Tocchet’s Hat Trick Leads Bruins

Boston is making its playoff run, and no one can say the Bruins are taking advantage of the weak in doing it.

Boston got three goals from Rick Tocchet in the third period--the 13th hat trick of his career--to overpower Pittsburgh, 4-2, Thursday night at Boston.

It was the fourth victory in a row for the Bruins, who have also won seven of their last 10 games and moved to within two points of Montreal for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

“Time is running out in the regular season, so it’s nice to get a win against one of the powerhouses in the league,” Tocchet said. “When we play the Penguins, we have to show that we are unflappable and come right at them.”

Pittsburgh, second in the Eastern Conference in points with 84, has become very flappable, having lost its third third consecutive game. The Penguins are 3-9-1 in their last 13 games on the road.

Chicago 5, Vancouver 1--The Blackhawks got goals from Joe Murphy, Murray Craven and Bob Probert in the second period in Chicago and ran their record to 7-0-1 in the last eight regular-season games against the Canucks.

NHL Notes

Jim Cummins of the Chicago Blackhawks was suspended without pay for eight games and fined $1,000 for his “attack” on Brad Smyth of Florida on March 11.