Bourque a surprise hero for Habs

— -- MONTREAL -- As the hats came cascading down on the Bell Centre ice surface 6:33 into the third period, one couldn't help but wonder just how life was for Rene Bourque just four months ago.

Back then, Bourque's name popped up more in trade gossip than it did on the scoresheet, the Montreal Canadiens rumored to be in the odd conversation with teams about their struggling winger.

It was painful to watch at times, Bourque clearly frustrated as he registered just nine goals in 63 regular-season games.

But the March 5 trade deadline came and went without Bourque switching uniforms. What is it they say about the best trades sometimes are the ones you never make?

No one, absolutely nobody alive on this planet, could have foreseen eight goals in 16 playoff games for Rene Gary Wayne Bourque this spring.

But credit the native of Lac La Biche, Alberta, for showing up when it matters most, rediscovering those hands that made him a back-to-back 27-goal scorer with the Calgary Flames.

His second goal of the night gave Montreal the lead for good at 5-4 with 4:50 to go in a whacky second period. His hat trick goal 6:33 into the third period was the nail in the 

So much intrigue heading into Game 6. The Rangers really need to end this. If you're the Blueshirts, you can't get back on a plane for a seventh and deciding game on Saturday night in Montreal.