Reimer blanks Bruins on his birthday

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — James Reimer found a great way to celebrate his 30th birthday: he tied a season high with 46 saves to lead the Florida Panthers over the Boston Bruins 3-0 on Thursday night.

“If that’s what happens on my birthday, I’ll take it every day,” Reimer said.

Making his first start in six games, Reimer earned his third shutout of the season. Nick Bjugstad had a goal and an assist, and Vincent Trocheck and Aaron Ekblad also scored. Evgenii Dadonov added two assists.

Florida moved within three points of idle New Jersey for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers, who have won 11 of 13 at home, have two games in hand on the Devils.

“It’s nice to get in a groove, get in a rhythm, when you haven’t played in a long time,” Reimer said. “It’s big. We’re trying to catch some teams. We’ve got games in hand, which is nice, but those games are useless if you don’t win them.”

Anton Khudobin stopped 25 shots for the Bruins, shut out for the first time since their second game of the season, a 4-0 loss to Colorado on Oct. 9. The Bruins are four points behind Atlantic Division leader Tampa Bay, with one game in hand on the Lightning.

“Give them credit, their goaltender credit, but sometimes it bounces your way, sometimes it doesn’t,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said.