MONTREAL -- With all the sadness around the New York Rangers these days, winning a laugher may have been just what they needed. Clint Dempsey Jersey . Martin St. Louis, who is to attend his mothers funeral with his teammates on Sunday, got the opening goal as seven different Rangers scored and Henrik Lundqvist broke his Bell Centre jinx in a 7-2 rout of the Montreal Canadiens to open the NHL Eastern Conference final on Saturday afternoon. Game 2 is set for Monday night in Montreal. "It was an emotional time for everyone, but the guys have been behind me and supported me," said St. Louis, who got a long ovation from Montreal fans when he was named the games first star. "My teammates are behind me and supporting me and their effort was unbelievable. "We feel really close right now and were trying to keep feeding off that." Coach Alain Vigneault said his team is trying to support St. Louis and stay focused on playing a sound team game at the same time. "Emotionally, for us, that is something really strong right now," said Vigneault. "I know quite a few of our guys went to the wake (on Friday), and I texted with Marty last night to make sure that everything was good. "Its been very emotional for our whole group, and hes handled it in an incredible way that probably has helped our team come closer together. (Sunday) is going to be a tough day for our group. We need to be there to support him, and well do that and get ready for Monday." The quick-footed Rangers, coming off a comeback, seven-game win over Pittsburgh in the conference semifinals, jumped on a Montreal side that was flat and mentally absent after its nasty, emotional seven-game win over first-place overall Boston. Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Brad Richards, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan and Rick Nash, with his first of the playoffs, also scored for the Rangers, a team that had scored only four goals in its last nine regular-season visits to the Bell Centre. "You dont look at the score," said Richards. "Thats not indicative of how anythings going to happen in this series. "We got fortunate. We got some bounces. We got some momentum and pucks went in the net. It was a win, thats all it was, and were very aware that its going to be a lot different." New Yorks turnaround against Pittsburgh started when St. Louis returned to the team a day after mother France died suddenly last week. They went on to win three games in a row to erase a 3-1 series deficit. The 38-year-old has played inspired hockey since then, and his teammates have rallied behind him. Playing in his home town, only 4:35 into Game 1 St. Louis found an unguarded spot near the Montreal net and put Dominic Moores pass into an open side behind Carey Price, who had a night to forget. The Montreal goaltender looked to have hurt his right leg early in the second period when Kreider slid into him after shooting wide on a breakaway. He stayed in the game, but was pulled after giving up two goals late in the second frame. Coach Michel Therrien said Price was not injured, but was replaced by Peter Budaj simply because the team was playing so poorly there was no point in leaving him in. "We got our (backsides) kicked all over the ice," said Montreal left-winger Rene Bourque, who had a goal but took three minor penalties. "Theres really no other way to explain it. "Good thing its a seven-game series and we have a chance to get back in it on Monday. I think we had a little bit of an emotional letdown after the Boston series. We talked about that to going into the game. Obviously it didnt click. We have to just forget about this game." Lars Eller also scored for Montreal. The Rangers poured on goals even though one of their best forwards in the playoffs, Derick Brassard, left after only his second shift early in the game after a hit by Mike Weaver. He appeared to be favouring a shoulder, but Vigneault would only say that his condition is day-to-day. Otherwise, everything went right for New York, including the play of Moore, a fourth-liner who moved into Brassards spot. For one, Nash finally got a goal in New Yorks 15th game of the post-season, which must have been a relief for a top-line player who had been booed at home for his lack of production. "Were all happy to see Nasher score because hes taken a lot of heat," said Richards. "Thats a little weight off his back, but really, it doesnt matter. "We won the game. When youre in the playoffs, when its 7-1, no ones jumping up and down about who scored goals. We won as a team, weve got a good start and were going to move on to Game 2." The struggling power play went 3 for 7, matching its goal total from its previous 29 chances in these playoffs. And Lundqvist finally