Stanley Cup Playoffs : Lemelin Plays a Key Role as Bruins Even Series

Coach Terry O’Reilly of the Boston Bruins listened when goaltender Rejean Lemelin complained about not starting the first game of their Stanley Cup playoff series with the Montreal Canadiens.

Lemelin’s play in the nets, especially for the first 49 minutes, enabled the Bruins to beat the Canadiens, 4-3, Wednesday night at Montreal to even the series at a win apiece.

Lemelin, who gave up three late goals, faced 30 shots. Many of his 27 saves, especially in the first two periods, were impressive.

The Bruins, after getting two shots on goal in the opening minute, had only five shots on goal before Bob Sweeney scored at 3:50 of the second period. The next shot by the Bruins came at 9:07 of the same period, when Ray Bourque made it 2-0. For the game the Bruins, who have been eliminated by the Canadiens in each of the previous four seasons, had only 14 shots, but they beat Brian Hayward on four of them.

Lemelin’s shutout ended at 9:01 of the last period when Mike McPhee knocked in a rebound. It didn’t seem important when Cam Neely restored the three-goal lead just 44 seconds later.

But after John Kordic scored and veteran defenseman Larry Robinson scored with 1:53 remaining for Montreal, there were some hectic closing moments.

On a partial breakaway, Ryan Walter of the Canadiens bounced a slapshot off the post. At the time, the Canadiens had pulled their goalie.

With action shifting to Boston for the next two games, the Canadiens may be hurting. Early in the game, their best scorer, Stephane Richer, broke his right thumb and is out of the playoffs.

New Jersey 5, Washington 2--The Devils, who weren’t even sure they would be in the playoffs until overtime of the last game of the regular season, continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.

With Aaron Broten scoring their first three goals at Landover, Md., the Devils gained home-ice advantage and evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1 in a fight-marred game.

It seemed that every time the fighting stopped, Broten was putting the puck in the net. The Devils didn’t seem to be bothered by the battling.