As with every meeting these teams have had this season at the end of tonights game, either the Boston Bruins or the Montreal Canadiens will be number one in the Northeast division. Because this is the last meeting in regular season between the teams and the season is nearly over, tonight is important. Currently the Canadiens are in first with 53 points but the Bruins are right behind them with 52 points (Montreal also has an extra game on the B’s). This race for first just adds a little flame to one of the NHL’s most heated rivalries.
Could Chris Kelly be back in the lineup tonight? (Credit: Flickr/ Slidingsideways)
B’s look for four in a row:
The Bruins are coming off of a shutout win Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils and are looking to carry that momentum on over to this game. It was Jaromir Jagr in his black and gold debut that would score the lone goal of the game and though it wasn’t pretty, it was a win. This will be Jagr’s second game for the Bruins skating on a very “youthful” line with Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand. This line has the potential to leave its mark in Montreal tonight. Tonight will also mark the Bruins debut of Wade Redden on defense.
Canadiens feeling the pressure:
Tonights game will be Montreal’s fifth game in seven days. However that hasn’t stopped them from losing first place. In fact you could say they’re very comfortable there. Prior to Friday’s game, Montreal was fourth in the League in goals per game (3.11). They have built up solid consistency that they are looking to maintain. Let’s not forget that Montreal has beaten the Bruins two out of three games thus far, which each game being decided by one goal. They are looking to take three out of four from the B’s this season.
Back so soon?
Both the Bruins and the Habs have crucial day-to-day injuries that could make a difference come game time. Chris Kelly isn’t ruled out for tonight’s game though the odds are he’ll sit it out. However it’s definitely progress that Kelly will be making his way back into the lineup soon. On Montreal’s end they could be without Tomas Plekanec, who missed Thursday’s game with a groin injury. Plekanec leads Montreal in with a goal and four assists in three games against the Bruins this season so it could be Boston advantage if he wasn’t playing.
Puck drops at 7pm tonight and you can catch the game on NESN! I’m not just saying this when I say this is a must see game.
A Cup A Bruin 