Boston Bruins Finish Off Detroit Red Wings in Five Games

Apr 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Bruins right wing

Jarome Iginla

(12) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Boston won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Alfredsson‘s quest for a Stanley Cup lasted 5 extra games as his Detroit Red Wings were ousted from the playoffs by the Boston Bruins Saturday afternoon.

Tuukka Rask made 31 saves for the Bruins as he led his team to a 4-2 win setting up another original 6 battle with the Montreal Canadiens in round 2.

Loui Eriksson, Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic and Jarome Iginla, the latter into an empty net, provided the offensive support for the Bruins as they proved to be just to strong and too deep for the very old, very young, and very injured Red Wings squad.

Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg each had a goal and an assist for the losing side as Mike Babcock ran out of the magic that somehow got an injury devastated team into the playoffs in the first place. Jonas Gustavsson stopped 29 shots for the Wings whose young players got some much needed experience and will be back again soon, while there will be questions about the future of the likes of Daniel Alfredsson and Todd Bertuzzi in the coming days.

For the Bruins, the momentum they gained in dispatching the Red Wings will carry over to another big rival as their series with the Canadiens will begin later this week, possibly Thursday or Friday night in Boston. They are the only two teams that have clinched a spot in Round 2 so far, but thanks to the new divisional playoff format, we don’t have to wait to confirm the matchup.