MONTREAL -- It isnt pretty hockey, but its working for the Montreal Canadiens. Antonio Brown Grey Jersey . For a second game in a row, the Canadiens used patient, defensive hockey and sharp goaltending to hold onto a slim lead as they downed the Dallas Stars 2-1 in the NHL on Tuesday night. Rene Bourque scored the winner in the second period after Michael Bournival opened the scoring in the first for Montreal (8-5-0). The Canadiens were coming off a 2-0 victory against the Rangers in New York on Monday night with Peter Budaj in goal that was just as successful and just as dull to watch for the spectators. "The last two games its been really good team defence, whether its getting pucks out or blocking shots or just being in position," said defenceman Douglas Murray. "It was a good effort by the whole team." The Canadiens are short on forwards with Max Pacioretty, Daniel Briere and Brandon Prust all nursing injuries, so coach Michel Therrien has the team playing basic, defence-first hockey. "With the fact that were missing some players, we have to concentrate on good defensive play and we did that tonight," said Therrien. "I like the effort everyone is giving us. "Carey (Price) made the saves. It was a big team win. Thats four big points in two nights." Dallas outshot Montreal 27-24, but managed only Cody Eakins goal on a long shot that fooled Price late in the second frame. The Stars, last in the Central Division at 5-6-1, were also playing a second game in as many nights, having topped the Sabres 4-3 in coach Lindy Ruffs return to Buffalo on Monday. It was their third set of back-to-back games this season. In one they lost both games and in the other two they won the first game but lost the second. "Weve got to start finding a way in back-to-backs, especially on the road," said Eakin. "Its hard, yeah, but to be a good team you have to do it. "These points are huge. Theyre harder to get as the season progresses, so we have to start bearing down." Eakin used P.K. Subban as a screen on a rush and fooled Price with a medium speed wrist shot from outside the circles at 17:27 of the second to draw the Stars to within one goal. "It was one of those ones where I used him as a screen," said Eakin. "I had some speed and caught him off guard a bit." The Stars pushed hard for the equalizer in the third, when they outshot Montreal 9-3, but Price stood his ground. The Canadiens struck first as Raphael Diaz lifted a wrist shot from the point to the far post that Bournival tipped off defenceman Stephane Robidas and past Kari Lehtonen at 12:02 of the first. The rookie Bournival has three goals and four assists in his last seven games. "I wasnt sure if I deflected it," the 21-year-old said. "I felt it on my stick but I didnt want to say anything." Bourque put in a Diaz rebound 12:55 into the second. It was a much-needed goal for his line with struggling centre David Desharnais and, for the last two games, recent call-up Louis Leblanc. Desharnais started the play with a rush up the right side that was stopped. A Dallas clearing attempt was intercepted by Diaz, who picked up his second point of the night. Desharnais has no goals and one assist in 13 games, but the line did well and Therrien gave them more ice time than usual. "We were moving our feet," said Bourque. "We finally got a few chances offensively. "Davy and I have been snake-bitten, but were getting chances." Notes: Travis Moen, who took a puck in the face Saturday, sat out a second game, so Leblanc got to play again. . . Ryan Garbutt, Kevin Connauton and Travis Morin were scratched for Dallas. . . Montreals Ryan White and Michael Blunden each played his 100th NHL game. Hines Ward Elite Jersey .Y. -- Trevor Cooney and C. Lawrence Timmons Womens Jersey . Spieth again showed game well beyond his 20 years with a 9-under 63 on the North Course, giving him a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink going into the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open. PITTSBURGH -- The Boston Bruins reminded Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins that Stanley Cup champions arent crowned in October. Tim Thomas stopped 45 shots and the surging Bruins kept rolling with a 3-1 victory Monday night to improve to 14-0-1 in their last 15 games and pull within a point of the Penguins atop the Eastern Conference. Gregory Campbell, Benoit Pouliot and Tyler Seguin scored for Boston as the defending champs put the clamps on Pittsburgh stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. "We donnt know how were going to win every night," said Thomas, unbeaten in his last 10 starts. Troy Polamalu White Jersey. "Were going to do it different ways with different guys, but all of us together at the same time. Its been pretty nice to be a part of this team the last month." The Bruins havent lost in regulation since Halloween. Given the way they dominated the Penguins for long stretches in a game that felt more appropriate for April than early December, the streak could go on awhile. Boston had little trouble with the Penguins% cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '