from an injury to see his first playoff action for Montr

MONTREAL -- The notion that Henrik Lundqvist cant play at the Bell Centre has been officially dispelled. The goalie called King Henrik made 40 saves as the New York Rangers took control of the Eastern Conference final with a 3-1 victory over the desperate Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. The Rangers lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final 2-0 heading back to New York for Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Sunday. The Canadiens, missing star goalie Carey Price to injury, came out blazing in a bid to avenge a listless 7-2 thumping in the series opener only to run into the Lundqvist wall. "I thought we played well, and the only reason we lost was Lundqvist," said Montreal coach Michel Therrien. "He stole that game." There was concern that Lundqvist may have a mental block about playing in Montreal as a string of weak outings at the Bell Centre had moved successive coaches John Tortorella and the current Alain Vigneault to not even play him there. He hadnt started a game in Montreal in more than two years. But the goalie who was bested by Price at the Sochi Olympics as Canada beat Sweden in the final has allowed only three goals on 63 shots in the series. The Canadiens got the opening goal 6:14 in from Max Pacioretty, but Ryan McDonagh tied it only 17 seconds later on a shot that went in off defenceman Josh Gorges and a goalpost. "We knew they were going to come hard, but we put ourselves in a tough spot there by not getting pucks out," said Lundqvist. "They were all over us. "But to tie it up quickly like that, I think that was important to kind of even out the momentum a little bit." Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis also scored on Dustin Tokarski, the surprise starter for Montreal ahead of regular backup Peter Budaj. Tokarski looked shaky at times, but had no chance on two of the three Rangers goals. The Canadiens had announced Monday morning that Price, the Olympic gold medallist who hurt his right knee in the series opener when he was crashed into by Chris Kreider, would miss the rest of the series. They hope to have him back if they reach the Stanley Cup final, but their situation looks bleak heading to New York. "It was a lot of fun," Tokarski said after his first NHL playoff start. "There was a lot of adrenaline. You grow up as a kid wanting to play in the playoffs, and I got the opportunity and just came up a bit short." Coach Michel Therrien said he opted for Tokarski over Budaj because of the youngsters record of winning championships at other levels. The 24-year-old from Humboldt, Sask., has a Memorial Cup, a world junior championship and an AHL title on his resume. "Hes a winner," said Therrien. "I thought he played well. We talked to Peter and he reacted as a pro. Hes a good teammate." A grinning New York coach Alain Vigneault said Montreals goalie choice was no surprise. "Somehow, we had an inkling (Sunday) night that it was probably going to be that gentleman (Tokarski)," Vigneault said with a grin. "Hockeys a small world." But in the end, he agreed that Lundqvist was the difference in the game. "Hes the only reason we were still in the game," he said. "They had total control of the pressure. "A lucky bounce changed the dynamics of the game." Montreal outshot New York 41-30. The high-paced action from the start between two of the leagues best skating teams had the 21,273 roaring in their seats for most of the game. Montreals worst fears were realized in the first period, which they dominated while still falling behind 2-1. A long period of sustained pressure produced the first goal as Lundqvists clearing attempt went off Pacioretty and into the net at 6:14. But only 17 seconds later, the hockey gods gave it back to New York as McDonagh swiped a puck toward the net from the point and saw it go in off Gorges leg and a goalpost. McDonagh had a goal and an assist to give the defenceman six points in the opening two games of the series. "The Canadiens were coming wave after wave in the first period," said St. Louis. "If it wasnt for Lundqvist, there might have been a different result after the first. "He gave us time to find our legs. The goal by Mac was a big one. It calmed everyone down and allowed us to regroup." The crowd was booing Kreider when he sent a pass across to the right side and Nashs one-time went in off the midsection of Tokarski, who was late getting across. It was the second in as many games and second of the playoffs for Nash. Tokarski had no chance as St. Louis wired a shot from the slot on a power play inside the post at 8:03 of the middle frame. The Rangers played a thorough defensive game in the third to prevent a comeback. St. Louis scored a day after he and his teammates attended the funeral of his mother, who died suddenly just before Mothers Day. The Rangers have rallied around the grieving veteran and have won five in a row since her death. "Its been an emotional weekend," said St. Louis. "Ill definitely never forget this weekend for many reasons, but I think the grieving process will still take a while. "But that stuff is behind me. Tonight, we wanted to make sure wed have the emotion wed need to win this game because we knew they would come out hard, especially rallying, losing their best player, so I thought we answered." Notes -- Montreals Alex Galchenyuk returned from an injury to see his first playoff action for Montreal, replacing Michael Bournival. He got 13:23 of ice time and looked rusty. . New York forward Derick Brassard, who suffered a suspected shoulder injury in Game 1, was replaced by grinder Dan Carcillo. . . Price was photographed at the Bell Centre with a brace on his right knee. . . Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended the game. Trent Murphy Bills Jerseys . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres. Taron Johnson Bills Jerseys . Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners. http://www.officialauthenticbillsshop.com/authentic-harrison-phillips-jersey.html . These teams will see plenty of each other in the next few weeks as three of the Canucks next nine games are against the Wild (after today they meet February 9th in Minnesota and again February 16th at Rogers Arena). Tremaine Edmunds Jersey . You can listen to the game live on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal or on TSN.ca/Montreal. Also, TSN.ca features live streaming of the post-game news conferences from the Bell Centre. The Rangers grabbed a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final after Sundays 3-2 overtime victory against the visiting Habs. Harrison Phillips Bills Jerseys . The game got off to a less-than-ideal start for the Jets as Oliver Ekman-Larsson found a wide open net from the slot and opened the scoring for the Coyotes a lead in the first period, but Olli Jokinen answered back just over half a minute later.Brendan Rodgers concedes he never really clicked with Mario Balotelli when the pair where at Liverpool. The Celtic boss was responding to the Italian internationals comments that he had the biggest disappointment with Rodgers when the 26-year-old was asked about his former coaches.Rodgers brought the former Inter Milan and Manchester City player to Anfield in August 2014 in a surprise transfer from AC Milan but the move never worked out and he joined Nice in the summer. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers The Northern Irishman, who has made an impressive start to his stewardship at Celtic Park, reflected that the pair had a strained relationship following Balotellis criticism in an interview.He was probably absolutely spot on, Rodgers told talkSPORT. I just couldnt really connect with Mario.He was one that came in very late in the window. It was a gamble taken from a club perspective.It was one where, hes a big talent, hell come in and develop, hes got all the tools. In all fairness, I just findd it very difficult to connect with Mario.dddddddddddd Mario Baloteli has made a great start at Nice On the field, he tried his best. But yeah, it certainly wasnt something that worked out as everyone would like.If you sit with him in the office, the guys a good fella, a good guy. If he could ever match that intensity with his talent, then hed be one of the best players in the world.On the field, it was something that never worked out. That season was difficult for us.But now I hope hes got a club that might be a final chance over in France. But hopefully it can work out for him.Balotelli has made an impressive start to the season with Nice, scoring six league goals to guide them to the top of Ligue 1.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Celtic video Celtic fixtures Celtic stats Get ￡10 free bet! 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