Michael Ryder congratulates goalie Tim Thomas at the conclusion of the Bruins' 3-0 win over the Penguins Tuesday night. (AP)

It was sort of a frozen version of the tortoise and the hare.

While the Bruins meandered through the early season looking to build something resembling momentum, the Penguins swiftly began defense of their Stanley Cup championship by winning 11 of their first 13 games.

As the Bruins struggled to score goals and secure victories, the Pens were clicking and posting seven straight road wins to start the season.

But which team seems to be heading in the right direction now?

The Bruins’ 3-0 victory over the defending Cup champs Tuesday night marked the seventh straight game Boston has held the opposition to two goals or less.

With Tim Thomas making 27 saves — and his teammates blocking 22 more Pittsburgh shots — Boston was able to build on Saturday’s 4-2 win over Buffalo by shutting out the Penguins and securing its first back-to-back wins this season.

“It’s too bad it happened for the first time after 18 games, but tonight we showed if we play like we are right now, we can play extremely well,” said captain Zdeno Chara.

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Penguins forward Chris Bourque, the 23-year-old son of Bruins legend Ray Bourque, is skating at the TD Garden for first time in a regular season NHL game. The third-year NHL forward has generated just one assist in nine games in his first season with Pittsburgh. He has played NHL preseason contests in Boston before while with the Capitals.

With David Krejci back in the Bruins lineup, center Brad Marchand is out as a healthy scratch.