Bruins Edge Out New York; Take 1-0 Series Lead

Sixteen wins, four rounds, those are the statistics that stand between a team and the ultimate goal. A goal completed just two years ago, the Bruins bested the Leafs in an unbelievable comeback to get one round closer to winning the cup. With the first round behind them, Boston will have to complete four wins against often rival New York Rangers in order to advance to the next round.

Sidney Crosby, Josh Harding and Adam McQuaid were named finalists for the Masterton Trophy. The Masterton is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. McQuaid has proven his worth on the Bruins blue line time and time again after coming back to the ice from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. A by-product of the syndrome came in the form of potentially life-threatening blood clots, forcing the defencemen to undergo two emergency surgeries. With a bleak prognosis in terms of off-season workouts, McQuaid still managed to return to the ice in December. The native of Charlottestown, Prince Edward Island made his return to the ice in January against the Rangers. After a personally successful first round, McQuaid will continue to lend his looming size to the defense of his teammates- a presence that is very much needed with a depleted list of defensemen. Boston is currently missing Ference and Seidenberg from the lineup.

Rookie defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Providence Bruins Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski found themselves thrust into second round playoff pressure. Although it was Bartkowski who got the scoring going in the now memorable Game 7 win against Toronto.

With an event less first period, both teams came out strong in the second. Only to find Boston suffering another defense loss when Johnny Boychuk was checked into the boards on a suspect hit from Rangers Taylor Pyatt – Boychuk did return shortly thereafter. A ray of excitement came at 12:23 from a drop pass by David Krejci to Zdeno Chara. Lundqvist made the initial stop, but the puck squeaked through giving Boston a 1-0 lead. Both Horton and Krejci with the assists on the Chara goal. 13:52 found the Rangers on a power play after an interference call on Bruins McQuaid. With just two seconds remaining in the second period 19:58, Rangers Ryan Mcdonagh made it a 1-1 game with help from Rick Nash and Derick Brassard.

Scoring their second goal of the game just 14 seconds into the third period, New York went up 2-1, with thanks to Derek Stepan (assisted Carl Hagelin, Ryan Callahan). 1:09 gave Boston a power play opportunity when Steve Eminger was called for holding. Skating in his first professional playoff game, Torey Krug made it 2-2 at 2:55 – assisted by Hamilton and Marchand.

Per playoff rules, the game headed to a fourth period for sudden death overtime. After multiple scoring chances, it was Bruins Marchand who gave his team the first game of the series on a goal from Chara and Bergeron at 15:40.

The teams will face off on Sunday at 3 p.m. for Game 2 in Boston.

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