Canadiens Vs. Bruins, Game 5: A Goal Apiece In Third Period Sends Game To Overtime

Sprawling saves, dramatic goals, big hits, physical play...what more could you want from a hockey game? So far, Game 5 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins has been absolutely fantastic. This is the second game of the 2011 NHL Playoffs that has felt like something with "instant classic" potential, after the San Jose Sharks great four goal comeback against the Los Angeles Kings. It's been absolutely dead even so far, and nothing but overtime would have done this one justice.

Early in the period, it looked like the Bruins were finally going to gain the upper hand. After a bit of a scramble that ended up with the puck getting deflected across the front of the net, Brad Marchand was able to tap in a goal, thanks to a little luck and some hard work by Patrice Bergeron. Those two have been the Bruins two best forwards all night, and though the deflection of the puck right to Marchand in front of the goal was a bit fortunate, their goal was deserved.

The Habs would find their equalizer, though, in eerily similar fashion to the way the Bruins scored their goal. Since every aspect of the game has been even throughout, it's fitting that both teams scored their goal in the same way. Lars Eller and Mathieu Darche, who had worked hard all night, found a way to get the puck across the face of the goal to a waiting Jeff Halpern, who tapped it in, just like Marchand. Carey Price and Tim Thomas, who have both been outstanding, were equally helpless on the two goals.

For more on this game, Canadiens fans should check out Habs Eyes On The Prize and Bruins fans should head over to Stanley Cup Of Chowder.