BOSTON — Things are getting chippy in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and that's OK with the Boston Bruins.

"That's our style and we like playing physical. If it stays like that, it will be good," Bruins forward Marc Savard said after Boston beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-0 in Game 5 to avoid elimination in the best-of-seven series. "It seems to get the best out of us, so hopefully we can continue to roll like this."

After watching Carolina goalie Cam Ward dominate three straight games, Tim Thomas stopped 19 shots for his first NHL playoff shutout. Phil Kessel scored twice, Milan Lucic had a goal and an assist, and Zdeno Chara and Savard each had a pair of assists for Boston.