Apr 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) slides into Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The last series to get underway was the lowest scoring opening game as the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins squared off for the first time in 57 years in a post-season game. The teams played 57 scoreless minutes until the magical play by Pavel Datsyuk broke the ice. Datsyuk picked up an errant pass from Johan Franzen by reaching back (TSN reported it at 7 feet) and pulling it up between his legs in full flight while avoiding a pair of Bruins checkers including Patrice Bergeron. He then carried it across the blue line and delayed long enough to allow teammate Justin Abdelkader and Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton to act as screens before his well placed wrist shot beat Tuukka Rask for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
The President’s Trophy winning Bruins knew they would be in a series and there will be no panic, because they have been in this situation before. First round struggles are nothing new (remember last season’s near miss) to the Bruins, but they seem to find a way through it and then get on a roll the longer they go.
The Red Wings have just found a way to keep on winning, and Datsyuk is a big reason why. Jimmy Howard also did his part, making 25 stops.
The Bruins will try to make sure they go to the Motor City all even with a game 2 win on Sunday afternoon.