Canucks draw first blood

With overtime looming, Torres was the unlikely hero redirecting a perfect feed from Jannik Hansen past Tim Thomas to trigger a thunderous celebration not heard in Vancouver since Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal to give Canada a victory over the United States in the 2010 Olympic men's final.

With Vezina trophy finalists manning both nets, the series opener turned in a scintillating goaltending duel between Thomas and Luongo.

Luongo stopped all 36 shots he faced for the shutout while Thomas was equally brilliant handling 34 shots.

Game Two of the best-of-seven series is in Vancouver on Saturday.

It was thought Thomas would have to steal a game or two for Boston to have a chance of claiming their first Cup in 39 years and the Bruins netminder almost delivered, falling 19 seconds short of his second consecutive post-season shutout.

Both Thomas and Luongo were razor sharp in a free-wheeling and at times ill-tempered opening period that saw the Bruins outshoot the Canucks 17-12.

Boston had a chance to seize the early initiative when Daniel Sedin was assessed a double minor for high-sticking but the Boston powerplay, which has produced just five goals this post-season continued to sputter and failed to convert.

Luongo and Thomas remained in the spotlight during a scoreless second period has both team failed to capitalise on powerplay opportunities.

Thomas stole the show in the third period denying Hansen on a breakaway then stood his ground on a two-on-one robbing Maxim Lapierre.

While the Boston netminder was in spectacular form, he also received a little help, Canucks Alexander Edler ringing the puck off the crossbar drawing groans from the capacity crowd.

But those moans turned to cheers a few minutes later when Torres notched his third of the post-season sending the crowd out onto the street to join a citywide party.

Back in the finals for the first time in 17 years, Stanley Cup fever had a tight grip on Vancouver as the city got revved up for Game One.

The Vancouver-wide dress code on Wednesday was Canucks sweaters while many of city's businesses shutdown early to allow employees to go home early to watch the game.

The atmosphere surrounding opener was as electric as the 2010 Olympic final medal final played on the same ice as fans packed bars and public squares where giant screens had been set up.

Ticket brokers were also asking Olympic gold medal prices with rinkside seats going for as much as $5,000.