NHL Playoffs: Gionta, Montreal Canadiens Ice Bruins in Boston, San Jose Sharks Win in OT and More

NHL Playoffs: Game one goes to Montreal – in Boston.

Thursday night marked the 33^rd playoff meeting between these two teams.  A heated rivalry that has spanned 85 years and is one of the nastiest in the NHL (see Zdeno Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty on March 8th; Also the 2009 opening playoff round), it was bound to be an exciting game regardless of how many goals were scored.

Boston tried – they did. Brad Marchand had six shots and Zdeno Chara five, with four back-to-back slap shots in the second, and three in the third period, with two at 9:16 and 9:30.

Zdeno Chara and the Boston Bruins couldn’t find the net during Game 1

Carey Price, Montreal’s starting playoff goalie, saved all 31 pucks that the Bruins desperately shot.  It seemed like there were more than 31 attempts. Price earns the golden helmet of the game, as he barricaded all corners of the net in top-playoff action.

But Price is not the only member of the Canadiens to be awarded, as Brian Gionta netted both of Montreal’s goals, both past Tim Thomas, the Bruins goalie who earned a .9382 save percentage this season (the best in an NHL season since the league began keeping track in 1982-1983).

Gionta slapped his goals in both early and late. He put Montreal on the board at just 2:44 into play with the pass from Scott Gomez, whipping a 22-footer by Thomas. With less than 5:00 remaining, Gionta netted his second at 16:42, again with Gomez assisting.

The Canadiens earn a crucial game one victory on the road, leaving every Boston fan furious and teary-eyed.  Game two is once again at the TD Garden, on Saturday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Canadiens lead series 1-0

-SK

Stacey Kilpatrick is a new contributor to The Wife Hates Sports, and for the time being, will be writing up recaps of the NHL Playoffs.

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Buffalo Sabres 1, Philadelphia Flyers 0

Ryan Miller saved 35 shots on the night, and pitched his second career playoff shutout, this time on the road against the Flyers.  Buffalo RW Patrick Kaleta scored the only goal of the game, as the Sabres earn at least a split in the opening two games of the series.

Game 2 – Saturday April 16, 2011 – 5:00pm ET

Sabres lead series 1-0

San Jose Sharks 3, Los Angeles Kings 2 OT

14:44 into the first overtime period, Joe Pavelski scored the game-winner that lifted the San Jose Sharks to a key Game 1 victory over the Kings.  Both goalies had busy nights, as Jonathan Quick (Kings) saved 42 of 45 shots, while San Jose’s Antti Niemi stopped 33 of 35 shots.

Game 2 – Saturday April 16, 2011 – 10:00pm ET

Sharks lead series 1-0

-KP

Kevin Paul is the creator, founder, editor and head writer for The Wife Hates Sports

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