MONTREAL, QC. — The Canadiens managed just three shots on goal in the first period of Thursday’s game against the Boston Bruins. Just one of those shots was taken by a forward, Lars Eller.
The second period started almost as slowly as the first with the Habs adding just two more shots in the first five minutes of the frame. After 25 minutes of play, the Habs had five shots on goal, and Eller remained the only forward with a shot. He had two.
The Bell Centre was dead quiet.
With 14:14 remaining in the second period, Bruins forward Gregory Campbell cruised into the Montreal zone and was flattened by Eller with a solid open-ice hit. Energy immediately returned to the Bell Centre and to the skating legs of the Canadiens. From that point on, the Habs dominated, registering 16 more shots on goal in the second period and scored twice, including the game-winning goal.
It can be argued that Eller’s hit was the turning point of the game. What was your turning point?
Video posted to YouTube by NHL.
