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Boston Bruins Set The Tone In Game One In Ottawa

By Mike Cratty

Mar 20, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins goaltendender Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins goaltendender Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Game one of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Boston Bruins surely did not disappoint. The intensity and playoff atmosphere was present.

Game one of the Boston Bruins’ first-round series with the Ottawa Senators was an electric one that went to the Bruins by a score of 2-1. After a two-year hiatus from the playoffs, Bruins fans were hungry for some high tempo playoff hockey and they got it. This wasn’t just a win for the Bruins, it was their first win of the season against the Ottawa Senators. The situation was tough with David Krejci as a last minute scratch due to injury. Torey Krug, Brandon Carlo, Noel Acciari were out and Colin Miller was out for a short time in the game.

The Bruins went the whole second period without a shot on goal, and 5:03 of the third period without a shot on goal. That long shot on goal drought ended when Frank Vatrano got the Bruins on the board in his first Stanley Cup Playoff game off of a dish from Riley Nash.

Vatrano was one of the multiple Bruins to make his playoff debut. The only one of the bunch to make his NHL debut, as well as his playoff debut, was Charlie McAvoy. The former Boston University Terrier was thrown right into the gauntlet and showed why hockey fans should take notice of him. Through two periods, McAvoy led all Bruins skaters with 17:09 of time-on-ice. This was in part due to some powerplay time, but regardless it shows how much confidence the Bruins have in their 2016 first-round pick. McAvoy finished the game second on the team in ice time behind his big brother, Zdeno Chara. Chara played 25:32 and McAvoy played 24:11. McAvoy showed great poise in all three zones and lived up to the hype.

Related Story: Boston Bruins Lines and Pairings Against Ottawa Senators Game 1

Tuukka Rask came to play in a gutsy win, along with others

Tuukka Rask proved why he’s the guy yet again by stopping 26 of Ottawa’s 27 shots. He absolutely stood on his head. It’s fair to say he stole the game for the Bruins in a game where the team in front of him proved to be lackluster.

Brad Marchand had a relatively quiet game until scoring the game-winning goal with 2:33 left in the third period. His whole line, along with Patrice Bergeron and David Backes were relatively quiet offensively as a matter of fact. Frank Vatrano getting off the shneid was huge thanks to a well-placed shot that tied the game at one. The defense in general also had a solid game for the most part outside of Bobby Ryan’s goal.

Bobby Ryan got the scoring going in the series with 9:32 left in the second period. A period in which the Bruins failed to record a single shot on goal. After a rough second period, the Bruins took control for much of the third and went on to pull out the win. It was a gutsy, fast-paced, physical win.

Next: Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy's Lineup Spot Not Solidified

Game two of the series is on Saturday, Apr. 15 at Canadian Tire Centre again. If the intensity carries into game two and the rest of the series, this will be one to remember and an entertaining spectacle. Advantage Bruins so far.

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