Bruins-Canadiens: Boston Finally Gets to Price; Forces Game 6

It was tough leaving Game 4 Tuesday night walking by the Zakim Bridge and not thinking of taking the leap.

The Bruins found themselves down 3-1 in their series with the Canadiens, heading back to Montreal for Game 5. I thought better of jumping, however, and I am glad I did.

The Bruins beat the Canadiens 5-1 tonight, forcing Game 6 back in Boston on Saturday night.

Originally, I predicted the Bruins would win this series in six games. I admit I was wrong. But if a week ago today, after Game 1, you told me there would even have been a Game 6, I would have been satisfied.

The Bruins have looked like a different team since losing 4-1 in Game 1, and now find themselves right back in this best-of-seven series.

The Bruins scored four goals in the third period tonight, and five unanswered overall. Perhaps my prediction of the series ending in six games in the Bruins' favor was a bit off, but my prediction of Carey Price folding late in the series looks like it may take form.

Exhibit A

Early in the third, on a Bruins forecheck, Carey Price had control of the puck in his glove, looking like he was content in a defensive zone face-off. Instead, Price flipped the puck in front of the net, only to be pounced on by two Bruin forwards, and eventually being put home by Glen Metropolit, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead.

Exhibit B

While shorthanded, the Bruins' suddenly surging penalty kill set up a nice break out, and David Krejci found Marco Sturm streaking down the boards into Montreal territory. Sturm ripped a slap-shot that soared over Price’s shoulder, giving the Bruins a 4-1 lead.

Exhibit C

During a routine line change with just under three minutes left in the game, Vladimir Sobotka took an effortless shot, that seemed like more of a dump-in, on Price. Price took a stab at the shot with his glove, but missed badly, and had the shot tip off his glove and into the back of the net that gave the Bruins a 5-1 lead.

Price was out of this game after Exhibit A. He was upset with himself, and could not look past the fact that he screwed up. Instead of moving on, he clearly let this one bad play stick with him for the rest of the period, ultimately leading to the Bruins third period scoring-fest.

Price was unable to look past his ‘rookie mistake’ tonight, but if he plans on bouncing back and helping Montreal win this series, he needs to leave the thought of tonight’s game in Montreal, and show up with a clear head ready to play Saturday.

Like I said last week, Price’s whole story reminds me of a rookie goalie in 2004, named Andrew Raycroft. Raycroft’s Bruins held a similar 3-1 series lead as the top seed, and went on to lose three in a row, ultimately losing the series. I am just saying...

Maybe the Bruins don’t win this series.

Hell, maybe they don’t even win Game 6. But I stand by my original prediction that it will be determined by Andrew Raycroft, I mean Carey Price.

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