Bruins steal advantage in playoffs

The Boston Bruins are one win away from a series victory after beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in the NHL.

The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, with a chance to eliminate the Canadiens in the next fixture [AFP]

Boston scored two power-play goals in just 32 seconds en route to a 4-2 win over Montreal which gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead in their second-round NHL playoff series.

On the other side of the country, Anaheim beat neighbour Los Angeles 2-0 to leave their series locked at 2-2.

The Bruins lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, with a chance to eliminate the Canadiens in the next fixture in Montreal. Game 7 would be Wednesday night back in Boston.

Carl Soderberg gave Boston the lead with in the first period, and then the hosts broke the game wide open early in the second period.

With Montreal’s Tomas Plekanec off the ice for interfering with the goaltender, Reilly Smith pounced just 64 seconds into the second period when he tipped Dougie Hamilton’s shot past Carey Price to make it 2-0.

Sixteen seconds later, Plekanec was sent off again – this time for high-sticking.

It only took six seconds into the power play for the Bruins to make it 3-0 as Jarome Iginla received a backhand crossing pass from Torey Krug and slapped a shot past Price.

Plekanec set up Brendan Gallagher to cut the deficit to two goals with 5:21 minutes left in the second period, but Loui Eriksson snapped in the rebound of Matt Fraser’s shot with just under 6 minutes left in the game to make it 4-1.

Montreal pulled Price for most of the last five minutes, and PK Subban scored on a 6-on-4 power play, but the Canadiens could not get any closer.

Ducks fly through

Meanwhile, Anaheim goaltender John Gibson made 28 saves in his dynamic NHL playoff debut, shutting out Los Angeles.

Devante Smith-Pelly, who replaced injured Matt Beleskey on Anaheim’s top line, pushed past Drew Doughty into the Kings’ zone and converted a pass from Corey Perry.

Ducks captain Ryan scored on a power play 2:43 minutes later on his 29th birthday.

All four games in the series have been won by the visiting team, which bodes well for the Kings as they make the 50km trip to Anaheim.

Source: AP