won in Montreal. The goalie known as King Henrik had not played a game at the Bell Centre since allowing four goals on Jan. 15, 2012. His last win there was March 17, 2009. He didnt appear to be in top form, but he didnt need to be as Montreal managed only 22 shots. "I felt good coming into the game," said Lundqvist. "We havent won too many games in this building so its a great start." The Canadiens will try to regroup after their worst playoff defeat since losing 8-2 to Carolina in 2002. "You dont need to make many adjustments (for Game 2) when you are not ready mentally," said Therrien. "You have no chance to win in that situation. "There were a lot of mental errors." Budaj was beaten on his first shot, a bullet from the slot by McDonagh on a power play at 1:28. The frustrated Canadiens then took a succession of penalties, including two minors and a misconduct to former Ranger Brandon Prust. Stepan scored and then Nash put one in from the slot. Montreal got one back while shorthanded with 4:38 left in the game when Eller beat Lundqvist with a quick, high shot from the slot. "We talked about getting pucks behind them and work the puck and we did a good job of that," said McDonagh, who also had three assists. The boost the Canadiens got from their rousing pre-game ceremonies in the first two series wasnt there as the Rangers showed all the speed and intensity in the opening frame, outshooting Montreal 12-6 and taking a 2-0 lead. Moore jumped on a loose puck after Michael Bournival partially blocked a point shot and slipped a pass to a wide open St. Louis at the doorstep to open the scoring at 4:35. Moore was the playmaker again as he slid a pass in front of the net and the trailing Zuccarrello was able to poke it into an open side as New York beat Price twice on their first five shots. Bourque took consecutive hooking calls late in the first period, but made up for it in the second as he went hard to the net, whacked at Brian Giontas pass and saw it go in off McDonaghs stick at 12:38. Montreals push-back brought the 21,273 at the Bell Centre back to life, but they went quiet again as Stepan broke in alone on the left side and beat Price with a low shot at 18:59. With 11.6 seconds left in the period, Zuccarello made a sweet reverse pass that had Price out of position for Richards to score into an open side. "They were really coming at us there," said McDonagh. "You get some fortunate clears and good finishing plays by the guys up front. It was a big change of momentum for sure, because they were really flying." Jimmy Ockford Seattle Sounders Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have completed a buyout of his contract, clearing the way for the former BYU sensation to become a free agent. Michael Farfan Jersey . - IndyCar racing officials expressed confidence on Monday that the NOLA Motorsports Park will be able to complete more $4.SARASOTA, Florida – On a pristine, cloudless Saturday morning before his Blue Jays took to the field to play the Orioles, manager John Gibbons assumed his familiar perch behind home plate to watch his charges take batting practice. That time around, the cage is as much a part of baseballs daily routine as a beer and a hotdog is to a fan in the stands. Coaches, scouts, broadcasters and other media hover, tossing verbal barbs, telling stories and sharing laughs. Occasionally, especially in spring when the atmosphere is relatively laid back, the list of invited guests expands and on this day, Gibbons welcomed two men strongly influential in his life. To his left stood his high school baseball coach, Syl Perez and on his right, Frank Arnold, Gibbons high school football coach. The two are spending these early days of camp with the man they mentored. Its a chance for the men to catch up, reminisce about old times, and for Gibbons to share his pro experience with two people whove helped him along the way. "Your high school years are very big years in forming who youre going to be," Gibbons told TSN.ca. "When youre in athletics, if you get the right guys, it can steer you the right direction, teach you discipline, the work ethic and all the right stuff that benefit you in life." Arnold, 72, is a legend in Texas high school football, a state where "football is king," as Gibbons likes to remind the uninitiated. Gibbons played but didnt start at MacArthur High School in San Antonio. He was a running back, although in hindsight, Arnold thinks Gibbons was better suited to play linebacker because he was athletically inclined and had good instincts. Arnold also took notice, almost immediately, of Gibbons upbringing, especially his supportive parents, William and Sally. "Great kid, great family, never had, you know you have some parents who are a little overbearing, his parents were right there to support him," said Arnold. He had a knack for baseball, although Gibbons admits he was a late bloomer, especially offensively. A senior catcher graduated after Gibbons sophomore season, a year in which Gibbons played the outfield, and Perez had someone else pegged as the teams next catcher. Gibbons was still an unknown commodity. The coaching staff tried him at third base. It wasnt the right fit. "I dont care where I put John Gibbons, he was a catcher," said Perez. "I mean, it was in his DNA. He carries himself like a catcher." Perez had Gibbons and the would-be catching successor get behind the plate and simulate throwing out base stealers. "I timed him," said Perez. "From the time the sound hit the mitt to the time it hit the shortstop or second baseman at the bag. The other young man was very accurate but John was kind of like a Nolan Ryan. He was not very accurate, or not as accurate, but he would only average two seconds and sometimes slightly less than that. The other kid was 2.3, 2.4." Funny thing, Gibbons ended up catching that year. The other kid played third base. Both were all district at the end of the season, Gibbons in spite of a batting average below .200. He was that good defensively. His game rounded into form in his senior year, thanks to a scout named Buzzy Keller, who in advance of the baseball season, instructed Perez on a new hitting pphilosophy featuring a more compact swing. Nathan Sturgis Bedinelli Jersey. Perez coached up Gibbons and the results were immediate. "John batted .500 in 19 games and he hit 10 home runs," said Perez. "Its not that he hit 10 home runs, its how far he hit those 10 home runs that really got him to be a lot more noticed. A lot of our practices were very, very well attended and of course, he went 24th overall in the first round (1980) to the Mets." A series of injuries derailed Gibbons big league playing career, the nail in the coffin being the Mets acquisition of Gary Carter before the 1985 season. He stayed around the game, coached at various levels over a number of years, and by 2004, was into his first run as manager of the Blue Jays. "Hes old school and the old school way of thinking is, good catchers become good managers," said Perez. "Theyre the only ones looking the other way at the entire defence. Lets face it, he may have been not a starter in his major league life but when hes in the bullpen catching and working with folks like the Dwight Goodens and such, Im sure hes going to learn some things." Gibbons credits Arnold and Perez with teaching him some of the tactics he employs to this day. "You get to this level, its a little different," said Gibbons. "Guys are very successful when they get to this level so theyve got a good idea of what they do. Theres not as much coaching, teaching and things like that and you give these guys a little more leeway because theyre adults. But theres a lot of the same principles that work. I dont care if youre in high school or big league baseball, you have to have discipline. You still have to play the right way." Gibbons fair, jovial but stern-when-he-needs-to-be personality endears him to those who know him best and have known him the longest. "Personally, I think he has the demeanour, the ability to work with people," said Arnold. "I hope he gets lucky this year because last year they had some bad luck, in my opinion, with injuries and other things. I follow him, I watch him all the time and Im very proud to say that I was around him." Arnold continued, "John is going to be the same on the docks with some dock workers as he is at some high class place with the boss. I just think hes a quality person. Hes not flashy, he is what he is but hes always good to people." Coming off a disappointing 74-88 season, a startling and uncomfortable thud after the offseason hype of a year ago, Gibbons knows there is pressure to rebound. His mentors know it, too. "Nobody wants you unless you win," said Arnold. "I dont care what level, what league so I wish him well and hope he has some great luck this year. I hope some of the guys have some great years because I think he deserves it." Gibbons is aware the fan base is angst-ridden, unsure of whether the Blue Jays can compete in the ultra-tough American League East. He knows about the Twitter faction thats popularized the "FireGibby" hashtag, understands and accepts its a fans right to be upset, but wants to be clear about something he says wont change, win or lose. "I want people to know that I care about Toronto, I care about Canada, and nobody wants to win for the fan base more than I do because I know they deserve it." Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '