The Boston Bruins had a very light up beat practice yesterday at the Belle Centre in Montreal as they look to sweep their rivals tonight in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals. The B's and the Habs have met each other more times in the playoffs than any other two teams in the history of the NHL. The past four times the B's have been to the playoffs they were outdone by Montreal all four times. It will not happen this year. Claude Julien the coach of the Bruins and former Montreal Canadiens coach will not let his team fold like they are used to doing first round.
The Bruins just simply match up better in every aspect of the game compared to Montreal. Tim Thomas Vezina trophy candidate has played spectacular in net, making huge momentum changing saves when needed. The Bruins offense picked up where they left off in the regular season scoring timely goals when needed. Sparked by the first line of Marc Savard 2-3-5 totals, Phil Kessel 3-2-5 totals. These two have been a the leaders all year in the scoring department and Montreals defense has no answers for them. The Bruins have more depth this year and can roll all four lines at any time in the game. Montreal only has 5 goals in 3 games against the B's. The B's did a great job like they have done all year staying disciplined in thr Belle Centre where the fans seem to be the seventh player. But the crowd could not get to the B's and look for the Bruins to tune out the crowd tonight, play a solid deffense game and sweep the Habs in their own barn.
Dave Pazzaglia
ReplyDeleteNice post Jason. It is quite amazing that after the Bruins barley pushed the series last year to a game seven they are dominating this series with a commanding 3-0 lead going into tonight's game four match up in Montreal. Although many will argue Montreal is a more talented team they just cannot match up with the chemistry and goal tending that the Bruins play with. With many questions about if the Bruins could continue to play the way they did in the regular season its quite obvious the guys that got them there are playing to full potential.
Marc Savard who had only one career playoff goal going into this season. Savard as you point out Jason already has tallied two goals to go along with three helpers for five points in three games. Savard seems to have a knack for making plays that seem improbably with his amazing vision. Along with Savard Phil Kessel has punched in five points also with three goals and two assists.
If the Bruins continue to get offensive production from the guys that have been contributing all year and continue stellar goal tending from Thomas don't be surprised to not only see them sweep this series but make a deep run into the playoffs.
A tight, informative post, Jason; I would encourage you to use more punctuation, however. Likewise, an informative comment from you too, Dave.
ReplyDeleteNow that the B's have swept the Habs, how do they match up in Round 2?