Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - One day after inking a four-year deal worth a reported $20 million, Tim Thomas made 31 saves for his fifth shutout of the season, as Boston secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2001-02 with a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers at TD Banknorth Garden.

"I'm very happy to be staying in Boston for the next four years knowing that with free agency coming up potentially this summer, you have to think about would you rather go somewhere else or would you rather stay in Boston and after thinking things over, the answer kept coming back, Boston," Thomas said in a press conference before Saturday's matinee.

It has been an arduous journey to the NHL for the former Vermont Catamount, who was originally unearthed by the Quebec Nordiques in the ninth round (217th overall) of the 1994 draft.

The native of Flint, Michigan, played in various professional circuits, including overseas in the Finnish Elite League and Swedish Elite League, before making his NHL debut with Boston in October 2002. Thomas spent most of the 2002-03 season and the entire '03-04 campaign with Boston's American Hockey League affiliate in Providence, then returned to Finland during the lockout that effaced the 2004-05 season.

When the NHL resumed play, Thomas was back between the pipes for the Bruins and has gone on to establish himself as one of the stingiest netminders in the league.

"When we talk about the Tim Thomas story, we talk about perseverance over a long period time, we talk about a long journey and we talk about an unorthodox and hybrid style, so to speak," said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli.

The late-blooming Thomas, who will turn 35 on April 15, began the day as the league-leader in both goals-against average (2.11) and save percentage (.932), making him a prime candidate for the Vezina Trophy.

In addition, Thomas has recorded a career-high 34 wins, the most victories by a Boston goaltender since Byron Dafoe had 35 in 2001-02.

Blake Wheeler was the lone player to turn on the red light, firing a slap shot from the right point that went between the pads of New York's Henrik Lundqvist at the 9:04 mark of the first period.

"I never anticipated it going in because I don't really shoot the puck all that hard so I kind of just let it fly," Wheeler recalled.

Boston (112 points) extended its winning streak to six games, but still trails San Jose in the race for the Presidents' Trophy, which is given annually to the team that posts the best record during the regular season.

With the No. 1 seed locked up, Boston is eager to end its futility in the postseason and hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972.

Lundqvist stopped 23-of-24 shots for the Rangers, who have dropped five of seven and remain two points ahead of Florida for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

"I think we played pretty hard," Rangers center Chris Drury said. "We had a lot of good chances. I thought it was a well-played game by both teams. We came close, but it was a little disappointing."

Game Notes

Thomas now has 12 career shutouts...Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury...Boston defenseman Dennis Wideman played in his 300th career game...Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival returned to the lineup after missing the last five games with a lower-body injury.