finish the year as strong as we can. I don't think we should let it sink in. I think we should go out and we should keep playing as if we've got something to play for. I think we do."

Embattled coach Mike Sullivan, who has tried to keep a stiff upper lip through a constant stream of adversity, said they are all aware of where they stand.

''It's disappointing," he said. ''But we've got a handful of games left that we've got to strive to get better. These guys are proud guys. They all have, we all have, careers at stake, and these guys are well aware of that."

As has been true many times this season, the Bruins had offensive opportunities but couldn't finish. They were 0 for 4 on the power play to Montreal's 0 for 6. At even strength, Boston played pretty well, but the few breakdowns they had were costly. In the scoreless first period, the Bruins had a terrific shorthanded chance. With Montreal skating with a four-on-three advantage, Travis Green fed Stuart, who backhanded a shot from in front, but Huet blocked it with his right pad.

Both of the Bruins' power plays in the first came late in the period as defenseman Michael Komisarek was called for high-sticking at 15:13, and hadn't been out of the box for long when he was whistled for roughing at 18:18. During the second power play, both Brad Boyes and Milan Jurcina tested Huet.

At the 16-minute mark, the Habs broke through with the only goal they'd need. Defenseman Mark Streit moved the puck up for right wing Alexander Perezhogin, who found left wing Garth Murray with a short backhand pass. Murray, charging down from the right circle, lifted a shot over Tim Thomas, beating the goalie to the stick side. Murray was also involved in a fight, going toe to toe with Dan LaCouture at 3:11 of the second.

The Bruins got into significant penalty trouble early in the third as three straight blue liners headed to the box, cutting their defense corps in half. Hal Gill was called for hooking at 19:38 of the second, which left him serving most of the infraction to start the final period. Just 33 seconds in, rookie Mark Stuart joined Gill as he got caught closing his hand on the puck, and the Habs had a two-man edge.

At the 56-second mark, rookie Andrew Alberts was assessed a delay of game penalty for firing the puck into the stands.

Canadiens sniper Alexei Kovalev had two terrific scoring chances during the extended two-man advantage, but Thomas gloved them both.

Even after Boston killed off the five-on-three and was working to nullify the five-on-four, Kovalev had a one-timer from the right circle at 2:37, but Thomas was there. Despite the excellent penalty killing, the Canadiens added another tally, this time at even strength when 23-year-old Murray generated the first two-goal game of his career. At 7:07, defenseman Craig Rivet fired a wrister from the right point that Murray tipped home to make it a two-goal game. In the end, it was another loss, and a more painful one than usual.

''Based on the game tonight, you can tell the effort is there and the personal pride is there," said Thomas, who made 33 saves. ''I don't think there is anybody on the team who took a night off tonight. From a goalie's perspective, I'm happy with my team. We did the best we could."

As the losses piled up and the odds grew longer of Boston rallying to make the playoffs, Thomas said he and his teammates tried to remain optimistic.

''The past couple of days you kind of knew it was a long shot but you hold on to that little chance, I know all about that," said Thomas, referring to his serpentine career path. ''Now you're playing for personal pride and for each other and the coaching staff and for the myriad of people whose lives this season could affect."