Wednesday, June 8, 2011
BOSTON — Just three days after the Bruins staggered back to Boston, they've barged right back into the Stanley Cup final with two brilliant blowout wins.
Tim Thomas made 38 saves in his third shutout of the playoffs, Rich Peverley scored two goals after replacing injured Nathan Horton on Boston's top line, and the Bruins emphatically evened the series at two games with a 4-0 victory over the foundering Canucks in Game 4 on Wednesday night.
Michael Ryder and Brad Marchand also had goals for the Bruins, who chased Roberto Luongo early in the third period after Vancouver's star goalie allowed his 12th goal in less than two games.
The finals are now a best-of-three, with Game 5 Friday night in Vancouver.
After outscoring Vancouver 12-1 in the past two games, the Bruins are halfway to their first NHL title since 1972 — but they'll have to win at least once on the West Coast.
Boston opened its first final trip in 21 years with two deflating one-goal losses last week in Vancouver, but the Bruins have wrested all momentum from the suddenly shaky Canucks with two dominant wins.
Luongo gave up four goals on 20 shots before Cory Schneider replaced him, ending yet another shaky defensive performance for the Presidents' Trophy-winning Canucks.
Vancouver needed just one win in Boston to earn the chance to win the franchise's first championship at home. Instead, the Canucks head home with questions about their mental toughness, defense and goaltending.
The Bruins rolled on an emotional high that began with a stirring pregame tribute to Horton. The right wing will miss the rest of the series after incurring a serious concussion early in Game 3 on a hit from Vancouver defenseman Aaron Rome, who was suspended for four games.
Bobby Orr, the Hall of Fame defenseman and Boston icon, wore his own No. 4 jersey as he waved a flag bearing Horton's No. 18.
CONCUSSIONS: NHL general managers agreed with a recommendation to broaden the definition of illegal hits to the head, likely expanding the scope of a rule enacted last year to outlaw blindside head shots. Boston forward Nathan Horton was knocked out for the final series in Monday's Game 3 with a severe concussion after a late hit from Vancouver's Aaron Rome. A panel of former players and the GMs agreed the word "blindside" should be taken out of Rule 48, expanding the rule.
GM HIRE: Longtime hockey executive Kevin Cheveldayoff was named general manager of the Winnipeg club, which is relocating from Atlanta.
| at Bruins | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Canucks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First—1, Boston, Peverley 3 (Krejci, Chara), 11:59. Penalties—Ryder, Bos (tripping), 6:58; Marchand, Bos (cross-checking), 16:10.
Second—2, Boston, Ryder 7 (Seguin, Kelly), 11:11. 3, Boston, Marchand 8 (Bergeron), 13:29. Penalties—Raymond, Van (high-sticking), 7:41; Alberts, Van (slashing), 12:05; Peverley, Bos (cross-checking), 12:05; Boychuk, Bos (delay of game), 18:49.
Third—4, Boston, Peverley 4 (Lucic, Krejci), 3:39. Penalties—H.Sedin, Van (slashing), :52; Recchi, Bos (high-sticking), 9:14; Kesler, Van (slashing), 10:25; Lapierre, Van (slashing), 14:35; Ballard, Van (roughing), 17:33; McQuaid, Bos, misconduct, 17:33; Marchand, Bos (holding, roughing, tripping), 17:33; Kesler, Van, minor-misconduct (roughing), 18:09; Burrows, Van (cross-checking), 18:09; Chara, Bos, minor-misconduct (roughing), 18:09; Thomas, Bos, served by Thornton (slashing), 18:09. Shots—Vancouver 12-13-13—38. Boston 6-12-11—29. Power plays—Vancouver 0 of 6; Boston 0 of 4. Goalies—Vancouver, Luongo 14-8-0 (20 shots-16 saves), C.Schneider (4:15 third, 9-9). Boston, Thomas 14-8-0 (38-38). A—17,565 (17,565). T—2:41.