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Roaring Back: Bruins tie series with 5-3 comeback victory

Reilly Smith, Dougie Hamilton, Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic

Boston Bruins right wing Reilly Smith (18) is congratulated by teammates after his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of Game 1 in the second-round of a Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Thursday, May 1, 2014. From left are defenseman Dougie Hamilton (27), center Brad Marchand, Smith and left wing Milan Lucic. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

AP

The Boston Bruins helped add to the “Year of the Comeback” after overcoming a 3-1 third period deficit to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-3 and tie the series 1-1.

After Thomas Vanek scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-1, the Bruins scored four consecutive goals. Dougie Hamilton started it off at 10:56 with his second of the playoffs. Patrice Bergeron tied it with a snap shot that took a funny hop on the way to the net and past Carey Price with 5:43 left in the third.

Reilly Smith’s third goal of the playoffs put the Bruins ahead for good just 2:11 after Bergeron’s tally. Milan Lucic’s empty-net goal sealed the deal with 1:06 remaining, capping the latest in what’s become a long list of comebacks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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Even though Price played stellar in goal yet again (30 saves), it was Tuukka Rask who benefits the most. The win against the Canadiens in Boston was the first of his career. While Rask saw Vanek victimize him twice with deflections in front, he got to enjoy the second half of the third period watching his team dominate after a lackluster second. He finished the game with 25 saves.

The series now heads to Montreal and if you had asked the Canadiens before the round started if they’d take a split in the first two games in Boston, they would and run with it. After a dispiriting loss like this, Montreal has to avoid a letdown in Game 3. Stealing home-ice advantage many never felt as bad as it could for the Canadiens.

If you missed the game, here are the highlights:

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