Fresh off the last strains of the Canadian national anthem which was no doubt still lingering in the memories of the Montreal faithful and with the applause that naturally follows the playing of the national anthems still echoing through the stands of Montreal’s Bell Centre Sidney Crosby struck a thundering blow to the home town team on the first shot of the game.
Crosby won the opening face-off and the Penguins tried to skate the puck into the Canadiens’ zone. Jordie Benn of the Canadiens corralled a loose puck and tried to clear it from his defensive zone but gave it away, just 19 seconds into the game.