The Montreal Canadiens filled the net, and defeated the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Rene Bourque scored three goals, and the Canadiens chased New York Rangers star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
The Canadiens jumped out early in the first when Alex Galchenyuk scored on the power play just 1:48 into the game. At the midpoint of the period injured New York Rangers forward Derek Stephan answered back with a goal, tying the game at 1-1. Just over a minute later the Canadiens regained the lead when Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec scored his fourth of the playoffs. The two teams went to the first intermission with the Canadiens up 2-1.
The second period, was goals galore. The Canadiens opened the second period with two straight goals. Max Pacioretty, and Rene Bourque scored on wrist shots giving the Canadiens a 4-1 lead. The Rangers started their comeback at the 9:48 mark when Rangers Rick Nash was able to get one by Canadiens netminder Dustin Tokarski. Derek Stephan followed up the Nash goal with one of his own, drawing the Rangers to within one. At the 14:12 mark of the second Chris Kreider score a beautiful tip-in on the power play. The game was tied 4-4. Just when it looked like the Rangers were going to take the momentum back, Rene Bourque scored his second of the game.
The Canadiens extended their 5-4 third period lead at the 6:33 mark when forward Rene Bourque scored his third of the game. The hat trick sent the crowd into an uproar and sent numerous hats onto the ice.
With the Canadiens up by two a scary incident happened at the midway point of the period. Rangers defenceman John Moore was given a major penalty and was ejected from the game for a hit on Candaiens forward Dale Weise. The hit was late, and was eerily similar to the hit that Canadiens Brandon Prust put on Derek Stephan that ended up breaking his jaw. The hit on Weise will definitely earn John Moore a visit with the NHL discipline committee.
While on the power play the Canadiens David Desharnais scored an empty net goal that completed the scoring. Montreal wins 7-4.
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The Rangers will head back to Madison Square Garden for Game 6, and their opportunity to complete the series. Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday night.
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.