The Boston Bruins shouldn't hang their heads if they get eliminated from their first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens tonight. Aside from the opening period of Game 1, the Bruins have played spectacular hockey. Unfortunately for them, they have only one win to show for it.
This series is exactly what Boston needed in order to revitalize the spirit of the sport in Beantown. There have been all the ingredients fans want to see in a hockey series: vicious checks, some fighting, tremendous goaltending and two overtime games. The series is a lot closer than it appears, despite the 3-1 edge the Canadiens have after four games.
Based on history alone, the Bruins should not have a chance in this series. They are the eighth seed against a divisional foe that has absolutely owned them in the recent past. The Canadiens beat the Bruins all eight times in the regular season and the previous three games before that dating back to last year.
This trend continued into the first two games in Montreal, extending the streak to a stunning 13 games. However, this series does not feel like a one-sided battle. In fact, after Game 1, it could be argued that the Bruins have physically outplayed the Canadiens, yet they just cannot put the puck in the net.
After the first blowout loss of 4-1, the Bruins responded with an all-out effort in Montreal in Game 2. Led mainly by its rookies, Boston looked poised to even the series in Game 2. The fresh legs of the 20-year-olds proved to be a beneficial factor, as a power-play goal by David Krejci with 11 minutes left evened the score at two.
Along with Krejci, fellow rookie Milan Lucic is making a name for himself as an enforcer on the ice. Lucic never gives up on a play, leading to checks and turnovers. He has found himself in the right spot on more than one occasion and has been the Bruins' MVP through four games of this series.
However, two bad penalties to end regulation and to start overtime in Game 2 gave the Bruins no chance to recover, as Alex Kovalev slapped home his first goal of the postseason to put his team up two games to none.
The Bruins returned home and finally took care of business. They took their first lead against Montreal all season with a goal by Lucic, and they controlled much of the game. Marc Savard's first career playoff goal was the game-winner in overtime after a delayed penalty call let him jump onto the ice. It was the Bruins' first win of the season against the Canadiens.
The battle continued Tuesday night, and although the Bruins looked sharp yet again, they did not seem to be getting the shots they wanted. After taking over the starting job after the trading deadline in March, rookie goaltender Carey Price has been almost impenetrable for the Canadiens. So far this postseason, he has let up only five goals in four games, including overtimes.
The Bruins are getting their open shots from the point on the power play, but Price has been too good. He reads everything extremely well and has not let up any easy goals. It looks like the Bruins' time is running out in this postseason.
