The Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks opened the 2014-15 season on "Rivalry Night", taking down their historic rivals behind tremendous goal-tending. The Bruins-Flyers rivalry has intensified over the years, turning in to 2 teams that just do not like each other. They have met twice in the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past 10 years, and in the Winter Classic. The Sharks-Kings rivalry really showed up in last year's playoffs, when the Kings came back from a 3-0 series deficit to advance in game 7.
Goalie Tuukka Rask made 19 saves on the night, holding the Flyers scoreless in to the 3rd period. The Bruins gave Rask early support in the 1st on their 1st power play of the season. Reily Smith slammed home a rebound slammed home a rebound for his 1st goal on the season, and that 1-0 Boston lead would hold into the 3rd.
The 2nd period saw 6 penalties, including a fight major after Luke Schenn and Bobby Robins tangled, but both netminders kept the score as is. It took the Flyers just 4 minutes in to the 3rd to tie the game, as Sean Couturier had the puck bounce off his stick and past Rask for a tie game. The Flyers did their best to hold off the Bruins, including great penalty-killing. Steve Mason fought off 2 breakaway attempts, but in the end it wasn't enough. Chris Kelly tipped in the GW goal with under 2 minutes left, helping the Bruins hold off their rivals 2-1.
The second part of "Rivalry Night" saw the Los Angeles Kings celebrating their 2014 Stanley Cup Title, and raising the championsip banner. A pregame ceremony reminisced on the improbable playoff run by the Kings. The Sharks were quick to begin spoiling the celebration, as Tommy Wingels was able to sneak the puck past goalie Jonathan Quick 5 minutes in to the game for a 1-0 San Jose lead.
The Sharks were able to keep the Kings off the scoreboard all night long, taking the energy right out of the Staples Center. It was not easy for Sharks netminder Antti Niemi, who faced 34 shots, but stopped all 34 in his 28th career shutout. Wingels added his 2nd goal of the game in the second, as Patrick Marleau and Matt Nieto would find the back of the net for a 3-goal second period. The 3-goal 2nd period took the Kings right out of it, and ended the night for Quick after 23 saves. Quick was replaced by Martin Jones, but it was not enough to get the Kings back in to it.
Goalie Tuukka Rask made 19 saves on the night, holding the Flyers scoreless in to the 3rd period. The Bruins gave Rask early support in the 1st on their 1st power play of the season. Reily Smith slammed home a rebound slammed home a rebound for his 1st goal on the season, and that 1-0 Boston lead would hold into the 3rd.
The 2nd period saw 6 penalties, including a fight major after Luke Schenn and Bobby Robins tangled, but both netminders kept the score as is. It took the Flyers just 4 minutes in to the 3rd to tie the game, as Sean Couturier had the puck bounce off his stick and past Rask for a tie game. The Flyers did their best to hold off the Bruins, including great penalty-killing. Steve Mason fought off 2 breakaway attempts, but in the end it wasn't enough. Chris Kelly tipped in the GW goal with under 2 minutes left, helping the Bruins hold off their rivals 2-1.
The second part of "Rivalry Night" saw the Los Angeles Kings celebrating their 2014 Stanley Cup Title, and raising the championsip banner. A pregame ceremony reminisced on the improbable playoff run by the Kings. The Sharks were quick to begin spoiling the celebration, as Tommy Wingels was able to sneak the puck past goalie Jonathan Quick 5 minutes in to the game for a 1-0 San Jose lead.
The Sharks were able to keep the Kings off the scoreboard all night long, taking the energy right out of the Staples Center. It was not easy for Sharks netminder Antti Niemi, who faced 34 shots, but stopped all 34 in his 28th career shutout. Wingels added his 2nd goal of the game in the second, as Patrick Marleau and Matt Nieto would find the back of the net for a 3-goal second period. The 3-goal 2nd period took the Kings right out of it, and ended the night for Quick after 23 saves. Quick was replaced by Martin Jones, but it was not enough to get the Kings back in to it.
