Summary — The Bruins and Canadiens got the stretch run started in earnest Tuesday night at TD Garden with a three period tango that Montreal won 4-1. Tuukka Rask got a career-high seventh consecutive start for Boston and but lost for the first time in five games with 29 saves. Carey Price was the goaltender of record for the Canadiens and stopped 23 pucks for the win. The Bruins have now lost 10 straight at home (0-7-3) with their last victory in Boston coming at Fenway Park for the Winter Classic Jan.1.

The Bruins entered the third period with a 1-0 advantage before Montreal came back with two goals to take the lead and seal the victory. The game-winner was scored by Maxim LaPierre on a rebound that he swept up in the crease to beat Rask.

Boston opened the scoring in the first period on the power play when Zdeno Chara hit a blast from the point that got tangled in the crease with Marco Sturm, Price and Habs defenseman Josh Gorges. As Gorges pushed Sturm over Price, Sturm dislodged the puck and swept it into the goal to send the Bruins into the second period with a 1-0 lead.

The Habs came at the Bruins with some momentum midway through the second period but Rask was able to put the clamps down on any Montreal scoring chances including two point-blank chances by Maxim LaPierre to preserve the shutout going into the third period.

The Bruins had shutout the Canadiens for 129:55 of gameplay before former Bruin Geln Metropolit tied the game up when he beat Rask with a wrist shot from the slot on the rush at 2:40 in the third period. Metropolit has haunted his former team with four goals in five games against Boston this year.

Bruins’ center Patrice Bergeron did not play with a groin strain and will be day-to-day.

Three Stars –

Carey Price — The much maligned Montreal goaltender started the Candiens’ stretch run off on a good foot by holding the Bruins to one goal to pick up his 13th win of the year.

Maxim LaPierre — The Canadiens’ center is rumored to be on the trading block and played a spirited game. He was rewarded with his sixth goal of the year in the third period that (proved to be the game winner) (put Montreal uo 2-1).

Marco Sturm — The German Olympic team may not have made a splash but Sturm continues to make waves for the Bruins. His first period power play goal was his 19th of the year which leads the team.

Turning Point – Michael Ryder took a holding penalty at 4:10 in the third that gave the Canadiens momentum to score the go-ahead goal by LaPierre at 7:24. Rask killed the penalty for the Bruins with a series of solid saves but could not hold them all back as he bobbled a shot by Travis Moen at the baseline that LaPierre cleaned up in the crease.

Key Play — Boston’s Marc Savard had a break away in the second period and attempted to dance in on Price but was harried by LaPierre from behind enough that Savard could not get a shot away. LaPierre was called for a slashing penalty that put the Bruins on the man-advantage but the Canadiens killed it and the Bruins  would not threaten again. Hence, a smart penalty by LaPierre gave the Canadiens a chance to come back and win the game.