Final: Bruins Tie Series 2-2 in Montreal With OT Victory
By Duncan Day
May 8, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins Draw Level
The Boston Bruins wouldn’t let the Montreal Canadiens gain a 3-1 Eastern Conference semifinals lead. Bruins’ call-up Matt Fraser converted in overtime to snag a 1-0 win in Game 4.
There weren’t any serious scoring chances in the opening minutes until the 15:00 mark. Bruins’ winger Jarome Iginla fired a swift wrist shot from the wing that clanged off the post.
Throughout most of the opening period, the B’s had spells of great puck possession, but they did let up some careless turnovers, coming from some of the Bruins’ young defenders (Matt Bartkowski and Dougie Hamilton).
As the period No. 1 came to a conclusion, the Bruins began to press the Canadiens harder and generate a few notable opportunities.
With 4:00 on the clock, Krug managed to zip a puck on goal from a dangerous spot near the left faceoff circle, but Carey Price thrust his glove out to make the stop. Two minutes later, Reilly Smith slowly skated towards the net and tried to bury a backhander, allowing a rebound to skip around in the crease. Price, though, was there to subdue the rebound in front of Smith’s fellow linemates.
Carl Soderberg smacked an attempt off the crossbar in the last sequence before intermission.
In the second period, the Bruins maintained the edge.
One of Montreal’s most noteworthy tries emerged near the halfway point, when Lars Eller deflected Brian Gionta‘s hard pass. Tuukka Rask positioned himself perfectly for the save.
Gionta skated his own breakaway a few minutes after this occasion was created. Again, Rask was strong and ready for what was thrown at him, devastating Habs fans by stonewalling the backhanded shot.
The Habs started the final period well, seeing endeavors from Gionta and Markov threaten the Bruins’ goaltender.
Rask remained solid, however, and then Alexei Emelin‘s boarding penalty on David Krejci set up a important power play that was nearly successful. Smith nailed the crossbar for the Bruins’ third metalwork strike.
The third period concluded, and the Bruins didn’t take much time to conquer the Canadiens.
Fraser scored the game-winner for Boston 1:19 into overtime, cleaning up a loose puck in the midst of a pile before Price.
Rask tallied 33 and received first star of the game honors, while Price notched 35 saves and conceded one goal.
The B’s head back to Beantown to confront the Habs in Game 5, Saturday at 7:00 p.m.