The Montreal Canadiens have come out after losing to the Bruins on home ice on Monday night with a purpose as they have essentially outplayed the Bruins in the first period of their Game 4 matchup on Thursday. Brent Sopel has the lone goal for the Canadiens as Montreal leads 1-0 after one period.
Sopel's goal was more of a case of being in the right place at the right time. David Desharnais circled the net and he drew most of the Bruins defenders close to the net which allowed Brent Sopel to drift into the offensive zone. Desharnais passed the puck through the traffic in front of the net and Sopel was able to beat a screened Tim Thomas.
The Canadiens have been the far better team in the first period as they have outshot the Bruins 15-8. Brian Gionta leads the Canadiens and all of the players on the ice with three shots on net. Tim Thomas has made 14 saves thus far into the game and have survived the barrage at times to keep the Bruins to within one goal of the Canadiens.