May 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) scores the game-winning goal against New York Rangers goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the overtime period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michal Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

After a scoreless first period that saw the teams feel each other out, the Bruins got on the board first in the second.  Past the 12 minute mark, Zdeno Chara‘s point shot was stopped 95% by Henrik Lundqvist, but the puck squirted through and after sitting in the crease for a moment, was put in by Lundqvist himself on a weird bounce.  A desperation point shot from Ryan McDonagh with less than 3 seconds remaining beat Tuukka Rask over the shoulder.  It crossed the line with 1.3 seconds left on the clock to even the score through 2.

The Rangers got their first lead of the game early in the third, as Carl Hagelin found Derek Stepan in the slot for a quick one-timer that beat Rask just 14 seconds into the frame. That lead didn’t last long as Torey Krug, playing his first NHL playoff game, fired a shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the net for the power play goal that tied it up just before the 3 minute mark. That is how it stayed until overtime.

Dorsett’s interference penalty 2:20 into the extra period didn’t result in a goal, but the Bruins recorded 6 shots on goal and had a couple more either blocked of just missing the net as they had Lundqvist under siege.  The Bruins kept the pressure on for much of the overtime before Marchand evaded a back-checking Mats Zucarrelo and converted a Patrice Bergeron pass on the 2-on-1 and slid it past Lundqvist on the Bruins’ 16th shot of overtime.

It was a very entertaining game and if it goes 7, it could be a series for the ages.  Game 2 goes Sunday afternoon at 3:00.

Apr 8, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) scores the game winning goal on New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the third period at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New York 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Toronto Maple Leafs moved 4 points up on the Senators in 5th place, but also defeated the Rangers (and in regulation no less) to keek the blueshirts 2 points behind Ottawa.  Phil Kessel scored twice with Ryan O’Byrne and James van Riemsdyk also scoring for the Leafs.  Rick Nash had a pair for the Rangers and Derek Stepan scored the other.
2. Boston slammed shut any Carolina hopes of making the playoffs with a dominant 6-2  beatdown of the Hurricanes.  Dennis Siedenberg had three assist for the Bruins, with Brad Marchand scoring a pair.  Nathan Horton, Rich Peverley, Jordan Caron and Andrew Ference also scored for Boston, who chased Justin Peters from the Hurricanes’ net after just 4 shots (2 of them goals).  Patrick Dwyer and Drayson Bowman scored for the Canes.
3. The Flames won away from home for the first time in over 2 months, beating the Avalanche 3-1.  Roman Cervenka, Michael Cammalleri and Alex Tanguay did the damage for Calgary, after Brad Malone had scored his first NHL goal for the Avs. The win snapped a 13 game winless streak for the Flames away from the Saddledome.
4. Surprise starter Cory Schneider made 19 saves for the shutout and Ryan Kesler scored the winner in his first game back in the lineup as the Canucks blanked the Coyotes 2-0.  Dan Hamhuis had the other Vancouver goal into an empty net, as Mike Smith made 40 saves to keep his team in the game.
5. Radek Dvorak scored both Anaheim goals as they downed the Oilers 2-1.  Nick Schultz had the Oilers goal, and was roundly jeered all night by Ducks fans who mistook him for Justin Schultz, who famously snubbed the Ducks to become an unrestricted free agent last spring.

That concludes our daily tour around the NHL.  Lots of games of importance on Tuesday, including the Senators at the Lightning and the Flyers visiting the Islanders.  Check back tomorrow for a full recap.