Final, Bruins 3-0:Â That’s it, and that’s all. The Bruins dominated for much of the night, and they have the 2-1 series lead with the 2-0 win here in Game 3.
Third period, 19:51, Bruins 2-0: This game is over, but don’t tell these guys.
Zdeno Chara and Bryan Bickell just got tied up in a scrum in front of the Boston net that led to both falling while attempt to throw punches on the way down.
Meanwhile, Brad Marchand and Andrew Shaw paired off in a wrestling match of agitators that had both falling to the ice.
This should set the stage for Game 4 pretty nicely.
Third period, 18:00, Bruins 2-0:Â The Bruins kill off the penalty, and they’re treated with another standing ovation.
Third period, 15:55, Bruins 2-0:Â Just as the Bruins’ power play comes to an end, they’re called for a penalty of their own.
David Krejci was the guilty party, whistled for holding, literally seconds after Dave Bolland’s penalty comes to an end.
The B’s got some great chances on that power play, but Corey Crawford kept the Blackhawks in the game with a big save or two. This is obviously a huge penalty kill for the Bruins.
Third period, 13:55, Bruins 2-0:Â The Bruins continue to apply pressure in the Chicago end, and it pays off in the form of a Blackhawks penalty.
Dave Bolland is headed to the penalty box for the third time in this game, this time for tripping.
Third period, 10:00, Bruins 2-0:Â The Bruins killed off the penalty, and that brought the TD Garden crowd to its feet for a standing ovation.
Third period, 7:56, Bruins 2-0:Â The Bruins’ penalty kill has to go back to work now.
Adam McQuaid was called for tripping, and Boston looks to extend its PK streak.
Third period, 7:18, Bruins 2-0:Â The Patrice Bergeron line continues to impress, and they almost made it a three-goal game.
Jaromir Jagr did a great job of working the puck back to the slot with a semi-no-look pass to Bergeron who came barreling down the slot. Bergeron put the one-timer on net, but he put it right in Corey Crawfor’d’s bread basket.
The Blackhawks aren’t going away, though. They’re putting the pressure on right now, and they’re starting to get some time in the Boston zone. Tuukka Rask continues to look strong, and he’s going to be tested a lot in the next 13 minutes.
Third period, 1:00, Bruins 2-0:Â The Blackhawks killed off Dave Bolland’s penalty, and we’re back to 5-on-5 here in the third.
Third period, 0:01, Bruins 2-0:Â The third period is underway, with the Bruins looking to put this one away.
The Bruins will get 1:00 of power-play time to open the period.
Second period reaction:Â The second period for Blackhawks fans must have looked a lot like what the first period in Game 2 looked like for Bruins fans.
The B’s dominated play, but the difference from Chicago’s first period last game is that Boston has two goals to show for it. The Bruins’ third line continued to excel, and they scored the game’s first goal on the stick of Daniel Paille. That goal was created by some great work by Chris Kelly to move the puck despite taking some heat and body contact from Chicago defensemen. Paille ripped the first goal by Corey Crawford beating the goalie gloveside. The Bruins are starting to pick on Crawford’s glove side, and it’s paying off. Both of Paille’s goals over the last two games beat Crawford to the glove.
The Bruins also added the power-play goal after Paille’s speed drew the penalty. That was only the beginning, however, as Boston possessed the puck in the Chicago zone before Jaromir Jagr fed Patrice Bergeron with an absolutely gorgeous pass across the slot that landed right on Bergeron’s tape. He handled the rest from there, easily beating Crawford. Once again, Bergeron is working on a sensational game with the goal, six shots and he’s 19-for-22 in the faceoff circle.
End second period, Bruins 2-0:Â The second period comes to an end with a scoring chance for the Bruins. David Krejci tried to force home a goal from Corey Crawford’s right, but the goalie got to the post to shut it down.
The Bruins still lead 2-0 after two periods, and they’ll have another minute of power-play time to open the third period.
Second period, 19:00, Bruins 2-0:Â The Bruins get another power play.
Dave Bolland was called for his second penalty of the game, this time for tripping.
Second period, 15:57, Bruins 2-0:Â The Bruins were just sent to the TV timeout with a standing ovation after another hellacious shift from the Patrice Bergeron line. All three of those guys have been on their game in this one.
Second period, 14:05, Bruins 2-0:Â It wasn’t technically on the 5-on-3, but the Bruins take advantage of the second power play and they have a 2-0 lead.
Patrice Bergeron scored thanks to a gorgeous cross-slot pass from Jaromir Jagr, and this place is rocking in a big way right now.
That was an absolutely gorgeous pass from Jagr.
Second period, 13:50, Bruins 1-0:Â The Bruins will have a 5-on-3 for 11 seconds.
Niklas Hjalmarsson was just called for tripping Daniel Paille after the Boston forward used a burst of speed to enter the zone on the rush.
Second period, 12:00, Bruins 1-0:Â Tuukka Rask continues to impress, and he’s not showing any signs of letting up any time soon. The Bruins goalie has stopped all 17 shots he’s seen so far, including a save on Patrick Kane as the Chicago sniper walked in on the left wing.
