But for as high as the Bruins held their heads, the sting of a 5-0 loss in Game 7 before 21,273 frenzied fans hurt more than a one-timer to the teeth.
"I don't think anybody in this locker room thought we'd be done tonight," said Tim Thomas (30 saves on 35 shots). "The belief was there. It was on my part. It was on everybody's part that we would keep this thing going."
But after wiping out a 3-1 Montreal series lead by claiming Games 5 and 6, the Bruins couldn't stand up to the Montreal attack, which finally got rolling last night, putting the game out of reach with two decisive second-period goals.
On the other end, rookie goalie Carey Price, who allowed a total of 10 goals in his last two starts, bricked up his net, stopping every one of Boston's 25 shots to record his second shutout of the series.
So as Montreal advances (the Canadiens will host either the Flyers or Rangers this week), the Bruins go home, perhaps a few weeks later than expected. Even without Patrice Bergeron, Manny Fernandez, and Andrew Alberts for most of the season - and throw in injuries to Chuck Kobasew, Glen Murray, and Zdeno Chara (the captain finally admitted last night having a banged-up left shoulder) - the Bruins sprinted into the postseason and threw a barrage of punches to the Canadiens' gut before Montreal finally won the bout.
"I think we proved a lot of people wrong," Milan Lucic said. "It's a good feeling to have, proving a lot of people wrong. I think we can build a lot on what we did this year and carry it on to next year."
When they look back - coach Claude Julien, perhaps the biggest reason for Boston's revival this season, said such reflection might take place in a few days or a week - the Bruins will shudder at a first period in which they threw 11 pucks at Price and came away with nothing. Phil Kessel cranked three shots on net. Marc Savard hammered a slapper from the slot. David Krejci put three pucks on goal. Price stopped them all.
