Jul 31 2006
Game Seven:
Canadiens 2 - Bruins 0Canadiens Win Series 4-3
An even game with excellent goaltending, though neither goalie was ever under siege. With 9:08 left, two Boston defensemen chased Alexei Kovalev, leaving Richard Zednik alone to chip home Kovalev's rebound. It was Montreal's second shot of the third period. Zednik also scored into an empty net. Montreal comes back from a 3-1 series deficit for the first time in franchise history.
For seven straight years, a 7th-place team has upset a 2nd-place team in the first playoff round.
Boston's Martin Lapointe took a boarding penalty with 3:37 left.
With only five players are under contract for next season, the Bruins will be a different team when they play again.
Next up for Montreal: the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Game Six: Canadiens 5 – Bruins 2
(Series tied 3-3)
Boston started and finished well. But Montreal stormed back for a 3-1 lead by the end of the second period. The Bruins scored in the third, and attacked hard in the final minutes. Montreal hung on to score a pair into the empty net.
Sergei Samsonov, who scored twice, was the best forward on either team, and the only dangerous Bruin for most of the game.
The Bruins mixed up their lines. But captain Joe Thornton was ineffective again.
Both goalies were good, especially Boston’s Andrew Raycroft, who stopped several breakaways and two-on-one chances.
When they have room to move and time to make plays, Montreal’s top two lines are as creative as any in the East.
Game Five: Canadiens 5 – Bruins 1
(Bruins lead series 3-2)
Boston came out hard, but their momentum slipped away when Yanic Perreault scored on one of Montreal’s first shots. Jose Theodore made 43 saves. Despite all the shots, Boston played with little urgency for most of the night.
The line of Koivu, Zednik and Kovalev had their way in the Boston zone, with three goals and three assists.
Joe Thornton took three penalties, gave the puck away for the Canadiens’ third goal, and had no shots.
Boston came to life when Glen Murray scored to make it 3-1 in the third period. But they quickly took several penalties, and Montreal scored two power play goals.
Game Four: Bruins 4 - Canadiens 3 (2OT)
(Bruins lead series 3-1)
Montreal played a near-perfect third period to protect a 3-2 lead. But Mike Knuble's goal with 30 seconds left tied it for Boston. Glen Murray finished the game - and maybe Montreal's season - by going stickside on Jose Theodore at 29:27 of overtime.
The Canadiens wanted a penalty call on the winning goal. Alexei Kovalev leaned over and collided with a team mate after being slashed on the hand. That left the puck for Murray to take to the Montreal net.
Montreal defenseman Sheldon Souray on the overtime slash: "Maybe (it was a penalty)," he told reporters. "But do you stop playing? It's double overtime. They're going to let you play at that point."
For the first two periods, both teams were sloppy on defense. The Canadiens made the most of their chances to take a 3-1 lead early in the second period.
Boston goalie Andrew Raycroft allowed three goals on Montreal's first 10 shots, but finished with 42 saves.
Canadiens defenseman Stephane Quintal left the game in the second period with what appeared to be a shoulder or hand injury.
Game Three: Canadiens 3 - Bruins 2
(Bruins lead series 2-1)
Alexei Kovalev, quiet since arriving from the Rangers last month, scored twice in the first period to spark the Canadiens. Montreal ran the Bruins ragged for 40 minutes, holding a 3-1 lead after the second. But they made it hard on themselves with a passive third period, and Boston had several good chances to tie the game.
Boston's top line of Joe Thornton, Glen Murray and Mike Knuble has one point in the series. Thornton is slowed by what is thought to be a rib injury.
Bruins' center Michael Nylander, who has four points in the series, missed the game with "flu symptoms."
Although he finally won a game, Montreal's Jose Theodore is clearly the second-best goalie.
Game Two: Bruins 2 - Canadiens 1 (OT)
(Bruins lead series 2-0)
Montreal was dead in the first period, but outplayed the Bruins for most of the second and third.
Jose Theodore played well, but a weak shot by Patrice Bergeron squirted under his arm at 1:26 of overtime.
The Canadiens scored during a 5-on-3 man advantage. Otherwise, the teams went 0-for-11 on the power play, 11 of the ugliest power plays you've ever seen.
Bruins center Ted Donato broke his foot, and will miss the next four weeks.
Game One: Bruins 3 - Canadiens 0
(Bruins lead series 1-0)
It often looked as if someone had confused the age groups at a minor hockey tournament. Montreal was outshot 23-9 in the first period.
Andrew Raycroft made 31 saves for the shutout, but the Canadiens rarely looked good.
Bruins' captain Joe Thornton, whose injury remains a mystery, had no shots in 14:53 of ice time.
Bruins vs. Canadiens: Series Preview
Stanley Cup 2004: Recaps of Every First Round Series
Stanley Cup 2004: First Round Results at a Glance
