Bergeron's OT goal keeps Bruins ahead of playoff pack

Patrice Bergeron scored on a rebound with 18.3 seconds left in overtime and the Boston Bruins maintained their hold on the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 victory over the host New Jersey Devils.

Tuukka Rask stopped 21 shots to pick up his fifth shutout of the season, keeping Boston two points ahead of Atlanta in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference, and tying them with the Flyers and Montreal at 82 points.

Bergeron's goal was somewhat controversial in that he apparently knocked the stick out of the hands of Devils defenseman Paul Martin on the play. Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart took a shot from the point that Martin Brodeur stopped but left an open net for Bergeron to deposit his 18th goal of the season.

"It was a huge effort from everyone," Bergeron said after the Bruins beat the Devils for the first time this season. "We need it. It's in our hands. If we worry about ourselves and do the job, we shouldn't worry about anybody else. We've got to find a way to get that energy, that effort. We know it's a tough schedule but no one feels sorry for us."

The Devils picked up a point in the overtime defeat and are one point behind Pittsburgh in the race for first place in the Atlantic Division.

In other games:

* At Toronto, Nik Antropov picked the perfect time to score his first goal against his former team, netting the game-winner to help the Atlanta Thrashers keep their playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over the Maple Leafs. Antropov tipped a shot past goalie Jonas Gustavsson at 4 minutes, 44 seconds of the third period, putting the Thrashers in front just 57 seconds after Viktor Stalberg had tied the game for Toronto.

* At Uniondale, N.Y., Vinny Prospal, Olli Jokinen and Marian Gaborik scored second-period goals, and Marc Staal got the winner early in the third to lift the New York Rangers to a comeback, 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. Henrik Lundqvist posted 25 saves as the Rangers won for the third time in four games and remained four points behind Boston in the East.

* At Washington, Alex Kovalev scored a power-play goal with 18 seconds remaining in overtime - his first point since the Olympic break - and the Ottawa Senators beat the Capitals, 5-4, for their fifth consecutive win. Kovalev picked up his 18th goal of the season after Nicklas Backstrom was whistled for a tripping penalty with 33 seconds left in the extra period, handing the NHL standings leader their third straight loss. Jason Spezza had two goals and two assists for the Senators.

* At Nashville, Jonathan Bernier made 34 saves to record his first career shutout, Scott Parse and Sean O'Donnell scored third-period goals and the Los Angeles Kings scored a 2-0 victory over the Predators.

* At Detroit, Brad Stuart scored with 1:07 left in regulation to lift the Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers, after blowing a 4-0 second-period lead.

* At Columbus, Rick Nash scored twice, including the game-winner, and the Blue Jackets defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2.

* At St. Louis, Alex Steen had two goals and an assist, helping the Blues keep alive faint playoff hopes and hand the slumping Chicago Blackhawks their seventh loss in nine games, 4-2.

* At Vancouver, Henrik Sedin had a goal and two assists to lead the Canucks to a 4-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.

* Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, 22, has signed a 4-year contract extension that will run through the 2013-14 season. Pittsburgh has signed forwards Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, and defensemen Brooks Orpik and Letang through 2013-14, and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury through 2014-15.

* Canadiens center Glen Metropolit will miss at least the rest of the regular season because of a shoulder injury suffered during a loss to New Jersey Saturday night.

* Minnesota goalie Josh Harding won't play the rest of the season due to a torn labrum in his hip and will likely need surgery.

* Vancouver defenseman Shane O'Brien will be benched for the next three games for disciplinary reasons. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault did not give a specific reason for the action.