Michael Ryder wasn't exactly a fan favorite in Boston, but that may have changed following his two-goal performance on Thursday night.
Ryder scored his first goal of the night 2:13 into the second period, tying the game at 1-1. His next goal was a tad bit more significant, considering it was the game-winner. Ryder found the back of the net 1:59 into overtime on a pinpoint pass from Chris Kelly, giving the Bruins a 5-4 win that tied their quarterfinal series at two games a piece.
Entering the game, Ryder had not registered a single point in any of the first three games of the Bruins' series against the Canadiens. Ryder's struggles had many calling for Bruins head coach Claude Julien to replace him with Tyler Seguin.
Yet if Julien had listened to any of those suggestions, the Bruins may be down 3-1.
"I've been with him for a while," Ryder said of Julien. "Just for him to give me the ice time and give me the confidence, for me, it just gives me that extra boost to show people that I can still play and still got it." (via WEEI)
Whatever the reason was, Julien stuck with Ryder, and it paid off. If the Bruins go on to win the series, that decision may ultimately help Julien keep his job, provided that Boston makes some noise in the conference semifinals and finals.