New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens Game 1 (4/12/17) Eastern Conference

He smiled as he made the comment and got a rise out of reporters. If either plays like it did in between, the Canadiens are in trouble. New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist makes a save against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of Game 1 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Montreal.

A defensive breakdown was the difference as the New York Rangers defeated the Canadiens 2-0 to open their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final series.

Vigneault was asked if there is a short leash for anybody among his defensemen given that the coach likes the depth he has with veteran Kevin Klein now a healthy scratch. He made quick-thinking, simple plays to get teammates the puck and was unlucky not to add a second goal through his frequent net-front presence.

"I won't think about it", Galchenyuk said Monday.

All of Vigneault's lines and d-pairs remained the same during Thursday's practice. The Habs now trail 1-0 in their first round series. The over/under total for the game is listed at 5 goals.

"I thought we played well in the first period", said captain Max Pacioretty.

Glass now has played 61 playoff games, and said his only other goal was the final tally in a 5-0 victory while with the Penguins.

Game 1 goes tonight at the Bell Centre, a barn known for its impressive decibel level for regular season games.

The Canadiens fired coach Michel Therrien during the season and brought back Julien for his second stint with Montreal. "But at the same time we're a confident group that if we play our game we're very capable of winning with the lineup we have now". I don't think our team was bad last night, but we feel we can still be better. But the team knows that it's a clean slate on both sides for Game 1. Also, defenseman Michal Rozsival underwent surgery to fix facial fractures after a one-punch knockdown by Anaheim's Nick Ritchie last week. If the Rangers can return to NY with two games in their back pocket, that will set the stage for two massive games at Madison Square Garden. With strong goaltending, solid defense and a good power play they could be playing well into June. They had four guys with at least 50 points, led by right winger Mats Zuccarello's 59.

"He's an wonderful player", Malkin said of Kessel. "He played well and he made a lot of the first saves", said Weber after Montreal lost Game 1 by a score of 2-0.

But a amusing thing happened on Wednesday night, Henrik Lundqvist turned around a middling season and pitched his 10th playoff shutout - and in so doing, became the sole franchise leader, moving one ahead of Mike Richter - and the Rangers found a way to get a bit better in the defensive zone.

Some coaches like to review the full game tape themselves - Julien said he often does - others leave it to their coaching assistants to go over their area of influence (special teams, defencemen, forwards and so forth).

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Rangers don't mind starting the Stanley Cup playoffs on the road.

That would normally spell certain doom for most teams in the National Hockey League, but you can't write off the Rangers no matter how much time they spend defending.

Note: Jeff Blashill of the Red Wings was named coach of the USA men's hockey team that will compete in the world championships next month in a key tuneup ahead of next year's Winter Olympics.

The Habs' mascot was forced to bite the bullet and wear a Rangers jersey around town three years ago after losing the bet.

"You let Lundqvist see the puck, I don't care who [shoots], he's going to stop it", Don Cherry said Wednesday.