Third Period, 19:03, Bruins 5-2: The Canucks now have three extra skaters as Dennis Seidenberg is called for cross-checking.
Third Period, 18:29, Bruins 5-2: Tempers flare with a late scrum in the Vancouver crease after the Bruins nearly score. Shawn Thornton and Kevin Bieksa get tangled up but the linesmen won't let that develop into anything.
The Bruins end up with the extra minor out of the fray and the Canucks pull their goalie for a two-man advantage.
Third Period, 17:34, Bruins 5-2: The Canucks score a late one, with Maxim Lapierre finishing a nice feed by Daniel Sedin with a shot from the left slot.
Third Period, 14:07, Bruins 5-1: The Bruins nearly add another as Krejci feeds an on-rushing Kaberle down the left side for a bid, but Schneider makes the save.
Third Period, 13:32, Bruins 5-1: The Bruins kill off that penalty and don't let the Vancouver power play pick up any momentum after scoring earlier this period.
Third Period, 11:32, Bruins 5-1: The Bruins will have another penalty to kill, with Mark Recchi the culprit this time for tripping up Manny Malhotra.
Third Period, 9:40, Bruins 5-1: The Bruins keep the physical play going as Johnny Boychuk catches Ryan Kesler with a huge hit coming across the slot in the Boston zone.
Third Period, 6:59, Bruins 5-1: The Bruins convert the two-man advantage, with David Krejci supplying the crucial goal to restore the four-goal lead.
Mark Recchi set him up with a crossing pass from the right side of the net as Krejci snuck in for the backdoor score at the left post.
Bergeron picked up another penalty after the goal, but Alex Burrows got a matching minor as they exchanged some stickwork.
Third Period, 6:11, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins will now have a 5 on 3 for 1:13 as Andrew Alberts joins Torres in the box for cross-checking Tyler Seguin in the slot. The Bruins use their timeout to set up the power play. Converting this will be huge for Boston.
Third Period, 5:23, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins have a chance to regain some momentum as they go on the power play after Raffi Torres is called for tripping David Krejci.
Third Period, 3:17, Bruins 4-1: The Bruins get away with one there as they were hemmed in their own zone and Jannik Hansen blasted a shot past Thomas form the right circle. He celebrated like he scored, but a video review showed the puck hit the far left post square and never crossed the line.
Third Period, 0:22, Bruins 4-1: The Canucks finally strike on the power play a Henrik Sedin scores early in the third to put Vancouver on the board.
He came out from the left boards, cut to the front of the net and lifted a backhander over Thomas and up under the crossbar.
Third Period, 0:00, Bruins 4-0: The final frame is under way here at the Garden, with the Bruins looking to close out the win and make this series go the distance.
They'll have to start by killing off the final 1:09 of Patrice Bergeron's elbowing penalty though, as they'll open the third period shorthanded.
Second Intermission Notes: The Bruins didn't score in the second, but they turned in a solid period and turned up the physical play. After being outhit 19-14 in the first, they outhit the Canucks 18-10 in the second to take a 32-29 overall lead. Shawn Thornton is pacing the Bruins with five hits, but it's been a total team effort with 15 of Boston's 18 skaters recording at least one.
The Bruins also have 15 skaters with at least one shot and lead 27-22 in that category,though Vancouver did have an 11-8 edge in the second. Tim Thomas stood tall though, and has stopped every shot he's faced so far. The Bruins, and Patrice Bergeron in particular, could help him a bit more by staying out of the box. Bergeron was called for all three of Boston's penalties in the period. The Bruins killed off the first two, but still have 1:09 left on his late elbowing call.
Boston is controlling the faceoff battle by a 28-18 count (61 percent), with Chris Kelly leading the way at 8-3. That's helped the penalty kill immensely and the Bruins need to continue to win those draws, keep up the pressure offensively and continue to play physical to close out this win and force a Game 7 on Wednesday.
End Second Period, Bruins 4-0: The first 40 minutes are in the books and there was no further scoring in the second. That's fine by the Bruins, who take their 4-0 lead into the third period as they try to force a Game 7.
Second Period, 19:08, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins have another penalty to kill and once again it's Bergeron in the box. This time he goes for elbowing.
Second Period, 16:44, Bruins 4-0: Thomas makes a string of saves on the Canucks top line to keep it a 4-0 games. The shots are now just 24-21in favor of the Bruins as Vancouver has put more pressure on Thomas in this period.
Second Period, 14:15, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins kill off that penalty as well, and nearly score shorthanded with several strong bids by the penalty killers.
Second Period, 12:15, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins will be shorthanded again and it's Bergeron again going off, this time for interference.
Second Period, 11:43, Bruins 4-0: While the Bruins fans continue to chant "Luongo! Luongo!", Tim Thomas makes another big stop on Henrik Sedin from the left slot.
Second Period, 7:31, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins come close to adding to the lead with a strong shift by the top line as Krejci and Co. create several solid scoring chances but can't put another one home.
Second Period, 5:04, Bruins 4-0: The Canucks threaten with a 2 on 1 as Ryan Kesler feeds Victor Oreskovich on the right side, but his shot goes wide at the near post.
