BOSTON — Tuukka Rask outplayed the Olympic MVP, and the Boston Bruins eliminated Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

David Krejci had two goals and one assist, and Rask made 27 saves last night as Boston beat Buffalo, 4-3, in Game 6 and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Bruins will play Philadelphia if Montreal beats Washington in Game 7 tomorrow night, or Pittsburgh if the Capitals beat the Canadiens in the only Eastern Conference series still in doubt.

"We wanted to close it out because we didn't want to go back to Buffalo," said Rask, who allowed an average of just over 2 goals per game. "We knew it would be tough."

Mark Recchi had a goal and an assist, and Miroslav Satan also scored for the Bruins. It's the Bruins' second playoff series victory — and first clincher at home — since 1999.

Miller made 28 saves for Buffalo. But he was off the ice for an extra skater for much of the last 2:25, when the Sabres got to 4-3 when Thomas Vanek scored with 1:13 left. The Sabres couldn't get any closer.

BLACKHAWKS 5, PREDATORS 3

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal to cap a wild first period, and Chicago held on over Nashville and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the second straight year.

The Blackhawks won the final three games of the series, setting up a second-round matchup with the Vancouver Canucks for the second consecutive season. Chicago hasn't lost a Game 6 with the chance to eliminate an opponent since 1995.

Chicago led 4-3 after the first period.

CANADIENS 4, CAPITALS 1

MONTREAL — Jaroslav Halak made 53 saves, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice in the first period for Montreal, which forced a Game 7 in the first-round Eastern Conference series.

Halak made 18 saves in the first, 14 in the second, and 21 in the third. He came within 4:50 of his first playoff shutout.

Cammalleri put the Canadiens up 1-0 with a power-play goal 7:30 in. He added the other at 9:09.

Game 7 is tomorrow night at Washington.