Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Rookie Carey Price stopped all 27 shots he faced for his first career postseason shutout to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at TD Banknorth Garden.

Patrice Brisebois' power-play goal inside the final minute of the second period was the only goal of the game and Montreal now leads the best-of-seven series, 3-1. Montreal, which won the first two games at home but dropped a 2-1 overtime decision here on Sunday, will attempt to win the series when it hosts Game 5 on Thursday.

"He's in a zone," said Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau of Price. "I know he's a rookie, a 20-year-old, but he's really strong mentally. He uses his size really well and right now he's in that comfort zone."

Boston goaltender Tim Thomas was strong with 27 saves.

Both teams struggled to find the back of the net through most of the first 40 minutes and it was not until the final minute of the second period that Montreal tallied for a 1-0 lead.

The best scoring chance for either team in the second stanza was when Boston's Glen Murray was all alone in the low slot with 9:05 to play, but his sizzling wrist shot was turned aside by Price.

When Andrew Ference was whistled for tripping at 18:12, the visitors went to the power play and cashed in. Andrei Kostitsyn held control and skated behind the net before he sent a centering pass into the crease from along the goal line to the right of Thomas. The puck deflected off skates and sticks in front and caromed into the high left slot, where Brisebois unleased a laser one- timer that hit the crossbar and lit the lamp with 42 seconds remaining.

"I saw him winding up and then somewhere in there I lost it," said Thomas. "Then I heard it hit the crossbar, heard the crowd cheer so I thought it went up into the netting and it was out of play. Then I saw (Montreal) celebrating and realized it must be in."

In the third, the Bruins dominated offensively but had trouble getting the puck to the net. During one stretch near the midpoint of the stanza, Boston held control -- during 5-on-5 play -- inside its offensive zone for more than two consecutive minutes and fired pucks on Price from all angles. Aaron Ward had two good looks from the right point, including a one-timer that was deflected inches wide.

Price, however, withstood the flurry and kept the Habs in front. Later in the period, the Bruins again enjoyed sustained pressure for a two-minute stretch and Shawn Thornton's wrister from inside the left circle nipped the far post.

As the clock wound down in regulation, Boston was unable to solve Price. Thomas was pulled for the extra attacker with one minute to go and David Krejci had a chance from the right circle, but his slap shot missed wide and the Habs cleared the puck several times to hold on for the win.

"That's the playoffs -- every goal matters and you've got do your best every game or else its going to bite you," said Price. "Sometimes, one goal is all you need, sometimes one goal against is all they need. That's just the way it goes."