Reilly Smith scored the go-ahead goal with 4:32 left in the third period as the Boston Bruins earned a 5-3 comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens to even their Eastern Conference semi-final at a game apiece.
The Bruins trailed 3-1 midway through the final frame, but roared back with four unanswered goals over the final 9:04, including an empty netter by Milan Lucic.
Star Performer
Patrice Bergeron was named the game's first star, and rightfully so. The Bruins' heart-and-soul centerman scored a tide-changing goal with 5:43 left in the game to tie it at three.
[Video Courtesy: NHL.com]
Montreal's Thomas Vanek likely pulled himself out of coach Michel Therrien's doghouse during the loss. The talented sniper scored two powerplay goals, including a beautiful tip off a P.K. Subban blast from the point.
[Video Courtesy: NHL.com]
Turning Point
The Habs looked to have the game well in-hand until the Bruins decided to seemingly score at will, finding the back of the net three times in a 5:38 span. It was the first time the Bruins were able to get a sustained net presence against the normally unflappable Carey Price.
Highlight Reel
Nothing was sweeter for the Bruins than running roughshod over the Canadiens during the second-half of the third period.
[Video Courtesy: NHL.com]
Quote of the Night
Despite evidence to the contrary, Therrien thought his team played well all game before falling apart down the stretch.
Therrien: "We played extremely well for 50 minutes." #habson690
— Conor McKenna (@mckennaconor) May 3, 2014
Perhaps he was being kind to a fragile team that watched a potential 2-0 series lead evaporate over a five-and-a-half minute span.
The Canadiens will get a chance to bounce back from the loss when they host the Bruins for Game 3 on Tuesday night.
