Bruins Hammer Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at the Bell Centre
By Duncan Day
Mar 12, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) checks Montreal Canadiens forward David Desharnais (51) during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins Take Care of Canadiens in Montreal
If the Boston Bruins were going to lose a game to break their current winning streak, it would be against the Montreal Canadiens, their archrival.
The Bruins wouldn’t allow the Habs to disrupt their triumphant ways, expanding their streak to six games after the B’s downed the Canadiens 4-1 at the Bell Centre.
The first period generally displayed back-and-forth action, but the Canadiens controlled offensive play more effectively than the Bruins, as they registered a total of 13 shots on net to Boston’s six.
Minutes into the second period, Carl Soderberg snagged a turnover near Montreal’s crease and buried the puck past Peter Budaj. Soderberg is a classic Bruins player, opportunistically springing on opponents’ miscues to yield valuable goals. This specific score was definitely important, catching a one-goal lead in front of rowdy crowd at the Bell Centre.
The Bruins now carried some momentum moving forward.
In the middle of the second period, excellent transition skating by Patrice Bergeron‘s forward line allowed the Bruins to make the score 2-0. Montreal’s inability to keep the puck within the Bruins’ zone gave Brad Marchand and Bergeron the opportunity to develop a 3-on-2 man advantage. Bergeron furnished the tap-in goal on a composed passing progression with Marchand.
Shortly before second period came to a close, Milan Lucic whacked a careening slapshot under Budaj’s legs, a perfect five-hole blast. Jarome Iginla briefly held the puck before lightly sliding it towards open ice for his fellow Canadian.
Zdeno Chara increased the Bruins’ lead to four goals on what appeared to be a defensive breakdown by the Canadiens. Chara basically walked right up to Budaj’s crease, zipped a shot on net, and then proceeded bury the rebound.
The Bruins relinquished a shutout on David Desharnais‘ scrappy goal, but until the end of this match, the Bruins consistently limited the Canadiens’ offensive intentions.
Tuukka Rask enjoyed a 35-save effort, and the Bruins’ forwards exploited Montreal turnovers and fundamental positioning mistakes.
The Bruins will overwhelm any team that plays error-abundant hockey.