Boston Wins Game 6: Bruins Stretch Series to a 7th Game

Who ever would have thought that the Boston Bruins would force the first round playoffs, as the underdog, to a game seventh game - especially versus the top seeded Montréal Canadiens? This team seems to be going in the right direction, but they still have to win that last game in Montreal, Monday night, at the Bell Centre to keep the Stanley Cup hopes alive.

The canadiens have completely embarrassed this team in the regular season, winning all seven meetings with the Bruins this year (and 11 in a row dating to last season) but  now it looks like the Bruins could be finding their rhythm at the most important time of the year.

Looking back at Saturday's game, Boston found a way to answer on all four of the Canadiens goals.

Christopher Higgins struck first by lighting the lamp at 9:44 of the first period, leading his Canadiens to a 1-0 lead after 20-minutes.

At 1:54 in the second period Phil Kessel tied the game with a nifty deak, and a wrist-shot that beat net-minder Carey Price top-shelf.

Then Montreal came back with one of there own. Tomas Plekanec netted one past Tim Thomas, giving the Canadiens a 2-1 lead.  

3:13 into the third  period, Boston came back yet again with a goal from rookie Vladimir Sobotka.

Montreal wasn’t done yet - Defenceman Francis Bouillon wristed one in, to put the Habs up once-again.

The Bruins answered with back-to-back goals - both tip-ins - first goal from Milan Lucic at 12:13 and then from Phil Kessel at 15:45 of the third period.

Montréal would get another goal from Christopher Higgins at 15:56 - but it would not be enough.

Marco Sturm netted the game winner at 17:23. The Habs pulled Carey Price shortly after, but to no avail.

Boston out-shot the bitter-rival Canadians 36-35 in the game.

The Bruins are getting the shots on net when they have open opportunity. This is what they need to to continue to do in order to advance to the next round.

Carey Price is getting beat in spots that he normally has covered, allowing the Bruins more scoring opportunities.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Montreal gave Jaroslav Halak the start in game 7 over Carey Price, due to the amount of rebounds and scoring chances that he has given up to the Bruins.  

If Boston can keep it up I think they will have a good chance at taking the 4-3 series win over Montreal.