David Krejci had two goals and one assist to lead the Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Sabres in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series last night in Boston, putting the Bruins in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Tuukka Rask stopped 27 shots for Boston, which will play either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh in the second round. It’s Boston’s second playoff series victory — and first at home — since 1999.
Buffalo, which missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, has not advanced since reaching the conference semifinals in 2006 and ’07.
Mark Recchi had a goal and an assist, and Miroslav Satan also scored for the Bruins.
Olympic MVP Ryan Miller made 28 saves for Buffalo. Patrick Kaleta and Nathan Gerbe scored for the Sabres, and Thomas Vanek made it 4-3 with 1:13 left after the goalie was pulled for an extra skater.
Canadiens 4, Capitals 1
In Montreal, Jaroslav Halak made 53 saves, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice in the first period for eighth-seeded Montreal, which stayed alive with a victory over Washington and forced a Game 7 in the first-round series.
Halak made 18 saves in the first, 14 in the second, and 21 in the third. He came within 4:50 of his first playoff shutout. Halak won his second straight start despite the top-seeded Capitals’ 54-22 advantage in shots.
Blackhawks 5, Predators 3
In Nashville, Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal to cap a wild first period as Chicago won Game 6 to advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the second straight year.
Next up for the Blackhawks are the Canucks.