Second Period, 2:28, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins kill off that penalty, though the Canucks did clang the post on one shot late in the power play.
Second Period, 0:28, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins will be shorthanded for the first time in this one as Patrice Bergeron is called for goaltender interference.
The Canucks have also announced that Mason Raymond, who was hurt early in the first period, has been taken to a hospital with an undisclosed injury.
Second Period, 0:00, Bruins 4-0: The middle frame is under way here at the Garden, where the Bruins take a 4-0 lead into the second period. Boston has dominated the second periods of this series, outscoring Vancouver 8-0 in the second stanza of the first five games.
First Intermission Notes: The Bruins got the start they were looking for, and then some. The offense they couldn't find in Vancouver has resurfaced once again in Boston as four different players had goals and nine players collected points in the opening period. Michael Ryder had a goal and an assist and Mark Recchi two assists, but it was a balanced attack with contributions from throughout the lineup.
Even the power play contributed, scoring once and creating chances on all three opportunities the Bruins had in the first. Seven of their 19 shots have come on those man advantages, with the Bruins outshoting Vancouver 19-11 overall. Tim Thomas wasn't that busy, but came up with some huge stops, including stoning Jannik Hansen on a breakaway and robbing Alex Burrows on a point-blank bid.
Roberto Luongo wasn't as fortunate, as he was driven from the game just 8:35 in after giving up three goals on eight shots. The Canucks have outhit the Bruins 19-14, with Alex Edler collecting four after havin 10 in Game 5. Edler also picked up a boarding call for a dangeroud high hit on Rich Peverley as this one as again been a chippy affair.
End First Period, Bruins 4-0: The first 20 minutes are in the books and the Bruins couldn't have asked for a better period as they strike for four goals and drive Roberto Luongo from the game.
First Period, 19:19, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins can't score despite some solid chances on the power play, then Thomas stones Jannik Hansen on a clean breakaway just after the Canucks got back to full strength to keep it a 4-0 game.
First Period, 17:09, Bruins 4-0: It's another power play for the Bruins as the Canucks are called for too many men. It wasn't just a bad line change either, they were actually playing with six skaters, and still couldn't clear the zone.
First Period, 16:11, Bruins 4-0: Lots of pressure now from the Canucks, but Thomas comes up huge, robbing Alex Burrows on a bid from the top of the crease.
First Period, 15:07, Bruins 4-0: Tim Thomas hasn't been tested often, but he shuts the door on Ryan Kesler's wraparound attempt at the left post. That's just the fifth shot for Vancouver compared to Boston's 15.
First Period, 12:31, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins can't convert that chance, but come very close as Kaberle nearly scores on a backdoor cut, then collects the rebound and feeds it to Krejci, but his bid at an open net is smothered in front by Sami Salo.
First Period, 10:31, Bruins 4-0: The Bruins are going back on the power play as the Canucks continue to unravel. Ryan Kesler is now in the box for holding.
First Period, 9:45, Bruins 4-0: Schneider fares no better as the Bruins score again, this time with Michael Ryder scoring on the second shot on the new netminder.
Ryder tipped a Tomas Kaberle point shot in front for the goal.
First Period, 8:35, Bruins 3-0: The Bruins add another, finally breaking through on the power play as Andrew Ference scores and Roberto Luongo's night is over.
Ference fired in a shot from the left point with Mark Recchi providing the screen in front. Cory Schneider is now in net after Luongo allowed three goals on eight shots in 8:35.
First Period, 7:55, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins get the first power play of the night as Alexander Edler gets called for boarding on a huge hit on Rich Peverley. Lots of jawing and shoving after the play but no other enalties are called.
First Period, 7:27, Bruins 2-0: The Garden just got even louder as Nathan Horton was shown on the big screen. As the fans saluted him, a smiling Horton waved a rally towel and said "Thank you" to teh crowd.
First Period, 6:06, Bruins 2-0: The Bruins double the lead as Milan Lucic strikes from the left slot.
David Krejci set that one up with a pass behind his back to Lucic, whose shot was partially blocked by Luongo, but trickled over the line for the goal.
First Period, 5:31, Bruins 1-0: The Bruins do strike first as Brad Marchand fires in a wrister past Roberto Luongo.
Mark Recchi tapped the puck ahead to Marchand at the blue line and Marchand picked the near top corner over Luongo's glove hand.
First Period, 4:05, 0-0: The Bruins just miss on a chance for a quick lead as Rich Peverley leads a 3-on-2 rush and David Krejci steers his pass just wide at the right post.
First Period, 0:56, 0-0: The sides will play 4 on 4 for the next two minutes as Zdeno Chara is called for interference, but Henrik Sedin evens it up by embellishing the call and getting called for unsportsmanlike conduct for diving.
First Period, 0:20, 0-0: A fast start grinds to a halt as Vancouver forward Mason Raymond is injured when driven into the boards by Johnny Boychuk. No penalty on the play, just an unfortunate hit as Raymond was caught in an awkward position as he went into the boards in the corner of teh Boston zone.
First Period, 0:00, 0-0: And the final game of the season at the Garden is under way, with the Bruins looking to make sure it is not their final game of the season period as they try to force a Game 7 back in Vancouver.
