NHL: Boston 4, Montreal 2

BOSTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Zdeno Chara scored the go-ahead goal with 8:45 to play Thursday and the Boston Bruins opened the playoffs with a 4-2 decision over Montreal.

Boston won all three regular-season home games against the Canadiens, but let an early two-goal lead get away and found itself tied as the contest entered the final half of the third period.

With Josh Gorges in the penalty box for cross-checking, Chara blasted a slapshot past Carey Price for the game-winner. Phil Kessel, who had opened the scoring with 6:49 to play in the first period, added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds to play.

Tim Thomas made 26 saves for the win.

Boston and Montreal are meeting in the opening round for the second straight year. Montreal was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season and eventually prevailed in a seven-game series against the eighth-seeded Bruins. This year, the roles are reversed.

Montreal has won three straight playoff series from the Bruins (2002, 2004, 2008), who are looking for their first Stanley Cup title in 37 years.

Montreal rallied from its 2-0 deficit on goals by Christopher Higgins with 3:41 to play in the first period and Alexei Kovalev with 2:23 remaining in the second.

The second game of the series is set for Saturday in Boston.