What a difference a year makes. This time last year, the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins faced off in the first round of the playoffs and Michael Ryder helped the Habs win the series in seven. This year, Ryder is a Bruin and is doing damage to his former team.Through three playoff games, Ryder has four points including the decisive goal tonight in Game 3. His goal was the third of four the Bruins used to defeat the Habs 4-2 tonight at the Bell Centre in Montreal. They have now taken a commanding 3-0 series lead, putting the Habs up against the wall for Wednesday's Game 4.
The Canadiens fought hard, much harder than during the blowout that was Game 2, and took their first lead of the series off a Chris Higgins goal halfway through the first. The Bruins came out of the gates a little show, but managed to tie the game heading into intermission. But after that, it would be all Bruins. They scored twice in the second to take the lead and they would not look back.
After Ryder scored with 2:39 to go in the second, the Bruins went into shutdown mode. Despite obvious desperation from the Habs through the final period, they couldn't sniff a scoring chance. The Bruins simply locked down and played rock solid defense, only allowing five shots in the third period.
Wednesday's Game 4, at this point, looks like it will be a memorial service for the Canadiens' 100th season. They have showed some life and have been competitive at points during this season, but the overall effort level hasn't been there throughout this series. The Bruins have met every challenge and haven't showed too much weakness. With the Bruins holding a commanding 3-0 lead, Wednesday should simply be a formality.
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CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 20: Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miikka Kiprusoff
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CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 20: Rene Bourque of the Calgary Flames is knocked down by Brent Seabrook #7 of the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rene Bourque;Brent Seabrook
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CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 20: Olli Jokinen #21 of the Calgary Flames pushes Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks against the boards during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Olli Jokinen;Jonathan Toews
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CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 20: Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames pushes Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Chicago Blackhawks during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miikka Kiprusoff;Dustin Byfuglien
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CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 20: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames and Colin Fraser #46 of the Chicago Blackhawks battle for position during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jarome Iginla;Colin Fraser
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CALGARY, AB - APRIL 20: Niklas Hjalmarsson #4 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates away as Cory Sarich #6, David Moss #25 and Curtis Glencross #20 of the Calgary Flames celebrate Moss's goal in the third period of Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Niklas Hjalmarsson;Cory Sarich;DavidMoss;Curtis Glencross
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CALGARY, AB - APRIL 20: Jarome Iginla #12 and Craig Conroy #24 of the Calgary Flames and Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Chicago Blackhawks are pulled apart by an offical at the end of Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jarome Iginla;Craig Conroy;Dustin Byfuglien
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CALGARY, AB - APRIL 20: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames knocks Martin Havlat #24 of the Chicago Blackhawks to the ice during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2009 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jarome Iginla;Martin Havlat
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Calgary Flames' Rene Bourque, right, takes a hard hit from Chicago Blackhawks' Niklasa Hjalmarsson, from Sweden, during the third period of an NHL Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series hockey in Calgary, Alberta on Monday, April 20, 2009. The Flames won 4-2. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Larry MacDougal)
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Calgary Flames' David Moss, center, celebrates his second goal with Cory Sarich, left, and Curtis Glencross (20) as Chicago Blackhawks' Niklas Hjalmarsson, right, from Sweden skates away during the third period of an NHL Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series hockey in Calgary, Alberta on Monday, April 20, 2009. The Flames won 4-2. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Larry MacDougal)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-21-2009 @ 9:13AM
Tom said...
Montral Canadian fans are very rude for boo ing the National Anthem!!! When you Bunch of half a sissy's get invaded. Don't call us the USA! Hope you DIE A Bloody DEATH!!!!!
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4-21-2009 @ 9:21AM
ace1723118 said...
It's always nice for Bruin's fans to see them beat the Canadiens. The B's have played well all year, with the exception of a 12 or so game stretch in January and February. They had the coaching and leadership to overcome that slump and retained their best-in-the-East point total. Could this be the year? It looks good...time will tell.
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4-23-2009 @ 1:07AM
Bobbo said...
The "fans" of the Canadiens are an embarrassment! It's unbelievable an unacceptable that they dis the US national anthem and also their own goaltender! I hope he finds a way to walk away from them!
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