Which Crunch-Time Playoff Thriller Against Montreal Reigns Supreme?

by Jessica Isner on Sun, Aug 30, 2009 at 12:10PM

What's the greatest Bruins game ever broadcast on NESN?

That's up to you.

We've narrowed the bracket down to eight finalists, and now it's
your turn to vote over the next eight weeks to select the No. 1
heart-stopping, gut-wrenching, iconic Bruins game since NESN became the
home of the Black and Gold.

This week, in the second matchup of the first round, fans will choose between two momentous games featuring one of Boston's favorite squads to hate: the Canadiens.

On April 30, 2004 — back when Claude Julien was at the helm in Montreal and Michael Ryder was one of the team's biggest offensive assets — the Bruins overcame a 3-1 deficit to score a double-overtime victory over the Canadiens in the conference quarterfinals. The road to overtime was full of the requisite drama: With 30.6 seconds left in regulation, Mike Knuble shot a backhander past Jose Theodore, but the goal was disallowed before video replays showed the puck crossed the line. Suddenly, the game was tied and the bitter rivals were headed for OT.

How did the B's get the game-winning goal? Montreal's Alex Kovalev made a major blunder, abandoning the puck and complaining that he was slashed by Sheldon Souray. His antics cleared the way for Glen Murray's game-winning breakaway lamplighter. The win put Boston up 3-1 in the seven-game series and sent the Habs into a demoralizing tailspin.

Is that better than the events of April 13, 2008? Boston was down 3-2 to Montreal in the conference quarterfinals. It was go big or go home, and the Bruins weren't quite ready to go home. The Black and Gold overcame three different one-goal deficits and, courtesy of a four-goal third period, edged the Habs 5-4 to force Game 7. Phil Kessel scored twice and Marco Sturm tallied the game-winner with less than three minutes remaining, regaining control of his own rebound and sending the puck past a sprawling Carey Price. It gave the Bruins a chance to win their first playoff series in nine years and snap an 0-20 skid in series they trailed 3-1.

Now it's your turn to choose. Don't forget to stay tuned and make sure that your favorite game makes it through to the finals.

Click here to submit your vote.