The Bruins had three power play opportunities down the stretch with a chance to tie the game.

“We play a good brand of hockey,” Boston defenseman Mason Lohrei said. “They got a bounce on the power play, and we didn’t get a bounce. So I feel good about our play, and like I said, we’re going to put pucks in the net and go from there.”

After forcing a 3-on-1 rush with a takeaway, Elias Pettersson nearly connected with Brock Boeser in the low slot at 18:37 of the third period for a chance to double Vancouver’s lead, but Swayman broke up the pass.

The Bruins nearly tied the score when Swayman pulled for the extra attacker, but Lindholm pushed a shot wide from the slot at 19:36.

“The dam is going to break at some point,” Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy said. ‘Just hope it’s soon. We just have to keep playing the right way. We’re emphasizing defense here, and we’re doing a great job of that, you know, and I think it’s helped our offensive game. We just can’t score.”

Garland scored an empty net goal from long range at 7:47 PM for the 2-0 final.

“I give a lot of credit to the guys before me,” Lankinen said. “I think that’s been part of the game that we’ve been working on, to make sure we stay involved, and I think that’s what we showed tonight. Everyone put their bodies on the line, and best case scenario, we win the game.”

NOTES: The Canucks extended their winning streak to eight games, tying the second-longest streak in their history (December 20, 2003 through January 13, 2004). The record in Vancouver is nine games (March 5-29, 2011). … It was Lankinen’s second shutout of the season. The only NHL goalie with more this season is Connor Hellebuyck (three). … It was the first time that Canucks forward Danton Heinen and Bruins forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov each played against his former team. Heinen played 74 games for Boston last season, when Lindholm played 26 games and Zadorov 54 games for Vancouver. … It was Sacco’s first loss as Boston’s coach. He won his first two games behind the bench: Thursday 1-0 against the Utah Hockey Club and Saturday 2-1 against the Detroit Red Wings.