Game Twenty-One
Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens
November 22nd, 2008 @ 7:30PM
I am happy to finally be able to say that the Bruins and Habs are tied in their season series at one a piece. The Bruins ended their regulation losing streak against the Habs at 12-games back on 13th when they cruised to a 6-1 victory at The Garden. Tonight the two divisional rivals face-off for the second time this season in Montreal, where the B's lost earlier this season in the shootout after an incredible comeback in the 3rd period. This time around though the Bruins are on a 3-game win streak and haven't lost a game in regulation yet in November (8-0-1). On top of this the Bruins are not only in first place in the Northeast Division (leading the Habs by 6-points) but also sit atop the Eastern Conference as well.
The game itself will be it usually back-and-forth battle that only the Bruins and Habs can produce. Everyone is talking about the possibility of seeing Lucic take on big Georges Laraque in a battle for the leagues top fighter. I personally don't see this happening. The last time these two team meet BGL challenged Lucic only to be rejected. This I think was a smart move by Lucic, the Bruins were ahead in the game and he did not want to give the Habs any type of momentum swing. Also, Laraque has done little to nothing for the Habs this season. He is getting slower and looks like a mini-mite out there. Why would Lucic (a crucial part of the Bruins offense) want to take himself out the of the game and risk the chance of hurting himself for someone like that? Sorry BGL, players like you just need to hang up your skates because your a dying breed.
Anyways, I see the Habs edging out the Bruins tonight on their home ice (I mean I can't pick the Bruins to win every game this season). The Habs will come out strong and grab an early lead and hold on to it all night. I still think the B's have a good chance at this game and I hope they prove me wrong. But after the amount of players we saw take a walk to the dressing room last night and counting in that the Canadiens are well rested, I predict a Habs win. Either way look for another crazy game.
GAME QUICK HITS:
- Marco Sturm will miss his third straight game with an upper body injury. I hope this is not as serious as its starting to seem.
- Matt Lashoff will most likely be a healthy scratch for the B's tonight.
- The Bruins have not won a game in regulation at the Bell Centre since December 4th, 2006. Could the B's end that streak tonight?
- The Montreal Canadiens will be retiring legend Patrick Roy's #33 before the start of the game. Roy is arguably one the best goaltenders to ever play the game and we salute him for helping Ray Bourque win the Stanley Cup.
GAME PREDICTIONS:
(post your predictions in the comments section)
- Chris: Canadiens 5-4 OT
BRUINS BLOGROLL GAME PREVIEWS:
