The New York Rangers bottled up the Montreal Canadiens and squeezed out a 1-0 win in Game Six to take the Eastern Conference Fin

The New York Rangers bottled up the Montreal Canadiens and squeezed out a 1-0 win in Game Six to take the Eastern Conference Final, four games to two. Daniel Descalso Jersey . After controlling play early, the Rangers didnt get on the board until 1:53 remaining in the second period, when Dominic Moore converted a nice feed from Brian Boyle. With their season on the line, the Canadiens managed just 18 shots against the Rangers, including five in the third period. In 99 games this season, regular season plus playoffs, it was the fifth time that Montreal had been held to 18 or fewer shots on goal and their 36 shot attempts was easily their lowest of the postseason (previous low was 47) and came in lower than that only twice during the regular season. The Rangers dominated possession in the deciding game, with 58 shot attempts to the Canadiens 36. Subban was even in terms of 5-on-5 shot attempts (16 for, 16 against), which meant that the Habs were left with 27.3% of the 5-on-5 shot attempts (12 for, 32 against) when Subban was off the ice. There were many occasions throughout the series when the Rangers used their speed to take advantage of the Canadiens and that worked in Game Six too. LW Chris Kreider was on for 84.2% of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when he was on the ice, the best rate of the eight Rangers to come in with possession numbers higher than 70% for the game. At the low end for the Rangers in Game Six, LW Carl Hagelin was on for just 21.1% (four for, 15 against) of the 5-on-5 shot attempts. Getting the worst of the possession stats for Montreal was D Andrei Markov, on for 17.9% of the shot attempts (five for, 23 against). With Markov off the ice, the Canadiens were getting 47.9% of the even-strength attempts. Heading towards unrestricted free agency, will that be the last game Markov plays for the Canadiens? Hes slowing down, but played a career-high 25:14 per game this season, so hes an integral part of the Canadiens blueline. Game Six hero Rene Bourque didnt register a shot on goal, team captain Brian Gionta didnt manage a single attempted shot and LW Max Pacioretty, who had three shots on goal, was the only Habs forward with more than two. As much as it was a nice playoff run for the Canadiens, it ended in disappointment. (Coughlins Law: Everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldnt end.) Bourque was a postseason surprise, with a team-leading eight goals and led Montreal with six points in the series against the Rangers. C Lars Eller led Montreal forwards with 13 points and D P.K. Subban, despite two points in six games against the Rangers, led the Habs with 14 points in 17 games, but the last 10 games of the playoffs were hard on Thomas Vanek, Montreals big trade deadline acquisition, who had two goals and two assists in that span, registering a total of 13 shots on goal. For a player who averaged a career-high 3.18 shots on goal per game during the regular season, that decline suggested that Vanek could have been playing hurt. Its hard to fathom such a collapse without some underlying reason, but if it was merely just a run of poor play from Vanek, it came at a most inopportune time. Rookie G Dustin Tokarski was excellent for Montreal in Game Six, turning aside 31 of 32 shots by the Rangers, leaving him with a .916 save percentage for the series; a nice unexpected contribution for the Habs. Will it be enough to change their plans for next season? Carey Price and Peter Budaj are under contract, which doesnt leave room for Tokarski, so maybe hes looking at another year in the AHL. Tokarski does have an inexpensive one-way deal in 2015-2016. For the Rangers, G Henrik Lundqvist rebounded from getting pulled in Game Five and while he wasnt tested much during his 18-save shutout, he did have a spectacular save off a Vanek scoring chance when the game was still scoreless. Lundqvist has a .928 save percentage in the postseason, the best among goaltenders with at least six games played. The other assist on Moores series-winning goal went to Ryan McDonagh, yet another shot through the Habs heart, as their former prospect had a monster series, with 10 points in six games. He had three points in 14 games through the first two rounds and goes into the Final tied with Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan for the Rangers playoff scoring lead. The popular notion is that the Rangers are going to be easy pickings for either Chicago or Los Angeles, whichever team claims the Western Conference, but the Rangers shouldnt be dismissed so easily. They finished the regular season sixth in Fenwick Close (53.6%) and have one of the games premier puck stoppers behind them. That alone should give them a chance and for a team that last won the Stanley Cup 20 years ago, thats a pretty exciting proposition. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Anthony Rizzo Cubs Jersey . Didnt need any help this time. Wood beat Cincinnati for the first time in his career, repeatedly pitching out of threats for seven innings, and Chicago stalled the Reds week-long surge with a 2-0 victory Monday night. Brad Brach Cubs Jersey . on the 15-day disabled Monday list because of a strained right hamstring. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Customized/ . Johnny Manziel, college footballs most entertaining player with the reputation for pulling off magical plays, was selected with the No. CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Geno Smith is getting the call for the New York Jets. No stunner there. Coach Rex Ryan announced Monday that Smith will start over Michael Vick at quarterback, as expected, in the Jets preseason opener Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts. "Ive been happy with the way hes looked, his command and things," Ryan said. Smith is looking to retain the starting job in his second season. He has taken about 80 per cent of the snaps with the first-team offence during training camp -- which had been the plan set by Ryan and offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Vick signed in March after five seasons in Philadelphia, giving the Jets an experienced backup and playmaker who could push Smith and step in if he falters or is injured. Smith was listed as the No. 1 quarterback on the first depth chart of camp released by the team Monday morning. Ryan said he and Mornhinweg have not determined how long Smith and the starters will play in the game at MetLife Stadium, or if Vick will also take some snaps with the starters. Both Smith and Vick have been solid -- not spectacular -- so far this summer. Neither was able to get the Jets into the end zone during the teams scrimmage Saturday. Vick showed off his running ability in that practice, leading the team with 35 yards rushing, including a 20-yarder. Because of Vicks speed and elusiveness, Ryan could have the option off using him as a change-of-pace quarterback -- or perhaps even in the wildcat formation. Ryne Sandberg Jersey. "Really havent thought about that," Ryan said. "Were just trying to get through our first preseason game, but clearly he adds that element. Theres no doubt." Ryan was then asked if things might get complicated when a team starts using two quarterbacks. "Well, it never worked out great the last time, did it?" a smiling Ryan said, alluding to the Jets use of Sanchez and Tim Tebow in 2012. "Well see. But you never say never to things." NOTES: There were no surprises on the depth chart, except for the team listing Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell all as starters at RB. Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley are down as starters at WR. Rookie Jalen Saunders currently holds the No. 1 spot at punt returner, while Jacoby Ford leads the teams kick returners. ... Rookie S Calvin Pryor practiced a bit in team drills for the first time since suffering a concussion July 26. Ryan said he has been cleared for some contact, but is not yet a full go. His status vs. the Colts was uncertain. ... Decker has been limited by foot and hamstring ailments, but Ryan said he thinks "hell be fine." ... Ryan confirmed that LB Jermaine Cunningham tore his right Achilles tendon in the scrimmage and needs season-ending surgery. ' ' '