Bruins win thriller in Game 1: 3-2
Final Score: Boston Bruins 3, New York Rangers 2
The Bruins had better quit with these dramatic overtime wins if they want fans to be able to stand it enough to stick around, either way everyone in Boston is happy to see the Bruins jump ahead with a Game 1 victory over the New York Rangers.
Considering how solid a defensive team the Rangers are, the Bruins will need their recent offensive surge and resiliency as they have shown for the second game in a row that they will not give up and can take any team into overtime and come out the winner. With clutch performances from Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask, the Bruins showed they aren’t to be trifled with and have what it takes to take the series.
Highlights:
- Goalie Tuukka Rask had 33 saves in the game, proving to be a rival to the Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist; this series will feature a great dual between the two players so keep an eye on that going forward.
- Brad Marchand has been struggling offensively as of late despite leading the team with 18 goals in the regular season. After leaving the morning skate with what was revealed as a minor injury he eventually got into the game and scored the winning goal.
- Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron also had great offensive games, especially in overtime as they both got assists on Marchand’s game winning goal.
Player of the Game:
- Though Marchand has been struggling to put it together in the playoffs, he was able to click at just the right time. Marchand received a text from a friend that told him to play his game and not worry, well it certainly seemed to help as he showed his mental toughness and will to win to hand the Bruins a Game 1 victory.
Quote of the Game:
“I think I was getting away from controlling the puck and trying to make plays,” Marchand said. “That’s where I play my game, down low in the corners and trying to do things there. I felt like the last couple of games were more like that, and I’m just trying to keep it simple and not do too much.”
Looking Ahead:
Though the Bruins won, it was not an easy win by any accounts. The Rangers have shown that they are a tough team and can shut down an offense, though they are not unbeatable. If the Bruins hope to walk away from the series as the winner they will need their key offensive performers to play to their full potential as well as their defensive line.
