In their 100-year history, the Boston Bruins have qualified for the postseason 77-times (shoutout Ray Bourque).
Since ranking their top 5 playoff games in complete franchise history would be rather exhausting, how about we keep it relatively recent.
Work for you? Yes? Okay perfect.
We recently published the below question on X to get a sense of what you, the fans, viewed as the best Bruins' playoff game since 2000.
Attached, were four voting options. The results of which, will be revealed as you continue reading.
This is called a 'TEASE' and meant to keep the reader interested! Is it working?
Okay, SO. Without any further ado, let's dive into it and rank the top 5 Bruins playoff games under the aforementioned parameters.
5. Boston Bruins (5) vs. Montreal Candiens (4) - Game 6, 2008 ECQF
(Photo Credit: Steve Babineau - Getty Images)
Back in the postseason for the first time since 2004, the Bruins found themselves on the brink of elimination against a heavily favored Canadiens team.
Just how favored was Montreal?
Well, they finished 1st place in the Eastern Conference, going 8-0 versus Boston in process. Then, they quickly took a 3-1 lead in the playoff series before Boston forced an era igniting Game 6.
Phil Kessel scored a highlight-reel goal in the 2nd period, sandwiched between a pair of Montreal goals by Chris Higgins and Tomas Plekanec. Boston entered the 3rd period down 2-1, with their season on the line.
That's when pure chaos ensued. Back and forth on the scoreboard, pinball style.
Vladimir Sobotka, crashing the net, tied the game for Boston 2-2 minutes into the 3rd. Montreal regained the lead on a Francis Bouillon tipped shot just passed the midway mark.
The Garden was nervous, until BAM! Milan Lucic redirected home an Aaron Ward point shot 2 minutes later. Tie game, 3-3. Now, Bruins fans are feeling confident and with momentum turning the home teams' way.
Shifts later, streaking down the right wing, Kessel cashed in his 2nd goal of the night finishing off a centering pass from Marco Sturm with just over 4 minutes left in regulation.
That HAS to be it. Boston's going to win this game, right?
Wrong.
Montreal scored 11 seconds later on Chris Higgins' 2nd goal of the game. 4-4.
TIED AGAIN!
Boston fans were stunned, shocked and temporarily silenced.
Why, just temporarily?
Because the Bruins weren't done. They had one more heavy right hand, and it was a knockout blow.
Sturm won multiple one-on-one battles against defender, Roman Hamrlik, before hunting down his own rebound and rifling the eventual game winning goal passed a sprawled out Carey Price.
Boston lost this series in Game 7. However, it was a significant morale boost for the city, and organization. Boston was a hockey town again, and the Bruins were forming a championship identity.
4. Boston Bruins (4) vs. Montreal Candiens (3) - Game 7, 2011 ECQF
(Photo Credit: Sportsnet television)
For the 3rd time in 4 seasons, it was Boston, Montreal in the playoffs. With the teams splitting the prior two series, the stage was set.
Win or go home.
What could make it more dramatic? How about overtime?
The theatre could not be more dramatic and captivating.
After battling their way back into the series, the Bruins fought tooth and nail with Les Habitants, eventually holding onto a 3-2 lead late in the 3rd period.
In typical fashion, the Canadiens were the recipient of a late power play.
A phantom high sticking penalty against Patrice Bergeron.
Opportunistic as ever, P.K. Subban tied the game.
Fortunately, the Bruins were able to capitalize in OT when Adam McQuaid pinched in from the right point, keeping in a loose puck.
Landing on the stick of Milan Lucic, he found Nathan Horton in the slot.
Horton, at the top of the left circle, opened his hips and fired a slap shot past Carey Price.
The building ERUPTED, and the Bruins skated past their rival en route to their first Stanley Cup in 39-years.
NOW. Before we continue, take a look at the results from the poll mentioned earlier.
This next ranking, is where The PuckUps go off the board. And, we'll explain why.
3. Boston Bruins (5) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (4) - Game 7, 2013 ECQF
(Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham - Getty Images)
Okay your honor, hear me out.
It's acknowledged most fans who voted, slotted this game higher.
BUT while this game is undoubtedly an all timer, there's a couple reasons why it's ranked 3rd.
First, the stake of the game wasn't quite on the same level as the two ranked higher.
You can argue, not to fault a game for being earlier in the postseason. But on a list this rich, magnitude matters. It has too.
It was a Game 7 , yes, but it was the 1st round, not the Eastern Conference Final or Stanley Cup Final (wink, wink).
And while always hungry for a Stanley Cup, I think fans can agree, everyone was STARVING in 2011 having waited nearly 4-decades.
In 2013, at least if the Bruins lost, we still had 2011.
The other reason, is because while the final 10-minutes and overtime were historic, the first 50-minutes were poorly played and rather boring.
Certainly compared to the next game on this list.
THAT SAID. The dramatics, and improbable heroics in the final few minutes, and OT were historic enough to rank this as one of the greatest postseason games of the millennium, AND Bruins' history.
SO, just how improbable was this comeback?
Well, with 14:31 remaining in the 3rd period, Nazem Kadri gave Toronto a 4-1 lead.
All hope was lost, remaining energy taken, and many fans headed for the exits.
BUT THEN.
Just before the mid-way point of the 3rd, Nathan Horton scored on a pass from Milan Lucic cutting the lead in half.
Still, it seemed too little, too late. And as the clock ticked down, fans couldn't help but think "WHERE WAS THIS EFFORT ALL GAME?"
Suddenly, with the goalie pulled, things got VERY interesting when Lucic scored to make it 4-3 with 1:22 left to play.
But even then, fans were likely thinking "AHH YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, IF THEY ONLY HAD A FEW EXTRA MINUTES"
Turns out, they didn't need much more time.
Patrice Bergeron tied it up with a deceptive shot through traffic with 50-seconds remaining and the Garden roof nearly blew off.
Then, finally, with 13:55 left in OT.
BERGERON! BERGERON! BERGERON!
Adding to his legend. Bergeron scored his 2nd goal of the game, and completed one of the most improbable comebacks in Boston sports history.
2. Boston Bruins (1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (0) - Game 7, 2011 ECF
(Photo Credit: Elsa - Getty Images)
Simply put? The greatest 60-minutes of hockey consumed in my lifetime.
Now before you think "HOW IS THIS AHEAD OF 2013 VS TORONTO?"
Try to remember the elation and excitement of seeing the Bruins back in the Eastern Conference Finals. At this time, Bruins fans had suffered two-decades of disappointing 1st and 2nd round playoff exits, playoff misses, and some near bottom of the league finishes
Now, they sit just one win away from the STANLEY CUP FINALS?
The city was ready to explode with excitement.
This was more than just a game, and had incredible meaning in its' time.
Okay, so that was the time and mindset. How about the game itself?
Well, it was perfection on ice.
Amazing pace, and attention to detail.
Incredibly goaltending.
Countless scoring chances.
Edge of you seat, nail biting drama.
And, oh ya. ZERO penalties called all game.
Just two great teams, battling for the chance to play for the Stanley Cup.
Scoreless through most of regulation, the stalemate was broken mid-way through the 3rd period when David Krejci, slickly, found Nathan Horton crashing the net to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead.
From that moment on, the building and tv camera's were shaking, and the Bruins held on to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.
1. Boston Bruins (4) vs. Vancouver Canucks (0) - Game 7, 2011 SCF
(Photo Credit: Elsa - Getty Images)
Okay, so this being ranked highest was the world's worst kept secret.
But, come on?
How can it get any better than winning Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals? IN CANDA!
The atmosphere was electric as players made their way to the ice for the national anthems. Then, the puck dropped and the Bruins silenced all in attendance.
Patrice Bergeron gave Boston the lead with just over 5 minutes left in the 1st period, and they controlled the scoreboard until the final buzzer.
Rookie, Brad Marchand would continue his strong postseason and give Boston a 2-0 lead.
Then Bergeron's 2nd of the night made it 3-0 with 2:25 remaining in the 2nd period.
Shorthanded, nonetheless. Talk about a deflating goal against for the home team.
Marchand added an empty netter late in the 3rd, and it was time to get the duck boats ready as former Bruins' radio play-by-play announcer, Dave Goucher, famously proclaimed.
Tim Thomas went on to win playoff MVP, solidifying his case with back-to-back Game 7 shutouts in the Eastern Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.
Zdeno Chara lifted the Stanley Cup to new heights.
For the first time in 39-years, the Boston Bruins were Stanley Cup Champions.
Now, i'll admit, this game didn't have the same drama from start to finish like the others on this list.
Boston never trailed, and their lead never much seemed in doubt.
But still, the stakes were enormous, and unmatched.
This is rightfully, and undeniably the greatest Bruins playoff game since 2000.
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