The Bruins just narrowly missed going up 2-0 when Johnny Boychuk sneaked in the back door on an odd-man rush, but he was just missed with a pass.
The Bruins, however, are getting their first power play of the game. Dave Bolland was called for cross-checking, and the B’s get their power play.
Second period, 6:31, Bruins 1-0:Â The Bruins are knocking on the door once again after the Daniel Paille goal.
The Bruins’ second line had a fantastic shift in the Chicago zone that led to multiple scoring chances. The B’s couldn’t quite settle the puck for long enough in front of Corey Crawford, but there was definitely a good amount of pressure. Now the B’s must sustain that pressure and build themselves a nice lead.
Second period, 2:13, Bruins 1-0:Â Some strong work in the Chicago zone pays off in a big way for the Bruins.
Chris Kelly took the body more than once to move the puck, and then Daniel Paille picked up where he left off in Game 2. He beat Crawford glove side, and the B’s take the 1-0 lead.
Second period, 0:01, 0-0:Â The second period is underway after the first scoreless first period of this series.
First period reaction:Â That was a pretty good first period for the Bruins. They certainly got plenty of scoring chances, their best, perhaps, coming on the penalty kill. They continue to dominate in that regard, as they’ve killed off their last 24 penalties, and are coming close to turning them into offense.
Luckily for Chicago, Corey Crawford has been pretty good early here through 20 minutes. His best save came on Patrice Bergeron early in the period, but he was solid throughout the first. So, too, was Tuukka Rask. The Boston goalie’s best save probably came on a Duncan Keith wrist shot from the left point that Rask calmly gloved. He really looks like he’s in the zone right now.
The Bruins’ new third line has been really impressive, and they’re being rewarded with ice time. Tyler Seguin has played 5:21, Daniel Paille 5:57 and Chris Kelly has logged 7:32 in the first period. Those are some big numbers. It’s been helped along by the fact that Nathan Horton’s ice time continues to be limited, as does Jaromir Jagr’s. Some of that has to do with the four minutes of penalty kill time in the first, but Horton is far from healthy, and I think his minutes are an indication of that. He was limited in the game’s first few minutes.
End first period, 0-0:Â The first period comes to an end just a couple of moments after Tyler Seguin was spilled entering the zone.
It looked like it might have been a trip, but all in all, a good no-call in my opinion. Wasn’t too egregious.
The B’s outshot the Blackhawks 11-10 in the fist period.
First period, 17:02, 0-0:Â The Bruins came real close to scoring a shorthanded goal — twice.
First, Rich Peverley couldn’t quite break loose, and his second chance was stopped.
Toward the end of the kill, Brad Marchand was sprung on a breakaway. However, the Bruins forward couldn’t control the puck on his stick and missed the chance. The forward then snapped his stick on the bench door as he came off the ice.
First period, 14:15, 0-0:Â It looks like the Bruins will have to kill off another penalty.
Shawn Thornton was just sent to the penalty box, apparently for his role in a post-whistle scrum. From this vantage point, it didn’t look like Thornton did much to warrant the call.
Nonetheless, he’s off to the box for roughing.
First period, 12:05, 0-0:Â The Bruins were able to kill off the Kaspars Daugavins penalty, and they just missed a chance to score as he came out of the penalty box.
Daugavins came bolting out of the box and it looked like he had a 3-on-1 in the works with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, but it ended up being offside by a toe.
First period, 9:57, 0-0:Â The Bruins are going on the penalty kill.
Kaspars Daugavins was just called for roughing after taking a pretty good run at Andrew Shaw. He hit him in front of the Boston bench, and the hit appeared to shake Shaw up some.
First period, 8:10, 0-0:Â The Bruins are certainly getting their chances here in the first period.
The best belonged to Patrice Beregron. The Boston center collected a rebound in front point-blank, but Corey Crawford made an impressive shoulder save.
Nathan Horton’s minutes have been limited in the early going, but he did just skate a shift. That’s something we’ll keep an eye on moving forward.
First period, 3:15, 0-0:Â The Bruins’ bottom-six forwards are bringing it so far.
The third and fourth lines just turned in two great shifts, and the Bruins are hoping that will give them momentum. B’s outshooting Chicago 4-1 at the moment.
First period, 0:01, 0-0:Â Let’s go. The game is underway.
8:15 p.m.:Â The Bruins just took the ice. This place is loud. Real loud.
Zdeno Chara is starting, so he’s fine. Marian Hossa is indeed out.
8:05 p.m.:Â Marian Hossa is out for Game 3.
He apparently injured himself during warmups, and he’ll be out. Ben Smith will replace Hossa.
This is a huge blow for the Hawks. He’s been one of their best offensive players all postseason and into the Final.
7:58 p.m.:Â The Bruins got what was probably a little bit of a scare during pregame warmups.
Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic collided with each other during the pregame skate, and both went down hard. They’re both enormous human beings, so it obviously made for quite the scene.
Both seem to be fine. Chara left the ice shortly thereafter, but it was toward the end of the skate, so it shouldn’t be a big deal or anything.
7:50 p.m.:Â The Bruins aren’t changing their lines, it appears. That’s not much of a surprise at all.
