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PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Brian Boucher had a restless night after learning that he'll start for Philadelphia in the playoffs.
The rookie goalie was still at his best Saturday, making 24 saves for his fourth shutout of the season in the Flyers' 3-0 victory over the Boston Bruins.
|  | | John LeClair gave his sweater to a lucky fan after reaching 40 goals for the fifth straight season. |
"I was a little uptight," Boucher said. "I don't think I slept very well last night. I had a lot of things racing through my mind. These last two games I just wanted to play well and play solid to get ready for the playoffs."
Mark Eaton, Mark Recchi and John LeClair scored third-period goals to help Philadelphia maintain a share of first place in the Atlantic Division with New Jersey. The Flyers can clinch the title with a win, tie or overtime loss at the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Acting Flyers coach Craig Ramsey said Friday that Boucher would start in the playoffs instead of veteran John Vanbiesbrouck.
"This is turning out to be a pretty special season for me," said Boucher, who lowered his goals-against average to 1.94.
If Boucher allows three goals or less against the Rangers, he will be the first NHL rookie to finish with a GAA under 2.00 since the 1950-51 season when Toronto's Al Rollins (1.77 in 40 games) and Detroit's Terry Sawchuck (1.99 in 70 games) did it.
Boucher, who also shut out the Bruins 3-0 on March 4, stopped back-to-back shots by Joel Prpic with 4:17 left in the first period, and denied Brian Rolston from close range with 13 minutes left in the third period.
Boston had the potential tying goal disallowed at 7:16 of the third period when officials ruled that Joe Thornton's shot that bounced off teammate Eric Nickulas never crossed the goal line.
Boucher said that he couldn't tell if the puck was in the net.
"Eric Desjardins deflected it with his stick," Boucher said of the Flyers defenseman. "It went behind me and was up on the top of the net. Then it was on the cross bar, then it fell down and I tried to scoop it on the way down. It was hard for me to tell."
The Bruins, 0-6-2 in their last eight games, finish the season at home against Pittsburgh on Sunday.
"We were thinking about playing a spoiler role all day," said Boston goalie Robbie Tallas, who made 32 saves. "I know Philly is a big team that likes to put the puck behind you. They came out stronger in the third period. Their goals were bang-bang plays that happened pretty fast."
Boston coach Pat Burns had a different view, however.
"There was no advantage for us to be a spoiler here today," Burns explained. "We were just trying to give a look at some of our younger players. Their goals came as a result of our giveaways."
Eaton scored his first career goal when he took pass from Simon Gagne, another rookie, and went forehand to backhand to pull Tallas out of position at 2:06 of the third period.
Recchi made it 2-0 with 5:57 left when he took a cross-ice pass from Keith Primeau, who had two assists, and beat Tallas to the glove side.
LeClair's empty-net goal with 52.5 left gave him 40 for the season, making him the first Philadelphia player to score 40 or more goals in five consecutive seasons.
"Maybe it was affecting me," LeClair said. "I haven't played too well the last few games."
Philadelphia was 3-0-1 against Boston, the first time the Flyers have gone unbeaten against the Bruins.
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New Jersey 2
Florida 1
Philadelphia 3
Boston 0
Carolina 4
Atlanta 3
Ottawa 3
Montreal 1
Toronto 4
Tampa Bay 2
Edmonton 6
Calgary 3
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Mark Eaton gets the pretty feed from Simon Gagne.
avi: 828 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mark Recchi plays the give-and-go with Keith Primeau.
avi: 560 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Flyers' goalie Brian Boucher is enjoying every minute of his rookie season.
wav: 133 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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