NHL Playoffs : Canadiens Open Series by Beating Rangers, 2-1

Mats Naslund and Bob Gainey scored Montreal’s goals, and rookie goaltender Patrick Roy stymied the New York Rangers as the Canadiens scored a 2-1 victory Thursday night in the opening game of the Wales Conference final playoff series.

The Canadiens, coming off a difficult seven-game Adams Division final with Hartford, showed they could shut down the Rangers, who managed 27 shots but mostly from long range.

When the Rangers, who upset Philadelphia and Washington to get to the Stanley Cup semifinals, did get near the net, Roy stopped them.

The rookie was especially strong in the final minute, robbing Willie Huber and Brian MacLellan as New York pressed for the tying goal.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be at Montreal Saturday night.

“I was scared we would come out flat and New York would come out flying and take advantage of it,” Naslund said. “But they didn’t. It was a bit more wide-open than I expected.”