Finals Game 1: Boston 1 at Montreal 2

Montreal Canadiens took a 2-0 lead into the third period and held on for a 2-1 victory over Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the Forum.

Henri Richard scored early in the first period and Murray Balfour scored late in the second period for Canadiens. Balfour's goal was his first goal of the season, regular season and playoffs included.

Don McKenney drew Bruins to within a goal with a slap shot from point blank range at 15:08 of the third period, but Canadiens held on to take a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2 will be in Montreal on Tuesday.

Richard deflected a Bert Olmstead shot past Bruins goalie Terry Sawchuk, while Balfour fluttered a wrist shot from the point that eluded a screened Sawchuk.

Bruins got off to a slow start, managing just two shots on goal in the first period. Bruins picked up the pace to start the second period but the only goal of the frame was Balfour's.

Montreal goalie Jacques Plante made a brilliant save with under two minutes left in the game with Bruins pressing with an extra attacker. Boston's Real Chevrefils fired a wrist shot from the face off circle to Plante's right, and it was headed into the net until Plante jammed his right leg out and deflected the puck out of harm's way with the toe of his skate.

1st Period
MON- H. Richard (Olmstead, Turner) 2:15

2nd Period
MON- Balfour (Pronovost) 18:37

3rd Period
BOS- McKenney (Regan) 15:08

SOG
BOS 2-11-7 = 20
MON 13-9-9 = 31

PP
BOS 0-2; MON 0-3

Goalies
BOS- Sawchuk
MON- Plante


Montreal's Maurice Richard tries to elude Bruins defenders in Game 1