Claude Julien is keeping his new line of Chris Kelly centering Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin together.
7:45 p.m.:Â The two teams just took the ice for pregame warmups which means we’re just about ready to go. Finally.
Get this — Tuukka Rask will start for the Bruins, and he’ll be opposed by Corey Crawford. Shocking.
6:20 p.m.:Â Welcome to TD Garden where we are under two hours until puck drop. The Zambonis have just taken the ice as they continue to ready the playing surface for Game 3.
It was quite the scene outside the Garden just a short while ago, even a few hours before puck drop. The 2011 title has not taken away from any of the Stanley Cup fever, as the B’s fans seem just as hungry for another title as they were just two seasons ago. We’ll have a photo gallery shortly that should capture the scene of the Garden inside and out a little bit better.
4:20 p.m.:Â The Bruins have been very good at home this postseason as they enter Game 3 with a 7-2 record at TD Garden this spring. A lot of that has to do with the boost they get from the Garden crowd, and they’ll be back in front of that crowd again tonight.
For the Blackhawks, who are 0-3 in Game 3s this postseason (all road games), it’s a new building for them, and they think they have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
“Being on the ice here for the first time, some of these guys haven’t been in this building at all,” head coach Joel Quenneville said after morning skate. “The boards are a lot livelier. Some of the buildings we played in the playoffs, like Detroit, you get to check out the ice. We expect a loud building, we expect an amazing pace to the game.
“But let’s make sure it’s what we do and let’s be excited about the challenge we have coming in here. Let’s not wait for things to happen; let’s try to dictate and be proactive in that area.”
Bruins coach Claude Julien is very familiar with the scene, and after seeing a rabid Chicago crowd in Games 1 and 2, he’s ready to see the Garden faithful help give his team a boost.
“Well, there’s no doubt you’re a lot happier at home than you are on the road, right? But we’ve got a great crowd here. Our fans have been great. What can you say about the Chicago fans for them? Let’s give credit where credit is due. It’s pretty awesome when you go into that building and listen to them.
“Our fans are very capable of doing the same thing. We may not hold as much in our building, but the decibels will be just as good as it was at the United Center.”
2:30 p.m.:Â It goes without saying that Game 3 when a series is tied 1-1 is a pivotal one, but that is really reinforced by the numbers.
According to NHL PR, the winners of Game 3 in the Stanley Cup Final when the series is tied 1-1 have gone on to win the Cup 21 of 25 times since the league went to a best-of-seven format back in 1939. That’s an 84 percent success rate.
However, the last time a series was tied 1-1 after two games was in 2004. The Calgary Flames ended up winning Game 3, but the Tampa Bay Lightning ended up winning the series in seven games.
1 p.m.:Â Viktor Stalberg will be back in the lineup for the Blackhawks in Game 3. He took line rushes with the active lineup during morning skate, and Joel Quenneville confirmed Stalberg’s return after the skate.
The Chicago head coach is looking for his forward to bring energy to the lineup, as Stalberg returns after missing Games 1 and 2 with Brandon Bollig skating in his place.
“I think we need some speed from him,” Quenneville told the media. “I think we need energy. I think he’s a threat off the rush, in zone, defensively responsible.
“You know, bring energy.”
Here are the lines the Hawks showed at morning skate.
Brandon Saad — Jonathan Toews — Marian Hossa
Patrick Sharp — Michal Handzus — Patrick Kane
Bryan Bickell — Dave Bolland — Andrew Shaw
Viktor Stalberg — Marcus Kruger — Michael Frolik
11:30 a.m. ET: The Bruins and Blackhawks needed 10 periods to complete Games 1 and 2, and through all of the hockey played in Chicago, we’re still right where we were to start the series — all tied up.
The two teams split the first two in Chicago, and now the Bruins and Blackhawks return to Boston where it is now a best-of-five series for the Stanley Cup. After the Hawks won a triple-overtime thriller in Game 1, the B’s bounced back to win in overtime (just one) in Game 2. That sets up the all-important Game 3 on Monday night at TD Garden.
The Bruins weathered a pretty formidable storm in Game 2 as Chicago came out and took it to them in the first period. However, Tuukka Rask was able to stop 18 of 19 shots to keep the B’s in the game, and Claude Julien’s coaching decision set the stage for Daniel Paille’s game-winning goal in OT. Paille’s new line, which puts him with Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin, was also one of the big reasons the B’s head home tied in the series. That line accounted for both Boston goals, and they should be back together on Monday night.
At Monday’s morning skate, the Bruins showed no signs of changing up the lines. Here’s what they went with.
Milan Lucic — David Krejci — Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — Jaromir Jagr
Daniel Paille — Chris Kelly — Tyler Seguin
Kaspars Daugavins — Rich Peverley — Shawn Thornton
The Blackhawks may be making a change to their lineup, too. Viktor Stalberg could be back in the lineup after he was scratched in place of Brandon Bollig. After playing decently in Game 1, Bollig was a liability in Game 2, and Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville said Stalberg “could play” in Game 3.
The puck drops in Boston on Monday night just after 8 p.m.
