The Canadiens opened the game to a rousing “Go Habs Go” chant from the numerous Habs fans in attendance, letting that energy fuel the pace as the play moved quickly up and down the ice.
The Canucks got the first few chances, including a two-on-one, deftly played by Jordie Benn, allowing Carey Price to take the shooter and make the save.
A broken play in the offensive zone allowed Andrew Shaw to chip the puck out from the half boards and out to the point, where Andrei Markov took a quick wrist shot. Torrey Mitchell, all alone in front of the net, tipped the puck in behind Ryan Miller to give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead.