08-01-2019, 12:46 AM
MONTREAL -- For Montreal Canadiens and their rabid fans, its seventh heaven. In a fight for their playoff lives, the Montreal club pulled off a convincing 4-0 win against the Boston Bruins on Monday night to force a seventh and deciding game in their Stanley Cup playoff semifinal series. To hear their fanbase, a do-or-die Game 6 win against their hated rivals from Boston was never in doubt. "Incredible! The Habs are the best, did you see that win?," yelled Andrew Giannakis, breathlessly, as he emerged from the arena. "They scored the first goal and the rest is history." As with Monday night, Montreal is faced with a must-win situation in 48 hours if it wants to continue being the only Canadian team in the NHL playoffs this year. Some, likes Charles Mondon, can feel the playoff fever in the air. "I dont think there is no better place to cheer for hockey than Montreal," said Mondon, sporting a Max Pacioretty jersey as he smoked a cigarette outside the arena. "No disrespect to the rest of Canada ... here in Montreal, we bleed hockey, we breath hockey, we eat hockey, we sleep hockey." Mondon predicts a close contest on Wednesday night -- a three-goal game that could really go either way. "To be honest with you, Game 7 against Boston for round two is the best feeling in the world," Mondon said. "I think were going to beat them." Montreal and Boston is considered one of the greatest rivalry in sports, and that battle is playing out again this post-season. The Canadiens and Bruins have met a whopping 34 times in the NHL playoffs, with the Canadiens having won 24 of those series. Things have been different in recent years -- the Bruins have taken the last two series in 2009 and 2011. But fans are hoping for a reversal of fortunes, like Devon Pattemore of Yorkton, Sask., a lifelong Habs fan who finds herself in Montreal for a conference during a playoff run. Sporting a well-worn Saku Koivu jersey, she came out to watch the third period outside the Bell Centre with a few hundred other fans who peered into a restaurants giant screen from outside the eatery. "Theyre just a faster team and I just believe in them," said Pattemore, predicting a Montreal Game 7 victory. "On Wednesday night well be at a pub (in town) watching." The last time the Canadiens beat the Bruins in the playoffs was in 2008 and it was largely overshadowed by what happened once the game was done. A thrilling, emotionally charged seventh game win ended with smashed windows, tear gas and arrests. Police cars were set ablaze and stores looted when a festive celebration turned ugly. But in a city known for its hockey-related rioting, security has not been an issue so far in these playoffs. There was a heavy police presence downtown on Monday night, but few revellers made it up to the downtown core. Clusters of officers were gathered at every street corner and in front of storefronts that might be susceptible to looting. Security guards hired by some businesses milled about and there were no large gatherings on a crisp May evening. And by the end of the night, Montreal police reported no major incidents. Kevin Shattenkirk Rangers Jersey . The Cavaliers first-year forward will miss at least three weeks with a strained left knee, the latest setback for the No. Henrik Lundqvist Rangers Jersey . Behind the talents of rookie Johnny Gaudreau, the Flames will look to keep pace Thursday night when they face the Minnesota Wild in the second of a six-game homestand. http://www.rangershockeyonlineshop.com/e...ey-jersey/. - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. New York Rangers Jerseys . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. Mike Gartner Rangers Jersey . The team said they will announce a corresponding roster move prior to their series opener on Tuesday night in Kansas City. ST. LOUIS -- Down four regulars, the Milwaukee Brewers kept right on rolling. Lyle Overbay fouled off two bunt attempts, then singled in Khris Davis with the tiebreaking run and the Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings for the second straight night, winning 5-4 in 11 innings Tuesday. "Were a team thats going to grind it out. We dont give in, we dont give up at-bats," said Milwaukee starter Kyle Lohse, a former Cardinal. "I dont really look at the big picture. Were just trying to win as many games, rack up the wins and keep piling them on." Davis hit a go-ahead triple to help the Brewers win 5-3 in 12 innings Monday night and started the winning rally this time with a leadoff double against Kevin Siegrist (0-1). "With two strikes, obviously Im just trying to get him over to third base any way I can," said Overbay, who is 10 for 19 during an eight-game hitting streak. "That was a mistake, finally. The pitch that I hit up the middle, I dont know what he was trying to do with it." Milwaukee is a major league-best 20-7, two more victories than the previous franchise best for the opening month, and 11-1 on the road. Milwaukees lineup featured light-swinging Scooter Gennett batting third. Ryan Braun and Jean Segura didnt start for the third straight game, Aramis Ramirez had a swollen elbow from getting hit by a pitch, and catcher Jonathan Lucroy got a scheduled day off that manager Ron Roenicke elected not to reschedule. The Brewers makeshift lineup managed just enough offence to beat the Cardinals again. "Were playing great and well enjoy it as long as we can, but its not going to last the whole season," Roenicke said. "But again, were doing things right." Carlos Gomez homered and Lohse had a two-run single for the Brewers, who have won five of six. Tyler Thornburg (3-0) struck out four in two scoreless innings and Francisco Rodriguez finished for his 13th save in 13 chances. Yadier Molina hit a three-run homer in the first and Allen Craigs RBI triple tied it in the seventh for the Cardinals, who have lost tthree of four.dddddddddddd "Its April," said Matt Adams, who opened with two hits but struck out his last three trips. "Were not happy that were not winning right now but were going to continue to show up every day ready to compete. "Things are going to turn around in our favour." The Brewers are 4-1 in extra innings and the Cardinals are 0-3. St. Louis 3-0 in both games in this series. "Not as good as I should have been, plain and simple," Cardinals starter Lance Lynn said. "You get three runs in the first, you win that game." Molina had been 1 for 13 with runners and scoring position and two outs before depositing a belt-high 1-1 fastball into the first row of seats in left-centre. It was the first homer off Lohse since he gave up two in his first start of the season, and Molinas fourth overall. Lohse followed with five scoreless innings and matched his season best with nine strikeouts, plus a two-run single to cap a three-run fourth against Lance Lynn to tie it. "I fouled off a couple below the label and I think the one I hit was below the label as well," Lohse said. "He kept coming with fastballs, kind of did me a favour." Gomez homered in the seventh against Tyler Lyons, in his second inning of relief. Lyons had been listed as the starter Friday at Chicago against the Cubs, but the Cardinals have a day off Thursday and could use ace Adam Wainwright on regular rest. NOTES: Shelby Miller is 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA in six career starts against the Brewers entering the series finale. Milwaukee starter Matt Garza (1-2, 4.09 ERA) is 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA in three starts in St. Louis. ... Two rehabbing Cardinals pitchers, Jaime Garcia and Jason Motte, are getting closer to returning. Garcia (shoulder surgery) is scheduled to make his first start Sunday for Double-A Springfield and the team said Motte (elbow) is likely to join that team this weekend. ... Segura pinch-hit in the ninth and was thrown out trying for a bunt hit. ... The Brewers are 36-36 at 9-year-old Busch Stadium, one of only three NL teams that are .500 or better. ' ' '