ECSF Game 5: Bruins 4th Line Eliminates Rangers

The so-called Best 4th line in hockey struck again, and it was too much for the Rangers to handle.  Gregory Campbell scored the winning goal and also added the empty net insurance goal as the Bruins downed the Rangers 3-1.

May 25, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Members of the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers line up to shake hands following a 3-1 victory by the Bruins in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers actually got on the board first with Dan Girardi’s point shot on the power play getting past Tuukka Rask at the 10:39 mark of the first period. That lead held up until almost the 4 minute mark of the second, when rookie sensation defenseman Torey Krug scored his 4th goal of the series, also on the power play to even the score at 1.

Then the 4th line of Daniel Paille, Shawn Thornton and Campbell took the game over and dominated physically against whatever line they were put out against and wore the Rangers down shift after shift.  Campbell picked up a loose puck and fired it past Henrik Lundqvust after Paille had created a neutral zone turnover and carried it into the Rangers zone, dishing to Thornton who drove towards the net. The puck was knocked off his stick, but Campbell picked it up and put it home.

With the win, it sets up the conference final match-up with the Penguins that most people would have anticipated going into the playoffs.  They are the two most talented teams in the Eastern Conference and it should be one heck of a series as both teams have great depth and elite top end talent.