With their backs against the wall, the Boston Bruins came out of the gates gunning on Monday night in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. With four goals in a four minute stretch early in the first period, the Bruins seized control of the game, putting the Vancouver Canucks on their heels right away. Roberto Luongo was not long for Game 6, and headed to the bench after allowing three early goals and continuing his nightmarish streak in Boston's TD Garden. And while the Canucks did mount some kind of charge in the fourth period, the Bruins still forced a decisive Game 7 for the Stanley Cup with a win.
Luongo's day was atrocious, and Boston has been none-too-kind to the Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals. With five goals in Game 6, the Bruins pushed the goal differential to 17-3 on their home ice. Both teams have been completely different at home and on the road, which may be good news for the Canucks, who have the advantage in Game 7.
Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic and Andrew Ference scored three goals in three minutes during the first period, the last of which chased Luongo. A minute after Cory Schneider entered the game, Michael Ryder made it four goals, welcoming the Canucks' backup to the game in style. With those four early goals, it was all but over, and Vancouver looked more shell-shocked than anything else.
After a scoreless second period, Henrik Sedin put the Canucks on the board with a goal 22 seconds into the third. But David Krejci canceled it out for the Bruins a few minutes later, giving Boston a five-goal cushion once again. The Canucks added one more for good measure late in the period as Maxim Lapierre scored, but it was more window dressing than anything else.
Tim Thomas was his usual self in Game 6, stopping 36 shots while allowing just those two goals. Schneider made 30 saves while allowing two goals and Luongo saw eight shots, conceding three goals.
Game 7 is set for Wednesday night in Vancouver after the Bruins tied the series at three with a 5-1 win.
Stay with this StoryStream for the latest on the game up to, and throughout, Monday's matchup. For more on the Canucks, head over to Nucks Misconduct. For a deep look at the Bruins, check out the aptly named Stanley Cup of Chowder.