Prusek posts second shutout of season

BOSTON (AP) -- Unable to score on five power plays and unable to generate much offense in the final two periods Tuesday, the Boston Bruins were shut out for the fifth time at home this season.

After breaking a six-game winless streak Monday with a 3-1 win at Washington, the Bruins took a step backward. Their 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators was their second shutout in their last four home games.

Boston managed just 13 shots in the final two periods, with only four of those shots coming in the third period.

"We came out strong, but when the game went on, we got away from it," Bruins coach Mike Sullivan said. "That happens when you struggle on the power play."

Martin Prusek stopped 24 shots and Todd White scored an unassisted short-handed goal in the first period as the Senators' extended their undefeated streak to seven games. The Senators are unbeaten in their last six road games.

Prusek (5-3-1) got his second shutout of the season.

"Shutouts are never easy. Our defense played very well," Prusek said.

White, who has four goals and an assist in his last five games, slid the puck backward through his legs and into the net at 14:27 of the opening period. It was his sixth goal of the season.

"At the last second I thought it wouldn't look good if I didn't get a shot off, so I tried to just put it between my legs, and luckily it went in," White said.

The Bruins are 0-5-4 in their last nine home games. Boston last went so long at home without a victory in going 0-4-4-1 from Dec. 21, 1999 to Jan. 24, 2000.

"We're squeezing our sticks harder here," Bruins captain Joe Thornton said. "We're a lot more freewheeling on the road."

Ottawa built the lead to 3-0 in the second period on goals 44 seconds apart from Marian Hossa and Antoine Vermette.

Hossa got his 16th of the season on a one-timer from the right side. Vermette scored his fourth on a nifty pass in front of the net from Martin Havlat.

The Bruins went through the first 15:48 minutes of the third period without getting off a shot.

Andrew Raycroft (9-10-6) stopped 23 of Ottawa's 26 shots.

Game notes
Martin Lapointe is one point short of his 300 in the NHL. ... The Bruins have allowed eight short-handed goals this season, second in the league. ... Boston hasn't won back-to-back games since Nov. 14-15, when it defeated Columbus and Vancouver. ... Ottawa is 15-2-0-0 when leading after two periods.