The Boston Bruins embarrassed the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Saturday with a 3-0 win.
The two sides came out with tremendous energy throughout the first period with end to end action. The Penguins dominated the early going, but the Bruins defense was equal to the task and shut the Pittsburgh forwards constantly. Boston would eventually pick up momentum and eventually got a goal from David Krejci. The center took the puck in the slot and fired it at the goal. Penguins defenseman Paul Martin slid to block the shot, but wound up redirecting it with his skate through the legs of goaltender Thomas Vokoun to give Boston a 1-0 lead. The Penguins would finish the first period with a 12-7 shot advantage.
The intensity of the game increased drastically throughout the second period with both sides exchanging dangerous hits and numerous powerplays. At the 1:32 mark, Penguins forward Matt Cooke hit a Bruins player into the boards from behind. He was given a game misconduct and Boston was awarded a major power play. The team failed to capitalize but almost scored on an ensuing Penguins power play. Pittsburgh superstar Evgeni Malkin got tied up on the left wing and the puck squirted free to Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The two Bruins broke away into the zone; Marchand cut off the incoming Penguins defenseman to allow Bergeron the breakaway. Unfortunately, Bergeron was unable capitalize. Marchand would eventually hit James Neal from behind and earn himself only two minutes; the Penguins bench was livid after the call as they felt that Marchand should have gotten the same treatment as Cooke. As the period came to a close, the two sides engaged in unpleasant conversation and Bergeron and Malkin dropped the gloves.
The Bruins would seize control of the game in the final frame. The Bruins dumped the puck in on the right side. Nathan Horton retrieved on the left side after a battle with a Pittsburgh defenseman. He eventually nudged it free to an incoming Krejci. The latter shot it at Vokoun and the rebound bounced into the air. Krejci got the rebound into the net for his second goal of the game. They would add another almost four minutes later when Horton blasted a rebound past Vokoun from the left circle.
Boston goalie Tuuka Rask stopped 29 saves for his first career postseason shutout.
Game 2 takes place on Monday at 7 PM EST.
Watch Video Highlights HERE (Click on the Blue icons listed next to each goal on the box score).
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