8:05 p.m.: The Bruins will open with their usual starting line of Patrice Bergeron flanked by Brad Marchand and Mark Recchi, with Andrew Ference and Johnny Boychuk on defense and Tim Thomas in goal.
The Canucks counter with Chris Higgins, Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond up front, Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff on the blue line and Roberto Luongo in net.
8 p.m.: The scratches are official, with Shane Hnidy, Steven Kampfer and Jordan Caron joining the rest of the Black Aces in the press box for the Bruins.
Dan Hamhuis, Keith Ballard, Jeff Tambellini and Alexandre Bolduc are out for Vancouver, along with the suspended Aaron Rome and their usual Black Aces.
7:50 p.m.: The Bruins appear to be going with the same line combinations in this one, with Rich Peverley opening up on the top line with David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Michael Ryder and Tyler Seguin have seen time in that spot as well since Nathan Horton was injured, but Peverley has had the most success with two goals in Game 4.
Jordan Caron, Steven Kampfer and Shane Hnidy skated in warm-up as usual, but did not participate in the drills and will remain scratches.
Here are the full line combinations from the warm-up:
Lucic-Krejci-Peverley
Marchand-Bergeron-Recchi
Ryder-Kelly-Seguin
Paille-Campbell-Thornton
Defense pairs:
Chara-Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuk
Kaberle-McQuaid
The Canucks had no extra skaters on the ice. Chris Tanev will remain in on defense and Tanner Glass on the fourth line, with Dan Hamhuis (undisclosed injury), Keith Ballard and Jeff Tambellini remaining out.
7:38 p.m.: The teams have taken the ice at the Garden for the pre-game warm-up. Tim Thomas and Roberto Luongo led the clubs out and will be the starters in net once again, as the Vezina finalists battle for the sixth straight time in this series.
Thomas has the far superior numbers, but Luongo and the Canucks have one more win to this point.
7 p.m.: In just over an hour, the final hockey game of the season will be played at TD Garden. But will it be the final game of the season for the Bruins?
They certainly hope not, and if their first two games at home in this Cup Final series are any indication, there might just be another game – and another cross-continent trip – ahead for the Bruins.
But before they can worry about a Game 7, the Bruins can't take anything for granted in Game 6. The home team has won every game so far in the series, but the Bruins will still have some serious work to do in this one to stay alive and force a decisive game back in Vancouver.
Getting back to the physical style they played in Games 3 and 4 would be a big help, while a little inspiration in the form of a visit from injured forward Nathan Horton shouldn't hurt either.
8:46 a.m.: Check out Monday's Bruins Fan Forum by clicking here, and be sure to vote and comment at the bottom of the blog.
Today's question: How confident are you that B's will force Game 7?
8 a.m: For the third time this postseason, the Bruins are facing elimination. But it's the first time their opponent isn't under the same pressure.
The Bruins advanced with Game 7 victories in the opening round against Montreal and the conference final against Tampa Bay. But now they must stave off elimination in a Game 6 as they play their final home game of the season Monday night at the Garden.
They hope it won't be their final game period, as the Bruins want to push the Stanley Cup Final to seven games and get one more crack at winning in Vancouver.
"For us, it's a game we have to win," Bruins forward Gregory Campbell said. "We've been in two of these already, two Game 7s. Obviously this isn't a Game 7, but we have to treat it as a Game 7. On our side of things, I think when you play desperate, you play urgent and you compete, and that's when you're successful. We have to have that approach."
The Bruins had a successful approach in their first two home games in the series, winning Games 3 and 4 by a combined 12-1 count. But they've managed just two goals in three games in Vancouver, losing all three by a single goal to find themselves one game away from elimination despite dominating virtually every statistical category against the Canucks.
"I don't think we've come up to our standards here in Boston," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said. "Why it is? I don't know. We're hoping to fix it [Monday]. I think all the stats are just because of those two games where we didn't play the way we wanted to. Other than that, the stats that we look at, the scoring chances and stuff like that, we're in good shape. So we're going to come out tomorrow, play the best game of our lives and we're looking forward to it."
Beyond the stats, the Bruins need to get back to the aggressive physical game they played in the two wins at the Garden. The Canucks took over Game 5 physically, setting the tone early and outhitting the Bruins by a 47-27 margin overall.
The Bruins need to reverse that trend in Game 6 and do more to make Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo's life miserable with plenty of traffic in front if they are to extend their season another game, and have a shot at winning the club's first Cup since 1972.
Despite a less than stellar record at home during the regular season, the Bruins are 9-3 at the Garden in the playoffs, winning their last five games and nine of the last 10. Being back at home for Game 6 should give them a needed boost, but it's more about how they play than where they play.
"I guess you would have to say that home ice has been an advantage in both cases," Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said. "You know, it's not always that way during any playoff series, but that seems to be the way it's turned out so far. We would like to hope that that's the case again [Monday], but really we can't depend on that. We have to depend on the game that we bring to the ice, and that's what our focus should be on."
The puck drops at 8 p.m., so check back here throughout the day for updates on all the action from the Garden.
