NEW YORK (AP) – Ryan Callahan scored his first two NHL goals, and Matt Cullen added two and an assist during New York’s six-goal second period that carried the Rangers to a 7-0 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.

Henrik Lundqvist was the beneficiary of the Rangers’ highest scoring period of the season. He stopped 30 shots for his fourth shutout of the season and sixth of his career. But outside of the first period when Boston had 13 shots and three power plays, New York’s second-year goalie enjoyed a rare easy night.

He tossed his stick into the crowd after being chosen as the top star of the game.

Sean Avery posted a career-high four points with a goal and three assists, and Jaromir Jagr chipped in with three assists for the Rangers, who tied their best offensive output of the season.

New York has taken the first three meetings from Boston this season, outscoring the Bruins 16-2, and is trying to get back into playoff position.

Callahan, in his fourth NHL game, gave New York leads of 4-0 and 7-0. He capped off his eventful night with the first penalty minutes of his young career – a third-period fight with Chuck Kobasew.

Just one night after their 22nd one-goal loss of the season, a 2-1 overtime defeat at Atlanta, the Rangers had an unexpected breakout. Due to bad weather at home, the Rangers were forced to fly to New York on Saturday morning – only the second time this season they traveled on a game day.

They responded well, scoring more than two goals for the first time in seven games and netting a season-high four on the power play.

The Rangers had squandered two-goal leads six times in 19 games but finally found a way to build on an early advantage.

Michal Rozsival scored a power-play goal just 3:07, snapping the Rangers’ 0-for-19 skid 8 seconds into the advantage. Avery made it 2-0 at 2:41 in the second and started a spurt that featured five New York goals in a 7:56 span.

Petr Prucha scored a man-advantage goal at 5:07, and Callahan followed with an even-strength tally 30 seconds later. Cullen then had two power-play goals 32 seconds apart that made it 6-0 at 10:37.

Callahan closed out the period with his second of the night, scored with 37.3 seconds left.

The Madison Square Garden crowd, that mostly traded in Rangers blue for St. Patrick’s Day green, had plenty of reason to celebrate throughout the festive and stress-free third period. The Rangers had gone to overtime in six of eight games – all of which were decided by one goal.

But the Bruins had an even worse day as they took a bus from Boston on Saturday and were out of the game before the midway point.

Tim Thomas gave up three goals on 15 shots before being yanked after Prucha’s goal. His replacement, Joey MacDonald, yielded Callahan’s first just 30 seconds later. He finished with seven saves on 11 shots and gave way to Thomas in the third.

Notes: New York forward Martin Straka injured his right leg in the first period and didn’t return. … Avery’s previous best NHL game was a three-point effort (three assists) on Jan. 12, 2006, also against Boston when he played for Los Angeles. … Boston C Jeremy Reich fought Rangers D David Liffiton in the first period and C Ryan Hollweg in the third. … Bruins D Dennis Wideman took the three penalties that led to New York’s first three power-play goals.

AP-ES-03-17-07 2153EDT