(3) 2010-11 Bruins Versus (6) 2014-15 Rangers
Game 1
The 2014-15 New York Rangers draw first blood in this series, taking Game 1 by a score of 4-1. This New York team was famous for their speed game, as opposed to Boston’s physical one, and this distinction was obvious when the Rangers came out flying to start the first period.
Ryan McDonagh struck first just 1:14 into the game to put New York up 1-0. Marc Staal scored at the 12:25 mark and Chris Kreider joined the fun at 14:32, allowing the Rangers to take a 3-0 lead into the intermission.
The Bruins then came out and flat-out dominated the second period. Their persistence was rewarded at the 11:09 mark when Mark Recchi got them on the board.
Just when it looked as though Boston would have all of the momentum going into the final frame, Derick Brassard struck with just 14 seconds left in the second period to restore New York’s three goal lead.
Game 2
There was no fast start for either team in this one, as the first period went by scoreless. The only power-play was for the Rangers, who failed to convert. Shots were 10-7 New York after one.
The second period was much the same, with very little action, even in the way of shots, which were 8-6 in favor of Boston. It was the Bruins who would finally break the deadlock, as Blake Wheeler scored at 15:29 of the period to put Boston up 1-0 heading into the third period.
In the final frame, however, the game began to boil over. The fun started at 8:43, when Kevin Hayes got the Rangers on the board. Less than a minute later, Mats Zuccarello put the Rangers on top at 9:37.
The lead was short-lived, however, as barely a minute after that, Milan Lucic struck at 10:49 to tie the game up at 2. There was no scoring the rest of the way, but plenty of chances for both teams, with shots in this period finishing up at 14-12 for the Bruins.
At 5:44 in overtime, it was Nathan Horton with his second point of the game to get Boston the win and tie the series before heading over to Madison Square Garden.
Game 3
The Bruins take back home ice with a 3-1 win to earn a 2-1 series lead. Rangers forward Chris Kreider continued his hot start to the series, opening the scoring at 4:10 of the first period to put the Rangers on top 1-0 early.
Less than two minutes later, however, it was Blake Wheeler at 5:59 of the first period tying the game. The game grew more chippy from there, with both teams taking penalties. The more physical Bruins took advantage, with Horton scoring his second goal in as many games at 13:50 to put Boston up 2-1 heading into the second period.
After a scoreless second period, it would be Horton scoring his second goal of the game to put Boston up 3-1 at the 2:52 mark. The Bruins shut the door from there to seize the victory and the series lead.
Game 4
The game was very physical, but more penalties were called than earlier in the series, and the speedy Rangers took advantage. Chris Kreider once again opened the scoring, giving the Rangers the 1-0 lead exactly five minutes into the first period.
After the rest of the period went off without a hitch (including Boston killing off a 5 on 3), the Rangers got off to another fast start in the second period, as Ryan McDonagh struck just 1:23 into the second frame to put New York up 2-0.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Bruins, as Dominic Moore scored at 7:05 of the second period to give the Rangers the final, unassailable 3-0 lead. The Bruins had their chances, but hurt themselves by continuously taking penalties.
Game 5
There was no scoring in the first period, but the story of the game was evident even then. The Rangers took two penalties and drew none of their own. Although they survived them, the constant penalty kills made it difficult for them to get into a rhythm.
The second period began with New York on the penalty kill, but they ended up having the first chance of the frame when Rick Nash was awarded a penalty shot. Unfortunately, he was stopped by Tim Thomas.
That miss would come back to haunt the Rangers, as Tyler Seguin scored for Boston at the 5:55 mark, followed by a Brad Marchand goal at 9:21 to put the Bruins up 2-0 at home halfway through the second period. Marchand scored his second goal of the game on the man advantage at 16:04 of the frame. 49 seconds later, Zdeno Chara added an insurance marker to put the game out of reach.
Game 6
Thanks to the third shutout in a row in this series, there will be a Game 7! The only scoring came courtesy of Derek Stepan at the 3:14 mark of the first period. After that, both teams went 0/2 on the power play, and that was it for scoring in this game. It was truly a defensive goaltending duel between two great goalies in Henrik Lundqvist and Tim Thomas.
Game 7
(3) 2010-11 Boston Bruins over (6) 2014-15 New York Rangers 4-3
The first two periods told two completely different stories. New York, who outshot Boston 11-6, dominated the first 20 minutes but were unable to tickle the twine. The second period saw the Bruins outshoot the Rangers 15-8, but similarly fail to score.
The third period, however, saw Brad Marchand scoring just 50 seconds in, giving Boston the icebreaker more than 40 minutes into the game.
Of course, that would not be enough to put the Rangers away, and halfway through the period, it was Mats Zuccarello scoring an unassisted goal at 10:42 to tie the game. At the 3:41 mark of the first overtime period, Marchand scored his second goal of the game to carry the Bruins into the second round.