5 best NHL Stanley Cup Playoff game sevens of the 2010s

Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens, 2011 First Round

There is no more historic rivalry in the NHL than the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. As two of the original six teams, their hatred for each other is as old as the NHL itself, and no two teams have played each more in both the regular season and playoffs. Their 33rd meeting in a playoff series came in 2011 was an instant classic, and was topped off by an all time great decisive Game 7 in Boston.

The series started disastrously for the Bruins, as they lost the first two games on home ice, but rattled off three straight wins before the Canadiens won Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7 back in Boston, the eighth Game 7 between the two teams in their history.

A Fierce Game 7

The Bruins jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game, but the Canadiens responded before the halfway point of the first period to cut the lead in half heading into the second period. Tomas Plekanec would score a short handed goal early in the second period to even up the game to set up a decisive third period. The tension in this game through two periods was palpable, and the physicality would only ramp up as the game went on.

Canadiens center Jeff Halpern had to be helped off the ice after a headshot from Andrew Farrance, and no penalties were assessed on the play. The Bruins would strike just a little over a minute later on a goal from Chris Kelly to take the lead, and put Montreal on their heels. However, Bergeron would take a high stick penalty with 2:37 to go, setting up a power play goal from P.K. Subban to tie it up and send the game to overtime.

In overtime, the Canadiens were actually in control for a majority of the time and put up several scoring chances that Tim Thomas had to make some game saving stops on. All it took was the Bruins to sustain some offensive zone time once, and Nathan Horton buried a slap shot from above the circles to send the Bruins to the second round, and send the Canadiens home.

The Bruins would go on to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972, winning two more Game 7’s en route to the title. The Bruins and Habs would meet again in the playoffs in 2014 second round and require another Game 7 in Boston, but it would be the Canadiens coming out on top that time.

There have been plenty of Game 7s between heated rivals, but nothing really carries the same weight as a rivalry with the historical context of Boston vs. Montreal. No matter how good or bad either of them are, it’s always must watch hockey when a matchup between them comes on. To see a Game 7 between them is a treat, and hopefully one that we’ll be able to see again before too long.

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