PROVIDENCE — Tuuka Rask stopped 21 shots for his first postseason shutout as the Providence Bruins took a 2-0 series lead with a 2-0 victory over the Manchester Monarchs last night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

The P-Bruins got their goals from Jordan Knackstedt and Pascal Pelletier. The best-of-seven series now switches to Manchester as the P-Bruins and Monarchs resume play tonight at 7:05 at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

After two scoreless periods, the P-Bruins took the lead at the 16:54 mark of the third period. Brett Skinner sent the puck into the zone along the left boards for Jeff Hoggan.

He took a shot at the net and Knackstedt was cutting towards the goal from the right wing. Knackstedt redirected the puck past Monarchs goaltender Jonathan Quick and into the net for his first goal of the playoffs.

Providence added an empty-net insurance goal at the 19:20 mark.

Matt Hendricks picked up the puck in the neutral zone and sent it up ahead to Pelletier, who scored his second goal of the playoffs. Quick made 38 saves for the Monarchs. The P-Bruins went 0-for-8 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.

After tonight’s contest, Game 4 of the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs is scheduled Monday in Manchester at 7:05 p.m. For information on P-Bruins tickets, call (401) 273-5000 or log on to providencebruins.com