Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens – BOS wins 1-0 (OT), Series tied 2-2
The early parts of the first period were marked by some very back-and-forth hockey, each team trading rushes and chances. In fact, through the first 20 minutes, this was about as even a period as these two teams have had so far this series, with the shots in favour of Boston 13-10. One interesting note was that Matt Fraser, a call-up for today’s game with 27 total NHL games to his name, registered more ice time (5:14) than Patrice Bergeron (4:29).
The second period brought more of the same from the first. Each team took a penalty, neither could convert. Boston had a slight shot advantage but was by no means controlling the play of the game. This definitely seemed to be a “chess match” game between both teams and coaches. Both teams were gripping their stick a little tight, both teams with sporadic breakdowns defensively. One big concern had to be the third Montreal defensive pairing of Douglas Murray and Mike Weaver. Murray and Weaver were both on the ice for 12 shot attempts against – mostly from being matched against Boston’s third and fourth lines – and only one shot attempt for.
The Habs would have the better of the chances in the third period, having out shot-attempted Boston 17-11, but for the most part it was an even and boring period. Both teams had haphazard chances, neither team could convert. The shots were 33-32 for Montreal through three periods, very much indicative of how back-and-forth this game was.
The Bruins would end it early in overtime, though. A point shot from Johnny Boychuk took a high deflection off the end boards, popping up in the air. Carl Soderberg would swing away at the puck but the rookie Fraser would jam home the game-winning goal just 1:19 into the overtime.
Over his two games since he’s been dressed, Douglas Murray is a 22.2-percent CorsiFor-percentage (12 shot attempts for and 42 against) and was on the ice for the overtime goal. The third line for Boston proved the difference, as they were the top three Bruins forwards in puck possession through three periods and their match-up paid off in overtime.
Tuukka Rask made 33 saves for the shutout win.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings – ANA wins 3-2, LAK leads series 2-1
It wouldn’t take long for the Ducks to give themselves an advantage in what is pretty close to a must-win game. Off a Los Angeles penalty just 3:30 in to the first period, the Anaheim power play clicked early in their advantage. Corey Perry received a pass down low on his off wing, immediately fed it out front to teammate Patrick Maroon and he snapped it over the right shoulder of goalie Jonathan Quick for the 1-0 lead. Other than that goal, though, it was a fairly evenly matched period with the shot advantage going to Anaheim but by just a 10-9 margin.
To reply to the Anaheim power play goal, the Kings would get one of their own less than five minutes into the second period. It was very similar to the Anaheim goal as Marian Gaborik got a pass down low on his off-wing, passed it out front to Jeff Carter and Carter made no mistake in tying the game.
Teemu Selanne would give the Ducks their lead back with less than five minutes left in the second period. A turnover by the Kings in the neutral zone trying to clear the puck resulted in a quick Anaheim 2-on-1. Nick Bonino slid the puck over to Selanne who redirected the puck past Quick for the 2-1 lead. The Kings carried much of the period at 5-on-5 in the period, out-shot-attempting the Ducks 14-7 but could not take the lead. One problem for Los Angeles was that the Anze Kopitar line was even in puck possession through 40 minutes and they could not take advantage of any line match-up thrown their way – each of Ryan Getzlaf’s, Nick Bonino’s, and Andrew Cogliano’s line played at least two shifts at 5-on-5 against the Kopitar line through 40 minutes.
Anaheim ran into a bit of a problem with nine minutes left in the third period. Goaltender Frederik Andersen stretched out for a save but didn’t get up very quickly. At the next whistle, he would leave the game and be replaced by Jonas Hiller. Though Hiller was coming in cold, it’s worth noting he had the fifth-best save percentage of any goalie with at least four playoff appearances coming into the games on this night (.923).
Replacing Andersen would be irrelevant as the Ducks would double their lead with just under three minutes left in the third period. A turnover from Los Angeles in the neutral zone would lead to an Anaheim rush by Andrew Cogliano. He fed the puck over to Ben Lovejoy, who had pinched up on the play, and he went over Quick’s glove to give his team the 3-1 lead late in the game.
With 31 seconds left, Los Angeles’ Mike Richards would bat a rebound out of the air to make it a 3-2 game. It was kind of curious because it came not very long after Corey Perry snapped his stick on an empty-net shot to potentially seal the game for the Ducks. That would be it, though, as Anaheim would hang on for the win. The Kings had the better of the play in the third as they out-shot-attempted Anaheim again 16-6 at even strength but couldn’t get the better of the goals.
Hiller made seven saves on eight shots to get the late win for the Ducks.
